for those who dont know, his contract is up this year, but has a 2 year team option left (at about 30 million dollars, total, i believe). if he gets 500 or so at bats, and plays in 135 games, the option is automatic.

mlbpa will be in leyland's ass if he tries any funny business to juke to the stats. if the tigers dont want that option picked up (which im pretty sure they dont), they have to cut him.

what do you do?

im 50/50 on this. the guy has a track record but youth must be served in today's baseball.

You have to see if he can turn it around. We're gonna need hitting down the stretch, if we're in this thing we can not dump him. The whole Clete/Rayburn/Anderson/Thames mess ain't gonna cut it. Wait on Guillen also, if we have an abundance of talent go for it and let him go. If not, the chance to win a pennant only comes along so often.

If the Tigers plan on advancing to the postseason this year (which they have a great shot at doing), they're going to have to keep Magglio on the roster and in the lineup.

There is no alternative if you just get rid him. The financial burden of paying him next year isn't as bad when you consider we'll have almost 20 million in freed up payroll (Sheff, Polanco, Lyon), anyway. Plus the upcoming free agent class isn't a great one (Jason Bay/Matt Holliday aren't coming here).

So just keep Maggs, then after the 2010 season, we will have nearly $60 million of contracts coming off the books (Inge, Bondo, Willis, Nate, Maggs)---just in time to pay Verlander & Jackson and sign 2 or 3 other solid ballplayers...

Is Maggs overpaid? Sure, but who the hell doesn't have an overpaid player in this league? The notion that the Tigers should be the team that doesn't is just stupid (Drew Sharp).

And for the record, you can't just stop playing Maggs to avoid the vesting figures. The second Leyland or Dombrowski tries to, Scott Boras tells his client Maggs to file a grievance with the players union, and Maggs gets paid either way. And MLB rules state you cannot release a player for financial reasons (Tom Glavine just went through this last week).

It's not gonna happen, guys.

some good points, but i think your mistake is assuming he is our best option for that roster spot.

right now he's a 270's singles hitter with no speed, bad defense, and is hitting into a lot of DPs. thats not good. we could do better than that with a AAA guy.

if he doesnt improve, he doesnt really deserve a spot on the team.

If he gets hot, he can carry us.

But either him or Carlos Guillen (contracts) has to be dealt with here shortly.

if he doesnt improve, he doesnt really deserve a spot on the team.

Sure. Then he's Clete with bad range. But if both those guys hit their ceilings clete can get 4 HRs in a month and get on base....maybe cause some trouble.
Maggs can have a 1.000 OPS.

You have to cut Magglio. He hasn't been very good offensively and his defense is average at best. Factor in that he has been declining along with how much he would make and you just have to dump the guy. The money could be much better used in the offseason.

Maggs is hitting .276, one of the highest averages on our team.

Just because he hasn't had his power stroke, doesn't warrant releasing him mid-season.

The reason we cut Sheff was because not only had he given up some of his consistent power, but his average was floating around .220...

Unless we can make a trade for a guy like Brad Hawpe who would be a legitimate upgrade (but would also cost us a pretty penny), Maggs isn't going anywhere.

Why would they release Maggs and let any of the other 29 teams have him for free? I'm sure Minnesota or Texas would love to add a .280 hitter to their lineup while we pay the full price for it and look to contend.

It's absolutely stupid. Cutting Magglio now is waving a white flag on the season.

Agreed, if anything we need to trade for some good prospects... Cutting him does not make any sense.

^ i think the issue being, he has 0 trade value. we couldnt give him away.

again, will, i think your mistaking magglio's production right now. batting 270's, while protected by cabrerra, and bringing nothing else to the table is not too valuable. its mid june and dude has 21 rbis.

i look at it from a risk / reward standpoint. by keeping him, i think its fair to say you think this team's peak is this year, versus next year and the year after (i know you said FA was weak, but we've been stockpiling young arms to make trades, ala cabrerra).

we've got two stud pitchers, which conventionally is the blueprint for a playoff team. but our bullpen is suspect and our lineup (even with magglio) is weak.

i suppose if illitch doesnt care about the 30 million, than who cares. but i gotta think there is some kind of budget.

Still have to pay him, regardless of a cut, don't you?

Still have to pay him, regardless of a cut, don't you?

There is a clause in his contract that if he appears in so many games OR has so many at-bats, his contract gets extended for two years and big time money. The issue is that if we cut him, we still have to pay him but only for THIS season. The extension wouldn't kick in.

