Just-In Waiting? Tigers and Verlander Trying To Get Long Term Deal Done

Justin Verlander rose up the ranks to of the Tiger's system and in 2006 turned a last place Central team into the American League Champions. Putting the Tigers on his back again this year he turned the 2009 Tigers team into another last to second place finish. He wants to stay in Detroit and everyone in Detroit wants him.

So why is this taking so long fans want to know. Unfortunately we have to go back a few years and look at some contracts that Dombraski did that have set a very terrible precedent for these talks. Verlander made 3.675 million dollars last year and was by far the best Tigers pitcher. Yet in the arbration hearing tigers offered him only 6.9 million a year, which Verlander should take as a major insult considering what other Pitchers on the team are making.

Nate Robertson is making 10 million next years, Willis is owed the same, and Bonderman is getting a paycheck of 12.5 million. Their win total from last year was three wins. Verlanders was 19. Their innings pitched were a combined 93.2. Verlanders was 240.

Verlander countered with a modest 9.5 Million dollars, which still seems like a low amount for one year. So where is the middle ground? Well despite their initial offer Tigers have asked Verlander to look at a 75 Million five-year deal. But Verlander wants a sixth year guaranteed. Most might be thinking to themselves why not give it to him; he is one of the best pitchers in the AL.

The Tigers know better and have been burned to many times on poor deals. Fool me once shame on you fool me twice shame on me. Dombraski is not in the mood to gamble money away that they might not have. After throwing 240 innings last year (almost forty more then any year before) the Tigers don't want to see their money turn into an injury risk. So where is the middle ground and when will this deal be sorted through?

Tigers must weigh all options of course for they will need money to sign young stud Porcello and many of the other members of the farm system who are developing fast. It appears that the Tigers are hesitant on the sixth year, in which case it might just cost more money for them to have him for five. Hopefully this gets solved soon. Detroit needs it and the Tigers need it. Most thought Granderson was the face of the Tigers, but now Verlander has taken that throne and the Tigers can't another face to leave.