I just wrote this article on the Facebook Tigers Fan application, and I'm sort of a rookie with this kind of thing so take a look and tell me what you think.

Recently the Mets acquired Johnny Estrada from the Brewers for one of their crappier relievers, and it made me wonder whether or not we could've picked him up at the end of the season for someone like Grilli.  We're paying Pudge 13 million this year, and if trends continue as they have over the past three seasons, this should be his most lackluster year yet.  Estrada shapes up nearly the same as Pudge in every category except Caught Stealing, where Pudge threw out 10 more runners than him.  His Range Factor was higher, and offensively he had a better On Base Percentage, plus half as many strikeouts as Pudge.  Another plus, Estrada's a switch hitter, which would be a great asset in our right- hand dominated line-up.

Estrada's contract is worth 3.4, roughly ten million less than Pudge.  Imagine where that money could've been spent.  Picking up Schilling or Glavine (I doubt we could've lured Glavine, but it was still a possibility) for a year?  Having enough bucks to lure someone like Rivera or Cordero to come close for you, rather than have to rely on Todd to get it done.  A solid closer for the next few years would be nice, having already picked up a veteran pitcher like Schilling or Glavine would make our position in negotiating with Kenny a whole lot better, and if Rogers did come back our rotation would be bullet proof with two veteran starters.  Or we could've just gone out and loaded up on some middle relief, which everyone would agree that we're lacking.

Personally the Tigers are not a high budget team, and I hate to see our money wrapped up in an overpaid player with declining talent.  Freeing up an extra ten mil could've totally changed our post-season strategy.

Now in Ivan's defense, he is a great catcher, and his leadership within the Tigers' organization could be the reason they kept him around for 2008.  I've only been considering this because of management's meeting in October discussing whether or not to exercise his option.  I think it was a mistake, personally, but I hope he'll bounce back this year.  God knows we need him.

Estrada wasn't the only option behind the plate, but after seeing him recently being traded to the Mets for essentially nothing, it made me think.

-Rojo