Trading Rodriguez Signifies Changing of the Guard for Tigers
CLEVELAND _ About two hours remained before the first pitch Wednesday night, and the Tigers had begun to arrive at Progressive Field.
They started preparing for a game against the Cleveland Indians, another night that could have nudged them forward in the American League Central or sent them stumbling backward. But Pudge Rodriguez, their stalwart catcher, the future Hall of Famer, was not with them.
Rodriguez was in the visiting dugout, sitting before a crowd of cameras and reporters. There was some gray in his close-cropped goatee, and he wore a white T-shirt and blue jeans.
His Tigers uniform, with the No. 7 that Detroit fans had relied upon and adored, was presumably tucked away, never to be worn again.
Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees on Wednesday for right-handed relief pitcher Kyle Farnsworth _ a deal that surprised him and transformed the Tigers with two months remaining in their regular season. For the Yankees, the trade delivered a star catcher to replace Jorge Posada, who was recently lost to a season-ending shoulder injury.
Rodriguez talked about how the Tigers, who began the night 5{ games out of first place, still had a chance to win the division. His tone suggested he had forgotten _ if only for a moment _ that this was no longer his team, as it had been since he arrived to resurrect the franchise.
Then he caught himself.
“I still said, ‘We,”’ he said.
The Tigers’ bullpen had become increasingly inconsistent recently, and president/general manager Dave Dombrowski resolved to improve it. In Farnsworth, he acquired a hard-throwing reliever who reached 98 m.p.h. in recent outings. The price was one of the team’s most recognizable and popular players, albeit one who is eligible to become a free agent at season’s end.
Rodriguez arrived before the 2004 season, a time when the franchise yearned for talent and marketability. Rodriguez provided both.
“This franchise started coming back, on the field, the day we signed Pudge,” Dombrowski said.
The Tigers made it to the World Series in 2006 _ after losing 119 games only three seasons before _and Rodriguez’s play was a major reason why. He batted .298 in 611 career games as a Tiger.
Rodriguez was an All-Star in each of his first four seasons with the club. He won a Gold Glove in 2004, 2006 and 2007.
Yet, it had become clear his time with the Tigers was nearing an end. Manager Jim Leyland acknowledged Wednesday that he had been “99.9%” sure that Brandon Inge would be the starting catcher next season. Inge began catching more regularly in early June.
Rodriguez, who is making $13 million this season, understood the likelihood he likely would play elsewhere in 2009. During an interview Sunday _ before what was to be his final home game with the Tigers _ Rodriguez was asked if he would consider waiving his no-trade protection. “I’m ready for anything,” he replied.
After Dombrowski’s quick negotiations with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman culminated Wednesday afternoon _ “This came out of the blue,” Dombrowski said _ team officials asked Rodriguez if he would allow the trade.
He provided his consent without hesitation.
“It’s time to move on,” Rodriguez said. “I’ve got a lot of memories. That’s what I’m going to take in my heart.
“The fans are tremendous, great group of guys, great coaching staff. I have nothing bad to say.”
The parting seemed amicable in every sense. Rodriguez seemed at ease amid the trade-deadline tumult and asked Dombrowski if he could speak with owner Mike Ilitch.
Rodriguez called Ilitch a “great owner” and said Ilitch thanked him for his years of service.
When the Tigers signed Rodriguez, they did so amid concerns over whether the back trouble he endured in 2002 would recur. The contract included provisions related to his back, but they never entered into play.
Rodriguez never spent a day on the disabled list during his four seasons and four months in Detroit. Outside of two suspensions, he was on the active roster every day since he signed the contract. Until Wednesday.
One minute, a nameplate that said “RODRIGUEZ 7″ hung above a locker in the visiting clubhouse. The next minute, it was gone.
Before he left, Rodriguez stopped by Leyland’s office one last time. The two embraced, and Rodriguez reminded his now-former manager that he will see him soon _ when the Tigers and Yankees play a makeup game at Comerica Park on Sept. 1.
“I’m sure Pudge will play that game,” Leyland said with a grin.
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