FanPost

The Detroit Tigers Will Not Become The Phillies

When the Detroit Tigers gave Miguel Cabrera a contract extension prior to Opening Day, there was a period of excitement where fans felt like they were on top of the world. When Miguel Cabrera struggled out of the gate, fans' excitement turned to rage and they started to talk about how the contracts of both Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander would cripple the team a few years down the road. Shortly thereafter, fans claimed that the team would be in a similar situation to the Philadelphia Phillies, who, in recent years, have seen their winning percentage and average age go in very different directions. However, when you really look into where the Phillies are and where the Tigers are heading, you will see that this is not the case.

The Tigers currently have four non-cost controlled players under contract through 2017. Those four would be Miguel Cabrera, Justin Verlander, Ian Kinsler, and Anibal Sanchez. Come 2017, they will have an average age of 33.75.

The four biggest contracts that the Phillies have in 2014 are made up by Ryan Howard, Cliff Lee, Cole Hamels, and Chase Utley. Those four also have an average age of 33.5.

That seems like a bad sign, until you dig a little farther. The youngest player that the Tigers have under contract is Anibal Sanchez, who will turn 33 on February 27, 2017. The youngest player that the Phillies have on that list is 30 year old Cole Hamels. Take both of those players out and the average age of the Tigers and Phillies rises to 34 and 34.7, respectively.

Now you can look at finances. The Tigers will be paying an average of $20.75MM. The Phillies, on the other hand, paid $22.125MM.

On top of that, you should consider this: The Phillies currently have eight players that are 34 years or older. Of those players, Ryan Howard and Cliff Lee both make $25MM, Chase Utley make $15MM, Jimmy Rollins makes $11MM, Carlos Ruiz makes $8.5MM, Marlon Byrd makes $8MM, A.J. Burnett makes $7.5MM, and Mike Adams makes $7MM. Of those eight, Mike Adams is the only one that does not have a guaranteed contract in 2015, but Jonathan Papelbon and his $13MM salary will join the 34 and up list.

At that point, the Phillies will be paying this group of eight players $108MM. The madness continues when they will owe a minimum of $48MM to four players, two of which would be paid a buyout on their 2016 option. This number could go up to $62MM if Chase Utley vests an attainable option (500 plate appearances in 2015.) The youngest of these players would be the 36 year old Ryan Howard.

The Tigers are currently guaranteed to have three 34 year olds in 2017, who will have an average salary of $23MM. In 2018, Anibal Sanchez and Ian Kinsler will both have $16MM and $10MM club options, respectively. In 2019, the only two Tigers still under contract will be a pair of 36 year olds in Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander, who will be in a the final guaranteed year of his contract (2020 option vests if he finishes in the top five in 2019 Cy Young voting.)

All in all, when you look at the guaranteed contracts, year by year, you will find that the Tigers will not be crippled by bad contracts in a few years. They will not be having losing seasons because they cannot afford any good players. And, if you consider extreme inflation within MLB payrolls, some contracts that seem poor at the moment, may not seem as bad five years from now.

All contract information was found at Cots Baseball Contracts.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the <em>Bless You Boys</em> writing staff.