The Tigers officially added a middle of the order bat, signing catcher Victor Martinez to a four-year, $50MM contract. Martinez was widely regarded as the best offensive catcher available, though he may see significant time as Detroit's designated hitter. He'll earn $12MM in 2011, $13MM in 2012-13 and $12MM in 2014.
Martinez, 32 next month, hit .302/.351/.493 in 538 plate appearances for the Red Sox this year, earning his fourth All-Star nod. As a switch-hitter, Martinez provides the left side protection the Tigers craved. He also logged 904 innings behind the plate, a number that should decrease in Detroit due to the presence of Alex Avila.
Though the Red Sox hoped to re-sign Martinez, reportedly offering him a choice of three years and $36MM or four years and $42MM. They can take solace in receiving the best available draft pick as part of their compensation. The Tigers must surrender their #19 draft pick next year to the Red Sox, unless Detroit also signs Jayson Werth later. In that case the Red Sox would get the Tigers' second-round pick. Regardless, the Red Sox will also receive a supplemental draft pick.
According to Ignacio Serrano of El Nacional, who broke the story, Martinez turned down a four-year, $48MM offer from the Orioles and a three-year, $48MM contract from the White Sox. MLBTR has learned that the White Sox in fact offered $48MM over four years. Martinez is represented by Octagon.
The Tigers have been baseball's most aggressive team this offseason. Prior to the Martinez agreement, they committed $39.25MM to Brandon Inge, Jhonny Peralta, and Joaquin Benoit. In a November 10th poll, three of five MLBTR writers correctly predicted Martinez would sign with the Tigers.
Serrano broke the story, Sean McAdam of CSNNE.com reported that an agreement was in place and Enrique Rojas of ESPN Deportes reported on Twitter that the deal was official and added contract details.
Nice! Great for the Tigers. Do they have money still to bid on Dunn/Werth though?
They should. 12 Mil a year really isn’t that compounding. They can try for Werth/Crawford now. Dunn, I would guess, is eliminated due to him being a DH and the Tigers need for a REAL corner OF’er
I know its a juvenile comment to make, but I’d love to see them sign Werth too and screw the Sox on the higher pick. Werth in that lineup now would be damaging. I’d make them the early favorites for the Central if they could pick up one more back end arm at this point.
Shocker you want to screw the Red Sox.
I can’t imagine the Tigers outbidding the Sox for Werth, when the Sox have a mid-first round pick at stake.
I agree. Even though I hope Boston does not get Werth. I’d much rather get Crawford (obviously) but maybe sign Dunn and have the worst defensive tandem at 1B with Ortiz/Dunn.
Ortiz playing the field = lulz
Werth wouldn’t survive in comerica. He has no opposite field power and only 4 of his 18 HRs hit in citizens would have cleared comeria (3 pull) if the weather conditions were the same. He would be far from damaging for the tigers.
to put that into perspective, if you were to take Werth’s spray chart in citizens and put it in Fenway, he actually winds up with 20 HRs in hitting to the green monsta.
Well 55 million came off the books. If the deals are evenly paid
Peralta is due 5.625 mil
Inge is due 5.75 mil
Benoit is due 5.5 mil
and with v-mart at 12.5 mil that totals to 29.375 mil…. assuming they won’t be raising the team’s salary from last year that leaves 25.625 mil. which in my opinion means the shopping spree is far from over only half way done. I expect an outfielder to be signed sometime 🙂
They also have a 6MM raise to pay Verlander, 0.5MM to Porcello, as well as arbitration raises so the actual figure is less than 20MM left assuming the payroll remains constant
I wanted Dunn but 3 years from now that would be pretty ugly with him being a full time OF since Vmart wouldn’t be able to catch much at all anymore. Crawford seems destined to be an Angel so it looks like Werth is the remaining option. Not to mention he is a Boras client and the Red Sox are probably going to make a big push for him, he could get too expensive for my taste.
I’d rather have the Tigers sign Crawford. Much better player personally.
You’re a Tigers fan, how do you feel about this trade: Beltran for Galarraga and Boesch? I didn’t think of it, but I believe an online journal did.
I’d be fine with that. Move Pagan to center, shhh don’t tell Beltran but Angel should’ve been there all of last year.
That’s gotta be the dumbest trade proposal I’ve ever heard.
Well, why is this the dumbest trade proposal you’ve ever heard?
We have Austin Jackson making league minimum, why do we need an 18million dollar center fielder?
True true, but he’s open to playing other OF positions. I would think if the Mets move Beltran, there would be some eating of money being done also.
how about a back end rotation guy like Perez for Boesch and Galla? I’d be much more interested in that.
Lols sure thing.
Oh God, no.
why not? Galla is a #5 guy at best (despite one perfect game), and I really think Boesch was a flash in the pan type guy.
lmao this has to be a joke. Oliver Perez might actually be WORSE than willis
lmao this has to be a joke. Oliver Perez might actually be WORSE than willis
I did the calculations using the spreadsheet from COTS, and after I subtracted the players who left and factored in raises and moderate raises for 1st or second year arb guys, keeping payroll the same as 2010, I show the Tigers with 35.8 million left to spend.
That’s enough to get Werth (15-18)
De La Rosa (7-9)
and a decent lefty reliever (2-4)
They won’t spend the same as last year.
Illitch has already said he’s not cutting payroll. He wants that ring bad. I don’t he’ll raise it but I don’t think he’ll drop it.
75 million came off the books with expiring contracts for Ordonez, Bonderman, Robertson, Willis, Damon, Inge, Laird, Seay, and Everett.
One 6 million raise for Verlander. Including all adjustments and arbitration cases, and the signings of Inge, Peralta, Martinez, Benoit, and Alburquerque, payroll is still 40 million below 2010 payroll.
Enough to get an outfielder, a starting pitcher, and a reliever to replace Coke in the pen.
Absolutley…This is just a fantastic Baseball day and I’m really happy about this!!!!
Your Denard Span is probably not too happy about this.
he’s just a happy guy all the time. Hes just spanny being spanny
as a tiger fan for over 50 years i do feel that they should bring in one more free agent but his name is crawford . as of today they do also lack a quilty #2 or a #3 batter in there batting order and on a plus side he does improve the teams defense as well as team spead. as for a second baseman goes i would cut ties with guillen if he couldn’t be ready at the start of the new season and i would give sizemore a chance to win or loss the starting job at second base. next i would trade oliver villarial raburn wells and even boesch for a pitcher named sanchez from the sf giants. he would make a damn good #3 or #4 in any major league rotation . last either bring back maggs or trade for beltran from the ny mets. trade galarraga plus a prospect for one year of his service. who knows he may have overcome his injures that have cost him playing time over the past two years and then at the least if he turns in an ave year for himself his numbers would equal or be better then maggs but the greatest reason to concider a trade for him is because of his fielding as well as being a class player as well. a final word offense is nice but defense and pitching wins games. with crawford sanchez and maggs or beltran there team would have a winning combination. does any one believe that the tigers couldn’t compeat against the best from either leauge…….
“next i would trade oliver villarial raburn wells and even boesch for a pitcher named sanchez from the sf giants”
Yes because the Giants would just accept Oliver and our crap for Sanchez.
there has been times within the past within a pill of crap that a beautiful flower does grows. if you look at todays sf roster they do not only lack power but also replacements players within there present system to cover there needs. one thing they do have is pitching at the major league leval as well as in there minor league system. rayburn offers a bat with some power and wells offers more potential then what sf has on its todays roster. so please feel free to look over these facts before looking into a toilet. as i said before i am a tiger fan but i also do like and follow the sf team since i have been living in the bay area for over 30 years. is this possible trade onesided or not is not what matters at this point but what does matter for sf is could they repeat with there present roster today……… and i do think not
Oliver would be the centerpiece of the deal, but there isn’t really anything else there that the Giants would be enticed by. I don’t know the SFG minors top to bottom, but if Casper Wells, who’s 26 and has proven virtually nothing at the major league level.
