The Detroit Tigers are headed to an arbitration hearing with starting pitcher Michael Fulmer, breaking a streak of 17 consecutive winters without any arbitration eligible player going to a hearing. A change in strategy in the Tigers’ front office, adopting a “file and trial” method of dealing with arbitration eligible players who do not settle prior to the deadline for exchanging salary figures. No further negotiations, just go to the hearing. Here is what happened the last time the Tigers took a case to an arbitration hearing:
In December, 2000, Detroit Tigers General Manager Randy Smith traded catcher Brad Ausmus, along with pitcher Doug Brocail and relief pitcher Nelson Cruz to the Houston Astros for catcher Mitch Meluskey, outfielder Roger Cedeno, and pitcher Chris Holt.