Tigers Pursue Pudge, Rey O. Takes A Pay Cut



Mike Illitch has already been quoted as saying the Tigers would be willing to overpay in order to bring top flight talent to their last place ballclub, and now it appears he's willing to uh, outbid the Florida Marlins. The AP reported yesterday that the Tigers have offered catcher Ivan Rodriguez a 4-year, $40 million deal, the same contract that I-Rod and agent Scott Boras demanded from the Marlins.

Certainly a receiver with Pudge's expertise would make an impact on Detroit's young pitching staff, though finishing his career in the basement is probably not what Rodriguez had in mind after revitalizing his career with such a stellar 2003 campaign.

Former Mets shortstop Rey Ordoñez has signed a one-year, minor league contract with the San Diego Padres for $650,000 , roughly a tenth of what he made last year when New York paid Rey O. to play (briefly) for the Devil Rays. Ordoñez, whose exit from the Mets was precipitated by his calling the home fans "stupid", is a three-time Gold Glove winner with the annoying tendency to swing at pitches two feet over his head. 8 home runs in 2937 career at bats for Rey, and a .304 slugging percentage. Scary to think there was a time (for about 5 minutes) when Mets fans openly fantasized that Ordoñez was the best shortstop in New York.


Posted: Sat - January 17, 2004 at 12:22 PM      

©