It's not an issue of the guy not having value in our line-up. It's a matter of getting stuck with haveing to pay out another 30 mil for an old player on the decline.

It's not stupid to cut him.

It's not waving the white flag. It's not that hard to pick up a guy hitting .280 with zero power and who can't field very well.

It's freeing up a ton of money to make the team better overall for seasons to come.

Yeah, but the issue becomes, if you cut him solely to keep the options from kicking in, he can file a grievance and potentially have the contract options instated.

Remember when Dumbrowski traded every prospect we had (which were few to begin with) for a bunch of old ass power hitter none of which could play the field?

I think a "What to do with Dontrelle" thread might be time better spent.

"Make him an outfielder." /Dontrelle thread

The thing is, Magglio didn't have an injury to suggest he's officially lost the ability to be a big time run producer at the plate. Most players who go through these types of slumps, have an obvious reason behind it, but with Magglio, there is none. The guy finished 2nd in the AL in hitting last year.

And where did this notion that Maggs is a poor defensive outfielder come from?? He's made 1 error this year---the exact same amount as Clete Thomas, Josh Anderson, and Ryan Raburn.

The vesting option doesn't bother me. There isn't anybody we would allocate that money towards anyway since Ilitch will probably want our payroll to drop yet again after this season. We already have Sheff, Lyon, Polanco, Everett, and Rodney coming off the books for next year- that's plenty of money to make a splash in free agency.

Unless you trade for a better alternative (Hawpe, Dunn, Francoeur, Kearns, Hart), cutting Magglio just isn't plausible.

Errors are not a good way to judge defensive proficiency, especially for an outfielder. It's all about range.

Not to mention, in 2010--we have Guillen, Bonderman, Robertson, Willis, Ordonez, Laird, and Inge all coming off the books.

That's like 70% of our current paryoll.

This team is in perfect financial situation for the future. We already have Cabby & Granderson signed for the long-term and Jackson & Verlander will probably be getting long-term extensions this coming offseason.

Errors are not a good way to judge defensive proficiency, especially for an outfielder. It's all about range.

True, but he hasn't been a liability to the point where it has absolutely killed us or cost us games.

True, but he hasn't been a liability to the point where it has absolutely killed us or cost us games.
Agreed. I don't think he's done either, but if there's a legit way to get out of those option years, I think you have to do it, especially if we think the market's going to stay down a bit. To me, he looks a whole lot like Bobby Abreu right now, and the going rate for Bobby Abreu's what, $6-7 Million? You don't want to overpay for his name.

(Also, at this point you've probably got to assume there's at least a 50% chance he was juicing...)

True, but he hasn't been a liability to the point where it has absolutely killed us or cost us games.

Maggs has NEVER been known as a good outfielder. He has been average at best. He doesn't have much range or speed and he's slowing down.

I just don't see how you can justify in any way that he is worth what we are paying him. Why in the hell would we want to be on the hook for even more money for the next two seasons????

I just don't see how you can justify in any way that he is worth what we are paying him. Why in the hell would we want to be on the hook for even more money for the next two seasons????


What is a rare shot at a WS worth? This team is going to cut spending significantly the next few years, we may never have this chance again.

If Maggs is a steroid sufferrer then he won't get it back in the next couple months, so you can cut him free. But if he does turn it around and get some bat speed back we can presume he'd be far better than any other option in that spot this season. Gotta go for a title even if it's a very slim hope.

I'm not against holding on to him for a while to see if he can turn things around. I just don't see a WS run with our pitching staff. Two really good starters and a solid rookie aren't really going to cut it IMO.

Here's what we do with Magglio: TELL HIM TO PULL THE DAMN BALL!!

I'm not against holding on to him for a while to see if he can turn things around. I just don't see a WS run with our pitching staff. Two really good starters and a solid rookie aren't really going to cut it IMO.


I disagree. In a seven game series you could see Verlander/Jackson go games 1,2 + 4,5. Porcello does decent in game 3. Its the lack of consistent hitting/bullpen play that will hurt the Tigs.

The second Magglio has an injury you cut him. Save the money, spend it elsewhere. Give the spot to Wilkin/Clete/JoshAnderson

I just don't see how you can justify in any way that he is worth what we are paying him. Why in the hell would we want to be on the hook for even more money for the next two seasons????

