Tigers re-sign Santiago for one year

Tigers re-sign Santiago for one year
Renteria's presence makes former shortstop a utility infielder
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- The Tigers didn't see Ramon Santiago as an everyday shortstop for 2008. They still, however, see him as a potentially key part of their club.

Less than two weeks after trading for Edgar Renteria, the Tigers retained Santiago by agreeing to terms on a one-year Major League contract. The deal calls for a $575,000 salary if he sticks in the big leagues, which would likely be as a utility infielder.

Santiago essentially ended last season splitting time with Carlos Guillen as Detroit's starting shortstop, manning the position on days when Guillen started at first base. His strong defense filled a void the Tigers wanted to fill for the stretch run when they purchased his contract from Triple-A Toledo on Aug. 17.

The 28-year-old switch-hitter batted .284 (19-for-67) with five doubles, a triple, seven RBIs and 10 runs scored in 32 games, including 17 starts at short. He committed two errors in 93 total chances for a .978 fielding percentage. He batted .263 in 91 games for the Mud Hens with 19 doubles, three homers and 30 RBIs.

His performance in Detroit was enough to earn close to regular playing time at short down the stretch, but when the Tigers decided to move Guillen to first full-time next year, the question of how Santiago would hold up over a full season prompted the team to look outside the organization at short. His new deal gives him a chance to shore up a reserve role next spring.

"The Tigers again showed their commitment to Ramon Santiago," Santiago's agent, Bill Rego, said Sunday. "I think it puts Ramon in a really, really favorable position for '09."

Santiago has seen time with the Tigers the last two seasons after rejoining the organization as a Minor League free agent in 2006. He was one of several arbitration-eligible Tigers this winter, but it's debatable whether Detroit would've gone to arbitration with him or non-tendered him in December, putting him in a cluttered free agent market of infielders.

The new deal guarantees Santiago a $250,000 salary if he ends up back in the Minors. If he reaches 250 plate appearances in the Majors, he'll earn a $25,000 bonus on top of whatever he earns in salary.

Santiago's role could depend in no small part on Detroit's potential offseason moves. The Tigers also have Omar Infante and Ryan Raburn in their utility infield ranks, but Infante -- also eligible for arbitration -- could be shopped to help fill other needs. Even if Infante remains, manager Jim Leyland said last year he sees Santiago as his best defensive option at short.

Raburn plays at second and third base, but not shortstop, and he could share time in left field. It's uncertain whether the Tigers want Guillen to make spot starts at shortstop or dedicate himself full-time to first base.

This is good.

cool.

It's comming together! Now for pitching!

I knew when this happened, Infante was a goner. Raburn will be fine in the all-utility role!!

Santiago is more useful to us than Infante. Good non-national headline news!

mrsrabelo wrote:

This is good.

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Stop liking people mrsrabelo!

SoulRat wrote:

mrsrabelo wrote:

This is good.

</SPAN>

Stop liking people mrsrabelo!

I know. Good thing is I don't like Andrew as much as I liked JJ and Omar so he will probably stay! Hmmm... Who do we want gone.

I LOVE Time Byrdak and Mike Hessman!

Nice try.....

You don't think it will work?

Oh it WILL work... gawd I hate that Andrew guy... who the hell does he think he is anyways? Loser nobody, that's who!

I'm not very good at trash talking the boy

SoulRat wrote:

Oh it WILL work... gawd I hate that Andrew guy... who the hell does he think he is anyways? Loser nobody, that's who!

I'm not very good at trash talking the boy

He pitches like a girl! sorry I had to.

Maybe this will work

mrsrabelo wrote:

SoulRat wrote:

Oh it WILL work... gawd I hate that Andrew guy... who the hell does he think he is anyways? Loser nobody, that's who!

I'm not very good at trash talking the boy

He pitches like a girl! sorry I had to.

Maybe this will work

And he looks like one too!!

Out of the mouth of lettuce

Ohh.....my ribs!!

STOP IT!!!!!

At least you aren't peeing yourself today :haha:

I haven't peed myself for almost a week.....

I'm so proud of you!

My laundry smells so fresh.....

tigersaint wrote:

I haven't peed myself for almost a week.....

the pills r working then..........

Pills??

prod wrote:

tigersaint wrote:

I haven't peed myself for almost a week.....

the pills r working then..........

They have pills for that?

SoulRat wrote:

prod wrote:

tigersaint wrote:

I haven't peed myself for almost a week.....

the pills r working then..........

They have pills for that?

.....depends.

tigersaint wrote:

SoulRat wrote:

prod wrote:

tigersaint wrote:

I haven't peed myself for almost a week.....

the pills r working then..........

They have pills for that?

.....depends.

tigersaint wrote:

SoulRat wrote:

prod wrote:

tigersaint wrote:

I haven't peed myself for almost a week.....

the pills r working then..........

They have pills for that?

.....depends.

I thought those were "adult undergarments"

I'm waiting for the "Edible" version for adult funtime....

I'm hungry.....

tigersaint wrote:

I'm waiting for the "Edible" version for adult funtime....

omg

Tastes like chicken.....

I ate chicken last night

SoulRat wrote:

I ate chicken last night

EWWWWW.......

Have you tried "Ostrich" yet??