Happy birthday to former Tigers outfielder Chet Lemon, who turns 59 years old today. Lemon, the 22nd overall pick of the 1972 draft, spent his first seven seasons with the White Sox before he was traded to Tigers prior to the 1982 season. "Chet The Jet" went on to be a staple in the Detroit outfield for the next nine seasons, hitting a solid .263/.349/.437 with 142 homers in 1203 games as a Tiger and earning himself a ring as part of the 1984 World Series championship team.
Here's the latest from Motown…
- Miguel Cabrera told reporters (including MLB.com's Jason Beck) that he hasn't talked to his agents about contract extension talks with the Tigers, though the two-time AL MVP isn't concerned given that he still has two years remaining on his current deal.
- Catcher Ronny Paulino has been suspended for 100 games after testing positive for exogenous testosterone, Major League Baseball announced. Paulino was originally acquired by the Tigers from the Orioles last August and Detroit re-signed the veteran backstop to a minor league deal in November. This is the second PED suspension for Paulino, who was suspended for 50 games spanning the 2010 and 2011 seasons. He last played in the Majors in 2012, appearing in 20 games with Baltimore.
- Justin Verlander isn't planning on talking fellow ace Max Scherzer into remaining with the Tigers once his contract is up. "Max is his own guy….He’s going to make his own decisions, but I don’t think I need to be a recruiter," Verlander told reporters, including Beck. "I think from what he’s been saying, he’s made it loud and clear that that he wants to stay in Detroit….I think what this organization has done has recruited him — not just the players here. I think he enjoys being part of this team." Verlander also discussed such topics as the Tigers' offseason moves and the rise of salaries across baseball during his chat with the media.
Can still see Cabrera getting $200M easy. He has been around forever and he is only 30. He should have a huge market. He is so much better than Cano, and will only be a year older than Cano was when he hit the market.
He’ll be 32 when his current deal is up I believe. That being said. I don’t think 25mm a season is out of the question for him. He is probably the best pure hitter in the game today. I’d like to see him locked up as a Tiger for the remainder, but I’m not sure I’d want to extend beyond 6 years/150-160mm. That’d pay him through his age 38 season
Unless he really takes a discount it takes more than $150M. I think it would take at least a Cano/Pujols contract.
He is going to eclipse A Rod if he leaves the Tigers. Pujols got HUGE money going into his age 33 season, with salaries rising it would not surprise me if Cabrera topped 10/275
As a Jays fan, I had a healthy dislike for the Tigers. I also had a healthy respect for the truly classy players they fielded game in and game out, guys like Lemon, Trammell, Whitaker, Evans, etc. You can keep Madlock, though. 😉 Happy birthday, Chester.
I’m very excited to see the new look Tigers. They’ve lost some power, but I’m not sure it’s that big a loss as Comerica seems to be built for doubles and triples.
Yea I like this team a lot. A lot of teams build their team for their park, for instance the yankees. It never made sense to have as many DH power guys as we did with comerica. We increased the speed, defense, and have guys who can get on and drive the ball into the gap.
I’m a pretty forgiving person when it comes to PEDs. But twice? You’re either dumb or someone looking to cheat. There’s no excuses the second time. That’s why two penalties should be you’re out of baseball. Enough is enough.
I hear you and I defended Paulino during his time as an Oriole.
I have no idea what he was thinking. Obviously, he was not.
Cabrera wont have age on his side when he hits FA (he will be 32) but if Cabrera stays health I see him getting 7/210 to 8/224.
32 is young for a 1st base power hitter. 7-8 years is probably guaranteed, like you said.