Inge Watch: How Would He Look in Dodger Blue?

by Ian Casselberry on Mar 1, 2008 5:04 PM EST in News Comment 5 comments

Since "Where in the world will Brandon Inge go?" posts figure to be a recurring feature during Spring Training, I thought they might as well receive their own title. So we're now on "Inge Watch" (!!!), people.

If this was television, I'd have all sorts of zooms, graphics, Olde English Ds, and montages of Inge making diving stabs and lunging into the stands for foul balls. Oh, and Doppler radar would somehow be involved. But I'm a man of letters. Blog letters, but letters, nonetheless.

Mike McClary already covered most of this earlier today at The Daily Fungo, and you may have heard rumblings while you were in the virtual waiting room for Tigers tickets, but Danny Knobler is reporting that the Los Angeles Dodgers might be looking at getting into the Brandon Inge business.

With Joe Torre's new team presumably well stocked in the outfield, along with Russell Martin developing into one of the majors' best catchers last year, Inge would figure to be the starting third baseman for the Dodgers. That would seemingly make him a happy camper. Whether or not Inge would be a good fit in L.A. is also open to interpretation, considering Nomar Garciaparra and Andy LaRoche are already on the roster.

What might Detroit receive in return? That's unclear. Knobler didn't include any such information in his article, and I'm not going to embarrass myself by pretending I know any prospects in the Dodgers organization that could be offered in such a deal.

But we know there's interest. That's a start. Knobler also cited an anonymous baseball official (?) who thinks Inge could help out the Houston Astros at catcher. Spring Training is a time when anything seems possible, no?

▪▪ ESPN.com's Rob Neyer thinks the Dodgers would be wearing Bad Idea Jeans (my reference, not Rob's) if they made this trade. (Hat tip: The Daily Fungo)

▪▪ Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness (gotta love that) has another four reasons why the Dodgers shouldn't be interested in making this transaction. (via The Detroit Tigers Weblog)

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Inge Watch

Over at mlbtraderumors.com they mention Nomar, Pierre and Loaiza as the possible salary dumps for the Dodgers. They also point out that Proctor might be included since Torre never really liked him (I don't know if that's true).

I don't think the word "prospect" is going to get anywhere near this trade considering Inge's 2007 performance. I doubt anyone cares how many walks he's taken in spring training so far. I also don't think the Tigers want anything to do with Pierre or Loaiza. And if they do, there's something wrong.

However, I think an Inge for Nomar or even Inge for Nomar/Proctor trade would be a decent move for Detroit. Nomar has seemingly accepted somewhat of a super-utility role over in Los Angeles which could ease his transition into the same role in Detroit. He can play 3B, SS and 1B and would figure to get between 350 and 400 AB's. And when he's healthy (which he could be in a limited role) he can still hit. He also only has one more year left on his contract despite the fact that he'll be paid $2m more than Inge for that year.

Proctor is a fairly solid reliever who would benefit from a big park like Comerica. He's still salary controlled and is owed less than $2m this year.

I agree with Neyer that almost any trade for Inge has zero value to them. I would add that any trade that sends Pierre to Detroit is mutually assured destruction. Nonetheless, I think the Tigers would be well-off shedding Inge's contract for one season of a superior player.

by amcondor on Mar 1, 2008 6:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

relief..

The only way they should trade Inge is if they get a bullpen in return. What other needs do they have?? Otherwise, it is a baaaad move. With one injury, Inge could become an extremly important player this year. How do you spell relief?

by Zappatista on Mar 2, 2008 10:40 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

How do you spell relief?

Ryan Raburn

by densogirl on Mar 2, 2008 8:29 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Rayburn?

I thought it was R-O-L-A-I-D-S

by mparks on Mar 3, 2008 8:48 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Trade the Guy

It's not so much that I want to trade Inge, it's that we really need to shed his contract. Inge is what one might call a one dimensional player. His athleticism gives him the ability to play almost any position and play it well.

But for a guy who's in his 30's he's already in danger of regressing. And since he's such a poor hitter, even the slightest regression in his defense makes him a below average player.

In addition to these issues the guy is blocking younger, better and hungrier players who are willing to come up and do anything to make the team. Id rather see a Raburn, Hollimon or Joyce working their way into a utility or everyday role than watch Inge deteriorate for three more seasons.

It would be nice to get some arms for him, but I think we're in better shape with the pen than we give ourselves credit for. Leyland has a point when he says that the key to saving the bullpen is better performances from the starters. Plus, teams that go out and get the reliever who was good last year, are usually pretty disappointed the next. I guarantee the Sox are going to regret signing Linebrink, for example.

So really we just have to trade him for whatever has value. Arms, one year of Nomar, some low level prospects, whatever. I beleive that Raburn can fill his super-sub role adequately, if not better and it'll be a hell of a lot more fun since he'll actually want to be there.

by amcondor on Mar 3, 2008 3:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs