Adam Everett: $3 Million Shortstop?

by Ian Casselberry on Nov 30, 2009 1:00 PM EST in Detroit Tigers Hot Stove

Adam Everett was due to get a raise in whatever contract he signed for next season. The $1 million the Detroit Tigers paid him last season came with a rather significant injury discount, as Everett was coming off a shoulder injury and needed to show he could play through a full season healthy.

Having done that, and given the increasing emphasis throughout baseball on defense over offense, Everett's price tag is surely going to increase on this year's open market. Confirmation of that came with the Blue Jays' signing of Alex Gonzalez over the holiday weekend.

Gonzalez agreed to a one-year, $2.75 million contract (with a $2.5 team option for 2011). And he's a pretty similar player to Everett. Gonzalez hit .238/.279/.355 this season, while Everett hit .238/.288/.325. Gonzalez showed a bit more pop, with eight homers to Everett's three. Their RBI totals were roughly the same, with Gonzalez driving in 41 to Everett's 44.

Defensively, UZR favors Everett (8.9) over Gonzalez (6.7), but not by a wide margin. Both are roughly the same age, turning 33 in February.

So if Gonzalez is worth nearly $3 million on the open market, what sort of contract can Everett expect to receive?

And if the Tigers wouldn't go that high to sign Everett, they almost surely wouldn't be in the running for Marco Scutaro or Orlando Cabrera. Both players are reportedly seeking two-year deals worth at least $5 million per season, based on their offensive numbers. That price tag compelled the Blue Jays to opt for Gonzalez and his greater defensive value instead. And we already know how much the Tigers favor defense over offense at the shortstop position.

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Hmm

Brent Dlugach is looking pretty sweet right about now.

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by David Tokarz on Nov 30, 2009 1:04 PM EST reply actions

How is Dlugach defensively?

I imagine we can’t get much from him offensively, but could we at least get average defense from him? If so, I say give the kid a chance.

If the Tigers aren’t prepared to have rookies at both shortstop and second base, I wouldn’t mind seeing them make a play for a back-loaded Scutaro deal—say $3.5 mil in 2010 and $6.5 mil in 2011? I doubt they would do it, but Scutaro would definitely be an offensive upgrade over Everett.

by Dberg on Nov 30, 2009 2:31 PM EST up reply actions

Dlugach was supposed to be one of the better fielders

I think he’d be capable but unexceptionable.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Nov 30, 2009 4:13 PM EST up reply actions

"Capable but unexceptional" at league minimum salary is fine with me.

by Dberg on Nov 30, 2009 4:38 PM EST up reply actions

and you know what?

I would think there’s a good chance of seeing that happen.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Nov 30, 2009 4:48 PM EST up reply actions

Any idea what happened to him in 2007/2008?

He only played a combined 29 games at GCL and AA those two years. Is there a serious injury history here?

by Dberg on Nov 30, 2009 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

shoulder issues those years

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Nov 30, 2009 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

I've heard he's very good with the glove

And he can’t be worse with the bat than Sizemore. I’d really like to ask someone like KG or John Sickles though… not sure how great his glove really is.

President, Vice President and Secretary of the Casey Crosby Fanclub.

by David Tokarz on Nov 30, 2009 5:28 PM EST up reply actions