According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network on Twitter, the Mets and Detroit Tigers are in preliminary talks for a trade involving Ian Kinsler.
On Saturday, I highlighted three potential second base targets for the Mets and had Kinsler on the list.
The 35-year-old had an option on his contract for $11 million dollars that vested when he reached the 600 at-bat plateau this past season. So he won’t be hitting the open market until the end of the 2018 season.
The Tigers, who are looking to change the tone in Detroit, dismissed Brad Ausmus at the conclusion of the season and have slowly dismantled their team.
Kinsler figures to be another casualty as the Tigers will look to deal the veteran second baseman this offseason. He has a no-trade clause that allows him to block deals to 10 teams and has adjusted the list since the end of this past season.
Kinsler had a down year at the plate hitting just .236/.313/.412 this season with a 92 wRC+ and .313 wOBA. However, he still has some pop left in his bat, launching 22 homers and driving in 52 runs.
The four-time All-Star also remains healthy year in and year out. He has appeared in 100+ games every year of his 12 year big league career.
His advanced fielding metrics are also very solid even at his age. He had 6 DRS this past season and a 6.2 UZR while being good for 2.2 WAR.
The Mets have lost a lot of home runs and are one of the youngest teams in baseball. Bringing in a player like Kinsler who has been around the game for a long time could do wonders for New York with youngsters Dominic Smith and Amed Rosario in the infield.
Plus, on a one-year pact, he could be a perfect bounce back candidate.
