Tigers Shopping Ordonez?

Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez is having another great year, hitting .318 with 15 HR in 104 games. Although these are great numbers, they definitely are not worth fifteen million dollars, which he would get if he stays healthy and keeps playing how he is playing. The Detroit News breaks down the situation: "If Ordonez has 135 starts or 540 plate appearances (at-bats, walks, hit-by-pitch, etc.) in 2009, his option years for 2010 ($15 million) and 2011 ($15 million) are guaranteed. If he has a combined 270 starts and 1,080 plate appearances during 2008-09, those last two option years kick in. In other words, if Ordonez stays healthy in 2009, he ends up with the seven-year, $105 million contract the Tigers originally agreed upon in February 2005."

While the Tigers have the money to support Ordonez, sources have informed me that they would prefer to cut some payroll to focus on pitching. If they were able to unload Ordonez to maybe the Braves, it would give them two or three solid prospects along with extra cash to spend elsewhere. For the Braves, it would give them a legitimate right fielder and someone they could place behind Chipper Jones in the lineup. It is obvious the Tigers need pitching -- expect them to be big players in the off season.