by Fitzgerald Cecilio

Max Scherzer Gets One-Year, $15.5M Deal with Tigers
Credit: Tom Hagerty (http://www.flickr.com/photos/lakelandlocal/

Detroit, MI

The Detroit Tigers reached a one-year, $15.525 million deal with 2013 American League Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer, consequently avoiding arbitration next month.

It is the largest arbitration settlement for a player on a one-year deal in team history, passing Miguel Cabrera's $11.3 million settlement in 2008.

Both the right-handed Scherzer and the Tigers have expressed interest in a long-term contract, but the team's immediate concern was to avoid an arbitration hearing.

The Tigers haven't gone to a hearing with a player since Dave Dombrowski took over as team president and general manager in 2002.

Scherzer, 29, came close to breaking that streak last year, agreeing to terms on a $6.725 million salary for 2013 just before a scheduled hearing in February. He was expected to at least double that coming off a breakout year that included a Major League-best 21-3 record, 2.90 ERA, 214 1/3 innings pitched and 240 strikeouts.

The Tigers have the coming weeks as well as Spring Training to seal a deal that will keep Scherzer off next winter's free-agent market.

Ther team also made one-year deals with right-hander Rick Porcello, reliever Al Alburquerque and outfielders Andy Dirks and Austin Jackson.

The team announced the agreements Friday afternoon. Porcello will make $8.5 million. Alburquerque will make $837,500. Dirks and Jackson will make $1.625 million and $6 million, respectively.

The five agreements add just over $16 million to the Tigers' payroll with Alex Avila still remaining as Detroit's arbitration case.

 

Tigers GM: Justin Verlander might miss season opener

Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said there is a possibility that Justin Verlander could miss the start of the season as he recovers from core muscle surgery.

Dombrowski earlier said that Verlander, who underwent surgery last Jan. 9, would participate in spring training and be in a position to compete at the beginning of the 2014 season.

However, Dombrowski told MLive.com that Verlander's status to start the season is still uncertain.

"He's doing great," Dombrowski said. "I'm not concerned for him being out an extended period. If he misses any time of the season, it would only be a very short time period. I'm not ready to say that he will. But he's doing very well."

Verlander's rehab was initially expected to take six weeks.

Tigers pitchers and catchers report to spring training Feb. 13, while Opening Day is March 31. Verlander has started for the Tigers on Opening Day for six straight years, but this season that honor could go to reigning Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer.

"We don't want him to push too hard," Dombrowski said. "We want him to follow the doctor's schedule. He's been under the doctor's guidance. He's stayed there so far. He's been doing phenomenal."

According to Dombrowski, Verlander is at the "point where he might start doing some movement drills and all beginning next week."

 

 

Article:
"Max Scherzer Gets One-Year, $15.5M Deal with Tigers"