Tigers re-sign Ramon Santiago

[Dannomyte]

Ramon Santiago is part of the Tigers plans once again.

Santiago, the utility infielder who appeared in six postseason games for Detroit this year, has re-signed with the Tigers. The sides avoided arbitration with a one-year deal that includes a $500,000 big-league salary.

Santiago hit .225 with three RBIs in 43 regular season games, while playing near-flawless defense throughout the year. He fielded brilliantly at shortstop during the postseason, when an injury to Sean Casey forced manager Jim Leyland to reshuffle his infield.

Santiago, 27, has over three years of big-league service time, but the Tigers werent expected to offer him salary arbitration. Instead, they probably wouldve removed him from the 40-man roster, and made an attempt to sign him to a minor-league contract.

Santiago likes the organization and has a good relationship with Leyland. If the club elects to deal fellow middle infielders Omar Infante or Neifi Perez, Santiago would have the chance to earn more playing time, and perhaps position himself for a more lucrative contract in 2008.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 9/61128034

[mcqfesijiba]

If the club elects to deal fellow middle infielders Omar Infante or Neifi Perez

We can only hope not to see Neifi in 2007. It did look to me like Santiago gained favor in the postseason and now he's been resigned, so maybe the Neifi experiment is actually coming to an end?

[Dannomyte]

If the club elects to deal fellow middle infielders Omar Infante or Neifi Perez

We can only hope not to see Neifi in 2007. It did look to me like Santiago gained favor in the postseason and now he's been resigned, so maybe the Neifi experiment is actually coming to an end?

That would be a good thing!