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DETROIT - Eight days after declaring they were no longer interested in signing No. 2 overall draft pick Justin Verlander, the Tigers signed him to a five-year major-league contract worth a guaranteed $4.5-million, Baseball America reported Sunday.
Verlander, a right-hander out of Old Dominion, received a $3.12-million bonus.
Tigers scouting director Greg Smith said last week the team had "turned the page" on the negotiations and had no interest in signing the pitcher. The team notified agent Mike Milchin of SFX that it was withdrawing its offer.
Verlander's father, Richard, a former union representative with the Communication Workers of America, then called Smith, according to Baseball America.
"There comes a time when the parties need to reach out personally," Richard Verlander told the magazine.
Justin Verlander was considered the hardest-throwing college pitcher available in the June draft, and his fastball has been clocked consistently at 99 mph.
Five first-round picks remain unsigned, including Devil Rays pick Jeff Niemann, the Rice right-hander taken fourth overall.
RIGGLEMAN JOINS LIST: The Mets received permission to interview Dodgers bench coach Jim Riggleman for their vacant manager's job. Riggleman managed the Padres from 1992-94 and the Cubs from 1995-99, posting a 486-598 record.
Former Astros manager Terry Collins, Rangers hitting coach Rudy Jaramillo and former Blue Jays manager Carlos Tosca have interviewed. Yankees bench coach Willie Randolph is scheduled to meet with the Mets on Monday.
BELTRAN'S PRICE RISES: Centerfielder Carlos Beltran, already considered the top free agent on the market, may have driven up his price tag by $15-million to $20-million after his postseason performance, the New Jersey Star-Ledger reported. Beltran batted .435, tied a postseason record with eight homers and set a mark with 21 runs for the Astros. Agent Scott Boras is likely to ask for at least six years and $90-million, according to the Star-Ledger.
ORDONEZ SWAPS AGENTS: White Sox free-agent outfielder Magglio Ordonez dropped agents Adam Katz and Tom Reich in favor of Boras. Ordonez averaged 32 homers and 118 RBIs from 1999-2003, but knee problems limited him to 52 games this season.
DODGERS: Ross Porter is leaving the broadcasting team after 28 years. Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully will return for his 56th season, and Rick Monday will be back for his 12th.