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Tigers DET

199653–109 (0.327)
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GM: Randy Smith

Overview

Ranks vs the 30 teams in 1996, or a custom range (defaults to every team-season since 1985, when our data starts).

to

Front Office

PoorAverageGreat
Value
Payroll $M
$22M
Surplus $M
-16
Win %
0.327
TAB
-26.3
WAB
-23.9
Roster composition
Roster fWAR
3.1
Dead money %
40%
Depth Players
4.0
Dead WAR
-15.2

Offense

PoorAverageGreat

Pitching & Defense

PoorAverageGreat

Roster

1996 depth chart — stacked by playing time

C

RBrad Ausmus⇄75
RJohn Flaherty⇄47
BRaul Casanova22
RPhil Nevin4

1B

RCecil Fielder⇄107
BTony Clark86
LTim Hyers9
REddie Williams7
RMark Parent⇄1

2B

RMark Lewis144
RAlan Trammell11
RDamion Easley⇄8
RFausto Cruz8
BShannon Penn2

3B

RTravis Fryman128
RPhil Nevin24
RAlan Trammell8
RDamion Easley⇄3
RPhil Hiatt3
REddie Williams3

SS

RAndujar Cedeno⇄52
RChris Gomez⇄48
RAlan Trammell43
RTravis Fryman29
RDamion Easley⇄10
RFausto Cruz4

LF

LBobby Higginson63
RChad Curtis⇄48
LCurtis Pride45
BMelvin Nieves21
BRuben Sierra⇄12
RPhil Nevin9
RKimera Bartee4
LDuane Singleton3
RAlan Trammell1
RPhil Hiatt1
BShannon Penn1
LTim Hyers1

CF

RKimera Bartee95
LBobby Higginson19
LDuane Singleton15

RF

BMelvin Nieves84
LBobby Higginson57
BRuben Sierra⇄7
LCurtis Pride5
REddie Williams2
RKimera Bartee2
RPhil Hiatt1

DH

REddie Williams49
BRuben Sierra⇄27
LCurtis Pride26
BTony Clark11
BMelvin Nieves11
BShannon Penn3
LBobby Higginson2
BRaul Casanova2
RDanny Bautista⇄1
RDamion Easley⇄1
RPhil Hiatt1
RMark Lewis1

Starters

RFelipe Lira2.2 WAR
ROmar Olivares2.0 WAR
RA.J. Sager1.1 WAR
LJustin Thompson0.8 WAR
RJose Lima0.6 WAR
LScott Aldred⇄0.0 WAR
RBrian Moehler0.0 WAR
LTrever Miller-0.0 WAR
RGreg Gohr⇄-0.0 WAR
LC.J. Nitkowski-0.1 WAR
RJohn Farrell-0.2 WAR
RClint Sodowsky-0.3 WAR
LTom Urbani⇄-0.3 WAR
RBrian Williams-0.4 WAR
RGreg Keagle-0.4 WAR
RTodd Van Poppel⇄-0.7 WAR

Bullpen

★ LMike Myers6 sv
RRichie Lewis0 h
RGregg Olson⇄0 h
RJose Lima0 h
RRandy Veres0 h
LJoey Eischen⇄0 h
LJohn Cummings⇄0 h
RMike Walker0 h

Each position shows its top 3 by games (top = starter) — click "+more" for the rest. The letter is bats/throws; ⇄ marks a player traded mid-season. Starters are ranked by WAR, bullpen by holds; ★ marks the closer (most save chances). MLB Stats API.

Key additions (new vs 1995)

PlayerfWAR
Omar Olivares2.0
Curtis Pride1.1
A.J. Sager1.1
Justin Thompson0.8
Brad Ausmus0.6
Richie Lewis0.3

Key subtractions (gone from 1995)

Player1995 fWAR
David Wells2.1
Lou Whitaker1.3
Mike Henneman1.3
Brian Bohanon1.2
Sean Bergman1.1
John Doherty0.7

Contract Value

WAR translated into tier-adjusted market value, then compared with what the player was paid by Tigers. Guaranteed contracts from the 2015-present contract-data period use the known contract period through 1996; everyone else is shown as a 1996 season snapshot.

