Magglio Ordonez is at home in South Florida, recovering from his busted right ankle and subsequent surgery, and collecting the last of his $18 million salary from the Tigers.
    Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind.
    Will we ever see Ordonez wearing the Olde English D again, or won't we?
    I put the odds at 60-40 -- against.
    Miguel Cabrera, Ordonez's teammate, friend and countryman, told me on Wednesday that he has spoken frequently to Magglio by phone and that Ordonez wants to return to the Tigers next season.
    "He wants to come back next year, he wants to stay here," Cabrera said.
    And the Tigers want him back.
    But at what price?
    Until he broke his ankle sliding home on July 24, everyone involved assumed Ordonez's return in 2011 was a done deal. The clause in his contract that would have guaranteed him a $15 million salary next season was a cinch to kick in.
    However, his injury has caused everyone to reassess the situation.
    Because Ordonez was injured before he could collect the needed at-bats, the Tigers are no longer bound to that $15 million figure.
    But how much less might Ordonez and his high-power agent Scott Boras be willing to accept?
    If the Tigers were to offer Ordonez $15 million, I think he'd sign in a minute.
    But would Magglio come back for $12 million? What about $10 million?
    There is more than mere money at stake here. 
    Ordonez is a proud man. He wants to feel appreciated. He wants to be rewarded for all that he has done in Detroit, including that pennant-clinching home run in 2006 and his 2007 batting title.
    But, as much as the Tigers have missed Magglio for the past two months it remains to be seen how much owner Mike Ilitch, through GM Dave Dombrowski, will be willing to pay for a proven .300 hitter who hit 12 homers and knocked in 59 runs in 84 games this year -- but one who will turn 37 in January.
    "I want him to come back, he's a great teammate and a great hitter," Cabrera declared.
    As a free agent this winter, Ordonez will certainly attract interest. But, in today's economy, I wonder how high the bidding will go.
    Free agency isn't always a path to riches. Remember what happened to Johnny Damon. He made $13 million in 2009. But he eventually signed with the Tigers for $8 million, because that was the best offer he got.
    "They love Magglio, the city loves him, they love him here," Cabrera said, who has missed Ordonez, with his .303 average, batting in front of him.
    Then Cabrera grinned. "He's got to grow the hair again," the Tigers' slugger said.