Tigers Keep Soria, Goodbye to Dirks

The Detroit Tigers made several moves on Friday, saying goodbye to outfielder Andy Dirks and keeping relief pitcher Joakim Soria.

The team is exercising a 7 million dollar option to keep 30 year old Soria in the bullpen.   They gave up two prospects for him late in the season, but he only pitched in 13 games for Detroit.

Dirks missed the entire season following back surgery and then a hamstring injury, and rather than keep him around via the arbitration process the Tigers placed him on waivers.  The Blue Jays picked him up.

The Tigers extended one-year qualifying offers to righthanded pitcher Max Scherzer and designated hitter Victor Martinez.  They  have until November 10th at 5 p.m. ET to accept or decline the qualifying offers. With declined qualifying offers, the Tigers would receive an additional selection at the end of the first round of the 2015 First-Year Player Draft should Scherzer or Martinez sign with another major league team.

The Tigers also outrighted the contracts of Evan Reed and Don Kelly to Triple A Toledo, and put outfielder Wynton Bernard from Single A West Michigan on the 40 man roster.

Bernard, 24, batted .323   over 131 games with West Michigan in 2014. He was named the Midwest League Most Valuable Player for 2014, after leading the league in batting average (.323) and hits (164).

 The Tigers also reinstated pitchers Luke Putkonen,  Bruce Rondon and Drew VerHagen and shortstop Jose Iglesias from the disabled list.  Lefty Patrick McCoy was grabbed by the Orioles on waivers.  The Tigers 40-man roster is now at 36.