PlayerPeriodfWARTier Market $MPaid $MSurplus $M$ / WARTierContract
Bobby Higginson 1996 +3.6 +52.0 0.2 +51.9 $0.0M 1.79× –
Felipe Lira 1996 +2.2 +26.1 0.2 +25.9 $0.1M 1.49× –
Omar Olivares 1996 +2.0 +24.2 0.5 +23.7 $0.2M 1.49× –
Mike Myers 1996 +1.1 +11.2 0.1 +11.1 $0.1M 1.34× –
Travis Fryman 1996 +2.1 +14.2 5.2 +9.0 $2.5M 0.85× –
Curtis Pride 1996 +1.1 +7.2 0.1 +7.1 $0.1M 0.83× –
Justin Thompson 1996 +0.8 +6.7 0.1 +6.6 $0.1M 1.02× –
A.J. Sager 1996 +1.1 +5.7 0.2 +5.6 $0.1M 0.67× –
Phil Nevin 1996 +0.7 +3.4 0.1 +3.2 $0.2M 0.58× –
Jose Lima 1996 +0.6 +3.2 0.1 +3.1 $0.2M 0.67× –
Brad Ausmus↔ 1996 +0.6 +2.3 0.2 +2.1 $0.4M 0.52× –
Richie Lewis 1996 +0.3 +1.6 0.2 +1.5 $0.6M 0.67× –
Chad Curtis↔ 1996 +0.4 +2.8 1.4 +1.4 $3.4M 0.83× –
Mark Parent↔ 1996 +0.3 +1.2 0.3 +0.9 $1.2M 0.56× –
John Cummings↔ 1996 +0.1 +0.7 0.1 +0.6 $1.0M 0.67× –
John Flaherty↔ 1996 +0.1 +0.5 0.1 +0.4 $0.9M 0.52× –
Danny Bautista↔ 1996 +0.1 +0.4 0.1 +0.3 $1.6M 0.69× –
Joey Eischen↔ 1996 +0.0 +0.2 0.1 +0.1 $1.7M 0.67× –
Greg Gohr↔ 1996 -0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.4 – 1.02× –
Trever Miller 1996 -0.0 -0.3 0.1 -0.4 – 1.02× –
Gregg Olson↔ 1996 -0.1 -0.8 0.3 -1.1 – 0.67× –
Cecil Fielder↔ 1996 +1.0 +4.6 6.2 -1.6 $6.0M 0.56× –
Kimera Bartee 1996 -0.3 -1.7 0.1 -1.8 – 0.83× –
Randy Veres 1996 -0.3 -1.7 0.2 -1.9 – 0.67× –
Tom Urbani↔ 1996 -0.3 -1.8 0.1 -1.9 – 0.67× –
Tony Clark 1996 -0.4 -1.9 0.1 -2.0 – 0.56× –
Chris Gomez↔ 1996 -0.4 -2.2 0.1 -2.3 – 0.61× –
Greg Keagle 1996 -0.4 -2.2 0.1 -2.3 – 0.67× –
Brian Williams 1996 -0.4 -2.1 0.5 -2.6 – 0.67× –
Clint Sodowsky 1996 -0.3 -2.7 0.1 -2.8 – 1.02× –
Mark Lewis 1996 -0.7 -3.1 0.7 -3.8 – 0.56× –
Mike Christopher 1996 -0.7 -4.0 0.2 -4.2 – 0.67× –
Ruben Sierra↔ 1996 -0.5 -3.0 2.0 -5.0 – 0.69× –
Melvin Nieves 1996 -0.8 -5.3 0.2 -5.5 – 0.83× –
Todd Van Poppel↔ 1996 -0.7 -5.8 0.1 -5.9 – 1.02× –
Alan Trammell 1996 -1.3 -6.1 0.6 -6.7 – 0.61× –
Andujar Cedeno↔ 1996 -1.5 -7.1 0.2 -7.4 – 0.61× –
Eddie Williams 1996 -1.3 -7.1 0.3 -7.5 – 0.69× –
Damion Easley↔ 1996 +0.0 +0.1 0.1 +0.0 $4.6M 0.61× –
Scott Aldred↔ 1996 +0.0 +0.1 0.0 +0.0 $5.5M 1.02× –
Bob Scanlan↔ 1996 -0.1 -0.6 – – – 0.67× –
Brian Maxcy 1996 -0.2 -1.1 – – – 0.67× –
Brian Moehler 1996 +0.0 +0.0 – – – 1.02× –
C.J. Nitkowski 1996 -0.1 -1.2 – – – 1.02× –
Duane Singleton 1996 -0.6 -4.0 – – – 0.83× –
Fausto Cruz 1996 -0.5 -2.1 – – – 0.56× –
Jeff McCurry 1996 -0.3 -1.5 – – – 0.67× –
John Farrell 1996 -0.2 -1.6 – – – 1.02× –
Mike Walker 1996 -1.0 -5.5 – – – 0.67× –
Phil Hiatt 1996 -0.0 -0.1 – – – 0.58× –
Raul Casanova 1996 -0.7 -2.8 – – – 0.52× –
Shannon Penn 1996 -0.3 -1.7 – – – 0.69× –
Tim Hyers 1996 -0.6 -2.5 – – – 0.56× –
Total—+3.2+84.521.7+87.4—

