sportspig.com

Outfielder Alex Sanchez and utility player Brandon Inge each signed one-year contracts with the Tigers. The team also announced that it did not offer a contract to infielder Eric Munson, who will become a free agent.

Sanchez battled injuries in 2004, only playing in 79 games, but still managed to hit .322 with 19 stolen bases. He led the American League with 29 bunt singles and finished third with 37 infield hits.

Inge, the Tigers “Super Sub” played five positions including catcher, hitting .287 with 13 homers and 64 RBIs in a career-high 131 games last season.

Munson struggled at the plate only hitting .212, but did show good power with 19 home runs and 49 RBI.

My View: Good move by the Tigers. They haven’t hit it big in the free agent market this season, and I think this is a good insurance policy move if they can’t find their centerfielder. Both Inge and Sanchez can play center, and Inge has the skills to play anywhere. Munson has been a diappointment both offensively and defensively and needs a change of scenery. Of course now he will probably pull an ex-Tiger (see Juan Encarnacion) and have some good years somewhere else.