Yes, Wells had about 100 PA that were really good for the Tigers this year, but he struck out 20% of the time compared to a 6% walk rate. He was also able to keep up a .373 BABIP through the short sample size.
As for Raburn, he could be valuable in the right circumstances. Personally if I was a GM I wouldn’t want to take a chance on a guy that hits .180 for the first four months of the season (and yes I know he wasn’t a regular during that time). I would also love to see him slaughter playing defense at AT&T.
I also don’t know what GM would be willing to give a lot for Boesch following his .163/.237/.222 line through 300 PA in the second half.
there has been times within the past within a pill of crap that a beautiful flower does grows. if you look at todays sf roster they do not only lack power but also replacements players within there present system to cover there needs. one thing they do have is pitching at the major league leval as well as in there minor league system. rayburn offers a bat with some power and wells offers more potential then what sf has on its todays roster. so please feel free to look over these facts before looking into a toilet. as i said before i am a tiger fan but i also do like and follow the sf team since i have been living in the bay area for over 30 years. is this possible trade onesided or not is not what matters at this point but what does matter for sf is could they repeat with there present roster today……… and i do think not
Still 40 million below last year’s payroll after signing Inge, Peralta, Benoit, Martinez, counting Verlander’s raise and all other arbitration and salary adjustments.
Good to get him out of the AL East. He was always a tought out for the Yanks
Too damn bad we gotta see him on OPENING DAY! F***!!
Good for the Tigers. I can’t criticize their moves. I think they are filling their needs and they are not sitting around waiting for it to come to them. Now they can pick up a few things off the scrap heap in a few weeks. They didn’t have to trade any young talent either.
Good signing, I actually thought it would be a 5 yr deal for more money.
Agreed — given how lavish the contract could have been, it’s impressive. I mean, VMart will make the same amount next year that Carlos Guillen does. The only thing I question is whether the deal look as bad as Guillen’s come 2014.
Someone has to explain more about the 3yr/$48M white sox offer rumor. I still can’t believe he turned that down even though it’s in Ignacio’s article in plain, Venezuelan Spanish.
I asked Morosi if he could confirm that part; I’m sure something will come out sooner or later.
If it is true it might be the first time someone turned down a better offer to live in Detroit
Screw you.
u mad?
Detroit pretty much is the toilet bowl of America
Nah that’s pretty much St. Louis. I was born and lived in Detroit. I love the place so much. I also lived in St. Louis, that place is the real toilet bowl of America.
lets just all agree that the united states is a land of many toilets.
Says the Canadian. Go take your government subsidized healthcare and…and…*sniffle*
Dual citizenship baby, I live in the Florida 4 months out of the year!
Senior citizen baby!
I’m only 28, but yes there are a terrible amount of old people in florida…. I have rage blackouts while driving.
I’m only 28, but yes there are a terrible amount of old people in florida…. I have rage blackouts while driving.
and…and…and…get free professional health care that won’t have you making life decisions between getting medical treatment or selling your house? Damn republicans.
Yeah, Like O’Dumbo is making this country a better place to live? NOT. We’ll be another Somalia by the time his term is over.
OK maybe I should’ve have made this a political forum but…don’t drink the kool aid dude. And to think we could ever be reduced to anything less than a super power is a joke.
just wow.
Really?
glenn beck thinks you’re nuts.
Says the Canadian. Go take your government subsidized healthcare and…and…*sniffle*
Is it the Port Authority of the world?
I can’t believe nobody gave you any love for this comment. Port Authority is truly the worst place in the country, and I say that as someone who loves New York.
No one said Detroit is all rosy-posy. The playes live in the suburbs (and, yes, they can get beautiful homes for far less money than in fancier cities) but they do drive downtown to get to Comerica. Comerica is a sanctuary in the middle of chaos and is a beloved place to be.
St. Louis and Detroit are basically the same city except St. Louis has much nicer burbs. But yes St Louis is a hell hole, Detroit and St. Louis are the only two comparable cities in america to eachother.
St. Louis and Detroit are basically the same city except St. Louis has much nicer burbs. But yes St Louis is a hell hole, Detroit and St. Louis are the only two comparable cities in america to eachother.
At least Detroit doesn’t have barges full of garbage floating in our water trying to con someone into taking it. Tell me doe the East river still have no swimming signs with skulls and crossbones on them?
Most likely turned down a better offer to become a part of the “Venezuelan Mafia”: Cabrera, Galaragga, Guillen, hopefully Maggs… playing with your countrymen probably held a lot of appeal.
Don’t assume that all Venezuelan’s love the idea of being teammates w/ Ordonez. Isn’t he pro-Hugo Chavez to the dislike of some of national teammates?
the hopefully Maggs was about my desire, not anyone else’s 🙂
Don’t assume that all Venezuelan’s love the idea of being teammates w/ Ordonez. Isn’t he pro-Hugo Chavez to the dislike of some of national teammates?
Detroit as a regular city is rough, not gonna argue that. As a baseball town, its one of the best. The fans love their team and their players and really stick with them. Peralta, Damon, and a bunch of other Tiger players have gone on record to say that they love playing in Detroit. Maybe Detroit isn’t the greatest place in the world to live and work in, but apparently its pretty good to play baseball in.
I’m sure you are right. I was just making a joke at Detroit’s reputation. I wasnt trying to offend anyone.
Also, the players don’t have to live in downtown Detroit, they just work there. There’s a reason potential free agent signings sometimes take a “tour” of Oakland County during the courting process.
Glad to see that all those Hot’N Readys I bought throughout college are finally paying off
I think the most shocking thing about this report is that the White Sox offered Martinez 3 years and $48M.
can we get over this? even if the report is accurate, why can’t we allow that a player may have chosen a scenario he felt was a better fit?
Jason_F is right. What is there to get over? First of all, why would anyone choose to live in Detroit instead of Chicago? More importantly, he’d get nearly the exact same amount (and considering how the first seasons might be invested 48 mil in 3 years is likely to be worth more at the end of year 4 than 50 mil in 4 years). Plus he’d have free agency again a year younger. I think that article has to be a translation issue – I think it’d make sense if the article meant to say something like Chicago offered 3 years, 39 mil or maybe even 3 years, 42 mil.
You do know that practically none of the athletes actually live in Detroit right? And I have lived in Detroit for a few years now, and obviously it has its nasty parts, but around Comerica and the Wayne State area (where I went to college) it actually is quite nice. Now it is no Chicago by any means, but it shouldn’t be enough to discourage Vmart from signing here.
Plus we have had alot of Venezuelans on the Tigers so he probably feels more comfortable around his countrymen. Cabrera and Guillen among others hail from there as well.
I’m sure Detroit has some very nice suburbs. What I can’t get over is why the Sox were willing to overpay so much for a DH. As a catcher he might be worth that much but he’s practically useless behind the plate. You can’t play him everyday cause he’s an injury risk. He’s just not worth 16MM a year at this stage. I hope the report was false.
And Leyland, our effing MANAGER is Venezuelan. As our several other players on our team. I doubt that had to do with anything.
I think the White Sox would have played him at 1st base, but that is just speculation.
