proposal: Brandon Inge as backup C/3B/OF

[yoshii8]

What would you think of him as a utility guy off the bench, and backup/platoon C against lefty's? I know it would probably be hard to get him to accept that, but I think we could guarantee him 300-400 Ab's in this role. He has 3 years and 19 million remaining on his contract, but I bet the Tigers would be willling to pick up at least half of that, and we probably wouldn't have to give up much. Kind of like the Koskie deal.

If we trade for Rolen, he would be outstanding insurance in case he has to miss a significant portion of the season, and to give him rest during the season.

[trwi7]

I'd be for it only if he was a backup and only if Detroit was willing to pick up a significant portion of his contract.

[dlk9s]

For a good price, I think Inge would be a very nice addition to the roster.

[dadofandrew]

Unique thought, I appreciate the out of the box thinking, Yoshi. He'd be a mighty expensive utility guy, but with the cheap youth, it's possible, especially considering the Crew has a dozen relievers fighting for 7 spots.

[JohnBriggs12]

Inge threw out a pretty decent percentage (103 of 277) when he was a catcher. Considering the lack of decent catchers, you would think he'd have more value as a catcher.

[clancyphile]

Inge as a backup C/3B... might be nice, but doesn't Vinny Rottino also play that role?

[dadofandrew]

Vinny has options, and many seem to question him as a 2nd string catcher, rather seeing him as a utility guy who can catch.

[Brian the Automator]

Inge has requested a trade out of Detroit because he was blocked by Cabrera. I think there's going to be at least one team out there who will start him at 3B... Part of having a successful bench player (or platoon player) is having one who's willing to accept that role. I think talent-wise, and even salary-wise to some extent, he'd be a great bench player. Realistically though, I think he wouldn't accept the role mentally.

[pogokat]

i feel the same way about inge as crede...if he can bring an above average glove to 3b, i'd be happy to have him...because his defense and offensive would probably be a wash offensively

 

of course, inge actually hits righties worse than crede, so maybe the guy who suggested we just start counsell was on to something

[PeaveyFury]

If we're looking at guys that make Counsell look like a better option to start on some days, should we really be looking at them?

 

Just saying.....

 

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[TheCouga23]

Inge has requested a trade out of Detroit because he was blocked by Cabrera. I think there's going to be at least one team out there who will start him at 3B... Part of having a successful bench player (or platoon player) is having one who's willing to accept that role. I think talent-wise, and even salary-wise to some extent, he'd be a great bench player. Realistically though, I think he wouldn't accept the role mentally.

Inge was a SS in college, and when ex-Tiger GM and bonehead Randy Smith drafted him, he tried to turn Inge into a catcher. Inge always hated catching, and he didn't really start hitting well until he was moved to third base. Inge has stated publicly many times his distaste for catching -- and it is also rumored that he has it written in his contract that he can't be moved back to catcher. The Tigers offered him the role as utilityman/backup catcher this year and to start at catcher the next two years when Pudge is gone, but Inge declined saying that he wants to start at third base. So if Inge were to accept such a role, he will probably just stay with the Tigers.

 

[tigersfanatic1]

I think Inge would be a good bench player, due to his ability to play multiple positions, given his natural athleticism. But the key here is his attitude. I can't imagine Inge not pouting about being a bench player. He seems to have an overinflated sense of his self worth, and never accepts responsibility for his failures (i.e. stating his poor hitting this year was a result of pitchers pitching him like Babe Ruth.) He also apparently did not take instruction from the Tigers hitting coach. Inge apparently wanted to stay with his pull stroke when the Tigers wanted him to change his approach at the plate. He seems to think he is a power hitter, despite hitting only 14 HRs this year compared to 150+ Ks. Inge will have to accept he isn't a good enough hitter to be a starting third baseman. I think his future lies as a bench player in the NL or a catcher.

 

It's going to be hard to dump Inge, given the 19+ million he is owed over the next 3 seasons and his poor offensive ability. He has good range defensively, but I don't think too many GMs will be eager to trade for him, given his contract. I always thought it was one of Dombrowski's worst moves, giving Inge a big contract following a career year.