Jim Leyland to return as Tigers manager in 2013

Detroit, MI, United States (4E Sports) – Jim Leyland has agreed to stay with the Detroit Tigers for his eighth year as manager, signing a one-year contract extension days after the team was swept by the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.

The Tigers also announced that Leyland’s coaches will be back in the dugout for the 2013 season, including Toby Harrah, whose title as assistant hitting coach was made official.

The announcement ended months of speculation about Leyland’s future in Detroit after he entered the 2012 season with a one-year deal.

Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said he waited until the season’s end before signing Leyland and his staff to a new contract.

Leyland is the longest-tenured active manager in the Majors, having managed 21 seasons in the big leagues.

Detroit’s second straight AL Central title this year made Leyland just the second manager to lead the Tigers to three postseason berths, putting his name alongside Hughie Jennings.

Leyland’s 1,676-1,659 career record puts him 15th on the all-time Major League wins list, and first among active managers. That includes a 607-528 record over seven seasons with the Tigers. Only Jennings and Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson have more wins with the Tigers.

Also, the Tigers picked up the option years on relief pitcher Octavio Dotel and Jhonny Peralta.

Dotel, who pitched 58 innings of relief last year, had a $3.5 million option or $500,000 buyout on the one-year deal he signed as a free agent.

Dotel racked up 11 holds and a save, blowing three opportunities. In the postseason, he tossed five hitless innings over six postseason appearances, walking five and striking out six.

The Tigers picked up the $6 million option on Peralta, who had 60-point drop in batting average and more than twice that in OPS this season.

---

---