What to do with Brandon Inge...

[Low-Ki]

Deciding what to do with Brandon Inge seems like the next order of business. Early indications is that the Tigs want to move him, however that could be easier said than done. Brandon Inge is owed $19.1M over the next three years (total) and given his ever declining offensive output many teams figure they could fill any third base need from within for similar results and a helluva lot cheaper.

Detroit gave Inge a $24M 4 year contract last off-season after he hit .253 with 27HR and 83RBI while playing outstanding defense and having a knack for key hits at the bottom of our order.

This past season he hit .236 with 14HR 71 RBI and while his defense was still probably top 25% in the league there seemed to be a drop off there and the knack for the dramatic key hit was gone, all too often replaced by a strike out. He struck out out 150 times in total in 2007, up 22 from the previous season.

Detroit believes there is a market for him and contacted teams they thought would have a third base hole and a desire for Brandon Inge.

This is the latest from Jayson Stark on Inge -

4:03 p.m., from Jayson Stark

[ajaX82]

For the record, that was a helluva post. My 2 cents:


If a team will give us a quality reliever for Inge, you do it, no questions. We need bullpen help very, very badly.

If no one wants him, than start him at third and Cabrera in left or make him the "super-sub."

I personally, and i will be the minority here, hope we sit Jones and put Cabrera in the OF and Inge at 3rd. Miguel is not a good defender and cant mess up tooo bad in left. Inge continues to play excellant D and gives us decent 9-hole hitting. Jones is OF sub for all three positions. Yay.

If we make Inge the super-sub tho, most likely to happen, it should work. Like Low-ki said, he can backup 3rd, SS, 1st and C. Between Inge, Jones and Rmon Santiago, do we really even need anyone else besides Thames on the bench? We can also bring in Inge for a defensive replacement for Cabrera while winning.


I really like Inge tho, he has been with the team through thick and thin and deserves a good deal no matter what happens. I just hope we dont trade him for a piece of crap reliever.

[Shooter1]

Miggy is not a bad defender. He had 40 errors in the last 2 years and inge had 40 too. Inge has much better range thought. Inge has to be moved for either pitching or minor league talent. It is also said that DD wants to move Durbin and Thames to free up some money.

[chrbal]

Trade Inge for middle relief and maybe a mid level prospect.

Don't offer money, unless it has to be done.

Inge isn't staying as a "super sub" and the team is moving Miguels' posistion to keep Brandon happy.

[Vinnie's Microwave]

If no one wants him, than start him at third and Cabrera in left or make him the "super-sub."

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but making a future HOF'er a "subsub" makes no sense. Inge is a "good" third baseman at best. He makes some freakish plays at times - then throws the ball into right field several times on basic plays. He is not consistent enough to play third base on a full-time basis. We did not give up Maybin and Miller to start Cabrera in left field. Inge has the opportunity to make a lot of money and play almost everyday in a town that loves him. I can understand him wanting to start at third base somewhere else, but I think him leaving is a huge mistake. Having Inge as a utility player would be unreal, but it is not going to happen.

[ajaX82]

-= original quote snipped =-



Everyone is entitled to their opinion, but making a future HOF'er a "subsub" makes no sense. Inge is a "good" third baseman at best. He makes some freakish plays at times - then throws the ball into right field several times on basic plays. He is not consistent enough to play third base on a full-time basis. We did not give up Maybin and Miller to start Cabrera in left field. Inge has the opportunity to make a lot of money and play almost everyday in a town that loves him. I can understand him wanting to start at third base somewhere else, but I think him leaving is a huge mistake. Having Inge as a utility player would be unreal, but it is not going to happen.

I didnt mean make Cabrera a supersub, i said If no one wants him, than start him (Inge) at third and Cabrera in left or make Inge the supersub, not Cabrera the supersub. Thats just silly.

And why does everone think Inge is some hot commodity. He cant hit really and he isnt that young. 2 teams (The Phillies and Dodgers i think) already said they arent interested. Im not sure we can get a good reliever for him.

And again, whats so wrong with Cabrera in left? He started in the MLB in Left til 2 seasons ago. It isnt like im proposing to move him to Centerfield or SS...

[Vinnie's Microwave]

-= original quote snipped =-



I didnt mean make Cabrera a supersub, i said If no one wants him, than start him (Inge) at third and Cabrera in left or make Inge the supersub, not Cabrera the supersub. Thats just silly.

And why does everone think Inge is some hot commodity. He cant hit really and he isnt that young. 2 teams (The Phillies and Dodgers i think) already said they arent interested. Im not sure we can get a good reliever for him.

And again, whats so wrong with Cabrera in left? He started in the MLB in Left til 2 seasons ago. It isnt like im proposing to move him to Centerfield or SS...

Makes sense. Inge being the supersub is the best option, but Miggy in left is not the reason we gave up two young future stars. You're right though about Inge - he simply is not that good. I think that Inge thinks of himself as better that he really is. I do not think that Inge is a hot commodity - he is a "good" player at many different positions. He is not "great" at any of them. He was an awesome defensive catcher - but his stick has always been weak. As stated before - Inge needs to wake up and stay with Detroit as the utility guy - period.

[ElectricMayhem]

I remember a few years back he complained about splitting time at catcher (with Bako? I don't remember). Inge has always been a good player, but I do agree that he overvalues himself.

[chrbal]

I just went to the Eastern Michigan stop for the Tigers caravan. When Dombrowski spoke he talked of all the starters, key relief players and relief pitchers. He talked about a lot of guys including Ryan Rayburn, Marcus Thames, and Vance Wilson...the one name he left out...INGE.

I'd say Inge is gone, its just a matter of getting a good/decent deal out of it.

[Low-Ki]

Inge won't get traded anywhere until Pedro Feliz signs somewhere. Felix is basically a free-agent Inge, meaning you could get him at a better contract and without giving up any prospects.

[chrbal]

I think Inge will eventually get traded, but i really do hope he doesn't. Hes a good community guy, and hes not that bad of a player.

[ctabaczy]

the problem is not with inge but with the stupid millions they gave him a season back

[TheseusToros]

I agree...theres only two problems with inge being a utility man
A) He doesnt want to
B) He makes Boo-Koo Bucks

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