John Lowe of the Detroit Free Press has the news – Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski said today the team will decline shortstop Edgar Renteria’s $12MM option for 2009. They’ll pay the $3MM buyout instead. Next question: will the Tigers offer him arbitration? Renteria is a Type A free agent, and he’ll be less attractive to the other teams if he’ll cost draft picks.
Dombrowski will be looking to improve the club at catcher, shortstop, and closer next year (though Francisco Rodriguez will be too costly). Dombrowski debunked the rumor about the Tigers reducing payroll – he says it won’t be down significantly. In general, the Tigers will not be active on the free agent market. One other note – Kenny Rogers says it’s the Tigers or retirement for him in ’09.
