There are reports that Magglio Ordonez and the Detroit Tigers have agreed in principle to a contract. Newsday and, locally, Danny Knobler of the Booth Newspapers are reporting the deal is for five years and seventy-five million dollars. Most are expecting a news conference sometime in the upcoming week.
The good and bad of this deal are fairly obvious to all. Ordonez, when healthy, is a productive middle-of-the-order hitter. However, his knee injury is unique and no one is quite sure how it's going to hold up.
Although, I am not thrilled about the size of this deal, I think the Tigers have made a good signing. If the deal does indeed include voidable years should Ordonez' knee flair up, then the Tigers have done all they can to protect themselves. We will have to wait and see just how the contract is structured before being too critical of the deal. Suffice to say that Ordonez would instantly become the best hitter amongst the outfielders and probably bat cleanup in 2005. It's hard not to view that type of addition as positive.
Update: ESPN.com has (finally) picked up on the New York Newsday story. They are reporting the deal could extend into the seven year length Ordonez and Scott Boras were looking for. They are also reporting that the Tigers can void the deal at anytime should the knee injury flare up. The story also indicates a Monday press conference.
I wonder if Chris Shelton is about to come into a little extra money? Shelton wore number 30, Ordonez' number in Chicago, last season. I think it's a safe guess to assume that Shelton is going to get a small amount of Ordonez' new found wealth.
Someone on the 40 man roster is going to have to go to make room for Ordonez. Bill at Detroit Tigers Weblog.com reviews the outfield options here. I'd probably cut Fernando Vina. Regardless, it appears the Tigers really need to make a trade or two before Opening Day.
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