Detroit Tigers offseason priority should be finding young position players to build around

How the Detroit Tigers can pull it off

While the trades of Verlander, Upton, Martinez and others brought in promising prospects, it also left the team’s cupboard slightly bare in terms of trade chips.

Second baseman Ian Kinsler is perhaps the team’s best position player trade candidate, but it remains to be seen just what the second baseman could net in a deal.

The veteran’s offense hasn’t been at the same level it once was, with his on-base percentage falling to .315 and his wRC+ slipping to 91.

Part of this likely due to a .244 BABIP, which is on track to be the third-worst rate of Kinsler’s career.

Still, Kinsler has been productive enough defensively and in the fields to register a 2.3 WAR. While that’s nowhere close to his WAR stats in his first three seasons in Detroit, it shows he can still add value.

The Tigers probably could have gotten a high-end prospect out for Kinsler if they moved him last year. In 2016 the veteran turned in a 5.7 WAR, 123 wRC+ and .356 wOBA.

Still, teams know what Kinsler brings to the table, and they likely won’t be put off by one down season.

That being said, Detroit’s best chance of adding another position player prospect may be by trading closer Shane Greene.