Jeff Riger: Is This It?

So by now you have heard that the Tigers have made a trade making everyone happy except for one guy; Brandon Inge. Detroit dealt a couple of prospects in pitcher Antonio Cruz and catcher Julio Rodriguez to Kansas City for 3rd basemen Wilson Betemit. So the next question is what happens to Inge? Tiger President and GM Dave Dombrowski addressed the media after the trade was complete and would not reveal the future plans for Inge but he did let on that utility man Don Kelly was in line to get more playing time than the ten year vet. So has Inge played his last game in a Tiger uniform?

Inge has had a rough season to date which has included a disabled list stint with mono and since coming back he has hit a mere .074 which includes no home runs and just 5 RBI. Betemit on the other hand is 29 years old hitting .281 with 27 RBI and 15 doubles in 57 games. Now Betemit and his numbers will probably not put Detroit over the proverbial hump but it is without a doubt an upgrade. Right now, as mean as this might sound, Inge is worthless. I know it sounds bad to call another human worthless but as far as baseball is concerned that would be the word that many would choose to use. So with that being said, I can't see any other move then to buy Inge's contract out and say good bye permanently. Inge has had a nice roll in this town and a loyal fan base and he is a great guy but no longer is he a good player, not even adequate. It would take about 9 million dollars give or take five hundred thousand to outright release Inge, but that to me would be much less than his roster spot is worth if Detroit lets him stay on the team.

This is not the end of the career that anyone would have anticipated for Inge, but now it's more about the team and less about a 3rd basemen who just couldn't find a way out of a very long and agonizing slump.