The Detroit Tigers may finally be ready to trade veteran second baseman, Ian Kinsler. As the team heads into a rebuilding period, Kinsler has certainly become an expendable commodity for the team. If any Tigers fans had doubts about the Tigers beginning the rebuilding process, that likely came to an end when the team sent Justin Verlander to the Houston Astros at the MLB trade deadline.

A report by the Detroit Free Press just confirmed that the Tigers are answering phone calls about Kinsler. The general manager meetings take place this week, where it’s possible that Tigers GM Al Avila could wind up dealing his starting second baseman.

The team isn’t desperate to give him up, but it might be cheaper for another team to acquire him if they are willing to pay his full salary. Avila spoke at length about the situation with Kinsler.

“Obviously, you want to get the best return you can,” Avila said. “Sometimes you look at what you can get in return for different reasons. In today’s world, people are putting emphasis on things that maybe last year or in years past wasn’t so important, like years of control, salary or things of that nature.”

Kinsler’s salary

Ian Kinsler has just one year left on his current contract and will earn $11 million during the 2018 MLB season. At 35 years old, he doesn’t have the same value that he once had in the league, but he could still offer a team a veteran piece in the lineup.

Last season for the Tigers, Kinsler had 22 home runs, 52 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, a .236 batting average, and a .313 on-base percentage.

Kinsler’s numbers were definitely down during the 2017 season and that was the lowest batting average he has had during his 12-year career. He was bothered by nagging injuries during the season that could explain some of the numbers, with some MLB analysts also see retirement could be on the horizon.

His overall value is questionable, but he does provide power, speed, and a steady glove at an infield position.

More baseball news

A possible Ian Kinsler trade by the Detroit Tigers isn’t the only baseball news from this week. The Seattle Mariners are rumored to be interested in first baseman Carlos Santana of the Cleveland Indians.

He could fill a hole that the team has at first base.

Over in the National League, the Chicago Cubs have to deal with the free agency of former Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta. The team could lose him during the offseason if they aren’t willing to pay close to $200 million in a long-term contract. It’s a tough situation for Cubs fans.
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