Dombrowski likes Tigers' future outlook after trading Price, Cespedes

Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski opted to restock the cupboard rather than gamble on the outside chance of reaching the postseason.

Stumbling out of the All-Star break, Dombrowski opted to deal ace David Price, closer Joakim Soria, and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes for much-needed prospects on Friday despite his team sitting 3 1/2 games back of the second wild-card spot.

"If you're not going to win a world championship," Dombrowski told reporters, "you look to do what's best for your organization."

He added: "I think for us, the prudent move is to say OK and take a step back. Let's put ourselves in a position to win a world championship."

What had once been a position of strength, the Tigers' rotation has been one of the league's worst. Veteran arms Justin Verlander and Anibal Sanchez have battled injuries and inconsistency, respectively, while the additions of Alfredo Simon and Shane Greene have been overwhelming disappointments.

Dombrowski was able to land the Toronto Blue Jays' top pitching prospect, Daniel Norris, who will start Sunday, in addition to pitchers Matt Boyd, Luis Cessa, and Michael Fulmer. The GM, however, is still looking to add to his rotation in the offseason.

"Our starting pitching will be addressed in the wintertime," he said, "because you're not going to stick three of these guys - although they might be capable of doing that - you're not going to put three young guys into your rotation saying you're trying to win a world championship."

He added: "I think we changed the outlook of our organization at the upper levels. "I think it makes us a much stronger organization going into next year."