It's official, and was not referred to in the Betemit trade post last night: Inge has been designated for assignment and will likely end up in Toledo as nobody will be interested in overpaying for a .177 hitter who has the lowest slugging percentage in all of baseball for those who qualify.
It was just before dawn, one miserable morning in late July....
Don't get excited just yet
I'm
I'm just glad they finally made some kind of move. It absolutely needed to be done, and getting a guy like Betemit is a low-risk move that should pay off dividends for them. I can see him succeeding at a Peralta-lite level.
I can't stop crying since reading your post.
God NO. Put a fork in him! He's a rally killer on his best days.
You know he's a bust when all his fans say, "He's a great defensive player!"
Inge...No More!!!
Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you. -Satchel Paige
Finally
An end to the worst player in baseball
I have a Fandom Endurance III merit badge
Jumping To Conclusions
Johnnie LeMaster retired YEARS ago.....
"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."
Follow the random tweets of a Michigan alum - http://twitter.com/#!/LorneEC3
pinch hit?
who would he pinch hit for? Joaquin Benoit?
Otherwise I agree with you.
Tremendous!
I think I'd take my chances
I think I'd take my chances with Joaquin.
"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."
- Jack Handey
Betemit
Despite being a switch-hitter, Betemit has a poor history of hitting LH pitching (i.e. he is weak as a RH batter). Hitting left-handers is Inge's offensive strength (insofar as he has one). So, hypothetically, Inge would be a decent spot starter and/or pinch hitter against LH pitching. He could also be used as a late-inning defensive replacement.
When rosters expand he could still help the club as a situational player. If he shows something in that role he could return in 2012.
Betemit is also a butcher in
Betemit is also a butcher in the field, so he'll need that late inning defensive replacement.
It's a testament to just how poorly Inge was hitting that Betemit will probably be an overall upgrade despite his defense. Although I think Rick Porcello is probably swearing up a storm -- a groundball pitcher who has Cabrera, Betemit and Guillen in the infield behind him can't be thrilled. Peralta's average at best with the glove and he'll look like Ozzie Smith in comparison to those guys.
True
Could also see Raburn or Peralta get some run at 3rd against LH pitchers (or with Porcello on the mound)...in that case Santiago might see additional starts.
Never under estimate my
Never under estimate my Pirates. We are notorious for over paying veterans past their prime. The front office is feeling some pressure from the media to make a move, my hope is that they stick with what we have. Anybody who is a true difference maker is out of our price range.
Not
Not with Pedro Alvarez raking at AAA right now. I can't imagine he'll have to wait much longer to get the callup again.
I think they will take their
I think they will take their time calling him back up. He needs to get his confidence back just as much as he needs to get healthy. Ideally we will eventually move him to first base, if Overbay wasn't finally hitting, that move may be made sooner rather than later.
Another option
I think this is a temporary fix at best. I would have prefered them making a hard push for Jose Reyes from the Mets. He could have taken over at short and then move Peralta to third. Not only do we get much better offensively but Reyes has much better range at short.
Everybody would have preferred
signing one of the best players in baseball. Anybody have an extra $140 million?
How many times have you been on the freeway and had someone fly by you at 100 mph then end up 2 cars ahead of you at the off ramp? What's the point? -Mark Harmon
Plus, as great as he is
Reyes has been on the DL more often than he's been on the field in recent years
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football." - John Heisman
Plus there is no way the Mets
Plus there is no way the Mets part with him.
Sent From My Commodore 64
Moving Peralta to 3rd = bad idea
When the Indians moved Peralta to 3rd, that's when his hitting and attitude went south. Dombrowski would be a fool to do that. I'm glad Jose Reyes is not going to be available since he'd probably just be an expensive rental anyway.
Knock Knock
Who's there?
ZACK NOOOOOOVAK
I'm
I'm disappointed that nobody got the Pink Floyd reference :(
I got it. I was hoping you
I got it. I was hoping you were referencing Floyd. Oh how I love that song. Takes me back a few years to sitting on the couch and crying (clearly out of my wits) during the scene when Pinky was putting on his dad's uniform.
