Tom Gage

Facts are what count with Maggs

Minneapolis

How to be fair to Magglio Ordonez?

There are those who think the Tigers should dump him now. Thank you for hitting .363 and winning a batting title, Maggs. Thanks for that postseason home run against the Athletics. Good luck with your next team.

There also are those who think the Tigers should stand by their man -- come hell, high water or $18 million. They have no qualms about spending Mike Ilitch's money.

This, however, is not an easy situation for anyone.

Not for the Tigers -- who want to give Ordonez , 35, every chance to contribute before confronting the difficult decision that is inexorably approaching.

Not for Ordonez -- a proud player who can't understand why so little is going right for him and can't possibly like all the attention he is attracting.

Not for teammates -- who don't enjoy seeing a popular colleague struggling. They'd like nothing more than for Maggs to bust out of his slump.

Not for fans -- at least those who don't like to turn on a player that repeatedly gave them reasons to cheer in the past.

And not for the media -- because every time we draw attention to the extent that Ordonez has struggled, it reads like a vote to get him released, which it isn't.

$18M high price for loyalty

It's irrefutable evidence, however, that Ordonez is not helping the team -- and if he's not helping the team with an option for $18 million in the works for next year, the Tigers have a predicament.

Predicaments must be reported -- but in a way that doesn't resemble piling on.

There is a flip side to piling on that is equally unacceptable. It manifests itself in the words of those -- such as one of our Tiger Talk forum participants Thursday -- who "would love to see Maggs play for a team that actually appreciates what he has accomplished."

Meaning the Tigers don't? That's unfair. The proof of appreciation shouldn't cost $18 million.

There are two approaches to this dilemma. There are those being portrayed as "Maggs bashers" for thinking the Tigers should cut bait before his option kicks in -- which it will do with another 184 plate appearances.

There are also those who think management is at fault for including such a clause in his contract -- and that if it comes back to bite the Tigers, they deserve it.

Objectivity called for

What needs to be done, however, is for sentiment to be removed from both arguments and for the matter to be judged on facts alone.

That's not entirely easy to do when there's an emotional link.

But with $18 million at stake (actually $15 million because he'll be owed a $3 million buyout), objectivity is essential.

So consider this scenario -- one that involves yourmoney.

If you have a car that served you well, that's even been one of your favorites, but which you know will require some expensive work next year -- and if this car suddenly began stalling -- what would you do?

Stay loyal to it and put more money into it? Or do you make a business decision?

Halfway through the season that dictates the direction of his future with the Tigers, Ordonez has a slugging average three points (.333) over his on-base percentage (.330). And, he's had only one multiple-RBI game in the 32 he's played since May 15.

If that was your car, even you, loyal Maggs fan, would be tempted to turn it in.

Even you would face the fiscal facts.

And you wouldn't be unfair in doing so.

Breaking down Magglio Ordonez

Magglio Ordonez has provided the Tigers and their fans with some highs and lows since arriving in 2005. Here's a look at the numbers both on the field and off:

Statistically

AVG -- average; OBP -- on-base avg..; SLG -- slugging avg.; OPS -- on-base plus slugging

Financially

2010 option guaranteed at $18 million if he has:

• 135 starts or 540 plate appearances in 2009, or

• 270 starts or 1,080 plate appearances in 2008-09

He entered Friday's game with:

• 64 starts and 273 plate appearances in 2009, and

• 208 starts and 896 plate appearances in 2008-09

tom.gage@detnews.com