I don’t really mean to hate on Detroit, I’m more emphasizing that Chicago is one of the greatest cities on Earth (not to mention one of the great baseball cities).
I think that it’s incredibly strange that a player would choose to sign for only 75% of the value the market suggests he’s worth, regardless of city. 48 mil over 3 years is likely to be MORE valuable in actual wealth than 50 mil over 4 years.
Yes, let’s assume that all those Venezuelans MUST be friends with one another! I’m sure you love every one of your co-workers simply because they’re American like you. I don’t buy Jingoistic ‘more Venezuelans’ arguments; show me some evidence Martinez has an actual relationship with Cabrera or Guillen and we might be on to something. Just as a small example, Jorge Posada’s best friend on the Yankees isn’t one of his fellow Puerto Ricans – it’s Derek Jeter. I don’t think we’d assume that Cliff Lee would sign with a team because they have more Southerners or folks from Arkansas on it – let’s not play that game because someone is of Latin descent.
No he might not already know them, but if I were to be playing ball in Japan I would sure as hell want to be on a team with a few Americans.
Considering the fact he’s been in America for 15 years now and is from about 350 miles away from Cabrera and Guillen’s home town I don’t think there’s ANY correlation whatsoever.
Jhonny Peralta and Victor Martinez were BFFs on the Indians. Maybe that had some influence.
There we go! Didn’t know of their friendship, but I could definitely see that sort of thing being a contributing factor to Martinez’s choice. Even though Petalta is *GASP* Dominican!
You just pissed off all of Washington Hts dude. Be careful…..be very careful.
Metro Detroit is amazing, and I go to school in Detroit and its not bad in the areas mentioned. Its just such a big city(bigger then manhatten/LA combined) that there are bound to be bad areas. Anyways maybe he just wanted the Tigers over the chisox is that so hard to believe? Not work for a manager that has a rep for treating venezualen players poorly(mags) and a team that isnt poised to add more pieces. The Tigers have a ton of money to spend and an owner that wants to spend it, mixed in with our current young starters (porcello/scherzer) and turner/oliver coming up its an attractive destination.
I could go on further about why the tigers are simply more desirable then the white sox.
My point is that he left a hell of a lot of money on the table if that 3 for 48 offer is true. The White Sox have, arguably, a better core to build around as well. Detroit has three absolutely fantastic players (Cabrera, Verlander and Scherzer) but beyond that the roster is uninspiring (Porcello has upside, Jackson had a great season but it’s not reflective of his true talent). Chicago, at least, has 5 strong starting pitchers under contract, a solid, if unspectacular, positional talent around in Rios, Quentin, Beckham and Ramirez and superb relief arms.I don’t really mean to hate on Detroit, I’m more emphasizing that Chicago is one of the greatest cities on Earth (not to mention one of the great baseball cities).
I don’t think it’s fair to say that he treats Venezeulan players badly as much as to say that he and Maggs, both from Venezuela, may not share the same opinion of Hugo Chavez who Maggs supports. A lot of Venezuelans have problems with Chavez. Who is to say that the others don’t share Guillen’s dislike of Maggs too?
Why would anyone want to live on the south side of Chicago? After all, that’s where the White Sox play. Since you assume that players live next door to stadiums and, gasp, why would anyone want to live in nasty Detroit, I have to ask…why would anyone live in southside Chicago?
Yup. That’s EXACTLY my point. You nailed it. Congratulations.
To respond briefly, I think if you asked 100 Americans if they’d rather live in Chicago or Detroit I’d bet 99 or so would say Chicago. But, again, it was one throwaway line at the beginning of my comment – my point is that the dollars don’t make sense.
Your point is that you don’t realize that there is more to Detroit than what you saw on 8 Mile and that you are ignorant. Nice work.
A throwaway comment isn’t something that you lead with.
#1 I’ve been to Detroit twice.
#2 My comment clearly said ‘more importantly’
#3 I think it’s a good signing, but simply don’t understand why anyone (even if the cities were reversed) would choose to sign with the team coming off the worse season for more years and less TOTAL money.
Not to beat up on you but to say “I’ve been to Detroit twice” is like saying I have a “blank” friend so I know all about being “blank”.
One of my close friends went to law school at Detroit Mercy, hence my being in the city.
#1 I’ve been to Detroit twice.
#2 My comment clearly said ‘more importantly’
#3 I think it’s a good signing, but simply don’t understand why anyone (even if the cities were reversed) would choose to sign with the team coming off the worse season for more years and less TOTAL money.
Because of the players union that allegedly looks out for players’ best interests.
I know! Shocking that nobody would be clamoring to play for a Chicago team who was just as crappy as the Tigers last year with a d!ck for a manager. I’m blown away myself.
Oh yeah, 88-74 is just as crappy as those .500 Tigers who had one offensive player and no back end to their rotation. And I’m sure Martinez would not share your sentiments about the manager whom you so eloquently described, seeing as how they’re both from Venezuela and Martinez IDOLIZED the man when he was a boy.
I know! Shocking that nobody would be clamoring to play for a Chicago team who was just as crappy as the Tigers last year with a d!ck for a manager. I’m blown away myself.
I thought that was pretty bizarre, too. If you are Victor, why are you willing to play the 4th year for $2 million?
“The Tigers must surrender their #19 draft pick next year to the Red Sox, unless Detroit also signs Jayson Werth later.”
May sound dumb, but I’m a little lost. How would signing Jayson Werth save them a draft pick?
I gotta think with both Buck and VMart signed that Theo will make an aggressive move for Napoli.
I hope youi’re right! A Salty/Napoli combo would be sweet and would be for half of what vmarts making next year! I love the fact the sox seem committed to giving Salty a chance to shine as they did with Youk and Pedroia previously!
You know you’re a badass if your agent is a polygon.
I thought it was Octagon of AAA Lucha LIbre fame.
Well as a Red Sox fan this is a tough blow. His defense was okay, but we can deal with that because his bat at his position is so rare. Good sign for the Tigers, he’s a class act. Wonder what Bostons plans are now.
Well we now have about $20mm freed up from Beltre and Vic to go find a power bat. Wonder if this will light some fire under Theo’s butt to make a blockbuster deal and sign a significant bat? Crawford + Gonzalez, Werth + Gonzalez, etc.
Blockbuster deals means giving up prospects with high ceilings. He had the chance to keep a solid offensive with just money and saving prospects but he didn’t.
Signing VMart would have cost the Sox a 1st round and supplemental pick AND $$$ if you consider the compensation picks. I’m betting Beltre walks so the Sox can get those picks, too.
Don’t touch his head.
Wasnt that Beltre that spazzed out for touching his head or was it both of them?
That was Beltre. Touch his head and he’ll break your ribs.
That was Beltre.
I think this is a pretty good move for Detroit.
Like the signing. No issues at all. He will play 50 games at C, tops, and maybe 5 at 1B. Really like him as our DH and leaves us open to get one of the other top FA hitters.
This is a good signing. Now they have enought cash to go after another free agent!
OK, let me get this straight…. you are happy that your team is spending $12.5 million for a guy that will mostly be a DH? HUH?
When you have Mr. I’s money you can do whatever you like, Tigers are going to be contenders next year. Magglio will be back and they’ll sign or trade another arm for the rotation and bullpen.
