DD Press Conference

**C03BRA** · 11-04-2011, 06:26 PM

Didn't see this posted anywhere and there seems to be a lot of belief on here we'll take a shot at Reyes..

• Jose Reyes: Without mentioning his name, Dombrowski in effect ruled out the Tigers pursuing the free-agent shortstop. One reason: the Tigers have their two $20-million players -- Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander -- and Dombrowski doesn’t see payroll room for a third. It’s not hard to imagine the bidding for the electric Reyes going to $20 million per year. He hit a new peak with the New York Mets this season, when he won the NL batting title.

Dave Dombrowski: Tigers looking for a catcher, 2B; will say good-bye to Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

**C03BRA** · 11-04-2011, 06:29 PM

Here is another good article on our payroll for 2012..

The Tigers already have committed $82.875 million to their 2012 payroll. Then there is the small matter of deferred money. Actually, it's a very large matter.

Tuesday, Dombrowski basically said good-bye to Ordoñez, but the Tigers still owe him $3 million in deferred money in 2012, plus interest. They also owe Valverde $2 million, Pudge Rodriguez $2 million, and Gary Sheffield $1.5 million. Thankfully, they have paid off Ty Cobb's last contract. But that totals almost $9 million, pushing the Tigers' payroll past $90 million.

And after spending that $90 million, guess how many players they have under contract. OK, guess lower. Lower. Answer: nine.

Five Tigers are eligible for arbitration: Max Scherzer, Rick Porcello, Delmon Young, Phil Coke and Don Kelly. The Tigers are sure to offer arbitration to all five. It is really hard to project arbitration rewards or settlements. But the total for those five probably will be somewhere between $15 to $25 million.

That puts the Tigers between $105 and $115 million. And they still only have 14 players. If the last 11 guys on the roster make an average of $500,000 -- close to the major league minimum -- that adds another $5.5 million to the payroll.

Michael Rosenberg: Don't expect Tigers to go on off-season spending spree | Detroit Free Press | freep.com

**sagnam** · 11-04-2011, 06:33 PM

Dave Dombrowski Today (11/1/11) @ 2:00pm-Radio

**Cecil** · 11-04-2011, 06:34 PM

Well I watched the interview and he said he doesn't anticipate them being as aggressive as they were last year. The writer took a lot of poetic license and splice in a quote Dombrowski used last year about Carl Crawford. He never mentioned anything about payroll room in his press conference. Also, I'm not sure the Reyes bidding will get to 20 million.

**C03BRA** · 11-04-2011, 07:08 PM

Originally Posted by Cecil

Well I watched the interview and he said he doesn't anticipate them being as aggressive as they were last year. The writer took a lot of poetic license and splice in a quote Dombrowski used last year about Carl Crawford. He never mentioned anything about payroll room in his press conference. Also, I'm not sure the Reyes bidding will get to 20 million.

Even at $15M/yr I don't see Reyes a likely target....we don't have a need at SS, after raises we don't have much payroll coming available (after losing money for several seasons they seem to be trying to get payroll in line). Max, Porcello, Fister are going to be getting more expensive 2013...and soon to be FA thereafter.

I just don't see us making a long term commitment like that to a guy who relies on speed and already breaks down often.

**tigerjoe** · 11-04-2011, 09:33 PM

Reyes is a whale of a ballplayer, but something about him scares me off, the same way it did with Carl Crawford last year. They're both very good, but I think their best days are behind them. No thanks to Reyes. I'd rather see the Tigers spend that money elsewhere.

**Boattown Tiger** · 11-05-2011, 07:19 PM

Taking Reyes is would be putting too many eggs in one basket. Too much $$ for one guy.

**mickeyb105** · 11-05-2011, 11:02 PM

Carl Crawford is a fraction of the offensive talent Reyes is at this time. Love Crawford's defense in the OF though. Would gladly give Reyes a Victor-like contract for next year.

**froggyvk** · 11-05-2011, 11:13 PM

Originally Posted by mickeyb105

Carl Crawford is a fraction of the offensive talent Reyes is at this time. Love Crawford's defense in the OF though. Would gladly give Reyes a Victor-like contract for next year.

Yeah, but the Red Sox didn't think that Crawford contract through very well. Fenway’s left field is the smallest of all the outfield positions in the major leagues. The greatest component of Crawford’s defensive value is his range, yet much of this factor is taken away playing in front of the Green Monster. Historically, left field in Boston has been a position where a great hitter with a questionable glove can remain relatively hidden, but Crawford doesn’t fit that description.