LAKELAND, Fla. -- Tigers manager Jim Leyland would've loved to put Franklyn German on his Opening Day roster after watching him on his good days. But there weren't enough good days to make it work.

Whether German, designated for assignment, pitches again at Triple-A Toledo or on some other team's big-league roster depends on whether any team claims him on waivers. It's an ironic fate for someone whose performance out of the bullpen on any given day was pretty much an unknown.

The conundrum on German might have best been summarized in a March 8 inning against the Braves. He allowed a leadoff single and hit back-to-back hitters to load the bases with no outs. An error and a sacrifice fly led to two runs, but German stranded the bases loaded by going to his splitter for back-to-back strikeouts.

"He has pitched well for us at times," president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said Friday morning. "I think in Frankie's case, he just hasn't developed the consistency of throwing strikes."

Dombrowski, Leyland and other club officials and coaches decided the time for patience was up, that having a second left-handed reliever would give them a better chance to win. That's where the Tigers are at now.

"Eventually you have to do it," Dombrowski said. "You can't keep talking about it. It was time to make a decision. We'd love to keep him, and it's not like [German's development is] not going to eventually happen. It just hasn't happened to this point."

German was the final player cut from the Tigers roster, which was effectively finalized Friday. Detroit will purchase the contracts of Ramon Santiago and Bobby Seay on Saturday to add them to the 25-man roster, then wait until Opening Day to see if German and catcher Rob Bowen clear waivers. The Tigers claimed Bowen off waivers from the Twins on Wednesday with the intent of designating him for assignment to add catching depth at Toledo and insurance in case either Ivan Rodriguez or Vance Wilson is injured this season.

Thus, the Opening Day roster is set, a mix of young and old, former Tigers and new ones. Detroit could have 21-year-old reliever Joel Zumaya relieve 41-year-old Kenny Rogers, or 37-year-old Todd Jones close out a victory for 23-year-old Justin Verlander. Utility infielder Santiago is a potential fill-in for shortstop Carlos Guillen, the man for whom the Tigers traded Santiago to Seattle two years ago.

The roster is simultaneously a sign of the farm system producing potential future stars and the big club wanting to win now.

"I think we have a chance to be a much improved club," Dombrowski said, "but that always takes care of itself on the field. If we can keep our guys on the field for a reasonable number of games, we'll take our chances. I like our combination of veterans and younger players. We'll see where it takes us."

It's a reflection of what Leyland said early on in camp. He didn't care where certain players came from, if he thought they could contribute to this team. He wanted the 12 best pitchers on his staff and he wanted a versatile bench. Some choices had mitigating factors -- Roman Colon had a Minor League option remaining, and Marcus Thames did not -- but the primary factor in most cases came down to accountability.

"We've grown tremendously," Dombrowski said, "and now it's time guys have to step up. And sometimes when you have to step up, guys get left behind. The guys that step up are the ones that stick around a long time."

German and first baseman Carlos Pena were around for more than three seasons after coming over in the Jeff Weaver trade to Oakland in the summer of 2002, along with Jeremy Bonderman. Like German, Pena showed tremendous ability but couldn't find the consistency to carry it forward, and he was passed over in the pecking order by Chris Shelton. German was once viewed as Detroit's closer of the future, but the only time that was reflected on the field was when he led the 2003 Tigers in saves with five.

German stuck in the Majors all last season, but as a setup man. He looked tremendous in the first half of the season, posting a 1.87 ERA entering the All-Star break along with 27 hits allowed in 33 1/3 innings. After the All-Star break, he posted a 6.04 ERA and gave up 36 hits in 25 1/3 innings. He allowed a .350 average in that span, and he issued at least one walk in 18 of his final 26 outings after July 8.

Despite that, though, Leyland gave him a chance at a fresh start. It didn't work out.

"I liked him," Leyland said. "To be honest with you, I wanted him on the club all through Spring Training because I hoped it would work out. I loved his personality. I had a rapport with him. But it didn't work out because, in my opinion, he was not one of the 12 best. ...

"He needs to throw the ball over the plate better. He could still have a bright future, but you have to make some adjustments in this game."