Entering the 2004 season after a mind boggling 119 losses, one loss shy of the Major League record, the Detroit Tigers are retooled with free agent signings Fernando Vina, Rondell White, and Ivan Rodriguez. Pudge, as Rodriguez is known, brings leadership and World Series experience having played with the 2003 champion Florida Marlins. The 10-time All-Star backstop Pudge is one of four players all-time to net 10 Gold Gloves with a .300 career batting average. The 32-year old catcher signed a four-year $40 million deal to play for the Tigers.
Joining the three offensive players is pitcher Jason Johnson. The long-time Baltimore Oriole pitcher fills a needed gap with Major League experience in a relatively young starting rotation. Joining Johnson are pitchers Mike Maroth, Nate Cornejo, and Jeremy Bonderman from last season's staff. None of the Tigers regular starters last season posted a winning record. Mike Maroth won nine games but also lost a Major League leading 21.
The Tigers also signed pitcher Ugueth Urbina to fill the need for a dependable closer. The Marlins World Series closer begins the season at Single A Lakeland and returns to the season for the second game versus Toronto. Urbina rounds the list of Tigers owner Mike Ilitch's efforts to bring respectability back to a once proud franchise. Detroit plays their fourth season in 2004 at Comerica Park. |