I acknowledged the fact that he's overpaid, I'm just saying there's really nothing we can do about it.

You CAN'T RELEASE A PLAYER FOR FINANCIAL REASONS, I don't know how the rules of the CBA can be any more clear than that.

When we cut Damion Easley, Bobby Higginson and Gary Sheffield. When the Mets cut Mo Vaughn, when the D'Backs cut Russ Ortiz in recent years--all those players were undoubtedly examples of players on the decline due to injuries and thus were cut and still paid their entire salary, but Magglio doesn't fit into that category because his average is one of the highest on the team and he's been healthy.

The Blue Jays tried this with Frank Thomas last year (it solved itself by Frank Thomas demanding to be released after John Gibbons said he would be benched to avoid the vesting figures), but had Frank Thomas NOT asked Riccardi to be released, he would've filed a grievance, and he would've won.

Did fuckin Mags do the Home Run Derby thing at the All Star whatchamacallit?

I acknowledged the fact that he's overpaid, I'm just saying there's really nothing we can do about it.

You CAN'T RELEASE A PLAYER FOR FINANCIAL REASONS, I don't know how the rules of the CBA can be any more clear than that.

When we cut Damion Easley, Bobby Higginson and Gary Sheffield. When the Mets cut Mo Vaughn, when the D'Backs cut Russ Ortiz in recent years--all those players were undoubtedly examples of players on the decline due to injuries and thus were cut and still paid their entire salary, but Magglio doesn't fit into that category because his average is one of the highest on the team and he's been healthy.

The Blue Jays tried this with Frank Thomas last year (it solved itself by Frank Thomas demanding to be released after John Gibbons said he would be benched to avoid the vesting figures), but had Frank Thomas NOT asked Riccardi to be released, he would've filed a grievance, and he would've won.

You can absolutely Cut Magglio right now and not have to worry about losing a grievance. I'm not sure why you keep saying this. The fact is, it can be argued, that we are a better team without him in the lineup. He's done and no one could prove that they were cutting him just for financial reasons.

If we keep him on the team and start benching him or cut him right before he reaches the games that he needs, we may run into problems with the union. Thats why this topic needs to be addressed within the next month.

The Tigers would be foolish to keep him long enough for him to reach those limits. It's financial suicide to pay Mag's 18 million next year.

It might be more suicidal to let agents and players know that we do this type of shit to avoid payouts.

You can forget ever working with Boras again, too.

DD agreed to these terms, it might be wise to take his medicine (again).

It might be more suicidal to let agents and players know that we do this type of shit to avoid payouts.

You can forget ever working with Boras again, too.

DD agreed to these terms, it might be wise to take his medicine (again).


We have overpaid so many Boras clients in the past few years that this wouldn't stop him from working with us.

Besides, if we're paying Mag's that type of money over the next 2 season, we're likely not going to sign a high priced free agent anyway. We still wouldn't be able to sign a Boras client because we couldn't afford them.

So a guy hitting .270 with a HORRIBLE slugging % that plays ZERO defense can't be cut? Please, if this was Clete Thomas doing this in right field you would be screaming to send him down to AAA.

That's a weak comparison and you know it.

reality is the economy in michigan aint turning around overnight, attendance is way off of last year, and the tigers can shed alot of money while losing very little production.

itll probably happen. my guess is just after the all star game.

maybe give him one more run at it. magglio seems healthier, thames is back. if not now, its probably not happening.

boras might not like it, but this might be the new reality for the mlb.

Just watch the backlash if it happens. All of the goodwill/ink that Illitch built up by "doing the right thing" with the car mfgrs. in the outfield will get wiped away, IMO.

This would be highly taboo. Bad juju, as Hermy would say.

What is the penalty to cut someone like Willis or Nate? Do we still owe them their money until their normal contract would run out? (I'm thinking we had that with Dean Palmer a few years back). Yeah, Maggs isn't producing like he should, but I'd much rather see the crap pitching get let go if that could save us some money.

So a guy hitting .270 with a HORRIBLE slugging % that plays ZERO defense can't be cut? Please, if this was Clete Thomas doing this in right field you would be screaming to send him down to AAA.


For the record, Clete Thomas was hitting a miserable .237. More than .30 pts lower than Maggs.

What is the penalty to cut someone like Willis or Nate? Do we still owe them their money until their normal contract would run out? (I'm thinking we had that with Dean Palmer a few years back). Yeah, Maggs isn't producing like he should, but I'd much rather see the crap pitching get let go if that could save us some money.

