Extensions

After making the offseason’s first bold move by trading three pitching prospects for Gary Sheffield, the Tigers front office went silent for several weeks. Some clamored for another impact move, despite clear indications that value would be hard to come by in a feverish free-agent market.

Instead of overpaying for mediocrity, general manager Dave Dombrowski made two wise investments in the team’s future, striking four-year contract extensions with third baseman Brandon Inge and righthanded workhorse Jeremy Bonderman — two holdovers from 2003 who exemplify just how far the organization has come in three years.

Both deals are solid, and the Bonderman contract is a steal if he remains healthy through 2010.

Inge is beloved by the media for his quotability, but in a very real sense he represents the resurrection of Detroit baseball. Three years ago, Inge was one of the worst players in the major leagues, a historically inept hitter whose single obvious talent — freakish athleticism — was wasted behind the plate. Now he has turned himself into a competent batsman and a dazzling defender, and although he’s 30, there’s reason to believe his immense physical gifts will allow him to perform capably for the duration of his new contract. 

With Inge a pending free agent and no other viable third-base prospects approaching the majors, Dombrowski’s hand may have been forced here. Even so, this is a good deal for both sides.

 The Bonderman pact is even more impressive. The price for pitching — always high — has skyrocketed this winter, with NRI fodder earning $21 million (Jason Marquis) and marginal fourth starters getting ace money (Gil Meche). And the Tigers were able to buy out the first two of Bonderman’s free agency years, giving them a steadily improving young pitcher through what are likely to be the finest years of his career. In addition, the deal offers cost certainty that is especially valuable to a team with a mix of big-money contracts and young players approaching arbitration.

The obvious next move is to determine Carlos Guillen’s interest in signing a contract extension before he hits free agency in November 2007. But Guillen’s is a more complicated negotiation for several reasons — at age 31, his next deal is likely to be his last chance at big money, and his last contract was signed at a team-friendly discount, meaning he may feel an obligation to chase the dollars this time. Guillen’s checkered injury history also raises questions about the wisdom of an expensive multiyear deal.

Again, the Tigers are somewhat boxed in by a farm system lacking impact position players. It appears Omar Infante will never get a fair shot as a starter in Detroit, and Tony Giarratano’s prospect status has been wrecked by injuries and poor performance, leaving the team with no clear option at shortstop should Guillen leave.

There’s no doubt Guillen is a tremendous asset, and I hope he and the Tigers can devise a way to keep him in the uniform for another three years. But the situation is muddier in Guillen’s case, and I won’t be surprised (or particularly unhappy) if we don’t hear about this until closer to Spring Training.

Although they didn’t address holes at first base and in left field, I think the Tigers are a clear winter winner, thanks to the Sheffield trade and the Inge and Bonderman extensions. If the team can get Guillen’s signature on a fair new deal, that will be gravy.

Interesting Non-tenders

The Tigers have said they’re pretty much set for next year, which could be good or bad depending on your opinion of Craig Monroe, Sean Casey, and the bullpen. I happen to believe the team could benefit from a couple shrewd additions, but with few bargains to be had in the free-agent market and the team hesitant to trade pitching, any upgrades will have to come from the bargain bin.

Thus, it may behoove Dave Dombrowski to scour the list of players not tendered arbitration by their previous clubs. Some potentially useful pieces:

1. Trot Nixon — Hardly reliable as a starter because of his frequent injuries, but Nixon could be a very strong half of a platoon with Monroe. His on-base skills are still readily apparent (.390+ OBP in ’06) and he could probably be had for a one-year commitment. I’m probably deluding myself by thinking the Tigers are looking to upgrade left field — they seem enamored by Monroe’s personality and his burgeoning reputation as a clutch performer — but it’ll be easier to get through the winter this way.

 2. Cliff Floyd — He was a rumored trade target when the Tigers were bat-shopping in July, but word is several teams are interested, meaning he will most likely get a starting job. I might give it to him, try to trade Monroe, and keep Thames as the fourth outfielder, but that could backfire if Floyd’s Achilles’ problem returns and Thames’ poor defense is exposed long-term in Comerica’s spacious left field.

3. Eric Gagne — Another useful piece, but he won’t sneak under the radar. Boston is supposedly hot for him.

 4. David Riske — Right-handed relief is not a primary need, but anything that means less of Jason Grilli is a nice idea. Riske would be good insurance against injury or ineffectiveness in the bullpen. If he would take a one-year contract, he might be a nice addition.

5. Kenny Lofton — Another intriguing name should DD realize the limitations of his starting left fielder. Lofton could lead off, which might allow the Tigers’ brass to stop fretting unnecessarily about Granderson’s strikeouts. Granderson is the superior defender, so Lofton could play left. His lack of power doesn’t play well there, but Detroit gets enough sock from unusual sources (third base, shortstop, center field) that they could overlook the low slugging percentage and happily accept the OBP boost.