Yeah, having deep pockets helps with fielding a competitive team. I just find it interesting that so few people are bringing up paying $12.5 m for a DH in VMart’s case while there were people all over the place savaging picking up Papi’s $12.5 option that only committed the Red Sox to one year. Go figure…
Its a good signing for the Tigers, while the Sox still have Jason Veritek
He will add pop to the Tigers lineup with or without them signing Maglio
the Orioles couldn’t bump it up a couple million??? If we sign Paul Konerko or Derek Lee I’m going to be furious.
Konerko’s a great player and a very underrated defender, you’d be lucky to have him.
Contract year. Other than that he’s been pretty average the last few seasons. He won’t come close to what he did last year, especially if he leaves the Central for the East.
Say what you want about contract years. There are players that play out their contract years horribly. A .310 batting average, 40 home runs, 110 runs batted in, a .400 OBP, a .584 SLG and a OPS close to .1000 doesn’t just happen. I have yet to hear of a player that has an MVP-caliber year at age 34, and completely falters for the rest of his career/
Yeah i agree, though i wonder if the O’s were in it just to force the Tigers to increase their offer. Maybe they didn’t even get a chance to counter. I like V-mart but $50 million would be about the limit I’d give him over 4 years.
Red Sox offense has just crumpled to the ground. Unless Ortiz decides to start the roids up again.
they were one of the best offensives last season with half a AAAA team.
they were one of the best offensives last season with half a AAAA team.
It’s really amazing how a few years ago they had a wicked offense, to literally nothing (outside of Pedroia and Youkillis)
Well, Victor might have wanted to come to Detroit because he has friends on the team. It’s also cheaper to live in Detrot than Boston or Chicago. Just ask Curtis Granderson. One of the reasons I loved Damon so much were his comments about Detroit “getting a bad rap.” OMG, I love Victor and he chose Detroit.
Yeah, like Martinez was having trouble making his rent payments right?
Detroit also has double the violent crime rate of Boston… hey if we’re gonna factor in economics we might as well factor in crime.
Detroit has plenty of economic problems. Of course, you don’t really feel them if you’re living in the suburbs of Detroit, which its obvious all the Tigers players are.
Yea, what’s up with all these people that assume baseball players are living in the slums of Detroit? Did you guys watch 8 mile and just assume that’s how the entire Detroit area is?
Vmart is going to live at hooome in a trailerrrrrrr
“It’s also cheaper to live in Detrot than Boston or Chicago.”
Important point considering he just made 50$ million.
What does that mean? It’s cheaper to live in Detroit regardless of income.
I think he means with 50 million dollars who really cares.
With that logic why can it be a deal breaker when one team offers 50 millions but another team is willing to offer 55 million? Rich people don’t like saving money and getting more money?
They freed up alot more than 20 million …Beltre,Martinez,Lowell,Lugo are all off the books…they have all the money they need to get some of the pieces they need …. I think the problem will be finding the players that want to come to Boston. Crawford, IMHO, will end up with the Halos, Werth hopefully signs somewhere else. I think The Sox are going to have to make thier moves in the trade market.
I said between Beltre and Vic, they freed up 20mm. Add Lowell and Lugo and they’ve freed up over 40mm.
Jason Varitek, $3 million.
Victor Martinez, $7.7 million.
Mike Lowell, $12 million.
Lugo, Wagner, Gonzalez: $10.5 million.
That’s close to $35 million.
Kevin Youkilis, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Dustin Pedroia, and Josh Beckett all get raises in their contract, and they all total $10.525MM. Jacoby Ellsbury is going to arbitration for the first time, Hideki Okajima and Jonathan Papelbon as 3rd timers.
Well keeping it simple i think they have a little less then 40 million, maybe 35 million, but that’s just an estimate.
At least the O’s made a legit offer, should shut the haters up a bit. V-mart wanted to catch, and he will get more time behind the plate in Detroit than Bmore. Tigers have been busy early this year.
Motor City Kitties still need some starting pitching. All the offense in the world won’t get you to the World Series if you don’t have a dominant 1-3 starters (see SF Giants). Verlander is a good start…
And I say this too about my Twins. They’ve got a 1/2 Ace in Liriano but nothing dominant after that.
You mean Verlander and Scherzer is a good start. Scherzer was more dominant than Verlander when he came back up from the minors in the beginning of the season. If Porcello can pick up where he left off after his rookie campaign and the 2nd half of last season, then we have a very promising 1-3. Phil Coke is being moved into the rotation this season also and he should be more than serviceable as a #4 or 5 starter. Not the best rotation in the game but should be more than sufficient IF everyone pitches to their ability.
Scherzer is legitimate number 2, I dont really think that’s a question up for debate.
Porcello could be a 3 but clearly wasn’t last year. If your more general point was that they need another 3/4 arm, then yeah, I agree with you.
Sherzer could be a number one on a dozen rotations–dude has filthy stuff and is still really young. Porcello is only 22 and take away a sophomore slump was a man beast at age 20.
The phillies are the only team with a better 1-2-3 than Detroit and that crown might be theirs at the end of this year if scherzer and porcello do what they did at the end if last year. The tigers have a nasty, hard throwing rotation and have shown they can absolutely dominant when things are clicking.
More than I’m comfortable paying, but less than I expected him to get and I’m VERY surprised he signed this early with the market set so high by Buck and him being the premiere catching bat. I really did anticipate the Tigers spending way too much. I’d like to see the way it’s constructed. If it’s front loaded, I’d say a good deal overall for the Tigers.
As far as the luxury tax is concerned, payroll is calculated at average annual value, so if he made 12mm 12mm 13mm 13mm in actual payroll dollars, for luxury tax purposes his salary is 12.5mm 12.5mm 12.5mm 12.5mm. Not sure if that’s why you were wondering, or if you were just wondering based on value provided compared to salary.
Why? If it’s front loaded, that raises the NPV of the contract and makes it more expensive. Corresponding salary to player value is irrelevant as far as Martinez’s income stream value is concerned.
Well thanks Tigers as a Yankee fan this can’t hurt our chances of signing Lee. No Martinez-Lee combo sorry Texas. We’ll have to wait and see. Now here will come the comments about me being a greedy bandwagon fan sorry but I like for my team to be good thats not a crime I don’t think.
No… no comments about being greedy… just not sure how VMart signing with the Tigers has any effect on Lee.
Rangers were in on Lee and Vic. Lee and Vic have a history together. If the Rangers landed Vic, they could use that as leverage in their pursuit of Lee.
it’s all about the benjamins, baby
Unlikely considering, as many people have pointed out, Lee’s only really great year with the Indians saw Shoppach behind the plate the VAST majority of his starts. Martinez won’t have anything to do with Lee’s destination.
I didn’t follow the tribe enough to know who caught Lee in the majority of his starts, I was just trying to explain the logic behind the comment that huften made. Should have known that a Yankees fan would have none though.
Lee AND Martinez? Isn’t this the same team that is at/near bankruptcy?
New ownership…
I don’t think you’re greedy, I just don’t think where vmart signed has anything to do with Cliff Lee. .
I was just about to say that. Tigers have the upper hand in bringing in the Venezuelans.
This is great news…the Sox are following the bridge to mediocrity.
I can’t believe the sox went and offered 3/48.
Ha! And the Sox thought their 2010 team wasn’t sexy…sub Salty for Victor, sub Lowrie for Beltre. 2010 never looked so good…
Good luck Tigers. V-Mart is now your $50M headache.
Best to you also Victor. Boston’s fans appreciate the efforts you made during the 18 months you played in our town.
If the Sox signed him for 4/50, you would be praising the move.
