Detroit Tigers Fire Sale Candidates

Jun 13, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) in the dugout against the Cleveland Indians at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Ian Kinsler

Ian Kinsler has never seemed to fit in with the Detroit Tigers after coming over from the Texas Rangers in the Prince Fielder trade prior to the 2014 season. He has been notoriously surly and hardly a fan favorite.

Sometimes it seems that feeling is mutual as was seen when Ian mouthed “f-ing stupid-ass fans” when a fan seemed to interfere with one of his hits in the final game of last year’s regular season, although he was actually trying to get away from it.

Kinsler is signed for the next two seasons at $14 million next year and $11 million in 2017. The team has a $12 million option in 2018 or a $5 million buyout. All fairly reasonable numbers considering what players are getting these days.

Ian is only one year removed from an All-Star appearance in his first year with the Tigers, although the second year has been more of a struggle for the 33-year old.

Despite his sagging numbers (.258/.329/.344), he is always a Gold Glove-caliber player in the field. Even when he was bad at the plate in the second half of last year, he was tremendous at second base and was robbed of the Gold Glove at the end of 2014.

Kinsler has a lot of playoff experience with the Rangers (and last year’s brief foray with the Tigers), including back-to-back World Series appearances in 2010 and 2011. He is a lifetime .291 hitter with four homers in 37 postseason games which could be intriguing for a team looking to add a bat and infield depth.

Possible teams for Kinsler: Royals, Yankees, Nationals

Replacement for Kinsler: Well Devon Travis would have been nice, but Tigers would likely turn to Andrew Romine there short-term or Dixon Machado 

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