Hold off on the Carlos Guillen Questions for Four More Years

At least there's one less question for the Detroit Tigers to worry about going into Opening Day.

Detroit's 1270-AM (WXYT) is reporting that shortstop Carlos Guillen has signed a contract extension with the Detroit Tigers.  The terms of the deal that have been released for public consumption are $48 million over four years.  

A lot of eyebrows were raised when Michael Young got a five-year, $80 million extension from the Rangers, especially in regards to how that might affect the Tigers' negotiations with Guillen.  He obviously won't be cashing in $16 million in paychecks per year, but it ain't chump change, either.

Hometown discount?  Hmm... could be.  But who knows?  And does it ultimately matter?  Guillen surely knows he's with a good thing now in Detroit, and the Tigers certainly didn't want to lose such an important piece of their everyday lineup.  Finding a replacement on the open market after the season could've been an exercise in frustration (or free agent folly).  

What's most important is that questions about Guillen's contract won't dog him or the team throughout the season anymore.  Guillen doesn't have to deal with the pressure of trying to earn a new deal and the Tigers don't have to fretting over their future at the position for the next three to four years.  Everyone involved can now concentrate on winning games instead.  

Here's more from the Free Press' Jon Paul Morosi and The Detroit Tigers Weblog.

UPDATE: Here's the official word from MLB.com's Jason Beck.