Not really. I watched the game last year when Carl Crawford stole 6 bases against him. All I could think of is “there goes Theo’s emphasis on defense….down the toilet” Victor is a nice player who came on in September to raise his BA, HR’s and RBI’s to positive levels for contract purposes. But at 32, he is not my idea of a team leader, defensive stalwart and someone to build a team around for the future.
Good thing Tigers arent planning to use him as their FT catcher.
That is the $52M question isn’t it. What are they going to do with him for the next 4 years?
Maybe he can platoon at 2B with Guillen?
…lol
I think the Tigers will use him more at catcher then everyone is suggesting.
DD announced V-mart will be their primary DH.
Good thing Tigers arent planning to use him as their FT catcher.
1. He’ll be a DH most of the year, meaning he can’t suck on defense
2. They aren’t building the team around him, they’re building it around Cabrera and Verlander
3. All he is, is a younger Carlos Guillen. A switch hitter, with some power, who can’t play the field
And………when was the last time the Tigers won the World Series?Â
Boston foolishly gave David Ortiz 4/$50 after 2007. At that point Papi was the toast of Boston, having had 3 successive monster years and had become the most popular figure in the New England media. He should have earned 3/$27 after that experience but the front office caved in to pressure. As a half time player (just offense) they gave him one half of Alex Rodriguez’s money ($25M)….. Â
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My points are, I don’t think that (1) Victor can come close to those monster years that Papi had and, (2) Victor would have been over paid at 4/$42 (14, 14, 7, 7) if he took Boston’s deal. Victor, as a DH is gonna be paid about $20M more than he is worth…. Essentially he is gonna be paid as though he were a full time position player, without a position. None the less, I hope I am wrong. The Tigers deserve the best they can get for their fans…
“I watched the game last year when Carl Crawford stole 6 bases against him.”
Wasn’t that Wakefield pitching?
Tell you the truth…I don’t remember…it may have been but my memory focused on Crawford’s exploits… I felt a sense of embarassment… and, at the same time, anger…at Theo for not considering Victor’s defensive weaknesses when he went out and got him from Cleveland..
Lol. I remember reading comments similar to this when the tigers traded for Cabrera.
No comparison…. Cabrera is a “franchise” player on both offense and defense….
you must be a blind detroit fan to think Cabrera is an asset on defense.
And apparently because you don’t watch him everyday like Tiger’s fans do to realize what great strides he made as a defensive 1B. He was above average defensively while playing his first full year there. He made numberous diving catches and showed decent range. His only problem is that he isn’t going to win any vertical contests and occassionally he would range too far for a ball instead of letting the 2b get it as evident by the “imperfect game” But that will get better with experience.
And apparently because you don’t watch him everyday like Tiger’s fans do to realize what great strides he made as a defensive 1B. He was above average defensively while playing his first full year there. He made numberous diving catches and showed decent range. His only problem is that he isn’t going to win any vertical contests and occassionally he would range too far for a ball instead of letting the 2b get it as evident by the “imperfect game” But that will get better with experience.
And wife beater too.  I only knoww what I read. If what you say is true, the Tigers are really screwed, or to put it another way, have really screwed themselves….
I wonder if Atlanta would make Ross available for trade. He is the best back up in the game but maybe the Braves would be willing to part with him for the right deal. He is good enough to be a starter but with McCann as the guy in front of you, that’s only going to happen 30% of the time
I dunno how he could turn down a 3 year deal for 48 million, that cannot be right
Presumably security. Sure, the AAV is MUCH higher, but a lot of players do actually value knowing where they’ll be playing the next year over the dollar amount when you get that high up. He might’ve preferred knowing he’ll have a job in 2014 than having an extra few million.
MUCH higher = 2 million bucks?
My math shows an AAV differential of $3.5 million. That’s essentially 25%, so yeah, much higher.
4/50 compared to 3/48…. where are you getting your numbers from?
AAV is the per year amount, you are refering to the total, the AAVs are 16MM for 3/48 and 12.5MM for 4/50; a 3.5MM difference
No matter how its sliced up, he’s technically playing the 4th year for 2 million dollars
(if that deal was actually offered)
I don’t see why this is so difficult. 0bsessions is stating that the AAV (average annual value) of a 3/48 contract is much higher than a 4/50 contract. The difference between the two AAV’s is 3.5MM. Yes, the difference in the total number is 2MM but the difference in AAV is 3.5MM. This is where he is getting his numbers
I think the problem might be that if you invested the $$$ from the 3/$48m contract you might actually wind up with more money than playing out the 4/$50m contract when all is said and done. Essentially he will be playing his 4th year for free just to know where he will be playing.
4/50 compared to 3/48…. where are you getting your numbers from?
I just spoke to someone who suggested that if this contract is signed tonight, the Sox can no longer offer Martinez arbitration, hense losing the draft pick. Anyone confirm this?
Tell “SOMEONE” that drugs are bad for you!
Almost correct, the Sox will not be able to offer arbitration but they are guaranteed the draft pick by Martinez signing before the deadline
Not true
This is a big lose to Boston. Victor was amzaing with us! He will be missed. I wonder where the sox go from here.
Hopefully make a strong push for Davis Ross…I know he is a key piece to the team but I can’t imagine a back up catcher wouldn’t be available for the right price.
Who wants to bet that Varitek gets offered arbitration now?
Why are so many comments about boston? who the hell cares if they get napoli? Or comparisons between him and ortiz? Or how much money the red sox have freed up? This is about the TIGERS signing a player. Its like everyone wants to make every signing out to be “how does this effect boston/new york” its bull. Get over your least coast egos.
Yeah. The Least Coast is so much worse than the Most Coast. Freaking least coast fans. Get over yourself. The Most Coast rules!
Clearly people are talking about the Sox because this affects their offseason moves just as much as the Tigers. Because Victor played for the Red Sox last year. Get it?
Talking about what the Sox lost in Victor is ok…
…turning it into a p*ssing match about theoretical Ortiz vs Martinez comparisons is a hijack topic that has no business in this TIGER SIGNING thread.
It really doesnt, the red sox didnt even make him an offer past the 2 year deal he turned down. Hes a former red sox player, thats it. “Now they have money to free up” They had all that money to free up right after the world series what the hell is the point in bringing it up now?!?! What can the sox do at catcher?? Has no relation to the tigers actually signing him, start up a new topic for that. Again he wasnt even offered a contract! Talk about the tigers and how this impacts them, I know you probably watch ESPN religiously with all sox all the time but get over yourself.
It really doesnt, the red sox didnt even make him an offer past the 2 year deal he turned down. Hes a former red sox player, thats it. “Now they have money to free up” They had all that money to free up right after the world series what the hell is the point in bringing it up now?!?! What can the sox do at catcher?? Has no relation to the tigers actually signing him, start up a new topic for that. Again he wasnt even offered a contract! Talk about the tigers and how this impacts them, I know you probably watch ESPN religiously with all sox all the time but get over yourself.
Chill out man. It does affect Boston, as he happened to play there last year, and he was one of their offseason targets. It definitely affects their plans now, because they might be more willing to splurge on Beltre now, or maybe make a very serious run for Crawford. You guys are all talking about how this’ll help Detroit’s chances for Crawford, well, I think it boosts Bostons chances too, and they’re a serious contender for him as well. Now they may officially decide to let Salty get a shot at the position, resign Varitek or someone similar to be a injury replacement if necessary, and go all out for another FA or two. While this move may have made Detroit more attractive to some players, it has also given Boston more incentive to bid higher for some guys that Detroit is also interested in. So stop being so conceited; just because you despise Boston/NY doesn’t mean they’re not involved in rumors.
