From a web site called springtraining09.com  comes an offering that I believe falls under the heading, “Kick ‘em while they’re down.”
        A blogger named Tom Dierkes has compiled a list of what he considers to be the 45 worst contracts currently in effect in major league baseball.
        At the top, or should I say at the bottom, of the dumb deal heap are the Tigers, who, in Dierkes’ opinion, are saddled with, count ‘em, five supposed blunders.
        The Giants are second with four lousy contracts, followed by the Yankees (who else?), Mariners and Rangers with three each.
        While I applaud Dierkes’ effort, I believe he is off base on at least two of the Tigers’ contracts that he condemns.
        The Tigers’ Foolish Five, according to Dierkes, are:
        1.) Gary Sheffield’s two-year, $28 million extension, signed in November 2006 in order to secure Sheffield’s approval of the trade with the Yankees.
        2.) Jeremy Bonderman’s four-year, $38 million deal, signed in December of ‘06, when the Tigers were flying high in the wake of World Series and Bonderman was arbitration-bound.
        3.) Dontrelle Willis’ three-year, $29 million pact, inked in December of ‘07, after he was acquired from Marlins, but before he had thrown a single pinch in a Tigers’ uniform -- although, in Dave Dombrowski’s defense, Willis was eligible for binding arbitration at the time.
        4.) Also arbitration-eligible Nate Robertson’s three-year, $21.25 million deal, signed in January of ‘08.
        5.) Brandon Inge’s four-year, $24 million contract, signed in December of ‘06 when he, too, could have taken the Tigers to arbitration.
        I certainly won’t argue with Dierkes’ Bronx cheers for the Willis and Robertson contracts, which totaled $50 million and so far have resulted in just seven wins.
        However, Sheffield could still redeem himself, and that contract, if he closes out his career with a bang this summer.
        Bonderman’s name would not even be on the list, if he hadn’t undergone season-ending surgery last June. And you can hardly fault him, or the Tigers, for that.
        Finally, I don’t know what game Dierkes has been watching, but despite Inge’s declining offense, in today’s baseball, Brandon’s contract is a bargain.