grumpyolddude

The Detroit Tigers, much to the amazement of us fans, have actually spent some money on free agents this winter. While Tejada and Guerrero never game 'em a listen, the have signed some proven talent in Vina and White and picked up Guillen in a trade.

Now, for the past several weeks. Ivan (Pudge) Rodriguez has been shopping himself around, looking for $10 million per year. The Tigers have been the only team to offer that much, but Pudge won't budge. He keeps putting them off, hoping that some contender will step in with an offer that he can take without looking like he's totally dissin' the Tigers.

Now, they are doing this little "check out his back with his doctors" dance to stall the decision. He successfully put it off until Mike Illitch had to leave town on business.... can't do anything until he gets back into town. (These are my characterizations of his actions. I can't prove any malice in his motives)

It's gotten to the point, I believe, that the Tigers should pull their offer. Yes, a catcher of Pudge's talents would be a great aid to the development of a very young pitching staff, but the man obviously would like to play somewhere else. Why else would it be taking a month to negotiate this deal... he really doesn't want to come to Detroit!

The Tigers have kissed Pudge's ass too much already. Let him sign for less than they offered... or sit until May so he can return to the Marlins!

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"Regret can be a harder pill to swallow than failure .With failure you at least know you gave it a chance..." David Howard