T Smith: Kenny and ARod are at different points of their careers. Kenny’s in his 40′s at the tail end and ARod’s still in the midst of what could be the best hitter’s career in t he history of the game. While I would love to be as optimistic that he’d look at the team he’d be surrounded with, I highly doubt that’d be the case or deciding factor. I think playing for Lou Piniella would be enough to put the Cubs over the top if the offers are similiar. Even though we probably can’t afford/won’t chase ARod (though, i remember a report being that we inquired about his availability last june.)

ARod doesn’t need a small stage to flourish; he’s won an MVP in NY and game 1 against Detroit aside, Derek Jeter, Robby Cano and the rest of that lineup played as bad as ARod did. No one in the media is willing to mention that (Which is a whole ‘nother subject…). And look at his numbers this year, his career’s never needed to be re-vitalized. The sports world is littered with way more examples of people chasing the money instead of the championship. I think you’re kind of overly optimistic.

Sheffield, Magglio, and Pudge all came here with health questions. Pudge was overpaid for being a mid-30′s catcher at the time (he’s proven to be paid accordingly to his value now, but at the time it was a larg amount of money for a catcher with question marks) Magglio had knee surgery and jury was out on if he’d ever be the same Maggs again and Sheffield was asked to switch positions and had injury woes last year.

And, personally, I don’t care if Casey wants to play here or not, if there’s a better bat on the market at his position that we can afford to grab, then I feel we should take it. I like the guy and all, but it’s not picking sides for dodgeball with your friends; this is a business as much as it is a game.

Look at Kenny Rogers…. he’s the perfect example. Kenny has publically said he loves the Tiger’s organization — he’s certainly been through his share of bumps in NY (both with the Mets and Yankees) and he’s actually a perfect example of the kind of player who flourishes on the smaller stage. I think smart players take notice how certain organizations are more willing to nurture a player’s career in exchange for playing in the smaller market. In addition, the smaller market might just give the player just enough breathing room to re-vitalize his career.

Pudge has said he wants to retire in a Tiger uniform, Casey was very eager to stay on with the Tigers after last year — other players are watching to see how Sheff fares in the organization (after all, if Sheff — who is always at odds with his employers — can flourish in MoTown, there has to be something “special” about the organization) — virtually all the potential “has-beens” (Maggs included) — are thrilled to be playing in a Tiger uniform. Suddenly, these players are no longer discussed as potential has-beens but rather discussed as potential MVP caliber players playing for a championship-caliber team. The organization plays a huge role in bringing out the best of each player. I think smart players understand that.

That said, here’s a radical perdiction: Casey becomes one of those type of players for the Tigers. He continues to produce in the second half, proves to be clutch, and finishes the year with a .315+ average, obp in the .400+ range … RISP in the .300+ range; and despite his lack of home runs (he’ll be lucky to hit 10 this year) the Tigers re-sign for another year. All the talk about acquiring a power first basemen mute. Casey WANTS to play for this team. Among other reasons, that’s what he’s playing for right now; to keep his job here in Detroit.

If the Tigers can make the playoffs again — and if they can go deep in the playoffs and win, more and more players will catch on to what’s going on in MoTown. This is a good team to play for.

Sorry to post late, I had to babysit my son’s very ill German Shepard (the budster):(.

Money isn’t the only variable in his future; he’s publicly stated his love for Lou Piniella, who is now back into managing. Couple that with the fact that the Cubs can throw around a good chunk of change, and you’ve got a pretty ideal match. Of course every player wants to win, but money is tough to turn down, no matter the amount you’ve made in your career. We only need to harken back to Sergei Fedorov and the Red Wings. he stated it wasn’t about money and then he bolted for Anaheim. This happens in sports often, perhaps, more then it should.

And players get Boras as an agent because he gets them the high priced deals. He’s the Drew Rosenhaus of MLB. Hence why his players he represents plummet in the drafts (see: Rick Porcello). His job is to represent his clients wants and needs and those that get him have, normally, one want/need: money.

I haven’t heard an innings limit, but I would guess that it would be in the 150-160 range. I could see them letting him creep higher than that by throwing 10 or 15 innings in the bullpen in September.

