Detroit Tigers: Potential offseason 40-man roster departures

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – JULY 21: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers gets out of the way as teammate Jose Iglesias #1 as he throws to first base to get out Joe Mauer #7 of the Minnesota Twins during the seventh inning of the game on July 21, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Tigers defeated the Twins 6-3. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Ian Kinsler

Arguably the Detroit Tigers’ best trade chip, Kinsler could bring in even more prospects to aid the rebuild.

Despite a down season (88 wRC+, .313 on-base percentage), Kinsler is still registering a 2.1 WAR thanks to some excellent defense and base running.

The 36-year-old’s trade value could also be helped by the fact that he’s a better option compared to pretty much every free agent on the market.

Free agent second baseman this winter will include the likes of Brandon Phillips, Chase Utley and Neil Walker.

Jose Iglesias

Another one of general manager Al Avila’s best trade chips, Iglesias also stands out as being a superior player compared the vast majority of the free agent class at his position.

With the exception of perhaps Zack Cozart, Iglesias is a much more complete option than the potential free agents such as J.J. Hardy, Eduardo Nunez and Alcides Escobar.

Anibal Sanchez

Per Spotrac, the 33-year-old has a $16 million option on his contract for next season. Detroit can buy him out for $5 million.

With Sanchez sporting a -0.3 WAR, a 6.00 FIP and allowing 2.65 home runs per nine frames in 88.1 innings, it would make sense for the Tigers to move on and hand his innings to the likes of Buck Farmer, Artie Lewicki and eventually Perez, Long and Burrows.

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