Tigers lock up Granderson

Feb 4, 2008 - 6:44 PM DETROIT (Ticker) - Curtis Granderson will be patrolling center field for the Detroit Tigers for several years to come.

The Tigers on Monday signed the 26-year-old to a new five-year contract, with a team option for 2013. Financial terms were not disclosed, but ESPN reported the deal is worth $30.25 million.

"We are excited to have Curtis signed to a long-term contract with the Tigers organization," Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said.

"Curtis is one of the best young players in the game and a quality individual that represents the Tigers well both on and off the field."

Granderson was not due to become a free agent until 2011, but the Tigers did not want to wait that long to secure the future of a player whose stock is rising.

In 2007, Granderson hit .302 with 23 home runs, 74 RBI and 122 runs scored, stealing 26 bases from the leadoff spot in the Tigers lineup.

He also had 38 doubles and 23 triples, making him the only the second player in major league history to collect at least 30 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases in a single season. Wildfire Schulte achieved the feat in 1911, while Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins followed Granderson in 2007.

In 373 career games, all for Detroit, Granderson has hit .280 with 50 home runs, 162 RBI and 232 runs scored.

Monday's signing continues a busy offseason for the Tigers, who landed third baseman Miguel Cabrera and lefthander Dontrelle Willis in a blockbuster trade with Florida. The Tigers signed Willis to a new three-year $29 million extension and gave Cabrera a one-year deal worth around $11 million while continuing talks on a long-term deal.

The Tigers have also signed lefthander Nate Robertson to a three-year deal worth a reported $21 million this winter.