Quote Originally Posted by kenp View Post
As Thruster said they do owe him a bundle.
I think the real issue here is that if he is still around he is insurance for a potential problem with Caberra at 3rd base.
I always remember how every year we were going to replace Tom Brookins at 3rd and by June he was back to the full time 3rd baseman.
What I cant figure out is why the 2 first basemam cant alternate between 1st/DH. At least until the following year when Martinez is back.
Fielder was not going to sign his big deal at this stage of his career without the assurance he would not be a DH, even part-time. It all comes back to the deal making no sense, weakening an already weak defensive team further at 1st and 3rd base, with no guarantee you won't end up forcing the best player in the league to DH, having your one good position prospect also a 3rd baseman and having the league's best DH back next year. As for Inge, learning a new position at age 34 with gimpy knees and having to turn the double play, assuming he ever starts hitting again - good luck.