The Tigers signed another member of their rotation to a long-term contract, agreeing to terms on a three-year deal with left-hander Nate Robertson.
The contract is worth $21.25 million -- $4.25 in 2008, $7 million in 2009 and $10 million in 2010. That 2010 salary jumps to $11 million if Robertson pitches either 400 innings in 2008 and 2009 combined, or 200 innings in 2009 alone.
Robertson has been a member of Detroit's rotation since being called up late in the 2003 season and has proven himself capable of taking a heavy workload. He has averaged 195 innings per year over his four full Major League seasons, including 208 2/3 innings during the regular season in 2006.
A three-week stint on the disabled list with a tired arm cost Robertson some innings last year following a solid start to the season. He finished with a 9-13 record and a 4.76 ERA, allowing 199 hits over 177 2/3 innings with 119 strikeouts.
If the Tigers were going to work out a longer-term contract with the 30-year-old lefty, now was probably going to be the time to do it. He was eligible for arbitration for the second time and would've been eligible for free agency after the 2009 season. Thus, the new contract essentially buys Detroit an extra year, much like the Tigers did with Dontrelle Willis last month.
Robertson, Willis and Jeremy Bonderman are all under contract through the 2010 season.
Nate Robertson is a co-owner of the Wichita Wingnuts. His brother Josh is Wingnuts general manager, while his brother Luke is the Wingnuts pitching coach.
