Tigers sign 11 pre-arbitration players to 1-year deals
Shortstop Iglesias, reliever Hardy among contracts renewed by Detroit
LAKELAND, Fla. -- The Tigers began taking care of contracts for their pre-arbitration players Thursday, announcing one-year contracts for 11 players on their 40-man roster.
Among those agreeing to deals were starting shortstop Jose Iglesias, lefty reliever Blaine Hardy, outfield prospect Steven Moya and catching prospect James McCann. Pitching prospects Angel Nesbitt, Kyle Ryan, Jose Valdez and Drew VerHagen also agreed to terms, as did shortstop prospect Dixon Machado and outfielders Wynton Bernard and Daniel Fields.
From a practical standpoint, the deals are a formality. If pre-arbitration players don't agree to terms, the team can unilaterally renew their contracts for the minimum after a certain date. The difference usually only comes into play in potential arbitration hearings.
The Tigers now have 26 players on their 40-man roster under contract for the upcoming season. Among the unsigned are third baseman Nick Castellanos, starter Shane Greene, relievers Bruce Rondon and Ian Krol, lefty Kyle Lobstein, catcher Bryan Holaday and outfielder Tyler Collins.