The first free agent second baseman is off the board as Ian Kinsler agrees to a two-year deal with the San Diego Padres
The right side of the San Diego Padres is going to have some Gold Glove defensive talent next season. After adding Eric Hosmer last year, the club has added Ian Kinsler to play second base for the next two seasons.
Free-agent second baseman Ian Kinsler in agreement with the #Padres on a two-year, $8M contract with a club option, pending a physical, sources tell The Athletic.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 14, 2018
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Kinsler won his second Gold Glove at second base in the past three seasons. Between the Los Angeles Angels and the Boston Red Sox last season, Kinsler posted a .240 average with a career low OPS of .681. His 2.3 WAR is his lowest since his rookie season of 2006.
He’s still quite the fielder as he had 10 DRS last season, which was tied for second in all of baseball last season. For a team with a young and developing pitching staff, having someone like that in the middle of the diamond can certainly be valuable.
The question with the Kinsler signing is what do the San Diego Padres do with Luis Urias, one of their top prospects who got a taste of the majors last season? Urias played 137 games at shortstop and 66 at third base in the minors? Well, he’s apparently staying put at second.
For now, even with Kinsler agreement, #Padres still envision Urias as their second baseman, according to a source. Kinsler will play some at third base while also mentoring Urias and Tatis and providing leadership. Kinsler’s career experience at third: Two innings.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 14, 2018
This doesn’t make much sense to me. If you have someone like Kinsler who’s an excellent defensive second baseman, with declining offensive skills, why move him over? He’s much more valuable at second.
Once Fernando Tatis Jr.comes up does Urias move back to second and Kinsler becomes a utility player?
The San Diego Padres are clearly paying for veteran leadership and someone to be a mentor on a young team. This won’t be the last move they make this off-season for their infield.