They never offered him a contract above the 2 years, I fail to see how he was a target. The pirates targeted him too, a bird told me. I doubt theo wanted to bring him back.
You really just proved my point. Talking about detroit’s signings is fine, talking about how this will effect Boston’s signings is frankly off topic and ridiculous. Open up a thread and talk about Boston, this is the tigers signing a player and their successful offseason so far. Ortiz is better! Red Sox have money! Red sox need olivo! How is this relevant? Again they didnt offer him a contract(aside from the 2 years he turned down) All of these points could be addressed elsewhere.
The only reason they are involved is because you guys find the need to throw them into every free agent signing story! I dont despise boston, I actually like them, but even I get annoyed when every single free agent story is “ZOMG BOSTON”
Don’t be rediculous, of course it has to do with the Red Sox, not only was he their catcher last year but (despite you saying they had only offered 2) they had offered him a 4 year $42M contract so they obviously were serious about bringing him back.
So it has enough to do to hijack it and make comparisons about ortiz and their payroll room? Yea that makes sense. Really. Stay on topic. This is the tigers
I agree that the Ortiz/Martinez comparisons are unneeded and illogical to post here, but there is legitimate reason to talk about the Red Sox and how this specific deal effects them because regardless of perception they were apparently trying to resign Victor and he was part of their plans so this has a pretty big effect to them.I also have to say the number of posts about the Sox compared to the number of posts about he Tigers is a little ridiculous but I accidentally had it on newest posts first so I hadn’t seen how many there were before I posted that.
I agree that the Ortiz/Martinez comparisons are unneeded and illogical to post here, but there is legitimate reason to talk about the Red Sox and how this specific deal effects them because regardless of perception they were apparently trying to resign Victor and he was part of their plans so this has a pretty big effect to them.I also have to say the number of posts about the Sox compared to the number of posts about he Tigers is a little ridiculous but I accidentally had it on newest posts first so I hadn’t seen how many there were before I posted that.
OK, I will try and talk about the Tigers…. OMGZ the Tiger’s are still gonna get PWNED by the Twins, Bro. The Tigers best player can’t even win the MVP award.
There, now can we go back to talking about Boston?
Geez, I used to think Yankee fans were the worst…but now Im starting to see the light.
Yanks fans are still the worst (have you asked one whether Jeter deserved the GG lately?) but we are catching up!
LOL “the tigers best play can’t even win the MVP award” neither could 28 other teams best players! Really.
I agree the twins are the team to beat in the central and we are playing catch up, but vmart is a great start to take em down. The tigers hung around last year despite having miggy and the mudhens playing.
At least we dont have an overrated rf, injury prone “prospect”, old as hell left fielder, and a DH that cant even play in april or hit left handers! Hell you guys are about to give a 3rd basemen a long term deal when the guy has NEVER performed well during a contract, his best years are always his contract years. Have fun. Oh and you have dice k(cant hit the broad side of a barn),beckett(injury prone), lackey(overrated) and you are paying them all what a combined 40 mil?
LOL CANT EVEN WIN THE MVP AWARD. The MVP award. Are you serious with this?
No, I’m not serious. I was just hoping to be able to talk about how this affects the Sox and figured I had to say something about the Tigers first or people would get mad at me.
LOL CANT EVEN WIN THE MVP AWARD. The MVP award. Are you serious with this?
Maybe Boston can trade a very low level minor league, future hall of famer in a one for one deal with the Padres for Agon lol. I am sure the Padres would go for and might even include $10mm in cash ha ha. These Boston fans always think their minor leaguers are future MVP’s ha ha. Looks like another 3rd place finish for the Red Sox lol.
This is EXCELLENT news! Now if we can persuade Crawford that he can win with us just as much as he could with the Angels, then we’re pretty solid. Can’t wait for Feb.
Key to convincing Crawford that he can win with the Tigers as much as the Angels is to convince him before the Angels sign Adrian Beltre or Jayson Werth. Right now, they have a better offense on paper than LA and better pitching.
great move by the Tigers. I am happy they kept it at 4 years. They had to overpay by about 6MM i’d say, but it’s Detroit. Overall it’s a great move in many ways. One, it takes the pressure off Avila who could become a very good hitter himself. Two, they now could potentially trade Carlos Guillen. They should give him and a low level prospect to the Angels for Scott Kazmir. The salaries match-up and I bet Rick Knapp could fix up Kazmir as “veteran Lefty”. He is still pretty young after all at 26. Guillen and Abreu could split time between RF and DH. It’s worth the risk for both teams because neither was going to be fully utilized on their respective teams.
I would much rather have kazmir then guillen, however I dont think the tigers will be able to move guillen unless they eat a lot of his salary. He is injured far too much and is terrible defensively. I mean yea he can play second/of but there are far better options.
I would rather have Kazmir than Guillen as well but given Howie Kendrick’s injury prone and streakiness, as well as Abreu’s age, Guillen could prove more useful, if the Tigers agreed to throw in a decent prospect as well.
I would much rather have kazmir then guillen, however I dont think the tigers will be able to move guillen unless they eat a lot of his salary. He is injured far too much and is terrible defensively. I mean yea he can play second/of but there are far better options.
Who would then play 2nd?
Will Rhymes played serviceable second, and Scott Sizemore played better later on in the season. I would not count on guillen to be an everyday second basemen
Guillen might not be the second basemen much anyway. Tigers are going to limit his work.
Who would then play 2nd?
Sox will have to make a stop gap move at Catcher now. I hope they don’t overspend on AJ, Olivo or whomever else is out there tho.
I think the Sox see promise in Lavarnway, Wagner, Expisito among others, but for one reason or another none of them are completely ready.
I also doubt that Salty is the answer long term. Theo gets a crush on these guys and can’t say no to them. I hope he does well, but i also hope that when he struggles there’s a good option somewhere on the 40 man roster.
David Ross…make it happen Theo…bring David Ross back to the Red Sox
David Ross…make it happen Theo…bring David Ross back to the Red Sox
VMart will be catching a majority of the time in Detroit. The Tigers would not give someone 4 year deal to be strictly a DH, especially when Dombrowski does not like DH’s and has not signed a “strictly DH type” in a long time. You can say what you want about his defense, but he is one of the best offensive catchers in the game. Avila cannot hit at all, and really isn’t all that good defensively. Now they need to sign a left handed hitter. Crawford is the obvious choice. If they don’t get Crawford, I don’t even want Werth. Never been a fan of him, and seems like a fluky hitter.
Avila was actually better than Laird last year.
Definitely better at controlling runners than Victor. Id say it will be a 60/30 split, with Alex getting most of the time behind the plate.
Next year I think we’ll definitely see VMart at catcher for the majority of games, but the organization has definitely not given up on Avila and provided he progresses, that split will tip more toward your 60/30 in the following years.
Could certainly be the case. I guess it depends on the next big bat they sign..more of a fielder or a DH role. Also depends on if Maggs comes back and his role..and also what they want to do with Guillen.
DOUBLE POST!
I find it weird that DD didnt wait to announce Vmarts role until they had figured out the corner outfielders/potential other DH candidates…So I guess this means Adam Dunn is out of the question.
nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/40380626/ns/sports-player_n…
Avila was actually better than Laird last year.
Definitely better at controlling runners than Victor. Id say it will be a 60/30 split, with Alex getting most of the time behind the plate.
Those ‘switcher’ hitters are always so valuable. lol
I know everyone is convinced that Detroit is the worst city in the US, but let me tell you-it’s not. ESPECIALLY if you are a baseball fan(even better if you’re a ball player). The metro area is fantastic and so many of the suburbs are great places to live. Detroit is only awful if you are middle class and/or looking for work.
