Trio of players soon to become ex-Tigers

Trio of players soon to become ex-Tigers
By Jason Beck / MLB.com | 10/03/10 3:30 PM ET

BALTIMORE -- Jeremy Bonderman has been a Tiger since 2003 and Gerald Laird since last year. Johnny Damon has only been a Tiger this season, but has been a popular one. They're all about to become former Tigers.

Team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski told all three of the soon-to-be free agents on Sunday morning that the team would not pursue them. Dombrowski left open a slight chance of bringing back Bonderman later this offseason -- depending on how the market unfolds -- but said it "most likely" won't happen.

None of the news is particularly surprising. Bonderman said last week that he didn't expect to be back, and Laird said he'll look for a situation with more playing time, now that the Tigers have decided on Alex Avila as their regular catcher. Damon has been hopeful for a return, but also realizes the crop of young Tigers outfielders didn't help his chances.

The Tigers signed Damon in February to help the top of their order and installed him behind rookie leadoff man Austin Jackson. But Magglio Ordonez's season-ending ankle injury forced Damon into the third spot quite a bit over the final two months, including Sunday's season finale, shifting him from offensive catalyst to run producer.

The results weren't as good as his four seasons with the New York Yankees, but they were better than the credit he received. He entered Sunday batting .271 with 36 doubles, eight home runs and 50 RBIs. His 69 walks were just two off his total last year in a stacked New York lineup.

"We have told Johnny that we're very appreciative of what he's done here," said Dombrowski. "He's handled himself well, he's been a leader in the clubhouse. But for those spots, we're looking for a middle-of-the-lineup type of guy next year -- [who] can drive in some runs."

I really don't understand - well, only somewhat understand...