Comments on: To Pudge or not to Pudge http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Thu, 20 Nov 2008 09:29:05 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Tigers Pick Up Pudges Option - Page 3 - SpartanTailgate.com - Michigan State Spartans Forums http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-72033 Tigers Pick Up Pudges Option - Page 3 - SpartanTailgate.com - Michigan State Spartans Forums Tue, 09 Oct 2007 22:57:10 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-72033 [...] Originally Posted by Heathens '87 We might like to think that there are contracts extended out of loyalty, but this is professional sports and it just doesn't work that way. Pudge got extended because he's the best option available at the best price to help the Tigers win in 2008. The only other reason a team would sign an aging player is because he puts people in the seats. The Tigers took a look around and decided a top-line catcher for $10-million was a fair price. Pudge got extended as a result........ I think owners are more loyal than they think, at least some owners with some players. Illich has a history of being "in love" with some players, such as Pudge and Mags. Also, Pudge came to Detroit when no one else wanted to and started the team's turn around. So, I think that plays a factor in it. However, if there was a great option out there, the Tigers would have gone that route. But, like you said, there's no other good option and the fans love Pudge, so it isn't that big of a surprise. There's a great post about this (from a few weeks ago) here: The Detroit Tiger Weblog [...] Originally Posted by Heathens ‘87 We might like to think that there are contracts extended out of loyalty, but this is professional sports and it just doesn’t work that way. Pudge got extended because he’s the best option available at the best price to help the Tigers win in 2008. The only other reason a team would sign an aging player is because he puts people in the seats. The Tigers took a look around and decided a top-line catcher for $10-million was a fair price. Pudge got extended as a result…….. I think owners are more loyal than they think, at least some owners with some players. Illich has a history of being “in love” with some players, such as Pudge and Mags. Also, Pudge came to Detroit when no one else wanted to and started the team’s turn around. So, I think that plays a factor in it. However, if there was a great option out there, the Tigers would have gone that route. But, like you said, there’s no other good option and the fans love Pudge, so it isn’t that big of a surprise. There’s a great post about this (from a few weeks ago) here: The Detroit Tiger Weblog

]]> By: The Detroit Tiger Weblog » Blog Archive » Tigers pick up Pudge’s option http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71996 The Detroit Tiger Weblog » Blog Archive » Tigers pick up Pudge’s option Tue, 09 Oct 2007 15:50:02 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71996 [...] I already wrote up my thoughts on the matter. [...] [...] I already wrote up my thoughts on the matter. [...]

]]> By: The Detroit Tiger Weblog » Blog Archive » Breaking down the Dombrowski pow-wow http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71448 The Detroit Tiger Weblog » Blog Archive » Breaking down the Dombrowski pow-wow Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:08:48 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71448 [...] Mark P.: Mike R - I couldn&#8217 ;t agree more. The 7th and 8th inning are... [...] [...] Mark P.: Mike R - I couldn&#8217 ;t agree more. The 7th and 8th inning are… [...]

]]> By: Mark P. http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71445 Mark P. Tue, 02 Oct 2007 02:00:07 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71445 Mike R - I couldn't agree more. The 7th and 8th inning are the most important innings in baseball. I want my two best relievers pitching those innings. I am not saying that we need to resign Jones, though I would not mind it. I would rather have Zumaya in 7th and 8th next year than closing. How many 8th innings games did we lose this year? I agree with Bilfer about picking up the option for Pudge. Who else is out there? How many trades can DD pull off (C & SS)? Mike R - I couldn’t agree more. The 7th and 8th inning are the most important innings in baseball. I want my two best relievers pitching those innings. I am not saying that we need to resign Jones, though I would not mind it. I would rather have Zumaya in 7th and 8th next year than closing. How many 8th innings games did we lose this year?

I agree with Bilfer about picking up the option for Pudge. Who else is out there? How many trades can DD pull off (C & SS)?

