The reality is suddenly that Magglio Ordonez may make as much next season as the multi-faceted, recently signed Victor Martinez. Following the deal from the Nationals for Jayson Werth, and the pending offers awaiting Carl Crawford and Cliff Lee, the Tigers are looking smarter and smarter each day with their quick start out of the gate. While Dave Dombrowski has been heavily criticized for the moves that backfired in his face, he cannot be faulted for his foresight to an offseason that looks to be getting out of hand for tight payroll teams.
The signing of Joaquin Benoit may look back to be one of the bigger signings by the Tigers this offseason when reliever Rafael Soriano eventually signs. There were a few core relievers in the current free agent class, and signing one for just under $6 million a year looks to be a relative savings. While Soriano is more of a ninth inning guy than Benoit, $10 million+ is not out of the question.
The next gaping hole for the Tigers – a corner outfielder – looks to be more of a challenge than orginially thought. The latest rumors are that the Tigers are on the lookout for Padres outfielder Ryan Ludwick, a former Mud Hen. While his signing may have been a major move four/five years ago, there’s hope that he could have similar fortune in the Midwest, but this time in a different league. With Scott Boras throwing the Red Sox “into the mix” for Ordonez, it looks like the only way a big name (at the right price) makes the team will