And why on earth wouldn’t top free agents want to come to Detroit. You are obviously going to get paid and they are really trying to build a winning ball club and even when the team is losing, the city still packs into a brand new ballpark. Jim leyland is reapected by everyone in or around the game and on top of that, the tigers are as classy of an organization as there is in all of sports. Just look at the gallaragga blown call-do you think Jim Joyce would have been given that kind of respect if that happened to Ozzies white sox? Hell no.
Any of you who would question why a ball player would want to come to Detroit obviously has never been there and dot see the bigger picture. Just ask Johnny Damon-he and Vmart both turned down Chicago for Detroit and isn’t that supposed to be a “high society” city?
Not to mention, baseball players rarely live in their team’s cities, folks.
-They have homes in their home state (or country) for the offseason.
-The live in Florida or Arizona during the preseason
-They only stay in the team’s city for ~ 81 games during the season..the rest of the time they are on the road.
That comes out to roughly 1/3rd of the year being spent in Detroit. WTF…let it go.
maybe if they were the Michigan Tigers people would stop saying that lol
I know everyone is convinced that Detroit is the worst city in the US, but let me tell you-it’s not. ESPECIALLY if you are a baseball fan(even better if you’re a ball player). The metro area is fantastic and so many of the suburbs are great places to live. Detroit is only awful if you are middle class and/or looking for work.
And why on earth wouldn’t top free agents want to come to Detroit. You are obviously going to get paid and they are really trying to build a winning ball club and even when the team is losing, the city still packs into a brand new ballpark. Jim leyland is reapected by everyone in or around the game and on top of that, the tigers are as classy of an organization as there is in all of sports. Just look at the gallaragga blown call-do you think Jim Joyce would have been given that kind of respect if that happened to Ozzies white sox? Hell no.
Any of you who would question why a ball player would want to come to Detroit obviously has never been there and dot see the bigger picture. Just ask Johnny Damon-he and Vmart both turned down Chicago for Detroit and isn’t that supposed to be a “high society” city?
This deal is good for Detroit if he’s their catcher for majority of the contract. Not so if he’s their DH. I understand why they had to do it. If he is going to DH then I think they are not pursuing Adam Dunn.
Probably no Dunn anyway. Even if he is their full-time catcher he would have at least one day off behind the plate a week, either sending Dunn to the outfield or one of Cabrera, VMart, and Dunn to the bench.
Now that this is finally done, expect the Tigers to make a Strong push for Carl Crawford. Right now, remembering that Los Angeles has not signed Adrian Beltre YET, Detroit can boast a better offense to compete with than LA. MCab-VMart 3-4 looks better than a Kendry-Hunter with Morales coming off of injury and Hunter getting up there in Age, Detroit right now actually has a left side of the infield that can produce, and Detroit has the young, exciting, MLB ready players like A-Jax and Boesch in CF and RF, instead of aging players like Juan Rivera and Bobby Abreu.
Their rotations match up pretty well, with Verlander-Scherzer on par with Weaver-Haren, and Porcello-Piniero both at their best matchup well. Detroit’s rotation is younger though. Detroit’s bullpen is much better tho.
And thirdly, even with the VMart contract, Detroit can afford to offer as much, if not MORE than the Angels can/are willing to offer.
Fangraphs veredict: MILD OVERPAY FAIL
I’d rather have them overpay talent than get a bargain on a chump
Cool. My Verdict: Tigers got one of the top 5 free agent bats
Cool. My Verdict: Tigers got one of the top 5 free agent bats
This is tough one for the Sox. They have lost out on the best catchers on the market, Martinez and Buck. This not only weakens their catching position, but they miss out on a good switch hitter and possible DH in the future.
While I like this signing, the Tigers need to sign a SP. Every year we see them go after bats. I want quality arms!
Like it or not that’s the tigers business plan. They draft arms and sign/trade for bats.
better to overpay for a bat than an arm
While I like this signing, the Tigers need to sign a SP. Every year we see them go after bats. I want quality arms!
Dave Dombrowski’s plan to saddle his successor with a bunch of over-the-hill bad contracts is coming together perfectly.
The jays could of used him play first n catch
Which by that you mean Guillen/Inge/Martinez are the only guys over 30 for postion players. And Guillen is gone after this year. Wow the Tigers are old. Putz
And yet they have the youngest pitching rotation in the game…Old fielders and young slingers LOL
Which by that you mean Guillen/Inge/Martinez are the only guys over 30 for postion players. And Guillen is gone after this year. Wow the Tigers are old. Putz
Hey Red sox/Patriot fans…Don’t forget the cranberry sauce when you visit Thursday!
So V-Mart takes 4 years $50 million from the Tigers but turns down 3 years $48 million from the White Sox? Either it wasn’t about the money or he just couldn’t turn down that extra year at $2 million.
Because that report was false. The White Sox also offered 4 years at $48 million, or a three year deal worth “a little more annually.” No figure was ever given. $16 million is quite a bit more than “a little more” compared to $12.5 million per year.
I love this signing for the Tigers. I prefered VMart over Dunn for a couple of reasons.
1.) The flexibility he gives the Tigers. Expect him to catch around 3 games a week, when facing a lefty and day games after a night game. Can spell Cabrera at 1st once a week.
2.) While i love Avila’s defense VMart is insurance if Avila can’t hit.
3.) Allows the Tiger’s to bring back Ordonez and not having to play him in the field everyday. (Can DH against lefties and have Wells, a plus fielder, play right). As opposed to Dunn who would just strictly eat up a DH spot. Also VMart has proven he can hit in the AL unlike Dunn. Not many have successfully made move to AL (can only think of Abreu and maybe Drew, Scott and Branyan).
I know Fangraphs didn’t like the move if Vmart isn’t fulltime catcher but even if they signed say a fulltime DH like Thome for 7 mill and say Olivo for 3 thats only two million less than what VMart got. I know they would come with less years but Martinez is much younger than most DH’s that are available an a better percentage that his numbers won’t drastically fall off. For every Thome and Guerro of last year there is the last seasons of Griffey, Sheffield, Giambi and Frank Thomas.
I had the Tigers getting Vmart, Putz (gladly settle on Benoit), resigning Ordonez (2 yrs/15 mill) and trading for a starter (Shields, Garza, Wandy Rod caliber) and a lefty reliever. Think they make a run at Crawford, if they lose out try and resign Ordonez. Worst case scenario could you see the Mets trading Beltran for Carlos Guillen with Tigers kicking in 2 mill? Would save the Mets 5 mill or so and give them a 2nd baseman that they are in the market for. Any thoughts?
I’d say Cabrera among many others also made the switch between leagues very well.
I stand corrected. Not sure how i missed that one. Still can’t think of many others. Maybe im blinded by watching Edgar Renteria and Jacque Jones try it and fail miserably.
If you look at his peripherals, Jaque Jones was never really a good hitter, even in the NL. And for Renteria I think it was more of him just getting old and not being able to stay healthy. I think the whole AL/NL thing is overblown.
I’d say Cabrera among many others also made the switch between leagues very well.
I think we might still go after Putz if he’s willing to sign cheap to play at home. He keeps saying he wants to play in Detroit and I could see a 2 year $10 million deal. I think Ordonez is gone and if we don’t get Werth or Crawford (who I think we will go after and match BoSox/Angels contracts) I could see us trading for Beltran.
it’s ok, fangraphs isn’t realistic when determining a players worth and acutally signing a free agent. Dave Cameron is still waiting for Kila Kahuie & Brandon Wood to bust out.
your right, because fangraphs are a bunch of biased FANS, not experts
Hahahaha oh god.
