Detroit Tigers could make a big move in Winter Meetings – MLB News
The Detroit Tigers has a habit of big moves during the Winter Meetings. In 2007, they signed on slugger Miguel Cabrera in Nashville. In doing so, they earned the reputation of being one the most active and richest clubs in Major League Baseball.
Similarly, they signed on first baseman Prince Fielder for the fourth largest contract in history of the game after their Designated Hitter announced he will miss the entire season recovering from knee injury.
According to USA Today, Tigers’ payroll this past season was nearly $132 million, which ranked fifth in the Majors, behind the New York Yankees, the Boston Red Sox and the Los Angeles Angels.
As soon as the season ended, Tigers also agreed to a two year $26 million contract with the former Angels’ outfielder Torii Hunter, showing they do not mind spending to improve their chances getting a World Series trophy.
Surely, the Tigers will not want to pay for another glaring front line need that will require big payroll commitment. Anibal Sanchez, who is in free agency and seeking a $60 million contract, also looks unaffordable for the Tigers at this stage of the offseason.
However, considering Tigers’ buying power, it will not be a surprise to anyone if they end up making an expensive move during the Winter Meetings. The Tigers pursued Cabrera at a time when it was obvious it will cost them a fortune to sign him for a long
term deal but that did not stop them.
"Our owner has been as generous as any owner in baseball," Dave Dombrowski said Monday. "He has stretched our limits to the utmost like (few) people would do. He wants to win very bad.”
He added, "Our owner is more generous in payroll than anybody could ever ask. There's a point where you still have to remember that even though we're trying to win, there are still some business decisions you're making."
Tigers’ owner Mike Ilitch is 83-years-old and it seems he is desperate to win the World Series title. Ilitch is not interested in making any kind of profit from the Tigers. Right now, he is ready to take the payroll high over making a profit on the club.
Tags: