Did Kevin McGonigle drop a hint about possible extension with Tigers?

Detroit — Kevin McGonigle’s comment after the Tigers beat the Marlins on Sunday, a game in which he hit his first big-league home run , set off alarm bells in the Detroit sports community. Asked about it meant to get that first homer out of the way, 21-year-old rookie said, “It meant everything. Especially doing it in front of this city.

I love this place already and I’m looking forward to a long future here. ” Oh, really? In the wake of the Pirates signing 19-year-old rookie Konnor Griffin to a $140 million extension last week, McGonigle’s comment, which was given unbidden, raised eyebrows.

He didn’t exactly back off the comment before the game Tuesday, but he made it clear any talk of an extension is premature and out of his purview. “I said that but, the biggest thing is, I’m going to let my agent handle it,” McGonigle said. “They’ve been doing a great job.

” His agent, Eric Izen of VaynerSports Agency, didn’t immediately return an email. Tigers president Scott Harris has a long-standing policy of not discussing any contract issues until they are finalized. Still, with the collective bargaining agreement expiring after this season and the uncertainty about what the next one my look like, the climate seems right for players and teams to try to make these deals.