Too Much For Too Long

As more details about Magglio Ordonez' deal are revealed, the less excited I become. I still hesitate to get too negative, but any contract that could potentially pay Ordonez for seven years is just too much. I have stated before that I would have reservations about a five year deal. Going to seven years, even with club options, seems ridiculous in light of the lack of competition the Tigers appeared to have in pursuing Ordonez.

The amount of money, too, is a concern. If the Tigers were contemplating spending that kind of cash, an amazing $105 million, couldn't they have gotten into the Carlos Beltran sweepstakes? How about upping the offer to Adrian Beltre? Both would have filled bigger holes than a corner outfielder. (Not that the Tigers are exactly strong at that position, either.)

Was it Bo Schembechler or Woody Hayes who said that "When you pass, three things can happen and two of them (incompletion and interception) are bad"? That appears to be exactly the situation the Tigers now find themselves in with Ordonez' contract.

The first thing that can happen is the one we are all hoping for. Ordonez stays healthy and hits like he has in the past. Frankly, if the Tigers can get even four .300/30/100 seasons out of Ordonez, they should dance down Woodward. Three seasons like that might still yield a party at the Comerica Park administrative offices.

The second and third scenarios seem, unfortunately, far more likely. If Ordonez hurts anything other than his bad knee, the Tigers can't void his deal. He could miss significant time due to other injury concerns and still get paid for five years minimum. If the thirty-one year old just steadily declines, but continues to play due to his enormous contract, a la Bobby Higginson, the Tigers could be paying Ordonez for seven years with little chance of moving him elsewhere.

I agree with Bill at the Detroit Tigers Weblog who believes this is a Mike Ilitch production. It's just difficult to imagine Dave Dombrowski proposing this kind of offer. I know some in Tigertown called the Ivan Rodriguez signing last year nothing more than a PR move. It was to a degree, but it was a far better baseball move than the Ordonez contract. This new deal, in it's length and financial terms, is not a smart baseball move. It's all about putting more behinds in the ballpark on gameday and trying to build on last year's warm fuzzy feeling.

I sincerely appreciate Ilitch's desire to build on last season's momentum. 2004 was the best season, public relations wise, in Ilitch's tenure. The increased ticket sales, the better on-field performance and positive buzz the team generated in town was inspiring. However, if Ilitch is going to cry poverty in two years with both Ordonez and Rodriguez in tow, and the team is still well below .500, then the PR benefits will be temporary and the spite many fans have quelled will re-emerge quickly and far more harshly than ever before.

I favored the addition of Ordonez. I even suggested that knowing the Tigers would have to overpay. Honestly, I thought overpaying was giving Ordonez about what he made last year, $14 million a season. Coming off a freak knee injury, giving him more than that just seemed beyond comprehension. Yet, that's exactly what it appears the Tigers have done. And they've done it over a longer time than I think any Tiger fan can embrace.

Update: The Tigers and Camp Ordonez remain quiet. Neither side willing to confirm or deny a deal. However, nearly every media source says it's a done deal, so I suspect they are working out the details as to when Ordonez can make it to a press conference here and, perhaps, still dotting some of the "I's".

I read Dan's view at Detroit Sports Blog and realized that my reaction to the contract probably gives everyone the impression I am not happy about Maggs arrival. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Remember, I am the guy who asking about Ordonez when everyone else was concerned about Beltran, Beltre, Pavano, et al. I'm very happy to have Magglio in an Old English D.

I'm leery of the terms of his contract, as they are being reported currently, but I am looking forward to having Ordonez in the heart of the Tigers lineup. A healthy Ordonez can do wonders for the Tigers. He gives them the opportunity to improve significantly again in 2005. Like your basic Tigers' slappy, I'll be glued to the radio tomorrow awaiting press conference news.

I'm happy to have Ordonez in Detroit, but just more than a bit concerned about the contract he signed.