Yeah, if we cut them, they still get paid in full.

Neither of those two guys had vesting or team options for next year so they'd get paid even if they are released (which is probably why the put Dontrelle on the DL since they really have nothing to lose).

We're going to have plenty of spending money next year, regardless. Sheff, Lyon, Polanco, Rodney, and Everett are all set to be free agents.

It's possible we don't offer a contract to Laird so we could save even more money. And if we're able to rid ourselves of Maggs option, then we'll have easily the most payroll to spend than any other team.

And after next year, Nate, Bondo, Willis and Inge all come off the payroll---that's nearly 40 million!

I've said it before, the Tigers are in great long-term financial shape. We're going to have plenty of money to lock up Jackson, Verlander, Zumaya and Porcello in the coming years. (Granderson & Cabby are both already signed long-term).

Too bad we have no solution (that is close to ready) at SS, 3B, 2B or Closer if the FA's you mentioned are let go.

It would be nice if there were a couple young and good FA's at those spots.

Clete is slugging 80 points higher? You can't argue based on performance that Magglio deserves to be on the Tiger's roster! There is NO reason a guy hitting .273 with 2 HR, 22 RBI, a HORRIBLE .343 slugging%, only 11 extra base hits who plays ZERO defense should be on the roster!

They already let Pudge and Sheff go based on shitty play, I'm not worried about DD making the best business move and not worrying about the PR hit. It's not like Illitch is being cheap with the team or anything. The Tigers have not let one solid player go because they didn't want to spend to keep them. They overpaid for a few stars when the team was terrible. The stars did their job (getting the team back on the map), but have tailed off dramatically. So you cut your losses and move on. If everyone expected Maggs/Sheff/Pudge to keep playing at a high level they never would have been available to a horrid team like the Tigers were in the first place.

Clete is slugging 80 points higher? You can't argue based on performance that Magglio deserves to be on the Tiger's roster! There is NO reason a guy hitting .273 with 2 HR, 22 RBI, a HORRIBLE .343 slugging%, only 11 extra base hits who plays ZERO defense should be on the roster!

I think his career (juice or no juice) gives him the benefit of the doubt.

The numbers on the back of his baseball card suggest that he'll get his schwerve on again.

Have you read about what has been going on with his wife? He also pissed some fellow countrymen off during the WBC because of his support for Chavez. He's had a ton going on.

I think he'll rebound.

edit- added links: http://graneyandthepig.wordpress.com/2009/03/15/magglio-ordonez-booed-by-venezuelans/
http://www.kffl.com/article.php/98581/515

Just watch the backlash if it happens. All of the goodwill/ink that Illitch built up by "doing the right thing" with the car mfgrs. in the outfield will get wiped away, IMO.

This would be highly taboo. Bad juju, as Hermy would say.

Gross overreaction...

Clete is slugging 80 points higher? You can't argue based on performance that Magglio deserves to be on the Tiger's roster! There is NO reason a guy hitting .273 with 2 HR, 22 RBI, a HORRIBLE .343 slugging%, only 11 extra base hits who plays ZERO defense should be on the roster!

Magglio hasn't had any type of injury or life-event to suggest his performance this year is anything but a fluke.

David Ortiz, Derrek Lee, Garrett Atkins---just a few of the many big name hitters in this league who have a track record of success who are simply having a bad year.

Gross overreaction...

Perhaps you missed "IMO"

Let's wait and see how big of a deal is made of it if it happens.

Just the threat of it happening is already making national headlines.

Juts cuts Maggs!! He sucks and everyone in the league knows it. He was kept around for his hitting which is now mediocre.

As for goodwill or Illitch's/the Tiger's reputation, I think that most people (players and agents) would be surprised if the Tigers did keep him on to become eligible for the option. The writing is on the wall and everyone knows what is going to happen.

Very few things shock me here on a daily basis, but reading some of this is really mind boggling to me for some reason.

You have to see if he can turn it around. We're gonna need hitting down the stretch, if we're in this thing we can not dump him. The whole Clete/Rayburn/Anderson/Thames mess ain't gonna cut it. Wait on Guillen also, if we have an abundance of talent go for it and let him go. If not, the chance to win a pennant only comes along so often.

This.

Juts cuts Maggs!! He sucks and everyone in the league knows it. He was kept around for his hitting which is now mediocre.

