Tigers pitcher Jeremy Bonderman was once considered the team's savior, the young arm that would lead the team out of the decade of doldrums that was the 1990s.

Those days are past him, and now he's seriously thinking about whether he even wants to play baseball next season.

"(Owner Mike Ilitch) and the Tigers' organization have given me an opportunity to provide for my family really well, and I feel like I've saved a lot of money and I have the ability to be able to do what I want -- whether it's be with my kids every day or go on fishing trips with my dad or brothers. At times I love it. At times I'm like, 'Man.' "

Bondo -- a free agent at the end of the season -- may decide to only listen to offers from teams out west in order to be closer to his family. However, don't panic too much Tigers fans.

If the Tigers offer him a deal, he will more than likely keep playing.

Regardless of whether Bonderman comes back or not, there should be no hard feelings from his fans. Between the immense pressure he faced early in his career, last year's shoulder surgery and subsequent rehab, and the desire to spend more time with his family, I wouldn't blame Bondo one bit if he decided to hang them up for good.

That is, just as long as he has a couple more of these left in him.

[Freep]

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