3 Tigers get 1 year deals/ Rodney agrees on 2 year deal

[Dannomyte]

DETROIT -- The Tigers avoided arbitration with four players by agreeing to one-year contracts with outfielder Craig Monroe, left-handed starter Nate Robertson, righty reliever Fernando Rodney and utility infielder Omar Infante on Tuesday, one day before teams and players exchange salary figures.

Monroe hit .255 with 28 home runs and 92 RBIs in 147 games for the American League-champion Tigers in 2006. He tied for second among all AL outfielders with 12 assists.

Robertson compiled a 13-13 record and 3.84 ERA in 32 starts for Detroit during the 2006 season. He established career highs with 13 wins and 208 2/3 innings pitched.

Rodney, who agreed to a one-year, $1.05 million contract with the club, was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter after barely missing out on the service time required to qualify last offseason. He had battled injuries and inconsistency for much of his career, but found a late-inning role in Detroit's bullpen last year in his first full Major League season.

The Dominican native led Tigers pitchers with 63 appearances in the regular season, filling in for injured Todd Jones as closer for the first month and a half before settling in as a setup man. He went 7-4 with seven saves in 11 chances and posted a 3.52 ERA, allowing just 51 hits over 71 2/3 innings. His .196 batting average against ranked sixth-lowest among American League relievers with at least 54 innings pitched. He made $385,000 last year.

Infante saw action in 78 games with the Tigers in 2006, batting .277 with 11 doubles, four triples, four home runs and 25 RBIs.

http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/ml ... p&c_id=det

[Dannomyte]

Tigers and Rodney still “exploring the possibility of a two-year deal"

The Tigers have agreed to a one-year, $1.05-million deal with right-handed relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, and the sides are still “exploring the possibility of a two-year deal,” according to Bill Rego, Rodney’s agent and president of RSM Sports Management.

Rodney, who was in his first year of eligibility for salary arbitration, went 7-4 with a 3.52 ERA and seven saves in 2006.

“Fernando’s very excited,” Rego said. “We’re very pleased with the results. It puts him in the top percentile in his market.”

A second year on the contract would have some appeal for Detroit. Two of the club’s right-handed relievers – closer Todd Jones and newly signed veteran Jose Mesa – will be free agents at the end of 2007.

If Jones doesn’t return in 2008, Detroit would appear to have two internal candidates to succeed him as closer: Rodney and Joel Zumaya. Rodney won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2009 season, at the earliest.

“He’s in position to be thought of as a possible closer in 2008,” Rego said. “It would be his dream, if that would happen.”

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/arti ... 2/70116028

[mcqfesijiba]

I would think that as of this very moment, Zumaya would be the favorite to be closer in waiting, but it's always good to have more than one good alternative. The Boston Red Sox are actually considering Joel "Piñata" as a closer. Goes to show how desperate some teams are.

[Dannomyte]

I would think that as of this very moment, Zumaya would be the favorite to be closer in waiting, but it's always good to have more than one good alternative.

I agree, I just brushed off the comment on Rodney possibly closing in 2008 as agent talk.

[Dannomyte]

Tigers agree with RHP Rodney on two-year contract

DETROIT (Ticker) - The Detroit Tigers locked up a key member of their bullpen Friday, agreeing to terms with righthander Fernando Rodney on a two-year contract.

It marked the second time this week that Tigers agreed to a contract with Rodney, who avoided arbitration with the club Tuesday. Financial terms of his new deal were not disclosed.

Rodney, 29, posted a 7-4 record with seven saves and a 3.52 ERA in 63 games last season. The righthander held opponents to a .196 batting average.

In four seasons with the Tigers, Rodney has gone 11-13 with 19 saves and a 4.08 ERA.

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/news;_ylt=A ... &type=lgns