As for goodwill or Illitch's/the Tiger's reputation, I think that most people (players and agents) would be surprised if the Tigers did keep him on to become eligible for the option. The writing is on the wall and everyone knows what is going to happen.

Okay, the Tigers would find a reason to place him on the DL before they outright release him.

This isn't the same situation as Sheffield or Easley.

For example: I'm sure the Yankees would like to sign Ordonez for the league minimum and put him in RF in their hitter-friendly ballpark. They've already lost Xavier Nady, so wouldn't they want him?

You can say the same for any other team in the AL (because Maggs sure as hell isn't going to go play in the NL).

Releasing Magglio Ordonez = beyond stupid

Fine, put him on the DL, anywhere but right field.

Magglio hasn't had any type of injury or life-event to suggest his performance this year is anything but a fluke.

David Ortiz, Derrek Lee, Garrett Atkins---just a few of the many big name hitters in this league who have a track record of success who are simply having a bad year.


Derrek Lee is on a 20 game hitting streak.....

Okay, the Tigers would find a reason to place him on the DL before they outright release him.

This isn't the same situation as Sheffield or Easley.

For example: I'm sure the Yankees would like to sign Ordonez for the league minimum and put him in RF in their hitter-friendly ballpark. They've already lost Xavier Nady, so wouldn't they want him?

You can say the same for any other team in the AL (because Maggs sure as hell isn't going to go play in the NL).

Releasing Magglio Ordonez = beyond stupid

Why? He might get that big single against us in the playoffs?

Here's something to consider:

If we release Magglio and can assure ourselves the savings for the next two years, does that allow us to take on more salary in a trade? Could be the difference between a World Series and no World Series...

^thats the point i was trying to make.

i dont really care about saving illitch $$, even if its 18 million. but it may come down to dombrowski having 18 million in dead wood next year or putting together a blockbuster trade with some of our young arms and bring in another cabrerra.

usually, im a one in the hand is better than two in the bush kind of guy. but 18 million is potentially so much to make our team better next year, and right now losing magglio would be losing nothing.

which is worse: releasing magglio, watching him bat 300+ for the yankees for the rest of the year, and then next year being sub 500 anyway

or

keeping magglio, have him be useless for the next two years and be dead weight??

which is likelier?

I doubt if we save 18 mil we get to spend 18 mil.

I think as long as the Wings keep going deep into the playoffs and there continues to be a cap in the NHL he'll spend on the Tigers (provided they win). Who knows what that dollar amount is.

Okay, the Tigers would find a reason to place him on the DL before they outright release him.

This isn't the same situation as Sheffield or Easley.

For example: I'm sure the Yankees would like to sign Ordonez for the league minimum and put him in RF in their hitter-friendly ballpark. They've already lost Xavier Nady, so wouldn't they want him?

You can say the same for any other team in the AL (because Maggs sure as hell isn't going to go play in the NL).

Releasing Magglio Ordonez = beyond stupid

Let the Yankees have him. He's not even a great player at the league minimum let alone 18 mil. Rayburn's clutch HR in the 9th yesterday is even more proof that Magglio would be struggling for a spot in the line-up even if he weren't an $18 mil player. His game has been on the decline and I don't think that it's coming back. That and his salary (and future salary) make it an easy (and smart) decision to cut him. Sorry Wil but he sucks!!!

If they really would spend the 18 mil it's a no brainer. You cut the guy. If cutting 18 mil just means Illitch saves more money then you keep him and hope he bounces back.

we could have spent 12 mil a year on FRod (the real one). What would you rather have?

If they really would spend the 18 mil it's a no brainer. You cut the guy. If cutting 18 mil just means Illitch saves more money then you keep him and hope he bounces back.

we could have spent 12 mil a year on FRod (the real one). What would you rather have?

Well, we weren't going to add much payroll this past offseason, anyway.

Even if we are able to rid ourselves of Ordonez's option, we still have to pay a buyout.

http://spreadsheets.google.com/pub?key=p4ew-fwu2XT3vb-P22K4-JQ

3 million is a far cry away from 18 million.

What FA's could we spend that 15 mil on? These are all FA's:

Tejada
Beltre
Bay
Crawford
Holliday
Beckett
Harden
Webb
Putz

Which ones would be available and we'd want?

you can also add salary via trade... part of the reason to draft nothing but pitchers is to use them as trade currency.

