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Magglio Ordonez

Tigers Bench Magglio Ordonez Indefinitely

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News comes from Tom Gage of the Detroit News that the Tigers are benching Magglio Ordonez indefinitely.

Ordonez hasn't been terrible with the average or plate discipline, but his power has disappeared. His season line is .273/.347/.343 entering Thursday's game, and with two home runs all year, he simply hasn't been a middle-of-the-order hitter.

Between Ordonez's benching and the news that Carlos Guillen may not return this season, the Tigers are facing a power deficit. While they are in first place now, it is hard to imagine they will stay there all season without adding some offense.

Keep in mind, Ordonez receives $18MM in 2010 if he gets 135 starts or 540 plate appearances in 2009, or 270 starts or 1,080 plate appearances in 2008-2009 combined. Considering he had 144 starts and 623 plate appearances in 2008, that means his benchmarks are actually 126 starts or 457 plate appearances in 2009.

Consider that Ordonez is already at 57 starts, 242 plate appearances in 2009, and figure "indefinitely" will mean "most of the time" for the remainder of the season.

The Magglio Ordonez Situation

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Michael Rosenberg of the Detroit Free Press has a new column about the Magglio Ordonez situation.  It's bad enough that the 35 year-old right fielder is off to a .241/.331/.304 start in 127 plate appearances.  The other issue is that his 2010 option for $18MM vests if Ordonez reaches 457 total plate appearances this year.  He's got just 330 to go, with a current pace of 4.2 per game.

It'd take serious manipulation by Jim Leyland to prevent Ordonez from getting those 330 additional plate appearances.  Rosenberg figures that'd result in a grievance by the players union and Scott Boras.  Ordonez also has a $15MM vesting option for 2011 based on playing time in 2009 and/or 2010.

How about releasing him?  Ignoring deferred money, Ordonez is guaranteed another $14.5MM this year plus a $3MM buyout for 2010.  Eating $17.5MM now beats paying Ordonez the remaining $14.5MM for this year and the $18MM for '10.  Would that result in a grievance, or are the Tigers free to release him and only be on the hook for this year plus the 2010 buyout?

Stark’s Latest: Halladay, Vlad, Magglio

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Jayson Stark's most recent column over at ESPN.com is absolutely chock-full of rumors and information…

  • Marlins president David Samson doesn't anticipate the Marlins ever implementing a fire sale again.  "We've put ourselves in a position, with salaries and the performance we're getting from players at a young age, that we don't have to do that anymore," said Samson.  The new stadium should help with attendance, which should in turn help with payroll.
  • Blue Jays GM J.P. Ricciardi doesn't see his club trading Roy Halladay this season.  "I still don't see us doing it," said Ricciardi.  "I know ownership doesn't want to do it.  And I don't think, in my gut, that Doc really wants to be anywhere else."
  • Some MLB officials believe Vladimir Guerrero's recent pectoral injury could severely affect his free agent value this offseason.  "He could be a $1 million player in a year, with $4 million in incentives," said an unnamed official of one team.  "He's a tough guy to commit to."
  • Pedro Martinez continues to demand a $5 million paycheck.  It's doubtful any team, no matter how desperate, would commit to that price.
  • Some folks in the baseball world think Magglio Ordonez might be made available near the trade deadline.  Magglio has vesting options for 2010 and 2011, however, which could complicate a potential deal.
  • Teams are also tracking a few other Tigers players, including Carlos Guillen and Placido Polanco.

Odds and Ends: Selig, Wrigley, Ordonez, Wade, Macha

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A few links for your Saturday night enjoyment:

Crasnick’s Free Agent Bargains

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ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick lists nine possible free agent bargains in his column today.  A few notes:

  • Randy Johnson is looking for a one-year deal, and his agent says the list of interested clubs is approaching double figures.  The Dodgers may make sense, though Johnson is on the backburner for them.
  • Crasnick speculates that Philadelphia could be a nice fit for Felipe Lopez.
  • Scott Boras seemingly wants a multiyear deal for Joe Crede, as he’s using the Magglio Ordonez contract as a model.  Maybe his new team would have the ability to opt out after the season if Crede hits the DL for back problems again.  Crasnick mentions the Rangers as an interesting fit for Crede.
  • Crasnick talked to execs who see Juan Rivera signing a two-year deal in the $6-8MM range.
  • Also weighing in on free agent bargains: Dave Cameron at FanGraphs and ESPN’s Keith Law.

