Tigers Demote Ryan Raburn; Who Do They Call Up?

 By Sean Gagnier
@SeanGagnier 

It finally happened, the Tigers were out of options to deal with the struggling Ryan Raburn and opted to send him down to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens after Tuesday's game with the Boston Red Sox. Raburn had a very respectable spring training, but once the season started so did Raburn's troubles. When he was demoted on Tuesday he was hitting just .146.

While it has been his style to struggle in the early portion of the season before flipping a switch and playing like an all star after the break, but this season's swoon, coupled with the team's struggles, caused Detroit to pull the leash on their second baseman.

Following the Tigers loss to the Red Sox on Monday, Jim Leyland said that he thought that he may have given Raburn too much leash so far this season and that he would have a much shorter one from then on. Well, it must have been very short.

There was no corresponding roster move made in Toledo after Raburn was optioned down tonight; one is expected to come on Wednesday. Raburn's struggles have been historic for him; the only time his on-base percentage was lower was in 2004 when he played just 12 games with the Tigers and had only 29 at-bat's. Currently, his OBP is sitting at .209 with a on-base percentage plus slugging of .420, which is terrible in the major leagues.

There was speculation abound Tuesday night as to who would be called up to replace Raburn in the Detroit lineup; first instinct was that the Tigers would call on another second baseman in Eric Patterson. But that was quickly shut down when Tigers beat writer Jason Beck tweeted that the player to be called up would not be a second baseman, per Jim Leyland.

That being said, speculation shifted elsewhere that the Tigers would go and bring up a reliever. Only problem with that is that the Tigers already have seven relievers in the bullpen and five starters. By carrying 12 pitchers on staff, Detroit limits itself on the bench.

The Tigers should bring up Mud Hens designated hitter Brad Eldred to replace Ryan Raburn. By recalling Eldred, Detroit would maintain a more normal bench and would add a big bat that they could bring into a game in the late innings. As it stands, if the Tigers need to go to the bench in the late innings they can turn to Danny Worth, Gerald Laird or Don Kelly. Not exactly murder's row is it?

By adding Eldred the Tigers would be able to have pop off the bench that they dont currently possess and because he can't play a position in the field they would have no problem sending him back down to Toledo when Austin Jackson comes off the disabled list.

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.