R.J. Anderson raises an interesting point about Magglio Ordonez. The Tigers have a legitimate reason not to play him against right-handed pitchers, so they can prevent his option for 2010 from vesting. Should opposing teams, however, go out of their way to start lefties against the Tigers so they end up spending the money in 2010 on Magglio? By doing so, you take away $18 million the Tigers could spend to improve themselves.
The Tigers have started Ordonez every game since August 4th, including against Beckett and Buchholz on back-to-back days now. Not only that, but Ordonez has played well. At this point, the Tigers have clearly decided that in the interest of making the playoffs this year (and/or avoiding a grievance), they’re going to let Ordonez get his option. Whether or not Ordonez reaches his option is no longer a story.