Detroit Tigers’ team manager Jim Leyland wants Brandon Inge to play at second base
The Detroit Tigers’ current manager Jim Leyland wants some strategic changes to his 40-man roster before going into the next Major League season. After joining the team for Spring Training in Arizona, he clearly explained that infielder Brandon Inge should be playing at second base from next season onwards.
He stated that Inge is a good player but he needs to establish his game at second base for his own good future and for his team as well.
"I hope it works out," Leyland said. "If he's really good defensively at second and can hit, it makes us better. I can use (Ryan) Raburn in left and use Delmon (Young) at DH, and vice versa. It's pretty interesting. I want to give it a fair shot. I don't want Inge to say, 'I didn't get a fair shot."
He added, "Obviously, I think a lot of Raburn, When I'm making out my lineup and Raburn is hitting ninth, that's pretty good. Raburn is definitely going to get playing time, because he's a good player."
Brandon, a ten-year veteran, has never played anywhere else in the League except for the Tigers. His game has always been on top as he is carrying a career batting average of .235 along with 139 home-runs, 587 RBIs and .305 OBP.
Contrary to even his last season’s performance, the Tigers' manager wants to now move him ahead to second base despite knowing Brandon never played on this particular position before. Some say this is certainly somewhat a strategic change from Leyland’s side. However, many also believe that the Tigers’ franchise does not have any potential players on second base and that is the only reason Brandon is being asked to move from infield to second base.
Tigers’ entire roster and management is planning to make a brisk start next season in order to achieve their desired goals. Last season they lost bitterly in the American League Championship Series by the Texas Rangers. However, this season, the Tigers are looking in great shape to perform well in the upcoming 2012 Major League Baseball regular season.
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