Renteria, Glover & Sardinha are FREE AGENTS

10/30/08 1:38 PM ET
Tigers buy out Renteria's option
Glover, Sardinha outrighted, become Minor League free agents

By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- With the World Series having concluded, the Tigers formalized their decision to decline shortstop Edgar Renteria's $12 million option for 2009, instead buying it out for $3 million Thursday and making him a free agent.

Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski announced his intentions on that at season's end, but left the door cracked open for a return under a new deal. However, Renteria's agent, Barry Meister, said earlier this week that the two sides have not talked since then.

"I think Edgar's going to kind of point himself in a different direction," Meister said.

Detroit also outrighted right-hander Gary Glover and catcher Dane Sardinha, allowing both of them to become Minor League free agents.

Glover joined the Tigers in August after spending the first half of the season with the Rays. He enjoyed some early success in Detroit's bullpen before struggling down the stretch, finishing with a 1-1 record and 4.43 ERA in 20 1/3 innings over 18 outings.

Sardinha served as Detroit's backup catcher over two different stints -- first in June when Brandon Inge went on the disabled list with an oblique injury, then in August after the Tigers traded Ivan Rodriguez to the Yankees. His first Major League hit ended up being a key two-run triple against Colorado on June 29. He played in 17 games with the Tigers, batting .159 (7-for-44) with three RBIs.

On the scouting side, the Tigers promoted Bruce Tanner to Major League scout from advance scout, a role he had filled for the past two years. He fills the opening created when Al Hargesheimer resigned at season's end.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

From the Detroit News:

Quote :

At the same time, the Tigers announced that both pitcher Gary Glover
and catcher Dane Sardinha have elected to become free agents instead of
accepting outright assignments to Toledo. Both are eligible to re-sign
with the Tigers' organization, however.

Edgar!!