Tigers Release Brandon Inge After 12-Year Career

By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

It's official, the Brandon Inge era in Detroit has come to an unconditional end. Following their loss to the Seattle Mariners on Thursday afternoon the Tigers unconditionally released Brandon Inge and purchased the contract of 31-year-old Brad Eldred from their Triple-A affiliate the Toledo Mud Hens.

Fans had been booing Inge at Comerica Park and many were calling for his trade or release for months. On Thursday Inge's 12 year career came to an end and Inge said that he had no hard feelings towards the Tigers and it was "one of those things you can kind of see coming."

Inge went on to say that baseball was a business and he understood the move, he expressed hope that he could begin a new chapter with a new club but that his "heart will always be in Detroit, 100 percent."

In his 12 seasons in the with the Tigers, Inge compiled a career .234 batting average while hitting 140 home runs and racking up 589 RBI. He came into the Tigers organization as a catcher and served that role well until Detroit signed Ivan Rodriguez to be the backstop. With that move, Inge shifted to third base where he found a home, he gave the Tigers superb defensive plays at the hot corner and his strong arm cut down many runners on their way to first.

However, despite being the teammate that most players want and moving from position to position Inge always seemed to struggle offensively. While his defensive ability kept him around at third, when the Tigers signed Prince Fielder and Miguel Cabrera once again displaced him Inge moved to second. At second his bat continued to be a non-factor and he did not show the same defensive ability.

Ultimately, despite being a "true soldier" as Manager Jim Leyland said, the Tigers were forced to part ways with their longest tenured Tiger on the roster.

Inge's replacement, Eldred, has been tearing through opponents pitching in the International League. In the 20 games in which Eldred has appeared he has compiled a .388 batting average while launching 13 home runs. Eldred will have his contract purchased by the Tigers tomorrow and will join the team in New York when Detroit takes on the Yankees.