Scott Harris hired to finally fix the Tigers - Axios DetroitLog InLog InAxios Detroit is an Axios company.

Scott Harris hired to finally fix the Tigers

Scott Harris. Photo: Lea Suzuki/The San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images Expectations for a successful Tigers rebuild are finally sky high this week after the team Giants GM Scott Harris as its president of baseball operations. Why it matters: This proud baseball city has endured a lot of losing and unmet expectations in recent years. Detroit (57-91) is last in the AL Central this season.Harris, 36, is viewed as a progressive, analytics-driven executive. Catch up quick: He replaces Al Avila, who was in August after nearly two decades with the organization. What they're saying: Owner Chris Ilitch received praise for the move, although there was some dissent.Here's a sampling of media reactions to the hiring: Bob Wojnowski, : "In philosophy and demeanor, Scott Harris is precisely what the Tigers needed." Jeff Passan, : "Harris is seen as a jack of all trades, fluent in scouting, player development and analytics." Chris Castellani, : "He's young, analytically minded, and sharp as hell. He's everything the previous regime wasn't. I'm genuinely stunned that Chris Ilitch pulled this off … I'm hopeful again." David Samson, former Marlins president and current : "When I think about the job description for being the president of baseball operations, having an analytic mind is about 10% of what I want. "The people who run the baseball operations departments are running a business … You need someone who knows how to be a people person, who knows how to manage people … but right now owners are solely focused on copying the success — I guess you could say — of these young, non-baseball, non-experienced executives." By the numbers: Detroit is 20th in luxury tax payroll this season, a measurement that has correlation to large win totals, .​​"Detroit's payroll flexibility moving forward indicates an ability to add talent," Passan writes.Data: MLB; Table: Thomas Oide/Axios Get more local stories in your inbox with .Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.

More Detroit stories

No stories could be found Get a free daily digest of the most important news in your backyard with Axios Detroit.Subscribe Support local journalism by becoming a member.