2007 Detroit Tigers Season - 2007-08 Offseason Events

2007-08 Offseason Events

On October 9, 2007, the Tigers announced that they were picking up the 13-million-dollar, fifth-year option on Iván Rodríguez's contract, keeping him on the roster through at least the 2008 season. The Tigers could have bought out the option for 3-million dollars and allowed him to become a free agent.

On October 10, the Tigers returned Rule 5 draftee Edward Campusano to the Chicago Cubs. Campusano spent the entire 2007 season on the 60-day disabled list.

Relief pitcher Joel Zumaya was injured while at his off-season home in California. While moving boxes during the October 2007 California wildfires, a large box fell on Zumaya, separating his shoulder. Zumaya had surgery to correct the problem and is currently rehabilitating the shoulder.

On October 29, first baseman Sean Casey filed for free agency, on the first day players could do so. The team's management had already informed Casey that he would not return to the lineup the following season. The same day, the Tigers acquired shortstop Edgar Rentería from the Atlanta Braves, in exchange for pitching prospect Jair Jurrjens and outfielding prospect Gorkys Hernández. The move paves the way for current shortstop Carlos Guillén to move to the vacant spot at first base.

On October 30, utility infielder Neifi Pérez filed for free agency. He had not played since July 5 after being suspended for violating the league's performance-enhancing drug policy.

On November 12, veteran closer Todd Jones was re-signed to a one-year, seven-million dollar contract. The same day, the Tigers received outfielder Jacque Jones in a trade with the Chicago Cubs for utility man Omar Infante.

On November 30, Kenny Rogers agreed to a one-year, 8-million contract to return to the Tigers. Rogers represented himself in contract negotiations after firing agent Scott Boras on November 17. The contract contains performance bonuses based on how many innings Rogers pitches in 2008. The team also signed free-agent pitcher Francisco Cruceta to a one-year deal.

On December 5, the Tigers pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Florida Marlins, with starting pitcher Dontrelle Willis and third-baseman Miguel Cabrera arriving from Florida. The Tigers send in exchange backup catcher Mike Rabelo, top outfielding prospect Cameron Maybin, top pitching prospect Andrew Miller, and three other minor leaguers. The same day, the Tigers swapped pitchers with the Colorado Rockies, acquiring Denny Bautista for prospect José Capellán. Also, the Tigers sent minor-league slugger Chris Shelton to Texas for outfielder Freddy Guzman.

The Cabrera trade would make current third-baseman Brandon Inge expendable. Inge asked management for a trade, but the team was unable to make a deal. Inge's four-year, 24-million dollar contract, signed before the 2007 season, was partly to blame. Inge would eventually drop the matter and accept the role as a utilityman.

On December 6, the Tigers selected minor-league pitchers Juan Cedeño from the Washington organization and Ben Fritz from the Oakland organization in the Rule 5 draft. The Tigers lost minor-league pitchers Randor Bierd, Corey Hamman and Jose Fragoso.

On December 29, the Tigers and Dontrelle Willis signed a three-year, 29-million dollar contract extension.

On January 16, 2008, the Tigers avoided arbitration with Nate Robertson and signed him to a three-year, 21.25 million dollar contract. He would have been a free agent after the 2009 season. The following day, the Tigers avoided arbitration with outfielder Marcus Thames, signing him to a one-year, $1,275,000 contract. On the 18th, the team was able to avoid arbitration with all of their eligible players by signing Miguel Cabrera to a one-year, 11.3 million dollar contract. Reliever Bobby Seay was given a one-year, $780,000 contract.

On February 4, center fielder Curtis Granderson signed a 5-year, 30.25-million-dollar contract extension, keeping the speedy lead-off man on the roster through at least 2012. There is a team option for 2013.

On February 5, the Tigers completed another trade with the Texas Rangers, sending Class-A Lakeland and Class AA-Erie outfielder Michael Hernandez in exchange for minor league right-hander Armando Galarraga.

On March 25, the Tigers finalized a long-term contract for Miguel Cabrera. Cabrera signed an eight-year, 152.3 million-dollar deal, which is the biggest in Detroit Tigers history.