Tigers agree to contract extension with 3B Inge, sign RHP Mesa

Dec 11, 2006 - 9:27 PM DETROIT (Ticker) - The Detroit Tigers were not going to let third baseman Brandon Inge get away.

The reigning American League champion Tigers on Monday agreed to terms with Inge on a four-year contract extension through the 2010 season.

Detroit made another move Monday, agreeing to terms with free agent righthander Jose Mesa on a one-year contract.

Financial terms were not disclosed for either deal. However, the team's web site reported Friday that Inge's extension is for $24 million.

Coming off a season in which he set career highs of 27 home runs and 83 RBI while batting .253, Inge was eligible for arbitration and could have filed for free agency following the 2007 campaign.

"Brandon is a tremendous athlete and a quality individual," Tigers president and general manager David Dombrowski said. "He has continued to improve both offensively and defensively each season, and we are thrilled he will remain part of the Tigers organization."

A 1998 second-round pick, Inge made 22 errors this past season after committing 23 a year earlier but led all major league third basemen with 398 assists and 555 total chances.

The 29-year-old helped offset the defensive miscues with his solid offensive numbers, which included a career-best 83 runs.

Inge was an integral piece of the Tigers' improbable success in 2006, when they led the American League Central Division for most of the season before settling for the wild card.

However, Inge struggled in the postseason, hitting .273 with just one homer and four RBI in 13 games as Detroit fell to St. Louis in the World Series.

Originally a catcher, Inge also has played all three outfield positions during his six-year career. In 728 games, he owns a .241 average with 71 homers and 288 RBI.

Mesa, 40, appeared in a career-high 79 games with the Colorado Rockies last season, posting a 1-5 record and a 3.86 ERA.

"We are excited to add Jose Mesa to the Tigers organization," Dombrowski said. "He brings a veteran presence and a wealth of experience in a variety of roles to help strengthen our bullpen."

An 18-year veteran, Mesa is 78-106 with a 4.27 ERA and 320 saves in 966 career games with Colorado, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Francisco, Cleveland and Baltimore. He registered four seasons with at least 40 saves and was an AL All-Star in 1995 and 1996.