I love that people are all aghast that, once again, a free agent passed up a chance to play in Chicago for Detroit, OMG!!!!
1. The players don’t live in downtown Detroit. Most of them live in the suburbs like Bloomfield Hills, Birmingham, Novi, etc.
2. Martinez and Jhonny Peralta were good friends when they were in Cleveland.
3. Maybe he wanted that fourth year way more than he wanted the extra $3.5 mil from Chicago.
And Chicago doesn’t have any suburbs……..
it might of been a good idea to front load this, so then you don’t have a 36 year old catcher making 12.5m in 2014
How do you know how it’s structured?
i don’t, and i didn’t say i did, i said it would be a good idea to front load this.
How do you know how it’s structured?
You’re paying him the exact same amount of money, what does it matter? If anything, frontloading wastes money because you have to pay it out earlier, so you’re losing flexibility as well as money from interest.
you lose payroll flexibility now, but gain flexibility at the end of the contract. if i’m Dave Dombrowski i wouldn’t want a 36 year old catcher making 12.5 mil.
Perhaps if the Yankees can lure Crawford to NY, the Tigers can try and get Granderson back.
No thanks … we have a much better and cheaper center fielder now, and his bat isn’t worth his salary in the corners.
It would be good to have him back in Detroit. 2 years and 18MM is what we would wind up paying Magglio and Granderson would produce as much and provide much better D.
They arent going to pay that much money to either of those two, if Magglio wants to come back, it will be for much less than he made in Detroit.
Can’t hit lefties to save his life.
You should of mocked him and said ok, how about Austin Jackson for Curtis Granderson lol
no thanks i would rather have austin jackson.
no thanks i would rather have austin jackson.
Crawford is not going to the Yankees, the outfield is set with Gardner, Granderson, and Swisher
Way late but holy cow, i cant believe he turned down the Sox offer, the WHITE Sox that is, he could of made his money in 3 years and resigned again and made more money, plus the White Sox are a good team to go to after Boston, just ask Carlton Fisk.
GO,GO,GO Illitch,your on the right track. But, you still need more,another big bat, and the need to bolster the bullpin or starting rotation. Just remember, you:ll be faceing the twins,Phillies or cardinels. I want polanco back.
GO,GO,GO Illitch,your on the right track. But, you still need more,another big bat, and the need to bolster the bullpin or starting rotation. Just remember, you:ll be faceing the twins,Phillies or cardinels. I want polanco back.
red sox will suck next year
I heard a rumor that Leyland is going to be playing second and batting second next year.
Jims son?? Didnt they draft his son last year?? I think he needs more time in the minners
Jims son?? Didnt they draft his son last year?? I think he needs more time in the minners
I like this signing . maybe get werth and have you have enough money get orlando hudson.
I think we’re okay at second between Sizemore, Santiago, and Guillen.
If we signed Hudson then we would have 4 second basemen…
Great move for Detroit!
Great move for Detroit!
Great MOVE!
Good idea, I honestly never thought of Jones. What’s his range though? It probably can’t be worse than Maggs and I know he has a good arm.
The problem now is that this team has a bunch of low BA guys (Inge, Rayburn, Peralta, Guillen, Sizemore, and Boesch) and Jones fits into that mold. Detroit needs guys who can get on base and score runs.
That’s why Werth and Crawford do make tons of sense.
Jones has very good range still. I went to a few White Sox games this year and Ozzie played Jones in CF for a few and Jones made it look easy. He still has very good range from what I saw and he had lost a TON of weight since leaving the Dodgers. I don’t know what condition he’s in right now, but if he’s in the same condition as he was with the White Sox, I’d say he’s worth a gamble. As for Crawford and Werth, I too would love for the Tigers to get either of those guys. But it’s highly unlikely we get either and each have their downsides.
At 31, I don’t know how many more 20-30 Sb seasons we are going to see out of Werth, he isn’t really that high of an avg hitter though he hit for a good avg this season, he strikes out way to much for the amount of money he’s asking for (Matt Holliday $), and I don’t know if he can hit for a ton of power outside of the NL and outside of Citizen’s Bank.
Crawford, on the other hand at age 28, should have at least 4 maybe more 45-50 SB seasons left in him in a 8 year contract, assuming he stays healthy. Then he could steal 20-30 those last couple seasons (similar to Torii Hunter/Bobby Abreu. He should still be a pretty good defender as well at that age, again, discounting injury.
But one thing worth mentioning is that he has NEVER hit more than 20 homeruns in a season, his OBP has only once been higher than .355, and to get him to come to Detroit instead of Boston/LA will require Detroit to Massively overpay.
Damn tigers look dangerous.. Austin Jackson, Damon, Cabrera, victor. That’s VERY comparable to our first 4.. Hmm
I don’t know if you’re being a sarcastic yankee fan but I am going to argue with or against your point. First off, Damon is a free agent and the Tigers likely won’t resign him. Secondly, I legitimately would prefer A-Jax-MCab-VMart over Gardner(i consider him a better leadoff hitter than Jeter at this point)-Tex-ARod at this stage in their careers with ARod on the Decline and not hitting for Avg, and MCab and A-Jax both better than or equal to Tex and Gardner respectively. I also think that Peralta and Jeter matchup pretty well with production at this point in Jeter’s career and Swisher and Inge could matchup pretty evenly if Inge stays healthy. What Detroit still lacks are players that can match the contributions of Cano, Posada, Granderson, and thats a big hole to fill, but Detroit has slightly better pitching than the Yanks without Cliff Lee.
Nah dude I was being serious..
And I didn’t know Damon was a FA, my fault. But if you guys get decent production and good pitching you guys may be a threat..
..to win the world series..
Damon left the Tigers
My bad dude.
I’ve read that the Royals are looking to trade Zack Greinke. I would give Jacob Turner, Porcello and Galarraga for that boy. Look at his stats the last few years and think of him pitching beside Verlander and Sherzer. If DD could swing this deal, the Tigers would only need another reliever, Bondo maybe and sign a good defensive outfielder. Me? I like it!
Porcello + Turner + Galarraga is overpayment.
What would you say about Porcello , Galarraga and Raburn?
In a trade for Grienke, Galarraga and Raburn have 0 value.
2 seasons of Grienke is nowhere near worth Turner and Porcello. A rotation in a few years of Verlander, Scherzer, Porcello, Turner, and maybe Andy Oliver has the potential to be incredible.
OK, so you wouldn’t try to get Greinke at all?
You say they have potential. Greinke is a Proven commodity.
So far, so good for the Tigers.
Now add a starting pitcher, a corner outfielder to hit third, and a reliever to replace Coke in the pen.
Is this a record for the most comments following a post? Pretty impressive.
do you think the tigers could land Joey Votto
Joeys not up for grabs,sorry. The tiger farms are full of good tripleAAA dudes, a trade is very possible. Verlander,Greinke,sheerzer an Porcello. Fantastic.
I still think the Tigers should make a strong run at Adam Dunn. For the 4-5 year deal that he would get, he would be 35 by the time the contract ran out, and Raw Power can last that long easily. They should still try and sign him and trade for a great defensive, decent OBP OF like Josh Willingham, Fukudome, or even Carlos Beltran or Nick Markakis. They can probably get the Mets or Cubs to take Guillen off their hands considering he makes less $ than both Beltran or Fuk next season and is a free agent.