It’s funny how these things work out.  Three years ago, Ivan Rodriguez was one of the biggest signings the Tigers had ever made and the Tigers took a chance on him despite his injury history.  Now, the deal looks like a huge bargain and Rodriguez is finishing up his four year deal in 2007.  Rodriguez recently said he’d like to play until he’s 40 and he’d like to retire a Tiger.  With no heir apparant at catcher in the Tigers farm system (not a single catcher even shows up as an honorable mention on Sickels’ Tigers prospect list), it looks like a prudent move to get Ivan Rodriguez locked up for another year or two.  Preferably sooner rather then later.

My only concern is it seems like Pudge is living on borrowed time.  The linked article talks about his training regimen, which sounds solid, but a freak injury, which isn’t uncommon amongst catchers, could make any potential extension a waste of money.  PECOTA has Pudge posting a solid .287/.320/.423 but he has a collapse rating of 32% and an attrition rating of 26%.  And if you look at his five year projections, there’s a big drop off in 2008 and then another one in 2009.  So if Pudge does play until he’s 40, he’s even more special then he’s already indicated as a future Hall of Famer.

Permalink | Posted in 2007 Tigers