Jeff Seidel

Detroit Free Press Columnist

Here is a 21-step plan to fix the Tigers.

One: Bring back Victor Martinez.

Two: Say goodbye to Max Scherzer. Don't try to offer more money and sign him to a long-term deal. It's too risky. You never know when a pitcher will decline suddenly (See: Justin Verlander). Use the Scherzer money to upgrade the bullpen, outfield and the bench.

Three: Send manager Brad Ausmus on an educational tour. Let him pick the brain of Tony La Russa and Joe Torre and other former managers. Make sure that Ausmus becomes more flexible.

Four: Hire somebody who knows how to evaluate pitchers, specifically relief pitchers. The way they are doing it now just isn't working. The Tigers front office needs a new set of eyes when it comes to evaluating relief pitching.

Five: Try to revoke the Doug Fister trade. (OK. Sorry. Just wishful thinking.)

Six: Blow up the bullpen (this shouldn't be hard, it imploded long ago). Use the money you would have spent on Scherzer and start signing guys who can fill out that bullpen.

Seven: Don't assume that Bruce Rondon will be back. Don't assume anything. Go find another relief pitcher. Even when you think you have enough, go get one more.

Eight: Find an affordable, reliable starting pitcher to replace Scherzer.

Nine: Make James McCann the starting catcher.

Ten: This is going to sound harsh, but make Alex Avila go talk to some of the NFL players who have suffered brain damage from concussions. He needs to fully understand the ramifications of playing with concussions. He's a tough guy, and tough guys keep playing, but he is hurting his long-term health.

After suffering a concussion, the risk of the next one multiplies. Obviously, he has had several. Obviously, he is hurting his brain. And he is hurting his future by continuing to play. Make him talk to some of the researchers, who have studied head trauma at the cellular level. Make him understand how a wave of energy passes through the brain, ripping apart brain tissue at the cellular level.

Avila is smart and classy; a true pro. But he's hurting his long-term health by taking so many hits to his head. I'm not telling him to retire. It's his life. But I cringe every time he gets hit. He takes more beatings than anybody. And it has to be something with his technique.

Eleven: If Avila returns, make his No. 1 job to be a mentor to McCann.

Twelve: Upgrade the outfield.

Thirteen: Say goodbye to Torii Hunter. Hunter was great for this team. A great clubhouse guy; a great leader. And great for the media. But he is no longer a Gold Glove outfielder, and this team needs to get some outfielders who can run and throw.

Fourteen: If the Tigers can't bring back Victor, they should consider bringing in a big-hitting first baseman, so that Cabrera can spend time as the designated hitter. It is imperative for the Tigers to find a way to keep Cabrera healthy. And if they need to move him to full-time designated hitter, so be it.

Fifteen: Upgrade the bench. Just think what Delmon Young did in the ALDS for the Orioles. The Tigers need a big bat on the bench.

Sixteen: Don't assume that Andy Dirks will return to form in the outfield. He hit .322 in 2012. But he hit in the .250s in 2011 and 2013. The odds are, he is closer to a .270 hitter than a .300 hitter.

Seventeen: Bring back Al Alburquerque. And here is a novel concept: Actually use him.

Eighteen: Nick Castellanos has to improve his defense. Make it a spring training priority.

Nineteen: Don't assume that Joe Nathan will be your closer in 2015. He is 39.

Twenty: Give Tyler Collins and Steven Moya every chance in the world to make this team.

Twenty-one: Say goodbye to Joba Chamberlain and Phil Coke.

Overall, the Tigers front office needs to repeat this mantra: "A stronger bullpen, a better defense and improve the bottom of the batting order." Every decision they make over the next few months has to be with that in mind.

Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @seideljeff.