Here's a trooper for you. Brandon Inge has been struggling this year, hitting well under .200. The Tigers traded for KC third baseman Wilson Betemit. Betemit doesn't have a better mitt than Inge, but he is hitting .281 for the Royals, and as a switch-hitter, won't need to be platooned. That gives the Tigers three switch-hitting regulars along with Guillen and Martinez; it also gives the Tigers an all-Latin infield.
Interestingly, Inge accepted a demotion to Detroit's AAA farm club in Toledo rather than be released and allowed to find a job with another team. This isn't a rehab assignment, where an injured player can play his way back into game shape without being "sent to the minors"; this is a full-blown demotion. However, he lives and has his family in Detroit and can make a long commute down to Toledo; in addition, not too many teams want to sign a third baseman with a .177 batting average.
I wouldn't be surprised if they make Inge a player-coach at Toledo. He's under contract through next year and is 34. Catchers make good manager material, and he's played catcher as well as third base; he even played some center field a few years back when they were short there. It might be time for him to transition into coaching.
if he cannot hit, then he should coach and the tigers are an earned fit for him.
Posted by: alan | July 21, 2011 at 03:13 PM
Not relevant to the post, but I haven't been in touch in a while...
You know the 'old chestnut' about every toolbox only needing 3 items: WD40, Duck Tape, and a hammer? If it doesn't move but it should - WD40. If it moves but it shouldn't - duck tape. In every other case, hit it with the hammer.
:)
Posted by: Richard Hall | July 22, 2011 at 09:06 AM