Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler just completed his second plate appearance of the night (an RBI single), meaning he’s now up to 600 on the season — the required threshold to trigger the 2018 vesting option in his contract.
As Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported earlier this month, Kinsler’s previously known $10MM club option contains a vesting clause that would guarantee the option upon reaching 600 PAs. MLBTR further reported that Kinsler’s option will actually vest at $11MM, although the option won’t formally trigger until the season ends, as his contract stipulates that he cannot be on the disabled list at season’s end. Kinsler’s contract also contains an escalator that’ll boost his 2018 salary by $1MM if he wins a Gold Glove Award this season — a distinct possibility.
In some respects, it’s a fairly moot point. The Tigers always seemed exceptionally likely to exercise Kinsler’s option, especially when considering the fact that he’d be paid $5MM of that sum regardless due to the large nature of the option’s buyout. Kinsler hasn’t had his best year at the plate — the contrary, he’s actually had his worst — but he’s been on fire over the season’s final month and entered play hitting .236/.313/.416 with 22 homers on the season. In addition to the power, Kinsler has swiped 14 bases and provided value both with his baserunning and his characteristically strong glovework at second base.
While the exact amount that Kinsler will earn in 2018 will become clear once Awards voting has concluded, what won’t be clear for quite some time is exactly what uniform the four-time All-Star will be wearing on Opening Day next season. Kinsler recently told MLB.com’s Jon Morosi that he planned to talk directly to GM Al Avila before season’s end to discuss his future with the team. Winning, understandably, is becoming a greater priority for the 35-year-old, and the Tigers look to be embarking on an aggressive rebuild after trading Justin Verlander, Justin Upton, J.D. Martinez, Justin Wilson, Alex Avila and Cameron Maybin all within the past year.
As such, Kinsler stands out as one of the more obvious — if not the most obvious — trade candidates of the upcoming offseason. While he may or may not return to the star-caliber levels f output he delivered as recently as 2016, Kinsler remains a decidedly above-average regular at a premium infield position that offers above-average pop for his position in addition to high-quality defense. That skill set, paired with a reasonable price tag in 2018 — be it $11MM or $12MM — should generate plenty of trade interest in the offseason. Kinsler does have a partial no-trade clause in his contract, though the second baseman indicated to Morosi that his willingness to waive that provision will be determined by what Avila tells him about the team’s planned offseason trajectory.
A .234 age with an .313 obp? , where’s odor at?
What you mean Odor’s .205 avg and .254 obp? Big difference even there.
I’ve never understood the infatuation with him. He’s been a league average bat with below average defense. But people were willing to say he was a top 10 second baseman as recently as this offseason.
Below average defense, Goat?? Does Gold Glove mean anything???
Below average defense, Goat?? Does Gold Glove mean anything??? Here you go again, Billy? Think before commenting, man.
Sigh. First off, I was responding to rxbrgr who was talking about odor. Second, gold gloves are relatively meaningless. Until a few years ago, they were simply given out based on fielding percentage and guys with no range got them.
But anyways, ok?
Sorry, Bro. Did not know. Again, I apologize.
Hopefully the Rangers will re-sign Kinsler back. That would help them out big time
Oh god no. Rangers don’t need selfish clubhouse cancers. Unless you mean to have Ian sell hot dogs up in the stands.
You don’t quit with the kinsler hate do you? He’s never been called a clubhouse cancer by anyone before
And I don’t even like Kinsler. But don’t act like you know what goes on between the players. For all we know, he’s a great teammate to be around. Just because he called the gm a name doesn’t make him a bad teammate
Ian has been a great teammate during his stay in Detroit and a fan favorite.
You know him personally?? Or wait, you’ve been in the clubhouses for the teams he’s played for?? What’s that, you haven’t?? Well then shut up fool
Don’t need nor want him back in Texas. As far as most fans are concerned he can move on to either New York team or Toronto for all we care!
Exactly. I wish Ian on those teams or Houston or the Angels. Ruin those clubs.
Yep, Kinsler can move on to other teams – just don’t want him back as a Ranger. While he was with Texas he was a self centered jerk
“entered play hitting .236/.313/.416”
“price tag in 2018 — be it $11MM or $12MM — should generate plenty of trade interest in the offseason”
Imagine how hot a trade commodity Cesar Hernandez will be. Some good prospects coming back to the Phillies.
Its a big “roll of the dice” on Ian Kinsler. He’s not part of the tigers future. Will his performance improve for one more season or continue to degrade? Will the Tigers opt out at $5M, saving $7M and avoid blocking other 2B in the system? Will they opt in for $12M? Will he be traded during the off season or at the deadline? Who needs a 2B and what other 2B are available? Is there another Dick McAuliffe for Ben Oglivie trade out there?
Just curious what are the specific issues that have occurred that makes several commenters here have such strong negative opinions of Kinsler’s character ? I admit I don’t have a clue.
I did notice that his BABIP is extremely low, despite a good line drive rate and BIP profiel that would not suggest such a low BABIP. I think the low batting average may contain a good deal of bad luck this year.
I’m sure there are a million reasons Kinsler is still in Detroit. Given the current state of the organization they really should have dealt him this season. I would hope they’ll take the best offer for him this winter.