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Cash-strapped Tigers in for tough offseason
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(AP) The Tigers owe Willis $12 million in 2010.
Getting beyond all the disappointment and second-guessing, let’s assess the 2009 Tigers for what they really were: a fourth-place lineup that overachieved their way to the cusp of the postseason. Hopefully everyone got a chance to enjoy the ride, as 2010 brings a much grimmer outlook.
The projected lineup for next season leaves the same questions from 2009 largely unanswered. With the expected departure of a few key free agents, it could very well be a struggle for the Tigers to tread water around the .500 mark.
Second baseman Placido Polanco seems all but out the door, as he’ll likely be looking for a multi-year dear outside Detroit’s price range. Polanco will be taking with him his .303 career batting average and career .993 fielding percentage.
The same can be said of closer Fernando Rodney, who will command a multi-year deal worth around $8 million annually. Rodney has expressed his desire to remain with the Tigers, but at 32, he will likely choose a big pay day over organizational loyalty.
Jarrod Washburn’s not expecting a contract offer from the Tigers, nor should he. His performance during his tenure here should warrant a refund rather than an extension. Washburn filed for free agency Thursday and has not ruled out a return to Seattle.
Aubrey Huff won’t be back. The Tigers were hoping to lean on the 32-year-old DH down the stretch, but Huff was a perpetual disappointment in the heart of the lineup; hitting .189 with just two home runs and 13 RBI in 40 games with the Tigers.
Adam Everett may not be back either. After hitting just .238 at age 32, the Tigers may be prepared to hand over the everyday short stop job to Ramon Santiago. Santiago hit .267 over 93 games.
That’s five marquee names the Tigers are expected to part ways with. Of course, Marcus Thames has been released, leaving the Tigers with six spots on their 25 man roster to fill in 2010.
After offering contracts to the free agents the organization wishes to retain, the Tigers will still be strapped with one of the highest payrolls in baseball. On the books already are Jeremy Bonderman: $12.5 million, Nate Robertson: $10 million, Dontrelle Willis: $12 million, Carlos Guillen: $13 million and Magglio Ordonez: $18 million.
That’d be $65.5 million tied up in five players—including three pitchers— for those of you keeping score at home. The trio of Bonderman, Robertson, and Willis combined for a 3-8 record with a 6.53 ERA.
After seeing Comerica Park attendance drop nearly 20 percent, its unlikely team owner Mike Illitch will be willing to open his pocketbook to lure any big name free agents to the Motor City. Combining the albatross of bloated contracts and a metro-Detroit unemployment rate north of 17 percent, there appears to be little relief for the Tiger lineup in sight. This isn’t another “pity Detroit and her economy” article. Facts are facts, and the outlook for the 2010 Tiger season isn’t a rosy one.
For as crushingly disappointing as 2009 ended; it may not be long until the fans in Detroit refer to it as the good old days.
For more info: Follow Detroit Tiger Examiner Randall Castro on Twitter or contact him by e-mail at randall.p.castro@gmail.com
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