Tigers sign Lombardozzi, seven others to deals

LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers now have their entire 40-man roster under contract, having reached agreement with their final eight unsigned players this week.

The team reached one-year deals with Jose Alvarez, Bryan Holaday, Ian Krol, Steve Lombardozzi, Francisco Martinez, Melvin Mercedes, Hernan Perez and Bruce Rondon. All were pre-arbitration eligible, meaning the Tigers could either reach an agreement on a contract or unilaterally renew their contracts after a deadline. Moreover, only Lombardozzi has more than a year of Major League service time.

Lombardozzi will be arbitration eligible next winter if he spends the full season in the big leagues.

Though the Tigers haven't had to go to arbitration with a player since Dave Dombrowski took over general manager duties in 2002, they've ended up renewing a contract or two in most years.