Ordonez has been a fixture in right field for the Tigers and has had a season average of no less than .298 since joining the team. In fact only 3 times in his entire career has he hit under .300. In 2007 Ordonez had a career year across the board, setting personal bests for RBI, hits, doubles, average, on base percentage, and on base plus slugging. So why would the Tigers even be debating Ordonez's future with the team?
Slow Start to 2009
Ordonez has fallen off considerably in 2009, hitting only .256 through 35 games with only 7 extra base hits in 133 at bats. His .338 sluggin percentage is the lowest in his career, a statistic that has been comfortably over .500 for much of his career. While it is certainly early in the season, the dropoff is most definitely alarming. Ordonez's trademark for the last two seasons with the Tigers has been hitting the ball to right field and driving it into the right centerfield gap. This season, pitchers have challenged him with fastballs on the inner half of the plate, and Ordonez has not yet been able to adjust. The last several years, Ordonez has been able to handle the hard, inside pitch and his struggles this season could be an indicator that he is beginning to slow down.
Age and Injuries Finally Catching Up?
Ordonez underwent two major knee surgeries in 2004 before joining the Tigers as a free agent. While he has not shown any signs before this season that his knee is beginning to take its toll on him, his lack of extra base power could be a result of his surgically repaired knee beginning to wear down. Another indication is the drop in his efficiency in the field. Ordonez is tied for his career low in fielding percentage at .974. His range has decreased noticeably in right field, and Detroit centerfielder Curtis Granderson is beginning to shade noticeably towards right field, so he can make up for some of the ground that Ordonez can no longer cover. With slick fielders like Clete Thomas and minor leaguer Wilkin Ramirez waiting in the wings, it is difficult to justify keeping Magglio as the every day right fielder.
So What Now?
Perhaps the most important factor in the equation is that Magglio is slated to make $18 million this season, $18 million again in 2010, and $15 million in 2011. The last two years are part of an option that automatically triggers if Ordonez records 500 at bats or 135 games played in 2009. Before that time, the Tigers will have to make a decision as to whether or not to keep him. If he continues at his current offensive pace, it will likely be a difficult, if not impossible, proposition to trade him. The alternative available to the Tigers will be granting Ordonez his release. They would be forced to swallow the remainder of his salary for this season, and pay his $3 million buyout clause. However, they would save the organization $33 million over the next two years which could be used to sign another player or multiple players. Whatever the team decides to do, it is definitely a situation to monitor as the season progresses.
