Comments on: Remember when Inge wasn’t talking? http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Fri, 16 May 2008 15:39:06 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: St. Louis Cardinals » Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Brandon Inge http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77238 St. Louis Cardinals » Baseball Blogs Weigh In: Brandon Inge Fri, 07 Mar 2008 18:05:06 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77238 [...] The Detroit Tigers Weblog wonders if Inge’s decision to start talking to reporters is a way to try and expedite a trade, but notes that his words are not endearing himself to any potential trade partners. [...] [...] The Detroit Tigers Weblog wonders if Inge’s decision to start talking to reporters is a way to try and expedite a trade, but notes that his words are not endearing himself to any potential trade partners. [...]

]]> By: Chris in Dallas http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77206 Chris in Dallas Thu, 06 Mar 2008 16:52:30 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77206 I certainly think there are teams out there with worse 3B than Inge. Discounting his horrendous '07 at the plate, he's been an average hitter (OPS+ of 109, 100, 98 and *gulp* 80 the past 4 years) and a plus fielder. The $19 million price tag is the reason he's still a Tiger. I also tend to think he's not the starting 3B because of the Jones trade in November, not the Cabrera trade in December. If they hadn't previously made the Jones deal, I could see a world where Cabrera was the LF and Inge the 3B. I certainly think there are teams out there with worse 3B than Inge. Discounting his horrendous ‘07 at the plate, he’s been an average hitter (OPS+ of 109, 100, 98 and *gulp* 80 the past 4 years) and a plus fielder. The $19 million price tag is the reason he’s still a Tiger. I also tend to think he’s not the starting 3B because of the Jones trade in November, not the Cabrera trade in December. If they hadn’t previously made the Jones deal, I could see a world where Cabrera was the LF and Inge the 3B.

]]> By: Mark L http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77205 Mark L Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:11:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77205 The bottom line is: There are thirty starting third baseman in MLB. Inge is the 31st-best third baseman, when you consider both fielding and hitting, and the relative importance of each for a third baseman. How, then will he win the starting job he so desperately wants? Only through others getting injured, I suppose. OK, maybe you can find a team with a third-baseman who is worse. (Because #5 and #26 are in the same system, for example) This will probably be a poor team with no interest in paying $19 million to a mediocre player of his age who may already be past his prime, and has lately shown a bad attitude. So, it looks like we are stuck with Inge and will need Leyland to work his magic to improve his attitude, convince him to catch some, and use him as a replacement for the inevitable injury. The bottom line is:
There are thirty starting third baseman in MLB. Inge is the 31st-best third baseman, when you consider both fielding and hitting, and the relative importance of each for a third baseman. How, then will he win the starting job he so desperately wants? Only through others getting injured, I suppose.
OK, maybe you can find a team with a third-baseman who is worse. (Because #5 and #26 are in the same system, for example) This will probably be a poor team with no interest in paying $19 million to a mediocre player of his age who may already be past his prime, and has lately shown a bad attitude.
So, it looks like we are stuck with Inge and will need Leyland to work his magic to improve his attitude, convince him to catch some, and use him as a replacement for the inevitable injury.

]]> By: Joel http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77174 Joel Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:22:36 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77174 "However it turns out I was right and it was a bad contract. And speaking of small sample sizes only 30 MLB teams agree with me. You keep your 2000 at bats, they know more than the Cashman’s and Epstein’s of MLB." So according to this argument the only thing preventing the Yankees and Red Sox from trading for Inge is a bad contract? 30 MLB teams NOT making a move does not confer agreement. “However it turns out I was right and it was a bad contract. And speaking of small sample sizes only 30 MLB teams agree with me. You keep your 2000 at bats, they know more than the Cashman’s and Epstein’s of MLB.”

So according to this argument the only thing preventing the Yankees and Red Sox from trading for Inge is a bad contract? 30 MLB teams NOT making a move does not confer agreement.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77170 Kathy Wed, 05 Mar 2008 15:19:05 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77170 Probably on the political trail. I miss him too. Probably on the political trail. I miss him too.

]]> By: Jim http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77158 Jim Wed, 05 Mar 2008 05:15:30 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77158 Where's Stephen? I miss him. Where’s Stephen? I miss him.

