Rogers files for free agency
The last of the Tigers eligible for free agency filed on Tuesday. Whether Kenny Rogers plans to sign on to pitch next year remains to be seen.
Rogers became of one the final players around the league to file when he submitted the necessary paperwork on Tuesday, one of the final few days in which to file. That does not necessarily mean that the veteran left-hander will pitch in 2009. Players who retire often file anyway if they're eligible. Fellow Tiger Todd Jones, who announced his retirement near season's end, filed earlier.
Rogers, who turned 44 years old on Monday, said near season's end that he wanted to wait until the offseason before deciding on his future. He said at the time that if he did pitch in 2009, he wanted to do so in Detroit, where he has spent the last three seasons.
Rogers has not yet responded this offseason to emails about his situation. He serves as his own agent, having parted ways with Scott Boras in November before re-signing with Detroit on a one-year, incentive-laden contract. Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Monday that he expected Rogers to file this week, but that they did not know yet whether he plans to pitch next year.
Rogers became of one the final players around the league to file when he submitted the necessary paperwork on Tuesday, one of the final few days in which to file. That does not necessarily mean that the veteran left-hander will pitch in 2009. Players who retire often file anyway if they're eligible. Fellow Tiger Todd Jones, who announced his retirement near season's end, filed earlier.
Rogers, who turned 44 years old on Monday, said near season's end that he wanted to wait until the offseason before deciding on his future. He said at the time that if he did pitch in 2009, he wanted to do so in Detroit, where he has spent the last three seasons.
Rogers has not yet responded this offseason to emails about his situation. He serves as his own agent, having parted ways with Scott Boras in November before re-signing with Detroit on a one-year, incentive-laden contract. Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said Monday that he expected Rogers to file this week, but that they did not know yet whether he plans to pitch next year.
Much to the disagreement of others, I would love to see Rogers back for one more year. I think he adds a much needed veteran presence, stability, maturity and mentorship to the team. I'm hoping he goes for one more year, gets his "sinker" back and the Tigers see value in offering him some type of contract for 2009. I am perplexed though at the "no response" from him reported by several reporters.
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The only thing we can agree on is that Rogers would bring a veteran presence to the team. But he is not the type of person you want mentoring younger players. To say he brings stability and maturity might be one of the craziest things I've ever heard.
Maturity?...Stability? We are talking about the same Kenny Rogers who was charged with Class A misdemeanor assault and Class C misdemeanor assault, suspended 20 games and fined $50,000 for shoving two cameramen in 2005, for the simple and understandable reason of...he didn't want to be filmed. correct? Is this the type of person you want mentoring and influencing the youth of baseball.
If that isn't enough to convince you of the worthlessness of Kenny Rogers, we can also talk about his melt-down in game 5 of the 1999 NLCS....his bases loaded, game winning walk to Andruw Jones in the 11th inning. A melt- down that crushed the hearts of Met fans who were still on a high from their 15 inning win in the previous game. We could also talk about his inability to pitch while the Yankees, but I think you get the point.
Sure Rogers has a perfect game under his belt...back in 1994...but two things are clear:
First: Rogers isn't a big game pitcher, he can't handle the big markets. He was a waste when he pitched for the Mets and Yankees....I guess NY was just too much for him to handle.
Second: Where's his championship? If he is so good, how come he never led any of the 6 teams he has been on to the promise land?
Now sure, those of you who disagree with me will say he has over 200 wins and 5 gold gloves. But lets break it down for a minute. The majority of his wins came on small market teams, where he was playing for nothing with no pressure. And as far as his gold gloves go, fine - I'll give it to him - he can field his position, but that's about all he has to offer this game we love.
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I have to agree with gamblerfan! Yes, I would say he is a good person to have as a mentor! He did do the things that he has been accussed of. But, he also paid for his wrong doings! And he continued to go out and do what he was paid to do. I can't think of another pitcher who can field as good as Kenny can. And when the Tigers last went to the W/S, he was the ONLY Tiger pitcher that won a game! I am hoping and praying that Rogers comes back to Detroit for antoher year!! PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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