Remember how Rangers fans were hoping Texas could go get Jeremy Bonderman after he became a free agent in 2008?
Well, nevermind...
The Tigers have signed Bonderman to a 4 year, $38 million extension, taking out his next two arbitration eligible seasons for $4.5 million and $8.5 million, and buying out his first two free agent years for $12.5 million apiece.
Nice deal for Detroit, locking up Bonderman -- one of the really good young pitchers in baseball -- for a pretty team-friendly deal, particularly the 2009 and 2010 seasons. If Bonderman were a free agent right now, he'd be looking at Zito-type dollars, given his age, and $12.5 million apiece to buy out to free agent years is a bargain.
On the plus side, this should put an end to the Teixeira-for-Bonderman rumors...