And now for some good news

While fans had to be talked off ledges today with news of “The Gambler’s” ailments, the Tigers did manage to ink shortstop Carlos Guillen to a four-year, $48-million extension today.

He’s due to make $5 million this year. The new deal will pay him $12 in 2008, $10 in ‘09, and $13 in each of ‘10 & ‘11 according to MLB.com’s Jason Beck.

I’m inclined to think this deal would’ve been better-served being frontloaded as opposed to backloaded. I understand why GM Dave Dombrowski did it this way — he’ll have Gary Sheffield, Magglio Ordonez, and, potentially, Pudge Rodriguez off the books by that point, but I don’t suspect Guillen will be toiling at SS in 2010. If that’s the case, then this organization will be paying too much for what would be a comparatively light-hitting corner infielder or designated hitter.

I fear this contract may become albatross-esque like Bobby Higginson’s.