Will the Tigers Slash Payroll This Winter?

The Tigers went for broke this year, bumping their payroll from $95 million last season to $138 million this year in hopes of buying a spot in the postseason. In hindsight, it wasn't meant to be: the Tigers sit 8 1/2 games out of the division lead, and considering they've won just three of their past 12, the deficit seems to grow larger every day.

At least there's always next year, right? Yeah, about that ... After footing the bill for baseball's third-highest payroll, owner Mike Ilitch is allegedly putting pressure on the front office to slash costs next year, according to the Detroit News' Lynn Henning.

Ivan Rodriguez was already dealt in a cost-cutting trade, and expensive veterans like Edgar Renteria, Todd Jones and Kenny Rogers almost certainly won't be re-signed or have their options picked up this winter. It'll be hard to unload Gary Sheffield without picking up a substantial portion of the $14 million he's owed next year, but by putting him on waivers this year, the Tigers are at least trying.

Getting rid of the guys mentioned above makes as much baseball sense as it does financially, but will the team go so far as to unload their most productive players? Henning thinks Magglio Ordonez could be sent to bigger market in exchange for cheap prospects. If that happens, it'll be a hard sell to fans, who have filled Comerica Park to 99.3% capacity this summer, to keep turning out in 2009. If the Tigers can't post a winning record with Maggs, why should fans think the team can contend without him? This team has made huge strides the last several years -- it'll be a shame if Ilitch gives up now.

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Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd, center, talks to the media before the Indians play the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008, in Cleveland. The Boston Red Sox acquired Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday, hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Former Cleveland Indians pitcher Paul Byrd talks to the media before the Indians play the Baltimore Orioles in a baseball game, Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2008, in Cleveland. The Boston Red Sox acquired Byrd from Cleveland on Tuesday, hoping to boost a rotation hurt by an injury to Tim Wakefield and the struggles of Clay Buchholz. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Players of the Twin State Peregrines of Vermont and New Hampshire cross Havana's Revolution Square near an image of late rebel hero Ernesto 'Che' Guevara August 12, 2008. Young baseball players from the United States, the first team of Little Leaguers known to visit Cuba since 2000, and Cuba squared off on Sunday in a game that was far more friendly than relations between their two countries. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)

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Players of the Twin State Peregrines of Vermont and New Hampshire stand near the monument of Cuba's independence hero Jose Marti at Havana's Revolution Square August 12, 2008. Young baseball players from the United States, the first team of Little Leaguers known to visit Cuba since 2000, and Cuba squared off on Sunday in a game that was far more friendly than relations between their two countries. REUTERS/Claudia Daut (CUBA)

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LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 11: Chase Utley #26 of the Philadelphia Phillies holds up his glove to the umpire after tagging out Juan Pierre #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers at second base in the seventh inning during their MLB game at Dodger Stadium on August 11, 2008 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Victor Decolongon/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Juan Pierre;Chase Utley

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