Trades

Every graded 1996 deal involving the Tigers — best expected value first. Surplus is realized value in $M; 21 total.

1996 · DET / NYY
DET · Randy Smith +$44.8M
Rubén Sierra, Matt Drews#12
NYY · Bob Watson −$44.8M
Cecil Fielder
DET came out ahead by $44.8M
1996 · DET / CIN
DET · Randy Smith +$28.8M
Ben Bailey, Decomba Conner
CIN · Jim Bowden −$28.8M
Rubén Sierra
DET came out ahead by $28.8M
1996 · DET / SDP
DET · Randy Smith +$43.2M
Brad Ausmus, Andújar Cedeño, Russ Spear
SDP · Kevin Towers −$43.2M
John Flaherty, Chris Gomez
DET came out ahead by $43.2M
1996 · HOU / DET
HOU · Gerry Hunsicker +$6.4M
Brad Ausmus, José Lima, Trever Miller, C. J. Nitkowski, Daryle Ward
DET · Randy Smith −$6.4M
Doug Brocail, Brian Hunter, Todd Jones, Orlando Miller
HOU came out ahead by $6.4M
1996 · STL / DET
STL · Walt Jocketty +$3.2M
Micah Franklin, Brian Maxcy
DET · Randy Smith −$3.2M
Miguel Inzunza, Tom Urbani
STL came out ahead by $3.2M
1996 · DET / SFG
DET · Randy Smith +$8.0M
Jesse Ibarra
SFG · Bob Quinn −$8.0M
Mark Lewis
DET came out ahead by $8.0M
1996 · ATL / DET
ATL · John Schuerholz +$2.4M
Danny Bautista
DET · Randy Smith −$2.4M
Anton French
ATL came out ahead by $2.4M
1996 · DET / PIT
DET · Randy Smith +$0.8M
Dan Miceli
PIT · Ted Simmons −$0.8M
Clint Sodowsky
DET came out ahead by $0.8M
1996 · LAD / DET
LAD · Fred Claire +$1.6M
Jeff Berblinger
DET · Randy Smith −$1.6M
Deivi Cruz, Juan Hernaiz
LAD came out ahead by $1.6M
1996 · CIN / DET
CIN · Jim Bowden +$2.4M
Yuri Sanchez
DET · Randy Smith −$2.4M
Gregg Olson
CIN came out ahead by $2.4M
1996 · TOR / DET
TOR · Gord Ash +$1.6M
Anton French
DET · Randy Smith −$1.6M
Roberto Durán
TOR came out ahead by $1.6M
1996 · CLE / DET
CLE · John Hart +$1.6M
Greg Granger
DET · Randy Smith −$1.6M
John Farrell
CLE came out ahead by $1.6M
1996 · DET / HOU
DET · Randy Smith +$2.4M
Kevin Gallaher, Pedro Santana
HOU · Gerry Hunsicker −$2.4M
Gregg Olson
DET came out ahead by $2.4M
1996 · MIL / DET
MIL · Sal Bando +$4.0M
Henry Santos
DET · Randy Smith −$4.0M
Duane Singleton
MIL came out ahead by $4.0M
1996 · MIN / DET
MIN · Terry Ryan +$1.6M
Brent Stentz
DET · Randy Smith −$1.6M
Matt Walbeck
MIN came out ahead by $1.6M
1996 · DET / OAK
DET · Randy Smith +$4.0M
Fausto Cruz, Ramón Fermín
OAK · Sandy Alderson −$4.0M
Phil Plantier
DET came out ahead by $4.0M
1996 · DET / LAD
DET · Randy Smith +$4.0M
John Cummings, Joey Eischen
LAD · Fred Claire −$4.0M
Chad Curtis
DET came out ahead by $4.0M
1996 · SDP / DET
SDP · Kevin Towers +$11.2M
Joey Eischen, Cam Smith
DET · Randy Smith −$11.2M
Willie Blair, Brian Johnson
SDP came out ahead by $11.2M
1996 · DET / ANA
DET · Randy Smith +$37.6M
Damion Easley
ANA · Bill Bavasi −$37.6M
Greg Gohr
DET came out ahead by $37.6M
1996 · MIA / DET
MIA · Dave Dombrowski +$2.4M
Matt Brunson
DET · Randy Smith −$2.4M
Randy Veres
MIA came out ahead by $2.4M
1996 · SDP / DET
SDP · Kevin Towers +$26.4M
Sean Bergman, Cade Gaspar, Todd Steverson
DET · Randy Smith −$26.4M
Raúl Casanova, Richie Lewis, Melvin Nieves
SDP came out ahead by $26.4M

