Ian Kinsler’s five-year, $75MM contract has been widely reported to have a $10MM club option with a hefty $5MM buyout attached to it, but there’s a slight detail that Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic recently brought to light (via Twitter). Kinsler’s 2018 option actually has a vesting clause that will automatically trigger that option if and when Kinsler reaches 600 plate appearances this season.
MLBTR has learned that the option would also vest at $11MM — a slight uptick from the $10MM base salary he’d have if he falls shy of 600 plate appearances. Winning his second straight Gold Glove Award can also boost Kinsler’s 2018 base salary by $1MM. That’s of particular note given that Kinsler currently leads qualified Major League second basemen both in Defensive Runs Saved (+8) and UZR/150 (+9.3).
It’s a minor distinction, to be sure. Kinsler’s bat has taken a step back this season(.235/.314/.382), but his superlative glovework and quality baserunning have made him worth about two wins above replacement per both Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference. Whether the bottom-line price tag is $10MM, $11MM or $12MM, it seems exceedingly likely that Kinsler’s option will either vest or be exercised by the Tigers. The $5MM buyout Kinsler is owed, after all, essentially reduces the Tigers’ decision on him to a one-year deal worth $5-7MM — an even easier call to make.
Having already traded Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, Justin Wilson, J.D. Martinez, Cameron Maybin and Alex Avila in the past calendar year, the Tigers are all but certain to shop Kinsler around this offseason. While the potential for an additional million or two being tacked onto his salary may have a modest impact on trade talks, it’s hardly going to be a sticking point in negotiations with interested parties.
Kinsler currently has 522 plate appearances on the season, leaving him 78 plate appearances shy of that $11MM sum automatically kicking in for the 2018 campaign.
I believe the option will vest, and DET will take their best offer on him this offseason leaving VMart and Miggy the only remaining sizeable contracts, and I don’t see there being any takers for either one of them.
Someone would take both but Detroit would have to eat some money
Yes, and Miggy’s contract will seem like an appetizer compared to JVs.
Highly doubt anyone bites on V-Mart’s contract considering its size, the fact that he’s pretty much a DH at this point and his heart condition. DET will be kicking themselves for not insuring his contract.
Someone forgot about Zimmerman. I’d say that is a sizable contract that the Tigers are on the hook for still. Kinsler can go, I like the guy but if we are rebuilding we still have some “old guys” that can help the kids coming up. He is a steal at 10 million and should be easy to move.
You are correct. Zimmermann’s deal with DET is not so much a contract as it is a 5-year hangover for which there appears no relief for the Tigers. Zim went from rock solid producer in WAS to perpetually struggling BP tosser. Bad, bad contract for sure.
Is next year vmarts last on his deal?
Yes, thank god. Hated that contract when they did it.
Yep, 2018 is the last year on his deal
Has anyone heard anything about vmart? Cuz he should think of retiring seeing that he had heart problems a couple times this year. N would love to see miggy moved to DH…. his production would b better
Vmart went under the same procedure as Francona did and expects to be back in 2018. No talk of retirement yet.
Who is “N”?
V-Mart might need a defibrillator and pacemaker though, so that might impact his thought process. Maybe he will coach in 2018 instead.
Kinsler, Greene and Cash Considerations to Arizona for Brandon Drury and a prospect?
I’m sure Detroit would jump on that.
I dont know if Arizona would have much interest in trading Drury at the moment. Drury is young, controllable and versatile.
I think they are more likely to trade Brito for Kinsler and cash straight up. Better fit for both teams.
I can’t believe he isn’t already gone. He would a solid addition to any contender.
That’s funny: he isn’t hitting, doesn’t want to mentor younger players and is a crybaby about umpiring. Yeah, solid.
He was correct about Angel Hernandez, doesn’t make him a crybaby. He won the gold glove at second base last year and yes is having a down year offensively, but his defense is great again this year. Yeah, solid.
Milwaukee wants him but I think they are in his 10 team no trade clause. Dodgers and Diamondbacks are more likely because they are both contenders for years to come AND close to his home.
Dodgers don’t need him..Chris Taylor
Milwaukee already traded for a 2B, Walker from the Mets.
Walker will be a free agent though and is one of those players who cries and complains when they are on a team far from home; Mike Leake is another and Dan Haren was the worst; Walker lives in Pittsburgh so he’ll probably demand to sign with a team in the northeast.
Whether or not it vests or the Tigers exercise it, his poor offensive showing will make it difficult for the Tigers to trade him. they will try, but don’t be surprised if they hold him, hoping for a bounce back season and improved value at the trading deadline in 2018. Tigers also do not have enough quality depth in the middle IF so if they do move him it will have to be early so they can find someone who can play second or another utility IF while handing second to Machado.
Yep, Dombrowski traded Suarez and Travis, both really bad deals, leaving Detroit thin up the middle. I do think Detroit shops him, but if no decent offers emerge I hope they keep him. Quality guy to mentor the kids.
And re: Zimmermann, his contract is back-loaded netting him 24, 25 and 25 mil his last 3 seasons. Miggy’s contract is terrible, but at least folks will come see him pursue 500 and 3000. If Zimm doesn’t rebound he is basically a 74 million Pelfrey. Ouch!
Suarez deal was terrible, didnt we get that pitcher accused of murder for him? N he used different name to start his career lol. Im lost on the Travis trade though, dont remem who we got. Ur right about zimmerman tho… really hope they figure out his neck issue in offseason.
There is that reference to “N” again. Who are you referring to? Inquiring minds would like to know?
Anthony Gose came this way for Travis.
“N” as in “And”. Srry i know im not aloud to shorten words, with all the spell check freaks on here.
“N” behind such punctuation as a question mark or period makes your statements make no sense, thus we asked. I don’t think I’ve ever seen such usage online ever. That doesn’t make us spell check freaks, just people wanting to make sense out of what you’re trying to state.
We got Alfredo Simon for Suarez. Terrible deal. He was accused of murder in the Dominican Republic back in 2011 but was released. Sounded like they just wanted to extort some money from him.
He was also accused of sexual assault. and settled a civil case in 2015.
I can’t imagine why the Tigers would let Kinsler get enough AB’s to get the extra money. He’s having a poor season at the plate and it’s time for Detroit to move on. I would find it difficult to believe any team would give up any prospects for a 36 year old secondsacker . Wait for DET to pay him off and sign him as a FA.
Agreed. Bench him and just wait for the tirade by Kinsler against the front office.