Ian Kinsler
The Detroit Tigers traded away star players during the 2017 season, including Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez, and Justin Upton. The team finally indicated that they want to get younger and begin to rebuild. Ian Kinsler is another veteran player that the Tigers could trade away.
Ian Kinsler was a name thrown around during the deadline that the Angels could acquire, but a deal never happened. However, the Angels did strike a deal with the Tigers to acquire Justin Upton before the non-waiver trade deadline.
According to Anthony Fenech, a reporter for the Detroit Free Press wrote that the Angels continue to have an interest in acquiring Kinsler. The 35-year-old second baseman was toward the end of his five-year, $85 million contract with the Texas Rangers back in 2012. He has a team option left on the contract for the 2018 season.
With just an option year left on the contract, a deal for Kinsler could show the Angels believe in competing for a championship in 2018 with some new players and a healthier roster.
In his 12 seasons in MLB, Kinsler owns a .273/.342/.447 slash line with 234 home runs, 839 RBI and 1,149 runs scored. Kinsler is a four-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove in 2016. He’s coming off a bit of a disappointing season. In 2017, Kinsler carried a slash line of .236/.313/.412. His average reached the lowest ever in his career. He hit 22 home runs, scored 90 times and drove in 52 runs.
Kinsler remains a formidable player despite a down season. He would provide the Angels with a veteran bat and someone with playoff and World Series experience. Kinsler played in the World Series with the Rangers in 2010 and 2011. He also played on the 2012 playoff Rangers team and made the playoffs with the Tigers in 2014.
Veteran leadership is an excellent quality for a team to have. Kinsler brings that and a potentially potent bat to the club if the Angels plan to make a move for him.