He just cut all his hair off. We'll see if this has an effect. /sarcasm

What FA's could we spend that 15 mil on? These are all FA's:

Tejada
Beltre
Bay
Crawford
Holliday
Beckett
Harden
Webb
Putz

Which ones would be available and we'd want?

Crawford has a team option that will surely be exercised

Beltre is playing like garbage this year

I'll be shocked if Bay doesn't stay in Boston

Beckett has a team option

Harden is way to injury prone

Webb isn't going to pitch again this season

Putz is having an awful year


That leaves Tejada & Holliday. I wouldn't give Tejada $15 mill, but I would consider giving Holliday that amount, even though he's not having the best of seasons right now...

I was even thinking more along the lines of adding salary at the deadline this year. There is some argument that you have to keep Maggs just based on the hope that if his production rebounds, he could get us over the top, but if releasing him opens up the option of adding even just $5-6 Million at the deadline this year, that could counteract any potential lost production from Maggs himself.

I have my doubts that DD has the green light to add anything this year unless we can be assured of not paying Maggs. Remember, Brandon Lyon for like $5 Mill was our signature move in the offseason.

So why couldnt we cut Maggs and sign Holliday? I'd rather pay him the next two years than Maggs. I guess we'd be without that bat for the stretch run this year. Oakland is in last place, could we make the swap with them and not give up too much else? I'm sure they'd simply buy him out, but we'd have to give them something for the few months they'd be without Holliday.

Thanks to this thread, Maggs is now MY TIGER.

since cutting his hair magglio is 3/6 with a dinger and 2 rbi.

nosmas?

he won the 2007 batting title, so it would be a pretty steep decline if he were done.

i assumed that he was a former roider and now his body was falling apart.

i really hope it was the hair and he returns to form. hes an easy guy to root for, so if he does pull through i will be thrilled to be wrong in this thread.

He'll be fine.

Anybody seen Vladimir Guerrero's stats this year?

He'll be fine.

Anybody seen Vladimir Guerrero's stats this year?

Vlad looked FAT when I saw him the other night.

He just cut his hair, too, I think.

just got a couple RBIs too.

If you subscribed to my twitter (it's just such a terrible name "twitter") you'd already have seen this.


Magglio's hair up for auction http://is.gd/1dtpw

.261.

mags has us in a full nelson. anyone ready to tap out yet?

Sit him back down, IMO.

Cut him. Not from the team. I mean really cut him. With a knife.

I saw some interesting splits...

When Maggs has DH'ed this year, he's hitting over .360

When he's played RF, his average is around .200

Weird.

I saw some interesting splits...

When Maggs has DH'ed this year, he's hitting over .360

When he's played RF, his average is around .200

Weird.

Be careful with small sample sizes.

Be careful with small sample sizes.

True.

http://blogs.chicagosports.chicagotribune.com/sports_hardball/2009/07/paul-sullivans-cubs-mailbag.html


Hi, Paul, the Magglio Ordonez contract saga has me thinking about Milton Bradley. Isn't Bradley's contract set up so that years two and three kick in only if he reaches a certain number of plate appearances? And if that's true, then why don't the Cubs just cut Bradley for "character" or "performance" issues to get his contract off the books? --Michael James, Morton Grove, Ill.


Answer: Here’s a suggestion: Ordonez for Bradley, straight up. Both are underachieving players with big contracts and strong track records, at least hitting-wise. Maybe a change of scenery for both would help.

I'd do that trade in a heartbeat.

Seriously? No thanks.

Bradley would be a huge locker room and chemistry headache, and I've heard Leyland attribute the success of the team this year to players being loose because the locker room and dugout are so easy going. I don't want to screw with that. Not to mention I'm not too sure Bradley would be all that successful at Comerica.

But, he absolutely thrived in a full-time DH role last year in Texas.

I know his personality isn't 'ideal' for any lockerroom, but it's obvious he's an AL Player only, and when he's happy and in a spot that he's comfortable (DH'ing) he's fine...

It wont happen anyway

Anyone can hit .320 with 30 HR in that sardine can.

MLBTR...


ESPN.com's Rob Neyer says it will be "exceptionally difficult" for Magglio Ordonez to bat 166 more times if he remains in a platoon. If he bats 165 times or less, his $18MM option for 2010 doesn't vest.

I suppose that could only be good news, right? When Guillen comes back, chances are even better Maggs won't reach the necessary figures.

