Rodriguez Signs with Tigers

February 2, 200422 yr

02/02/2004

Rodriguez Signs $40 Million, Four-Year Contract With Tigers

DETROIT -- Ivan Rodriguez finalized his $40 million, four-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on Monday, leaving the World Series champion Florida Marlins to join a team that last year set the American League record for losses.

"This is an exciting day for me," he said. "I know they had a bad season last year, but I think this is going to be a completely different season."

The signing of the 10-time All-Star catcher was the latest high-profile move by the Tigers, who went 43-119 last season. Detroit won five of its last six games to avoid tying the post-1900 major league record of 120 losses, set by the 1962 New York Mets.

"If you don't mind for a moment I'm going to soak this up a little bit," said Tigers manager Alan Trammell, who indicated Rodriguez could hit in the No. 3 spot in the lineup. "This is how it starts. This is how we get better."

Rodriguez, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and MVP of the NL championship series, gets $7 million this year, $8 million in 2005 and $11 million each in 2006 and 2007, according to contract information obtained by The Associated Press. The Tigers have a $13 million option for 2008 with a $3 million buyout.

Detroit will defer $2 million of his salary in 2004 and $3 million each in 2006 and 2007, all at 1 percent interest.

If Rodriguez goes on the disabled list for 35 or more days in 2004 or 2005 because of a lower spine injury, Detroit could void the rest of the contract by paying a $5 million buyout. If he goes on the DL for 35 or more days in 2006 because of a lower spine injury, the Tigers could terminate the deal by paying a $4 million buyout.

Rodriguez would get a $500,000 bonus if he's voted the American League MVP, an award he won with Texas in 1999. If he wins the award twice under the contract, he would get $1 million the second time.

Rodriguez had a $10 million, one-year deal with the Marlins last season. He asked for a $40 million, four-year contract from Florida, which broke off talks Dec. 7.

Scott Boras, Rodriguez's agent who negotiated the deal with the Tigers, said his client was excited about playing in the AL Central.

"Pudge said to me, `I know that division. That division could be mine,"' Boras said.

Rodriguez also said the personal involvement of Detroit owner Mike Ilitch played a part in his decision.

"It kind of evolved where I started to get into the process a little bit more," Ilitch said. "Before, things weren't working well. We weren't getting the right players in. We weren't performing well."

The Tigers have been active in the free-agent market, but they had not signed an undisputed star such as Rodriguez.

"We're going to be successful, and we're going to win on a year-in, year-out basis here," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said.

Second baseman Fernando Vina and outfielder Rondell White agreed to $6 million, two-year deals in December, and starting pitcher Jason Johnson signed a $7 million, two-year contract later that month.

At a lower level, Detroit also agreed to one-year contracts with right-hander Al Levine ($925,000) and catcher Mike DiFelice ($650,000) and to minor league deals with third baseman Greg Norton and pitcher Esteban Yan.

DiFelice was signed to back up Brandon Inge, a solid catcher defensively, who hit .203 with eight home runs in 104 games.

The Tigers also traded for Seattle shortstop Carlos Guillen. (AP)