Love love love that song.
"Are you Bluish? You don't look Bluish..."
Excellent reference, but
Excellent reference, but disappointed there was no Misopogonesque effort a la last night's Dear Diary/Cursive epic incantation.
tragic I know
but The Final Cut came out in my sophmore year at UofM (on casette of course). Played it about 10,000 times, though I do not believe that "When the Tigers Broker Free" was on the original cut. That song is still on my running mix.
No it wasn't. It was one of
No it wasn't. It was one of the songs on The Wall (the movie) that never made it on an album. Maybe a side B?
Oh the final cut. Fletcher Memorial Home. Oh the past. I sound like Lester Burnham...
"Are you Bluish? You don't look Bluish..."
Great song
that should've made it onto the The Wall (album).
It's a short song, with poignant and bitter lyrics, that really sets the stage for The Wall. I've always wondered why it never made the album. The lyrics are below:
It was just before dawn
One miserable morning in black 'forty four.
When the forward commander
Was told to sit tight
When he asked that his men be withdrawn.
And the Generals gave thanks
As the other ranks held back
The enemy tanks for a while.
And the Anzio bridgehead
Was held for the price
Of a few hundred ordinary lives.
And kind old King George
Sent Mother a note
When he heard that father was gone.
It was, I recall,
In the form of a scroll,
With gold leaf and all.
And I found it one day
In a drawer of old photographs, hidden away.
And my eyes still grow damp to remember
His Majesty signed
With his own rubber stamp.
It was dark all around.
There was frost in the ground
When the tigers broke free.
And no one survived
From the Royal Fusiliers Company C.
They were all left behind,
Most of them dead,
The rest of them dying.
And that's how the High Command
Took my daddy from me.
Always wondered?
Here you go:
"The song was written at the same time as The Wall, hence its copyright date of 1979, and was originally intended to be part of that album, but was rejected by the other members of the band on the grounds that it was too personal."
Go Blue!
Thanks
The whole album is pretty "personal", but who am I to question Pink Floyd.
I'm not sure if When the
I'm not sure if When the Tigers Broke Free was ever officially released in the day. A few years ago, they re-released The Final Cut and put it on there. Doesn't really fit too well on it though.
I got. Love that album.
I got. Love that album.
Charles Woodson, down the sideline, he's gonna go all the way, TOUCHDOWN MICHIGAN!!!!!
Not Free with the Likes of David Purcey
Couldn't the Tigers have given up David Purcey as well as the 2 minor leaguers in the Betemit trade? Last night, he came in to a game where the Tigers were leading 5-3 and promptly walked the bases loaded. It didn't help that the next reliever let all 3 (plus another) score, but if they have to put in guys like him to protect a lead, they need more than just another starter and getting rid of Inge.
In the morning he would read the Bible with another coach. Then, in the afternoon, he would go out and cheat kids who had probably saved up money from mowing lawns to buy those raffle tickets. That's Jim Tressel.
David Purcey
We certainly aren't free with Purcey still around, he can't find the strike zone even with a sherpa guide. The only lefty in our bullpen that has any control is Phil Coke, who btw has proved to be much better in a relief role than a starting one.
If Dave Dombroski included
If Dave Dombroski included him in any deal, he probably would have hung up on.
"A Michigan Man will coach a Michigan Team"
Pure Michigan
I feel like this is right on topic with the news. http://youtu.be/HSJhqugGprU
Embed if you want.
Blank.....Blank......You're not looking at the big picture here.
(No subject)
I find your lack of faith disturbing.
I have no idea what you're
I have no idea what you're talking about (not a baseball fan), but I absolutely love that song! When I saw the post I quickly clicked (without noticing OT) and was thinking/hoping someone made a hype video to that song. Lyrics aren't really appropriate, but the tempo and emotion in the song are somewhat similar to Better Son/Daughter and would make for a badass video.