Current & Historical Payroll

1996 payroll
$22.0M

What the front office was committed to as of 1996, 1996–2002. Pre-2015 has no contract-terms data — forward italic $ are realized actuals (hindsight, not commitments known then). Control labels (ARB/FA) are point-in-time.

current $ guaranteed $ actual $ (hindsight) arbitration (proj) pre-arb (proj) free agent

Guaranteed / signed (13)

PlayerAgeSvc1996199719981999200020012002
Cecil Fielder3211.000$6.2MFREE AGENT
Travis Fryman276.000$5.2M$6.4MFREE AGENT
Ruben Sierra3010.000$2.0MFREE AGENT
Alan Trammell3819.000$600kFREE AGENT
Omar Olivares286.000$505k$707kFREE AGENT
Eddie Williams3110.000$350kFREE AGENT
Mark Parent3410.000$339kFREE AGENT
Gregg Olson298.000$331kFREE AGENT
Andujar Cedeno266.000$250kFREE AGENT
Randy Veres307.000$179kFREE AGENT
Scott Aldred286.000$46kFREE AGENT
John Farrell339.000—FREE AGENT
Mike Walker298.000—FREE AGENT

Arbitration-eligible (18)

PlayerAgeSvc1996199719981999200020012002
Chad Curtis274.000$1.4MARB 3FREE AGENT
Mark Lewis265.000$670kFREE AGENT
Brian Williams275.000$500kFREE AGENT
Brad Ausmus273.000$210kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Mike Christopher325.000$200kFREE AGENT
Richie Lewis304.000$170kARB 3FREE AGENT
Melvin Nieves244.000$170kARB 3FREE AGENT
Curtis Pride273.000$150kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
John Cummings273.000$143kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Tom Urbani283.000$137kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Damion Easley264.000$131kARB 3FREE AGENT
Danny Bautista243.000$110kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
John Flaherty284.000$109kARB 3FREE AGENT
Greg Gohr283.000$106kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Chris Gomez253.000$96kARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Todd Van Poppel245.000$77kFREE AGENT
Phil Hiatt273.000—ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Bob Scanlan295.000—FREE AGENT

Pre-arbitration (22)

PlayerAgeSvc1996199719981999200020012002
Felipe Lira241.000$170kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Bobby Higginson251.000$170kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
A.J. Sager312.000$160kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jose Lima232.000$145kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Mike Myers271.000$128kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Phil Nevin251.000$120kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Trever Miller230.000$109kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Tony Clark241.000$109kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Kimera Bartee230.000$109kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Greg Keagle250.000$109kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Clint Sodowsky231.000$109kPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Justin Thompson230.000$109kPre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Joey Eischen262.000$62kARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Raul Casanova230.000—Pre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Fausto Cruz24–—
Tim Hyers242.000—ARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Brian Maxcy251.000—Pre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Jeff McCurry261.000—Pre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Brian Moehler240.000—Pre-ArbPre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
C.J. Nitkowski231.000—Pre-ArbARB 1ARB 2ARB 3FREE AGENT
Shannon Penn26–—
Duane Singleton23–—

Graphs

How each 1996 acquisition stacked onto Tigers's playoff-odds curve. The side table is ranked by PPA.

Rosternomics — front-office performance, roster value, and transaction history. Follow @rosternomics on X.
Decision-maker records extend to 1933; resource-controlled WAR and payroll metrics cover 1985–2026. Data sources include FanGraphs, Baseball-Reference, the Chadwick Bureau register, the Lahman Database, prospect rankings from Baseball America, MLB Pipeline, and FanGraphs, and public payroll records. Transaction and trade data was obtained free of charge from and is copyrighted by Retrosheet. Executive birth/death data via Wikidata (CC0).
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