Ivan Rodriguez Finalizes Deal With Tigers

Ivan Rodriguez finalized his $40 million, four-year contract with the Detroit Tigers on Monday, leaving the World Series champion Florida Marlins to join a team that last year set the American League record for losses.

“This is an exciting day for me,” he said. “I know they had a bad season last year, but I think this is going to be a completely different season.”

The signing of the 10-time All-Star catcher is the latest high-profile move by the Tigers, who went 43-119 last season. Detroit won five of its last six games to avoid tying the post-1900 major league record of 120 losses, set by the 1962 New York Mets.

“If you don’t mind for a moment I’m going to soak this up a little bit,” Tigers manager Alan Trammell said. “This is how it starts. This is how we get better.”

Rodriguez, a 10-time Gold Glove winner and MVP of the NL championship series, gets $7 million this year, $8 million in 2005 and $11 million each in 2006 and 2007, according to contract information obtained by The Associated Press. The Tigers have a $13 million option for 2008 with a $3 million buyout.

Detroit will defer $2 million of his salary in 2004 and $3 million each in 2006 and 2007, all at 1 percent interest.

If Rodriguez goes on the disabled list for 35 or more days in 2004 or 2005 because of a lower spine injury, Detroit could void the rest of contract by paying a $5 million buyout. If he goes on the DL for 35 or more days in 2006 because of a lower spine injury, the Tigers could terminate the deal by paying a $4 million buyout.

Rodriguez would get a $500,000 bonus of he’s voted the American League MVP, an award he won with Texas in 1999. If he wins the award twice under the contract, he would get $1 million the second time.

Rodriguez had a $10 million, one-year deal with the Marlins last season. He asked for a $40 million, four-year contract from Florida, which broke off talks Dec. 7.

The Tigers have been active in the free-agent market, but they had not signed an undisputed star such as Rodriguez.

Second baseman Fernando Vina and outfielder Rondell White agreed to $6 million, two-year deals in December, and starting pitcher Jason Johnson signed a $7 million, two-year contract later that month.

At a lower level, Detroit also agreed to one-year contracts with right-hander Al Levine ($925,000) and catcher Mike DiFelice ($650,000) and to minor league deals with third baseman Greg Norton and pitcher Esteban Yan.

DiFelice was signed to back up Brandon Inge, a solid catcher defensively, who hit .203 with eight home runs in 104 games.

The Tigers also traded for Seattle shortstop Carlos Guillen.