Even if he doesn't reach the vesting point, we will still have to pay a buyout for his contract next year. (I think it's like 4M, still it's a no-brainer)

Where's the "apologies to Maggs" thread?

I don't think we need that. As good as he's been lately, he will be making more than Pujols next year. Not bad for a guy with under 50 ribbies.

$18m

MLBTR...



I suppose that could only be good news, right? When Guillen comes back, chances are even better Maggs won't reach the necessary figures.

Even if he doesn't reach the vesting point, we will still have to pay a buyout for his contract next year. (I think it's like 4M, still it's a no-brainer)

I missed this.

Good news/great news for the Tigs...not so much for Mags.

He hit the number of ABs needed last night.

They owe him $18m next year.

Entering Tuesday night's game, his average was up to .296 thanks to a hot stretch in which he batted .402 since the beginning of August. But there's actually a sobering reality to that .402 -- 34 of the 43 hits were singles.

The power and run production simply haven't returned as the average has climbed. While he's up to .296, he has just seven home runs and 40 RBIs. The last time Ordonez had a completely healthy season in which he didn't hit at least 21 homers and 99 RBIs was 1998, his rookie season with the White Sox.

The Tigers likely will be on Ordonez Watch next season, too. He's up to 457 plate appearances for this season and if he reaches 1,080 between this year and next, he'll automatically activate a $15 million deal for 2011.

I personally, don't think it's as bad as some are making it out to be. It's not far fetched to think he can't have a nice bounce-back season in a contract year next year anyway. Will he be overpaid? Of course, but every top 10 payroll team has overpaid players.

Maggs already has his avg. around .300, and while the RBI's are down, how much does that have to do with Granderson & Polanco hitting like shit the first 3 months of the season? If you ask me, there were alot of variables that were out of his control which led to the vast drop off in RBI, which is his money maker.

Next year, if he goes .305/17 HR/90 RBI, I'll be happy, and I think those are very reasonable and obtainable numbers for Maggs at this current stage.

The guy is still a great hitter who doesn't strike out alot and could benefit from playing DH full-time next year when Huff is gone.

Again, I'm not saying he's worth $18M, but let's face it. Things could be far worse.

Plus, look at all the money we got coming off the books in 2010:

Maggs- $18M
Bonderman- $12.5M
Willis- $12M
Robertson- $10M
Inge- $6.6M

One of the things you have to give Dombrowski tons of credit for is not hampering the long-term flexibilty of the franchise.

As for what it does this upcoming offseason, we still will have some flexiblity, but not as much. I don't think we were going to sign a star player like Holliday or Bay anyway, so it might not be much of a set back at all.

We could have 4 Type A FA's (Lyon, Rodney, Washburn, Polanco) and a Type B (Huff)

I don't think we'll offer arbitration to Huff, but the other 3 are almost certain. Washburn isn't going to want a 1 yr deal, let alone here, so he's almost certain to decline. If Lyon accepts, that'd be a plus for us since I want him back next year. Rodney will decline because he'll seek Brian Fuentes money elsewhere.

Besides, who else in this division is going to spend money? Cleveland is rebuilding, KC gives money to all the wrong people (Jose Guillen, Farnsworth, etc.), Minnesota is saving up to re-sign Mauer and they're a small market, and Chicago already made their 2 biggest offseason moves early by acquiring Alex Rios & Jake Peavy.

We'll be fine.

lol@sig

He hit the number of ABs needed last night.

They owe him $18m next year.

Well wasn't that a special lil roller coaster I put myself on. I didn't notice the date of Wils post.

Tahowned!

Before this season started, we all expected to have Magglio back next year anyway.

He's been by far our best player since 2006. He's earned a free pass this year, IMO.

You have to see if he can turn it around. We're gonna need hitting down the stretch, if we're in this thing we can not dump him. The whole Clete/Rayburn/Anderson/Thames mess ain't gonna cut it. Wait on Guillen also, if we have an abundance of talent go for it and let him go. If not, the chance to win a pennant only comes along so often.

$


I'll tell ya what you do with Magglio, you suck his cock and tell him thanks for the opportunity.

:cogent:

I may be overreacting, but I rank last night's double just behind the 2006 walk off homer against the A's. I celebrated it almost as much too.

I may be overreacting, but I rank last night's double just behind the 2006 walk off homer against the A's. I celebrated it almost as much too.

I think so.

Not that there's anything wrong with overreacting. I do it all the time.