I guess I’m also not so much a cynic to believe $ is the only variable in A-Rod’s future. I mean, how much money do you need to make? When you’re already making millions and millions of $, don’t concepts like “history” and “legacy” play any role at all?

If Scott Boras is that short-sighted to be driven only by the greenback, A-Rod would be well-advised to kick Scott Boras to the curb right now. If you want to acheive the status of “best baseball player ever” you need to take more into consideration than just how much x team or y team is willing to pay.

Then again, I’m a romantic about these things… you may well be right.

And I’d like to have Kenny back, but I need to see he’s healthy enough to carry a full season workload. Kind of sit and wait a la the Red Sox with Curt Schilling.

T Smith: I’m a huge A-Rod fan and supporter, but 50 HR’s and 160 RBI’s is pretty absurd. His HR totals would dip but his double’s numbers would rise. He’s well on his way to being talked about as best player ever. If he stays healthy, he’ll break whatever the HR record will be and make a run at the RBI record. Not to mention, I still think he’s the best defensive SS in the AL. I disagree that Boras will sell him on winning. Boras will sell him on “x team will offer you x amount of dollars.” Boras doesn’t care if ARod wins, he cares about getting his client the best deal. ARod loves Lou Piniella and it’ll take a great great deal to pry him from the Cubs, assuming they open the pocket books again next year, and in this inflated market, that’s not a guarantee.

Tiger fans would NEVER boo A-Rod (no, he’s not Jason Grilli). If he came to Detroit he would be loved, regardless. And…mark my words, he would hit 50 homers (even at Comerica), have 160 RBIs, and would probably vie for a Triple Crown… the guy is simply amazing. Put him in the right environment, let him excel, and future generations will utter his name with Ruth and Cobb… guaranteed.

The one variable that would help make it happen (in Detroit) is if the Tigers could make a WS run AGAIN and win… I think Scott Boras could sell him the idea of a smaller market/less publicity if the Tigers could demonstrate that they were in the making of a serious baseball dynasty juggernaut, like the Yankees in the late nineties (we do have good young pitching – and the current offensive pieces don’t hurt the argument). From what I know about A-Rod, he REALLY wants to get a ring (or two) and he knows that WS titles are the MAIN objective in NY. Coupled with bottomless pockets, the NY Yankees are the logical choice for a player who can more or less pick or choose where to play.

A-Rod to Detroit insane? Naa. Probable, or even possible? That’s an entirely different matter.

Maroth’s days here are probably numbered, but he still has value. We can at least trade him for some bona fide bullpen help.

And Kenny…. if he bounces back from the injury, why wouldn’t you re-sign him?

So, $2.95 + 2.5 + monroe’s 4.775 + kenny’s 8 = 18.225.

I completely screwed all that math up. Still, $18.225, if we let Monroe walk you can put Sheff/Thames in LF and add a full season of sell-outs and we still have a good amount to throw around.

Just wanted to clear up my crappy math of adding their total contract values together for some unknown reason.

and I’m done with insane ARod to detroit talks.

Mike Maroth’s deal is up at the end of this year, which is $5.25 million off the books.

Neifi Perez’ contract is up which is $5 Million.

Sean Casey’s $4 million is off the books after this year.

Craig Monroe’s $4.775 million deal is off the books after this year as well.

Kenny Rogers’ contract is done as well, which was worth $16 million over 2 years.

I assume we’ll resign Monroe, for say, 3 years/12-15 million. Maybe more. I think Maroth is either traded or we let him walk at the end of the season. We’re going to pick up Pudge’s option barring a major injury to him.

So Maroth, Neifi, and Casey’s contracts coming off totals $14.25 million. Plus the $8 of Kenny’s deal coming off, if we don’t resign him gives us $22.25 million worth of salaries at the end of the year that are coming off the books. And that’s even assuming we’re going to resign Monroe, which might not be a safe assumption as he could be dealt next off season or even at the deadline with his expiring contract for bullpen help.

Take the $22.25 million + an entire season’s worth of sellouts + Mike Illitch already being a rich man and showing he’s willing to spend for free agents = the Tigers with money to spend.

*Note, this assumes we’re letting Maroth walk and not trading him. If we trade him, we’ll be taking on a salary back, so who knows how much.

I know we’re not getting A-Rod, but we’re not exactly the Marlins with no money to spend.