Looking back on the season, Brandon Inge did not belong in the home run derby and perhaps not the all star game back in July as well.  He was hitting .268 at the time, but his 21 home runs were good enough to get him into the derby and of course from there he failed to hit even one out of the park.  His defense last season was terrific and now we learn that Inge will undergoe double knee surgery on November 3rd.  He only missed two games last season which is amazing considering that while he only hit .186 after the all star break his defense really did not fall off at all.

     Inge is a terrific athlete and he obviously can play over pain.  But he finished the season hitting .230 and a third baseman on a good big league ballclub needs a better average than taht-- way better.  Inge's career has been up and down with the Tigers and he has had to play other positions against his will.  The Tigers say he'll be okay to go for spring training but that sounds optimistic to me.  Double knee surgeries seem serious.  But maybe his average will be helped next year by getting his knees fixed once and for all and that can only be a good thing.  For sure the Tigers need more offensive production out of him if they are to make another serious run at that elusive divisional title.

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