Inge gets $11.5 mil., 2-year deal from Tigers

DETROIT — Brandon Inge's family decided to make roots in Michigan, giving their young sons some stability in school and with friends.

If Inge decided to shop his services to the highest bidder in free agency this winter, his wife and kids were still staying put.

He didn't want to leave them behind and fortunately for him, the Detroit Tigers wanted to keep him around.

Inge signed an $11.5 million, two-year contract Thursday. The deal includes a $6 million club optiion for 2013 with a $500,000 buyout.

"I wouldn't have been happier anywhere else," Inge said. "This is all I know. It's comfortable here. I could've got more, but you never know. The money is not worth the happiness I have here."

Shani Inge looked like the happiest person at Comerica Park after her husband's news conference.

"I'm beyond thrilled," she said.

Detroit was glad the deal got done, too.

Team president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said it was a simple decision to attempt to re-sign Inge after the organization had a meeting to make plans for the future.

"Every single person in that room wanted to bring Brandon back," Dombrowski said. "It gives us stability at third base."

Inge had an American League-best 97.7 fielding percentage among third baseman this year. He hit .247 with 13 homers and 70 RBIs in 144 games last season, a year after he was an All-Star.

He made his debut with the Tigers in 2001 and has a career .237 batting average with 136 home runs and 564 RBI in 1,297 games. Inge broke Lou Whitaker's franchise record of 1,099 strikeouts this year despite playing in about 1,000 fewer games.

"He's a very good defensive player," Dombrowski said. "He contributes offensively, he's got some pop in his bat. He's not a high-average hitter and he strikes out more than you'd like.

"But when you look at the total picture, he's a pretty good player."

Inge gets $5.5 million in each of the next two seasons, and the Tigers have until three days after the 2012 World Series to decide on the option. If it is declined, the buyout must be paid by Jan. 15, 2013.

The Tigers think they have pretty good players behind at catcher and in left field, so they're planning to give Alex Avila and Ryan Raburn a chance to be their top player at those positions. Dombrowski said he's optimistic Jhonny Peralta will be the team's shortstop in 2011. The Tigers have a $7 million option on Peralta's contract with a $250,000 buyout, but might decline to exercise it and try to re-sign him to a new deal.

Detroit hopes to add a run-producing outfielder or designated hitter — perhaps slugger Adam Dunn — this offseason and to bolster its bullpen behind closer Jose Valverde.

Dombrowski said the Tigers were "open-minded" about bringing back Magglio Ordonez, whose $15 million option they've announced will be declined, but said they will wait to see how the 36-year-old outfielder recovers this offseason from right ankle surgery.

How much Dombrowski can spend this winter might depend on whether Tigers and Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch also ends up buying the Pistons. Dombrowski insisted Ilitch has not given him a budget yet for the baseball team's payroll.

"We have not even had those discussions," Dombrowski said.