Tigers offer Pudge Rodriguez Florida deal-breaker

[Paragon]

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news?slug=ap-tigers-rodriguez&prov=ap&type=lgns

DETROIT (AP) -- Ivan Rodriguez has been offered a $40 million, four-year contract by the Detroit Tigers, a baseball source told The Associated Press on Friday.

The 10-time All-Star catcher and his agent, Scott Boras, were in Detroit on Thursday, according to the source who spoke on the condition of anonymity...

The Chicago Cubs and Baltimore Orioles also have expressed interest in Rodriguez.

Rodriguez, MVP of the NL championship series, had a $10 million, one-year deal with the Florida Marlins last season and helped them win the World Series. He asked for a $40 million, four-year contract from Florida, which broke off talks Dec. 7 by refusing to offer salary arbitration.

[Whitacre D_WI]

1. If you needed further proof of the Tigers' idiocy, Exhibit A:

They're spending $10 million per year to sign a CATCHER for his age 32 through 35 seasons? What kind of crack-addled idjit would do such a thing? Name me a catcher who was still productive (and still a catcher, not having been moved to the outfield or a corner infield position) at 35 -- they're aren't many out there:

Carlton Fisk, who was a freak of nature.

That's all I can come up with.

[VelmaD]

4. Here's the thing...

Pudge Rodrigues is also a "freak of nature". He's not gonna get moved from catcher. He still has a cannon for an arm and is in tremendous physical shape. I would give ANYTHING for the Rangers to get him back. (I'm a long time Ranger fan and stayed a fan of Pudge even after he left.)

[Lefty48197]

2. Go get em Tigers!

Your 2003 season was an embarrassment to not only Tiger and baseball fans, but also to sports fans in general. Thankfully the team owners have been shamed into action. (It's the same family that have TWO 8 million dollar goalies on their hockey team)
Part of the baseball team's problem was spending big money on players that weren't producing anything. Dean Palmer has been injured for about 3 years, while drawing something like 8 million per year. The Damien Easley contract was a nightmare. Something like 6 million per year for a AAA ball player. Bobby Higginson? He deserves an entire post to himself.
Half the team's salary went to people that were worthless to the team.
The team has made several moves in the last few weeks, and they are well on their way from embarrassment to respectibility.
Welcome to D-Town Pudge. Let me know if you need a big fancy house built!

[UrbScotty]

3. GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!! (nt)

[FlaGranny]

5. My husband, a Marlins fan, says that

Rodriguez was the main reason the Marlins won the Series.

[rockymountaindem]

6. The Tigers have to do something...

And I guess this is as good as anything else. If you're looking for a truly idiotic front office, check out the Colorado Rockies and Dan O'Dowd.

Thank God I'm a Red Sox fan... I guess.