I know this kind of veers
I know this kind of veers away from the OP's topic, but it's not worth creating another thread for this... does anybody think we have a legitimate shot at trading for James Shields?? He's one guy I would not mind dealing Turner/ Furbursh/Oliver for if the Rays were interested. I'm just not sure how much interest they have. And really, what's the motivation for them? They already have a great farm system and they're not completely out of it for the East/WC. But apparently there will scouts from the Reds, Cards, and us to watch his start tonight against NYY. He is someone who could definitely help us make a serious push for October. Here's to hoping, right?
Not Free
There is a chance that you'll see Inge at third base again someday, and yes, for the Tigers. I would say very few people are excited about that, but it is a realistic scenario. Right now, they have Betemit, who is a distinct upgrade, but if they don't re-sign him, then you're left with the same problem unless the Tigers shop for another answer. For years, for what it's worth, Brandon Inge was the best answer to the third base question within the Tigers organization. Therefore, in part, I blame the Tigers for this drama.
"Funny isn't it, how naughty dentists always make that one fatal mistake."
Follow the random tweets of a Michigan alum - http://twitter.com/#!/LorneEC3
I'm over him
I really can't understand the love for this guy. I was over him when he was signing his last contract. When he told the team he wasn't going to play catcher he showed his heart to us. It's all about him.
I'm not afraid to say that I hope he doesn't make it back.
Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you. -Satchel Paige
oh i don't know
He seems hardworking, is an above average defensive 3rd basemen when healthly, and seems like a nice, likable person (met him before the Bowling Green game in Saline to have him sign a baseball for my dad). I can't really fault him for not wanting to go back to C after they signed Pudge, moved him and then expected him to go back even though he was just as good defensively, if not better, at 3rd and liked it more. The criticism was a bit unfair before this season considering he was on a roll before he tore both of his knees and was recovering from surgery on both. It's definitely fair now, but I do wish him the best in Toledo and hope Bull Durham is able to fix his head and bat since Lloyd McClendon could do neither (especially the bats for the whole team)
Knock Knock
Who's there?
ZACK NOOOOOOVAK
Was it that LM couldn't do it
Was it that LM couldn't do it or Inge was unwilling? There are criticisms to be directed at LM but Inge is not one of them. He refused time and time again to change his hitting stance and style and just swung for the fences. At that point you can only blame management for signing him again or Leyland for trotting him out there on a daily basis (same for Rayburn).
It must have escaped your
It must have escaped your notice that Inge never even started hitting until he was moved out from behind the plate. Even if the worst is true regarding Inge's so-called selfishness - which I find totally incredible in the proper sense of the word - it was still the best move for the team not to have him behind the plate.
"We've beaten Michigan the last four years. So where's the threat?"
- Mark Dantonio
Blogging the Virginia Cavaliers at http://fromoldvirginia.blogspot.com/<
inge started hitting?
When was that?
He's had a total of 2 seasons above 2.5 WAR, which is a substandard mark for a third baseman during that time frame. In 9 years he has been better than a below average hitter twice, the same number of times he's had a negative WAR.
His line is actually impressivly bad this year, he's a full win under what a replacement player would provide already, and that's including a DL stint. There is actually only one player in the majors who has played 3b and hurt his team more in the process. The one, the only, Chone Figgins. Current holder of the Barry Zito memorial "we are paying this guy too much to cut him" roster spot.
www.get2formaizenblue.blogspot.com
For all of your obscure college wrestling blog needs
I think I figured out one of
I think I figured out one of the reasons why Inge is hitting below 200...
His eyes are closed
the florida marlins are
the florida marlins are interested
I guarantee Inge will be back with the club come September when rosters expand. He surely will be relegated to a pinch hit or fill-in role, but do not think this is the last you've seen from Brandon Inge. He is still owed about $5.5M next season, and probably will enter spring training with as much of a shot as anyone to be the everyday third baseman.
I'm not excited about that, but it's most likely the reality of the situation.
EDIT: In fact, DD and Inge have already said as much (from Bless You Boys).
"The difference between a man and a boy is, a boy wants to grow up to be a fireman, but a man wants to grow up to be a giant monster fireman."
- Jack Handey