The Latest Brandon Inge Rumor

by Ian Casselberry on Dec 6, 2007 4:27 PM EST in Detroit Tigers News

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.): Jayson Stark posted an item about Brandon Inge on the ESPN.com Winter Meetings Blog:

4:03 p.m., from Jayson Stark

• After announcing the Miguel Cabrera trade Wednesday, the Tigers said they weren't sure whether they were going to trade Brandon Inge or keep him and make him a super-utility guy. Well, looks like they've figured that out. Clubs that spoke to the Tigers on Thursday report that they are telling clubs looking for a third baseman that he is available. The buzz is that at least two of those teams -- the Dodgers and Phillies -- have already said no. But the Tigers still appear to believe there's a market for Inge down the road.

On his blog, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Todd Zolecki posted that the Phillies explored the possibility of trading for Brandon Inge yesterday:

The Phillies kicked around third baseman Brandon Inge's name yesterday. Inge is available after the Detroit Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera from the Florida Marlins. But Inge is owed $19.1 million over the next three seasons, which could dampen any exploration of a deal.

You have to think Inge's contract could be a hang-up with several teams that could be otherwise interested. If they're serious about dealing Inge, they could very well have to pick up some of that money.

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INGE

This is a portion of what I thought about this whole situation:

OK then, what about Inge. I hate to say it but he is probably gone. He is making north of 4 million, and that is rich for a back up, even if he can play numerous positions. This saddens me as he lived through the deplorable years and has improved his defense ten fold, but his bat has never contacted the ball on a consistent basis and this could be the final factor. The Tigers could always put Cabrera in left field, and this may be what they are looking at. They traded this off season to acquire Jacque Jones, but I have no doubt that this was there way of planning ahead, and I don't believe that anybody could have thought that they would be able to acquire a "hall of famer" as Mr. Ozzie Guillen put it. It is also important to look past this year, as Sheffield is in the final year of his contract and Cabrera would probably be excellently suited (255 pounds last year!) for the DH role, which would make Inge more valuable in the future seasons. What I am trying to say is I don't want Inge to leave. Inge got shafted for the Gold Glove this year and is a fan favorite. Cabrera struggled at the hot corner last year and the Tigers defense suffered through some rough spots in the field last year, mainly at short and on the mound. If they can keep Inge through this year, Cabrera can keep the weight off (he is said to be dropping daily, and getting stronger), and Sheffield doesn't come back, then it would be win-win as far as I am concerned.

by Zappatista on Dec 6, 2007 7:19 PM EST reply actions

Inge,Cabrera

Inge could have value if he is willing to catch and play other positions to rest other players or injured players. I would only keep Inge if wants to catch. If Cabrera has good hands he could make the switch to 1B as other MLB 3B have done. Lots of players have switch from SS to 3B. So having Cabrera at 1B and Guillen at 3B is possible.

by Barry on Dec 7, 2007 10:31 AM EST reply actions

What is the possibility of Inge catching?

I know he used to do it way back when, but is it remotely possible that he could be the backup catcher this year and then become the de facto starter next year?

Obviously, his bat works much better behind the plate, but it seems to me that he's been in front of the plate way too long to be able to go back behind it.

by mparks on Dec 7, 2007 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

No possibility, IMO

I don't think he would do well at all moving to catcher. Inge would take a nosedive if he had to catch on even a semi-regular basis, and I am pretty sure he knows that. You might be able to convince him to serve as an emergency third catcher, but I not even sure he would go for that.

Inge has built a nice career as a third baseman. He has received well-deserved praise for his defense at the hot corner and his hitting ability, though limited, could still be valuable if he bounces back to his 05-06 output. Why would he want to accelerate his decline as player just to give the Tigers a little more flexibility with their bench?

by Brian8603 on Dec 7, 2007 12:50 PM EST up reply actions

A 24 million dollar bench player?

Never gonna happen. It wouldn't be good for Inge or the rest of the team. They gave him a very generous contract expecting better production and defensively he was very good! I'll be glad to see him gone.

by densogirl on Dec 7, 2007 7:00 PM EST up reply actions

I'm not suggesting...

that the Tigers keep Inge as a bench player. I was, in fact, pointing out some of the problems with the idea of keeping him around as a backup or a supersub. When you add the salary issues that you have mentioned to his likely desire to play full-time at third, its hard to imagine Inge sticking around for next year.

by Brian8603 on Dec 7, 2007 10:08 PM EST reply actions

Sorry about that!

I was responding to someone else's post about the possibility of Inge catching or playing some sort of super-sub position. You just can't pay a guy that much money and have him ride the pine to be a super-sub. I know lots of fans love him and even I will miss his defensive play (probably a lot) but it would be humilitating for him. He made some great plays, but last year his sometimes lackadaisal (sp) attitude drove me nuts. If his salary wasn't so high, he'd be easy to trade.

by densogirl on Dec 8, 2007 10:01 AM EST up reply actions