Tigers Not Actively Shopping Ordonez

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Tigers president/GM Dave Dombrowski says he isn’t looking to trade Magglio Ordonez, despite speculation that the right fielder is available.

Dombrowski said he hasn’t made a single call about Ordonez.

"We’re not looking to trade Magglio," Dombrowski said. "He’s one of the best hitters in baseball and an important part of our club."

As MLB.com’s Jason Beck rightly points out, this doesn’t mean the Tigers won’t listen to offers for Ordonez.

In September, the Detroit Free Press’ John Paul Morosi said the Tigers would need to trade Ordonez if they were going to fill their many needs. The Tigers are in the market for a shortstop to replace Edgar Renteria, and could also use an upgrade in the rotation, at closer and at catcher. Considering their stated intention not to raise payroll, it’s hard to see how Detroit is going to do all that, or even some of that, without trading Ordonez. But I guess that’s why they pay Dombrowski the big bucks.

Coley Ward writes for Umpbump.com. You can reach him here.

Tigers Rumors: Santiago, K-Rod, Ordonez

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Let’s see what’s going on with the Tigers.

  • GM Dave Dombrowski does not see Ramon Santiago as a starting shortstop.  But aside from Rafael Furcal, what better player could the Tigers add?  Dombrowski is also looking to add a reliever and a catcher.
  • Dombrowski doesn’t expect to bid on Francisco Rodriguez; Lynn Henning sees the Tigers signing "a second tier reliever who could perhaps function as a closer."  Juan Cruz and Jeremy Affeldt could fit that description.
  • Henning still sees a Magglio Ordonez trade as the best route to fill the team’s needs.  Jon Paul Morosi likes the Angels as a match.
  • Detroit Tigers Thoughts runs through some options at catcher.

Tigers Rumors: Pudge, Varitek, Lugo, Thames

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Jon Paul Morosi of the Detroit Free Press doles out the latest Tigers rumors.

  • How will the Tigers resolve their catching situation?  GM Dave Dombrowski calls an Ivan Rodriguez reunion a longshot, and Scott Boras is asking the moon for Jason Varitek.  The Tigers may not have the goods to swing a trade for Gerald Laird.  Morosi likes the idea of Henry Blanco, but says the Tigers have yet to contact his agent.  Check out the other free agent options here.
  • Morosi considers a bad contract swap for Julio Lugo a viable option for the Tigers.  He notes that Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson have similar commitments. Lugo for Robertson does seem reasonable for both sides.
  • Morosi believes the Tigers match up well with the Reds, who are looking for a power-hitting outfielder.  Magglio Ordonez is the marquee name, but Morosi likes the fit with Marcus Thames.

Tigers Rumors: Gregg, Putz, Ordonez

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Tigers beat writer Jon Paul Morosi has been doing a fine job, with new articles here, here, and here.  Let’s discuss.

  • Morosi reasons that the Tigers’ 2009 closer will come from outside of the organization, probably via trade.  His top three candidates: Kevin Gregg, Huston Street, and J.J. Putz.  As a free agent after ’09, Gregg would fit nicely with the Tigers’ long-term plans.  The Tigers and Marlins have matched up often on trades.  However, Morosi notes that Gregg had critical words for Dontrelle Willis and Miguel Cabrera, who would become his teammates again. 
  • Putz would make for a great story, as he grew up in Michigan.
  • As you know, Scott Boras doesn’t see a Magglio Ordonez trade as likely.  Still, Morosi notes that the Angels would be a fine fit if Mark Teixeira leaves – they could fill all of the Tigers’ needs.  Surely Boras would ask for concessions to waive Ordonez’s no-trade clause.

Brown’s Latest: Teixeira, Crede, Friedman

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Yahoo’s Tim Brown filed a column late last night; let’s take a look.

  • Scott Boras doesn’t know of any kind of contingency where the Dodgers would have to unload Andruw Jones’ contract before signing Manny Ramirez.
  • The Angels have not yet made an offer to Mark Teixeira, but they’ll deal with that situation before moving on to other needs.  Boras is suggesting Teixeira pays for himself.
  • Boras compared Joe Crede to Magglio Ordonez.  I think he is implying that he may seek big money for Crede but allow a team to opt out after a year if he hits the DL for back problems.
  • Ken Williams spoke up manufacturing runs, while Billy Beane still prefers walks and homers.
  • Rays GM Andrew Friedman doesn’t have a contract, but he isn’t concerned.
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