Tigers keep Ivan Rodriguez for next year
09.10.2007 18:00
Sport and Travel
- Source: USA Today
DETROIT — The Tigers decided Ivan Rodriguez was worth another $13 million. Detroit exercised an option Tuesday on the All-Star catcher's contract, retaining him for a fifth season at a hefty price.
The Tigers could have bought him out of the last year of his deal for $3 million, but they didn't like the prospect of not having Rodriguez behind the plate next year. "The Tigers are pleased to have Pudge back for the 2008 season," Tigers president and general manager David Dombrowski said in a statement. "He has done a tremendous amount for our franchise in his four seasons in Detroit." The Tigers had up to 10 days after the World Series to make the call. When nobody wanted to play for the Tigers — at any price — Rodriguez signed a $40 million, four-year deal with them after they lost an AL-record 119 games in 2003. Rodriguez had helped Florida win the World Series, earning the MVP award in the NL championship series. He was an All-Star in each of his four seasons with the Tigers, earning a spot in baseball's midsummer classic this year for the 14th time. He also won two more Gold Gloves — giving him a record 12 as a catcher. Willie Mays, Roberto Clemente and Rodriguez are the only three players in baseball history with at least 12 Gold Gloves and a career .300 average or better. Rodriguez has caught 2,061 games, including at least 123 each season in Detroit, to trail only Carlton Fisk (2,226) and Bob Boone (2,225) in terms of longevity behind the plate.
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