If it wasn’t for the love affair that Tigers owner Mike Ilitch has with veteran infielder Brandon Inge, you would think that Inge’s chances at winning the second base position would be slim to none.
At 34-years of age, with no offensive presence and have never of played at the position it would seem logical that Ramon Santiago and Ryan Raburn would continue to platoon at the position with no worry of Inge sneaking in and taking time away from them.
At this point though, after everything we’ve seen with Inge in terms of defensive numbers going down, being a non-threat at the plate and seeing a demotion during last season, there’s no reason to think that the Tigers are going to do everything they possibly can to give Inge a role on the team.
But let’s say Inge doesn’t win the job, what happens next?
Inge could continue to be a late inning replacement at third base for Miguel Cabrera or see time all over the diamond including the outfield in which he’s seen time at in the past.
One thing the Tigers have an abundance of though are utility players that are younger (Don Kelly, Danny Worth) and can produce more at the plate.
With that said it is possible that the Tigers move Inge who has one year left in his contract during Spring Training to a team in desperate need for a third baseman. Again this is also considering the other options the Tigers have at the utility position.
Ref: ESPN, Detroit Free Press, Freep.com (image)
