http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=1725282

Have fun, good luck. You'll need plenty.

nicely done

 

Im hopin the Tigers have a nice year this year

 

they are 100x better than last year(on paper) already

02/02/2004 1:00 PM ET

Pudge arrives in the Motor City

Rodriguez signs four-year deal to catch for Tigers

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

 

DETROIT -- The three-week courtship of Ivan Rodriguez finally has a happy ending.

The Tigers formally announced their signing of Rodriguez Monday to a four-year, $40 million contract, an eye-opening conclusion to Detroit's extreme offseason makeover.

 

The finishing touches were put on the deal Sunday night between the Tigers and agent Scott Boras. It includes clauses that allow the Tigers to end the deal early if Rodriguez spends more than five weeks on the disabled list with a lumbar spinal injury in one of the next three seasons. There's also a team option for 2008, which the Tigers can either pick up at $10 million or buy out for a substantial cost.

 

Three weeks ago, the question was whether the Tigers -- who lost an AL-record 119 games last season -- could overcome that stigma to attract a top free agent. With two weeks remaining before pitchers and catchers report to Lakeland, Fla., for Spring Training, the question has changed to how much the team can improve off of last year's record. Simply avoiding 100 losses in 2004 would mark a 20-game turnaround.

 

By adding Rodriguez to their other free agent signings -- left fielder Rondell White, second baseman Fernando Vi?a, starter Jason Johnson, right-handed reliever Al Levine and backup catcher Mike DiFelice -- the Tigers have overhauled a young club into a veteran-laden team while increasing the payroll about $5 million from last season.

 

As a result, just four members of last season's Opening Day lineup -- All-Star Dmitri Young, veteran Bobby Higginson, first baseman Carlos Pe?a and Eric Munson -- are likely to be in the starting lineup when the Tigers open this season at Toronto in two months.

 

Rodriguez, 32, was not on the Tigers' list of free agents to pursue at the start of the offseason, let alone anywhere near the top. But owner Mike Ilitch and president/general manager Dave Dombrowski found little interest from their top targeted free agent, shortstop Miguel Tejada, who signed with the Orioles during the Winter Meetings in December.

 

After adding Vi?a and White to what had been the AL's least productive lineup, the Tigers went into January with money left over from the approximate $18 million in payroll freed up in contracts that expired at season's end. Rodriguez, meanwhile, was without a new team and short on suitors. Negotiations picked up following a meeting in Detroit two weeks ago with Ilitch, who convinced Rodriguez he was committed to improving his club in coming seasons as well.

 

That kind of commitment, Boras said, was what Pudge was looking for -- moreso than the money. Unlike many opposing players who ranked Detroit as their least favorite city to visit in a Sports Illustrated poll last summer, Rodriguez came in with no qualms about Detroit as a city. His wife, Maribel, has friends familiar with the city and suburbs.

 

Since that meeting with Ilitch, developments have come slowly, a delay believed to be related to health concerns. A physical in Detroit turned up a lumbar misalignment that Rodriguez has had since his career began but which has never caused him to go on the disabled list.

 

The contract clauses would protect the Tigers from being financially hamstrung should Rodriguez develop a lumbar problem in the coming seasons. It's a situation Ilitch encountered with his NHL franchise when the Red Wings signed Uwe Krupp to a free agent contract, only to see his career soon grind to a halt with back problems.

 

In return, Rodriguez has an otherwise guaranteed contract plus the long-term commitment he has been seeking from a club for the past two years. He was in a similar situation as a free agent last winter, when he settled in late January on a one-year, $10 million contract with the Florida Marlins. Much of that money was deferred.

 

Thanks in part to Rodriguez's leadership, the Marlins went from a young team that hadn't broken through to world champions, picking up a fan following in the process. Rodriguez hit .313 in the postseason with 17 RBIs, 10 of them in the NLCS. He was named NLCS Most Valuable Player.

