The Tigers went for broke this year, bumping their payroll from $95 million last season to $138 million this year in hopes of buying a spot in the postseason. In hindsight, it wasn't meant to be: the Tigers sit 8 1/2 games out of the division lead, and considering they've won just three of their past 12, the deficit seems to grow larger every day.At least there's always next year, right? Yeah, about that ... After footing the bill for baseball's third-highest payroll, owner Mike Ilitch is allegedly putting pressure on the front office to slash costs next year, according to the Detroit News' Lynn Henning.
Ivan Rodriguez was already dealt in a cost-cutting trade, and expensive veterans like Edgar Renteria, Todd Jones and Kenny Rogers almost certainly won't be re-signed or have their options picked up this winter. It'll be hard to unload Gary Sheffield without picking up a substantial portion of the $14 million he's owed next year, but by putting him on waivers this year, the Tigers are at least trying.
Getting rid of the guys mentioned above makes as much baseball sense as it does financially, but will the team go so far as to unload their most productive players? Henning thinks Magglio Ordonez could be sent to bigger market in exchange for cheap prospects. If that happens, it'll be a hard sell to fans, who have filled Comerica Park to 99.3% capacity this summer, to keep turning out in 2009. If the Tigers can't post a winning record with Maggs, why should fans think the team can contend without him? This team has made huge strides the last several years -- it'll be a shame if Ilitch gives up now.
Latest MLB Photos
Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd, center, talks to the media before the Indians play the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008, in Cleveland. The Boston Red Sox acquired Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday, hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP
Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd talks to the media before the Indians play the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008, in Cleveland. The Boston Red Sox acquired Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday, hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)
AP
Players of the Twin State Peregrines of Vermont and New Hampshire cross Havana's Revolution Square near an image of late rebel hero Ernesto 'Che' Guevara August 12, 2008. Young baseball players from the United States, the first team of Little Leaguers known to visit Cuba since 2000, and Cuba squared off on Sunday in a game that was far more friendly than relations between their two countries. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)
Reuters
Players of the Twin State Peregrines of Vermont and New Hampshire stand near the monument of Cuba's independence hero Jose Marti at Havana's Revolution Square August 12, 2008. Young baseball players from the United States, the first team of Little Leaguers known to visit Cuba since 2000, and Cuba squared off on Sunday in a game that was far more friendly than relations between their two countries. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)
Reuters
Players of the Twin State Peregrines of Vermont and New Hampshire cross Havana's Revolution Square near an image of late rebel hero Ernesto 'Che' Guevara August 12, 2008. Young baseball players from the United States, the first team of Little Leaguers known to visit Cuba since 2000, and Cuba squared off on Sunday in a game that was far more friendly than relations between their two countries. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)
Reuters
LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Jimmy Rollins #11 of the Philadelphia Phillies looks on after a double by James Loney of the Los Angeles Dodgers (not in picture) in the bottom of the eighth inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jimmy Rollins
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Jason Schmidt #29, Manny Ramirez #99 and Clayton Kershaw #22 of the Los Angeles Dodgers celebrate after their win against the Philadelphia Phillies on July 11, 2008 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers beat the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Jonathan Moore/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jason Schmidt;Manny Ramirez;Clayton Kershaw
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Manny Ramirez #99 of the Los Angeles Dodgers runs to third base on a double by James Loney (not in photo) in the eighth inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Ramirez
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Matt Kemp #27 of the Los Angeles Dodgers collides into Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies at second base as Utley finishes his throw to first base to converts the double play at the bottom of the seventh inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 8-6. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Matt Kemp;Chase Utley
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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies holds up his glove to the umpire after tagging out Juan Pierre #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at second base in the seventh inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Juan Pierre;Chase Utley
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
8-13-2008 @ 10:36PM
houchens said...
Tigers need reliable pitching, not more hitting. If they can shed some of the non-performers and use that money to beef up their pitiching ranks, they will improve their performance for 2009.
Reply
8-13-2008 @ 10:57PM
ken said...
Detroit Sucks, the city, their teams and their people!
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 12:02AM
jh said...
Ken is an idiot,detroit is a great sportstown,you are probably from kentucky
8-14-2008 @ 12:10AM
FRANK said...
SHUT UP KEN ..........YOU KNOW NOTHING
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 10:38AM
Chris said...
Ken,
You are a bonehead. Detroit does not suck. It's a great and proud sports town, even when our teams are not doing well. If your opinion is based on Detroit's crime and crappy city government, then you know nothing. The city has been around for over 300 years. That's called resilence. The Tigers will rise again. They just have to find their groove.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 11:32AM
JudKast said...
As I said before, in fact many times, I have sent blog comments------these "spoiled brats" need to be taught a lesson and only get paid for how they play. The Tigers should be the first team, set a precedent to have a formula for ---- "PAY FOR PLAY" - and adjust it every year. This way, some of these so-called professionals would be accountable for their play.
Reply
8-14-2008 @ 11:01PM
Incorruptable said...
Thanks for the Red Wings. They have Stanley and the pride of the city. Sorry for the Tigers, they only created hype and fizz.
Those overpaid pretenders should refund part of their salaries. Their pay should be scaled to their performance. Those who failed should go to the penalty box for a flagrant offense, plus fines. They embarrassed their fans and the city.
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 12:29AM
KnowsAll said...
It's ok though. So we go back to playing .500 ball or less we have such gullible fans and they still will pack the stadium. Every owner in American and beyond would love fans like that. No wonder why Tigers current owner treats this team as his cash cow. Just like the Lions and Pistons owners have done. So we had one really nice year back in 2006 the Tigers staff will talk that year up with Detroits fans until a few smart fans figure it out eventually. Mediocrity seems to be the status quo these days. Wanting to win is too serious. Wanting to put on a decent show is normal way of life for these players. Oh don't boo now, that isn't nice. Even if you spent a good hunk of money hoping to see the players bust their tals for a win. Bottomline is, Defense and pitching wins games Having the solid diamond defense situation down pat is the key. The diamond defense blue print goes like this: You must have a very good catcher, shortstop, second base, and centerfield. Once that nucleus is formed you must have solid pitching throughout. Get to fixing that problem and you will see wonderful things happen in Tiger Town.
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 12:09PM
KnowsAll said...
Tigers need to figure out who's to blame for the pitching failures the last two years. Sure, its easy to blame the players but who's guiding them, who's teaching them ? We know that answer but shhhh don't say anything around our manager other wise you will find yourself riding the bench in Alaska's minor league system.
Reply
8-15-2008 @ 3:06PM
saluki26 said...
Tigers should have spent the money on pitching.
Reply
8-19-2008 @ 10:24PM
houchens said...
Consistency. Tigers need it. One day they perform, next day they sleep. Pistons need it. One quarter they dominate, next quarter they end up behind. Lions just need to perform ... period!
Only team that seems to perform most of the time are the Red Wings ... and much of that comes from Babcock who isnt afraid to bench a non-performer.
Reply