Mlive.com -- The Detroit Tigers came to 2009 contract terms Wednesday with left fielder Marcus Thames and relief pitcher Fernando Rodney, avoiding contract arbitration with both players. The contract terms were not available for Thames, who made $2.75 million last season, or Rodney, who made $1.7 million.
As much as we make fun of Fernando Rodney on this blog, this is a good move by the Tigers. Both are one year deals, Rodney's is $2.7 M and Thames' is $2.75 M. Neither of those deals are too much money, and it's always good to avoid arbitration and the risk that comes with it. In Thames, you get a bonafide power bat, a player who can go deep at any time. You won't get much more than his .240 career BA, but you don't expect anything more. We know Thames will strike out or go deep on basically every plate appearance, there isn't much middle ground with him. And the new deal is the exact same dollar-wise of his deal last year.
As for Captain Crooked Hat, the guy got a $1 M raise! Imagine that you completely fail at your job, display wild emotional swings, allow the competitors to succeed due to your shortcomings, and get no votes of confidence from your boss. You would almost assuredly lose your job right? Well not if you're Captain Crooked Hat. If you're Captain Crooked Hat you get a million dollar raise and a promotion. As incredible as it is, it's not entirely bad for the Tigers. Rodney brings a great changeup, and comes with no surprises. Much like Thames, he's either great or bad. Although the Tigers and their fans will have a rollercoaster experience with Rodney as the closer, he is a valuable middle reliever. Unfortunately, Dombrowski has given all indication that Captain Crooked Hat will be the closer to start the season. Until any change is made, we will have to live with the idea of the Captain Crooked Hat era...
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