Valenti & Foster: Dombrowski Raves About Inge

DETROIT (CBS Detroit) Detroit Tigers General Manager Dave Dombrowski's raving praise of Brandon Inge after the first Major League exhibition game drew lots of listener reaction to the Valenti & Foster show Thursday.

So, what did Dombrowski say to MLB radio?

"If you watch him play second base, you would think he's played there for the last 10 years, he's moved that well to second base.. He's been tremendous defensively, he's got a great arm, great hands...He's been phenomenal. People will be shocked when they see him play," Dombrowski said.

After being displaced to second base by new star Prince Fielder, Inge made two notable defensive plays against the Atlanta Braves this weekend. But that wasn't all.

Asked about Inge at bat, Dombrowski said, "Offensively he's been very good... His key will be, as we start spring training, we don't want to get carried away ... As long as he continues to use the whole field, it wouldn't surprise me if he went out there and played a lot."

Inge is scheduled to play Thursday against the Boston Red Sox.

So, is Inge's position secure? Reaction was swift, with Mike Valenti saying, "The Dombrowski comments are unbelieveable...I don't think you say things like this just for effect. You can't go back and not play the guy at all because then it will create the ultimate distraction."

"I think they are setting the table to start him at second ... He's been that good," Valenti said, later adding, "It's March 8, we've got a whole month to go before the season starts ...This 'you're gonna see him' routine, maybe Dave and Jim, buttons are being pushed above them."

Caller Mike was unconvinced that Inge's job is safe, saying, "In the history of baseball, has there ever been a player released and then come back the next year as a starter?

"There is no chance in hell he will be the starting second baseman...I don't care what Dombrowski says."

Inge is a unique player, Valenti said, standing by his conviction that Dombrowski is serious about Inge starting at second.

But not all the fans love Inge. Caller Bobby said, "Let me preface this by saying I hate this guy, he needs to be gone, every year we're talking about Brandon Inge when we should be talking about other things... Aren't we really asking Brandon Inge to do less this year?

"I think there are a lot of fans who don't want him here."

Valenti disagreed that Dombrowski could be just making noise, saying, "Yes, there's a lot of time left, but you wouldn't say those things to later go 180 degrees the other way, Dombrowski's not going to make himself look foolish. These comments are big."