Tigers Sign Granderson
5-Year Deal Secures Centerfielder

By John Rogatski

 

On Monday, the Detroit Tigers continued their march toward securing their future when they signed centerfielder Curtis Granderson to a 5-year, $30.25 million contract that will keep Granderson a Tiger through 2012. The contract, constructed by president and general manager Dave Dombrowski and Tigers chief negotiator John Westhoff also includes a $13 million team option for 2013. After the deal was announced, everyone involved was all smiles. “When you have a player of Curtis’ ability, and the type of person he is who represents you so well both on the field and off the field, it’s an honor to have him as a member of our organization,” said Dombrowski. “The numbers have to work for the club,” said Westhoff. “Typically, you’d wait a little longer to do a deal like this, but there are always exceptions. You’re typically looking for a special player, one who’s high-caliber with a great work ethic, which is Curtis Granderson.” The “waiting a little longer” referred to by Westhoff is in regards to Granderson having less than three years of major league experience, and not being eligible for free agency until 2012. Most teams, the Tigers included, usually wait for a player to become arbitration eligible before pursuing a long-term deal. Obviously, Dombrowski felt that Granderson, who last season became only the second player in major league history to reach the 30-20-20-20 club with 23 triples, 38 doubles, 26 stolen bases, and 23 home runs, was the perfect exception to the rule.

Granderson now joins Nate Robertson, Dontrelle Willis, Jeremy Bonderman, and Carlos Guillen as recent Tigers who have inked long-term contracts. “I’m ready to get down to Florida and get back to work,” Granderson said. “I don’t feel any different, it’s going to be funny how everybody else views me, but I’m still going to be the same person.” “Like my main agenda now is to get a house, but I’m not going to do anything ridiculous.” Well spoken, and precisely why the Tigers didn’t hesitate to sign him to a long-term deal.

 

Source: The Detroit Tigers

Photo: Courtesy of Associated Press

 

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