Jan 03, 2008 12:56 PM EST

Within days of the Miguel Cabrera trade, Brandon Inge informed the Tigers that he would rather start at third base for another team than accept a reserve role and remain in Detroit. The club has tried to honor Inge?s wish by trading him, but it does not appear that a deal is close.

The Tigers have encountered two significant obstacles: Inge, 30, is coming off a season in which he batted .236, and he has three years and $19.1 million left on his contract.

Via Detroit Free-Press