 

The Tigers have been in flux at catcher since trading Brad Ausmus to Houston three years ago. They went into the offseason prepared to give young Brandon Inge one more try to show the offense necessary to hold down the job. Rodriguez's acquisition changes Inge's status. He could stay on in a backup role, start the season at Triple-A Toledo or become trade bait in a quest for one more starting pitcher.

 

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Congrats Tigers fans! Take care of Pudge for me,eh?

four years, $40 million.

 

that's t money.

 

it worked out for him after all.

Where are the guys that said Pudge would NEVER get a $40 million, 4-year contract? :mischief2

It's so weird seeing him in the Detroit uni.

 

Well he got what he wanted.

Where are the guys that said Pudge would NEVER get a $40 million, 4-year contract?

 

I know right? LOL

foolish, more money than brains.

He looks like the grinch. It sure as hell matches his image...

 

foolish, more money than brains.

 

Agreed, although I'm sure it's just to boost PR. And is there a no-trade clause in the deal? If there isn't, don't count on him being there all four years.

I'm glad that he finaly got what he was looking for. I wish him the best.

yup me too

Its absolutely terrible

 

I feel so bad for pudge because he belongs on a better team than the tigers. He's not getting himself anywhere.

Did anybody force him to sign the contract with the Tigers? No, he made his own decision, so there's nothing for you to feel sorry about. I realize he's on a bad team, but I don't feel sorry for anybody making 40 million over four years.

i just hope pudge realizes that this is what he wanted.

 

 

 

he wanted the money.

 

 

he got it.

 

 

if i hear one complaint out of him for the tigers underachieving or pouting as a result.....

 

 

he will go down yet another rung or two in terms of respect as a ballplayer.

Man am I glad we got Javy for 3/$21.5M. Have fun Pudge.

 

Congrats Tigers fans, it's a step in the right direction.

Where are the guys that said Pudge would NEVER get a $40 million, 4-year contract?

 

I know right? LOL Nice to see Pudge get what he wanted...

 

 

Now we know 29 other teams didn't feel like paying Pudge a $40 million, 4-year contract because maybe.... he's not worth that much money?

 

 

Still, good signing for Tigers and a move in the right direction...

The Tigers will win 75 this year, not enough to get them anywhere but at least they won't be a gimmie anymore.

Like A-Rod, he got what he have always wanted...I won't say anything else for now. :shifty

Where are the guys that said Pudge would NEVER get a $40 million, 4-year contract?

 

I know right? LOL I'm right here, and I'll admit I was wrong....

 

there IS a Gm DUMB ENOUGH to give Pudge way too many years and way too much money on his contract.

 

I'm with the prez here, he looks like the Grinch that Stole Christmas in that picture, and he kinda is, only in reality, he just robbed the Tigers blind.

Where are the guys that said Pudge would NEVER get a $40 million, 4-year contract?

 

I know right? LOL I'm right here, and I'll admit I was wrong....

 

there IS a Gm DUMB ENOUGH to give Pudge way too many years and way too much money on his contract.

 

I'm with the prez here, he looks like the Grinch that Stole Christmas in that picture, and he kinda is, only in reality, he just robbed the Tigers blind. What are you supposed to do if your The Tigers, continue to squander just because you don't want to overpay players because they will only come if they overpay?

 

It's nice to see an owner who even though he knows he's overpaying actually has a set where he's ready to move on.

 

If I was A Tigers fan, I would be thrilled to at least have an owner who doesn't want to be in last.

but to the tigers credit.....

 

 

if pudge's back falls apart...

 

 

 

they can get out of it.

 

 

smart on their part and we know pudge had no choice but to take it.

I'm gonna go visit Pudge this year in Yankee Stadium. I'll have some words for that punk!

In case you missed the details Pudge didn't get 4 years 40 million. He got a two-year deal with parts deferred, and another two-year option if he doesn't get injured.