The Pudge Question Has Been Answered

by Ian Casselberry on Oct 9, 2007 1:23 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

Our week long Pudge should-they-or-shouldn't-they nightmare is now over, Detroit Tigers fans. (Well, if you thought the Tigers should've gone the other way on this, I suppose the nightmare might continue...) The Tigers have announced that Pudge Rodriguez's $13 million contract option for 2008 has been picked up, so "catcher" can now be scratched off the team's off-season to-do list.

As I wrote last week, I didn't think Dave Dombrowski and Co. had much choice in the matter. There weren't any viable alternatives available in the free agent market. (Though I have to say, I was becoming enamored of Yorvit Torrealba, based on his playoff performance thus far.) But maybe the front office thought it was an issue worth exploring, and wanted to bounce the idea around a bit with Mike Ilitch before coming to a decision.

Obviously, the hope (or should that be "expectation" with that salary?) is that Pudge can at least maintain his offensive and defensive numbers from last year, if not slightly improve upon them (Take a walk! Block a pitch!), but maybe this also gives the Tigers some more time (another year?) to evaluate their post-Pudge plans for 2009.

So what do you think about this? Thumbs up? Thumbs down? Shoulders shrugged?

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Yorvit

You read my mind, Ian, or maybe I read yours. I've been thinking the same thing about him. Maybe not HOF but pretty good.

by densogirl on Oct 9, 2007 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Shoulder Shrug

Based on the free agent alternatives, I don't think there was really opportunity for an upgrade... just probably some payroll savings. I'm fine with one more year of Pudge. Hopefully, missing the playoffs will light a fire under him to bounce back and have a better year.

Torrealba is intriguing, but his career stats don't really impress me. He seemed to me like the best of some uninspiring options out there.

Anyone know what the landscape looks like after next season? I'm sure the most promising free agents will want to hop on board a defending World Champion... :)

by russkiejedi on Oct 9, 2007 3:09 PM EDT reply actions

Thumbs Up

Free agent alternatives, yes yes. No one else 'better' is out there, though it would be nice to save a bit. Honestly, it's worth it.

Pudge is a HoF catcher. He's spent many years here and Detroit is his home. Next year he stands a chance of breaking the all-time games caught record. I'd like to see him do that here and finish his career possibly here. I just hope he can get comfortable with the idea of fading to a backup and a clubhouse presence when he starts to drop off.

by John Kmiecik on Oct 9, 2007 6:49 PM EDT reply actions