]]> By: wolvalum http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77153 wolvalum Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:42:10 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77153 As someone who spent a significant amount of time behind the plate in high school, I wholeheartedly disagree with Brandon's complaints. While a catcher doesn't get the "pitches off" that the rest of the defense gets, and it can be taxing on the legs (though adequate conditioning makes this a moot point), he's embellishing his argument. An inherent benefit of catching is being forced to pick up the spin on pitches and key in on the ball from release-to-glove. If anything, it provides an advantage in the way he's able to approach hitting. Many catchers aren't poor hitters because of a disadvantage built-in to the position's demands, but because it's a position so important to a defense that hitting often takes a backseat to steady defensive play. Brandon's problem is that he's established a mental disconnect, an excuse for a lack of focus at the plate. This mental aspect cannot be overcome unless he makes the decision to overcome it. He's made up his mind; a trade is the best avenue the Tigers can pursue. As someone who spent a significant amount of time behind the plate in high school, I wholeheartedly disagree with Brandon’s complaints. While a catcher doesn’t get the “pitches off” that the rest of the defense gets, and it can be taxing on the legs (though adequate conditioning makes this a moot point), he’s embellishing his argument.

An inherent benefit of catching is being forced to pick up the spin on pitches and key in on the ball from release-to-glove. If anything, it provides an advantage in the way he’s able to approach hitting. Many catchers aren’t poor hitters because of a disadvantage built-in to the position’s demands, but because it’s a position so important to a defense that hitting often takes a backseat to steady defensive play.

Brandon’s problem is that he’s established a mental disconnect, an excuse for a lack of focus at the plate. This mental aspect cannot be overcome unless he makes the decision to overcome it. He’s made up his mind; a trade is the best avenue the Tigers can pursue.

]]> By: Kyle J http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77152 Kyle J Wed, 05 Mar 2008 03:20:07 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77152 To summarize: Using 1,800-at-bat samples is "massaging stats." Analyzing a single box score is "representative" of a player's fundamental abilities. Pretty difficult to reconcile those viewpoints. To summarize:

Using 1,800-at-bat samples is “massaging stats.”

Analyzing a single box score is “representative” of a player’s fundamental abilities.

Pretty difficult to reconcile those viewpoints.

]]> By: Steve http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77150 Steve Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:06:21 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77150 I think in time things will work out. Spring Training goes for a bit and moving a player of Inges questionable ability and contract takes time to work through. Bottom line on Inge for me is either; take the job we have for you as a sub and let us way overpay you for doing it or try winning anything with K/C or another schlep rock team playing everyday,,, we can move you to someone. Take your pick. That said I hope he stays because he has a lot to offer, but if he acts like he has been lately ---- Later ! If he really wants to prove his worth and ability how about ultimate fighting ?, those guys sure arnt getting 6 mil. per year (nor can they play third ;) . Hey Inge how does your job look now? Steve I think in time things will work out. Spring Training goes for a bit and moving a player of Inges questionable ability and contract takes time to work through.
Bottom line on Inge for me is either; take the job we have for you as a sub and let us way overpay you for doing it or try winning anything with K/C or another schlep rock team playing everyday,,, we can move you to someone. Take your pick. That said I hope he stays because he has a lot to offer, but if he acts like he has been lately —- Later !

If he really wants to prove his worth and ability how about ultimate fighting ?, those guys sure arnt getting 6 mil. per year (nor can they play third ;) .

Hey Inge how does your job look now?

Steve

]]> By: EZ http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77149 EZ Wed, 05 Mar 2008 01:00:21 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/remember-when-inge-wasnt-talking/#comment-77149 Bilfer, You say I only have the same two dozen stories? How about his lifetime stats? How about plunging average from his .287 campaign? How about plunging power from the abberation '06 year? Some of your metrics are great. And some are massaged nonsense. I have never disdained objective information. We just don't happen to agree on ALL sources of information. You can recall all the stats you want from then to justify the deal then. However it turns out I was right and it was a bad contract. And speaking of small sample sizes only 30 MLB teams agree with me. You keep your 2000 at bats, they know more than the Cashman's and Epstein's of MLB. Bilfer,

You say I only have the same two dozen stories? How about his lifetime stats? How about plunging average from his .287 campaign? How about plunging power from the abberation ‘06 year?

Some of your metrics are great. And some are massaged nonsense.

I have never disdained objective information. We just don’t happen to agree on ALL sources of information.

You can recall all the stats you want from then to justify the deal then. However it turns out I was right and it was a bad contract. And speaking of small sample sizes only 30 MLB teams agree with me. You keep your 2000 at bats, they know more than the Cashman’s and Epstein’s of MLB.

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