The Tigers have a $13MM option with a $3MM buyout for Ivan Rodriguez in ’08. Pudge turned 35 in November. He said recently that he’d like to finish his career with Detroit and might play until he’s 40.
Given the buyout, Rodriguez’s option is more like $10MM. PECOTA puts him at $8,125,000 for 2008, so exercising it seems wise. There’s value in the one-year commitment. Extending him for extra years might be a mistake, though.
Detroit’s larger 2008 commitments:
Ordonez – $15MM
Sheffield – $14MM
Bonderman – $8.5MM
Inge – $6.2MM
Polanco – $4.6MM
After the ’07 season, Rodriguez, Kenny Rogers, Todd Jones, and Carlos Guillen are all potential free agents.