]]> By: Mike R http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71444 Mike R Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:53:20 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71444 Disagree whole-heartedly. You can be fine with a non-dominating closer stuff-wise. Jones coming back for another year and leaving Rodney/Zumaya in the 7th/8th innings where there's a ton more opportunities in which their skills are utilized the best, is far more important then locking down that 9th inning. Disagree whole-heartedly. You can be fine with a non-dominating closer stuff-wise. Jones coming back for another year and leaving Rodney/Zumaya in the 7th/8th innings where there’s a ton more opportunities in which their skills are utilized the best, is far more important then locking down that 9th inning.

]]> By: Eric Cioe http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71442 Eric Cioe Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:46:57 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71442 You can't imagine Jones not closing a ballgame for the Tigers? I can. Maybe my fingernails will get a chance to grow next season. If Zumaya can get better control, he'll be great to close. If he needs another year as a setup guy, then put Rodney in. I think the best thing for the back end of this bullpen (eventually) is to have Zumaya close, with Rodney and Seay setting the table. You can’t imagine Jones not closing a ballgame for the Tigers? I can. Maybe my fingernails will get a chance to grow next season.

If Zumaya can get better control, he’ll be great to close. If he needs another year as a setup guy, then put Rodney in.

I think the best thing for the back end of this bullpen (eventually) is to have Zumaya close, with Rodney and Seay setting the table.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71441 Kathy Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:41:03 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71441 No Pudge? No Jonsey either. It's hard for me to imagine anyone else but Pudge catching for Jones to close a game. No Pudge? No Jonsey either. It’s hard for me to imagine anyone else but Pudge catching for Jones to close a game.

]]> By: Mike R http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71440 Mike R Tue, 02 Oct 2007 00:14:45 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71440 Loyalty shouldn't play a role in this at all. Loyalty generally leads to bad business and Ivan Rodriguez for $10 million next year is bad business no matter how you slice it. If he's willing to get bought out and resign for say, $4-5 million then I can swallow that pill a little easier. Otherwise, there are catchers we can get to offer a sub .300 OBP, and near a .400 slugging for half the cost of I-Rod. Loyalty shouldn’t play a role in this at all. Loyalty generally leads to bad business and Ivan Rodriguez for $10 million next year is bad business no matter how you slice it. If he’s willing to get bought out and resign for say, $4-5 million then I can swallow that pill a little easier. Otherwise, there are catchers we can get to offer a sub .300 OBP, and near a .400 slugging for half the cost of I-Rod.

]]> By: Brian Dukeman http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71438 Brian Dukeman Mon, 01 Oct 2007 23:24:02 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71438 I don't usually post. But I think the Tigers should exercise their option on Pudge. I know 13 million is a lot for an aging catcher on the downside of his career, but, he has experience. He still calls good ball games. He still knows the pitching staff, even it was held together by duck tape and wire, but considering he has done a good job. Also, Rabelo would benefit the most from it. I think doing is doing both the present and the future a favor. Also, remember the Tigers took a risk signing him, which did payoff in two seasons above .500 and a pennant. Just some thoughts from a non poster. I don’t usually post. But I think the Tigers should exercise their option on Pudge. I know 13 million is a lot for an aging catcher on the downside of his career, but, he has experience. He still calls good ball games. He still knows the pitching staff, even it was held together by duck tape and wire, but considering he has done a good job. Also, Rabelo would benefit the most from it. I think doing is doing both the present and the future a favor. Also, remember the Tigers took a risk signing him, which did payoff in two seasons above .500 and a pennant. Just some thoughts from a non poster.

]]> By: Jim http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71434 Jim Mon, 01 Oct 2007 22:06:11 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2007/09/to-pudge-or-not-to-pudge/#comment-71434 Just so everyone knows, that is not me looking to get Salty. I know that won't happen. Just so everyone knows, that is not me looking to get Salty. I know that won’t happen.

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