In what would be one of the biggest coups in baseball history, the 43 win Detroit Tigers are on the verge of winning the Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez sweepstakes. Sure, they're probably overpaying, but that's what they need to do to drastically change one of the worst years in professional sports history. The Tigers have already signed Fernando Vina, Carlos Guillen, Rondell White, and Jason Johnson, and the addition of Rodriguez could move this team all the way up to .500 or above. They are also actively seeking a big-time starter. This could be the projected Tigers 2004 lineup: Vina 2b, Guillen SS, Young DH, I-Rod C, Higginson RF, White LF, Munson 3b, Pena 1b, Sanchez CF. That almost looks like a MLB lineup! We're back, baby!!! Rodriguez on verge of agreement with Tigers RONALD BLUM / Associated Press NEW YORK (AP) — Ivan Rodriguez and the Detroit Tigers were on the verge of agreeing to a $40 million, four-year contract, The Associated Press learned Wednesday night. The 10-time All-Star catcher was to be examined in Texas on Thursday by Dr. Andrew Dossett, two baseball sources told the AP on the condition of anonymity. Dossett is the spine consultant to the Rangers and has treated Rodriguez for many years. If all goes well in the exam, the agreement between the free agent and Detroit could be announced Friday, one of the sources said. The deal would move Rodriguez from the World Series champion Florida Marlins to a team coming off one of the worst seasons in major league history. The agreement contains a team option for 2008 that could make the contract worth $50 million over five years, one of the sources said. Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski did not immediately return a telephone call seeking comment. "We've been working diligently with the Tigers on this matter," said Rodriguez's agent, Scott Boras. "We're having further meetings on Thursday." Rodriguez, 32, spent his first 12 seasons with the Rangers, then became a free agent and signed a $10 million, one-year deal with the Marlins. Rodriguez hit .313 last season with 16 homers and 85 RBIs, and he was MVP of the NL championship series win over the Chicago Cubs. After helping lead the Marlins past the New York Yankees in the World Series last season, he was never offered more than two guaranteed years by Florida. Baltimore and Seattle also were said to be interested in Rodriguez. With the Tigers, he would join one of the greatest turnaround efforts in baseball history. Detroit went 43-119 last season, setting the American League record for losses. The Tigers won five of their last six games to avoid tying the post-1900 major league record of 120 losses, set by the 1962 New York Mets.
It's a sad day when even a Red Sox fan like myself can just say "Scoreboard" to quiet the uproarious Tiger fan.
It's probably regular grapes gone bad. I'm not a fan of any team in particular, actually (until some underachieving small market team, wink, moves to North Carolina, that is). And don't get me wrong, I like Pudge and I recognize what he meant to the Marlins. But people overstate his importance when they talk about him as The One Last Piece. How easily they forget that he was the anchor of the perpetually underachieving Texas Rangers for the longest time. He's neither "that good" or "that Bad", just a very good baseball player.
Scoreboard? From a Red Sox Fan?? 1918. Nuff said. Hey, you should applaud the re-emergence of a team steeped in tradition. The long-suffering fans deserve a chance to be optimistic. I would rather see a competitive Red Sox team year after year than watch teams like the Marlins rise up as one year wonders with front-running fans.
I'm not sure that Pudge is the missing piece. Is he really worth 50 wins? I'd make a small bet that the Tigers' young pitching staff will become a force in the Central though. That's the key, as I see it.
It wasn't exactly Pudge's fault the Rangers can't develop or sign good pitchers. And considering he was on three division winners, as compared to the rest of the Rangers futile history he was on overachieving teams. Also if you define "very good" as one of the best ever at his position I completely agree.
The ballpark is the main issue. Take a decent pitcher and move him to the Rangers and his stats will likely suck.
That is probably the key to why the Tigers signed him. He did exceptionally well with the Marlins staff, which turned out better than almost everybody thought.
He can be a captain and help guide youngsters to greater feats than they would be capable of on their own, but that's about it. He can't do it on his own.
As a displaced New Englander in Toledo, I get up to cheer on the Tigers a few times a year (when Sox are in town, that obviously changes), and I'd love to see them do well. And you're right, that lineup will win some games. Now, I just hope they don't go and get too popular, so that the tactic of buying the $8 "Pepsi Bleacher Seat ticket" (comes with free pepsi and hot dog) and then moving down to the empty $60 box seats during the 1st inning isn't blown.
Well, I often use understatement in my posts. So when i wrote "very good", I did in fact mean "arguably the best all-around catcher of his generation". The Tigers will be competitive to be sure, especially considering their division rivals - as improved as the Royals may be, they're no Yankees, Red Sox, Angels, A's or Mariners. But you also have to realize Marlins already had a decent staff. Pudge can probably get you from mediocre to good, but not mediocre to great.
Of course Pudge isn't worth 50 wins on his own. Heck, he's probably not worth 10 wins on his own. And the Tigers are still a ways away, but with Pudge and Rondell White in the lineup, Young and Higginson become much more dangerous hitters, IMO. And Vina is a serviceable 2-hole on base guy with a little speed. In any case, they're not winning the Central this year or next. Hopefully, you're right about the young pitching because that will be the key to any major improvement.
I think that's the key to Tiger fans coming up with reasonable expectations: baby steps. For the 2004 season, just try to avoid celebrating NOT losing for the 120th time. Maybe even try to come in under 100 loses. 2005... maybe try to go.500, and hopefully contend by 2006. Lots of people around where I live kept an eye on the Tigers in recent seasons. "There but for the Grace of God go the Pirates" seems to be a motto for the current Bucs management.
Not for another year or two. But even without Pudge, this team wasn't going to lose 100 again. The lessons learned from 2003 will go a long way in the future. In 2004 though the Central belongs to KC. Better lineup and more proven pitching.