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Detroit Tigers: Predicting Ian Kinsler’s trade market

By Ben Rosener

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 24: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers hi-fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins during a MLB game at Comerica Park on September 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins defeated the Tigers 10-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 24: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers hi-fives teammates in the dugout after hitting a two run home run in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins during a MLB game at Comerica Park on September 24, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins defeated the Tigers 10-4. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /
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ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 18: Cam Bedrosian #68 of the Los Angeles Angels is greeted by Jett Bandy #47 of the Los Angeles Angels after earning a save in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 18, 2016 in Anaheim, California. Los Angeles Angels won 9-5. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – JULY 18: Cam Bedrosian #68 of the Los Angeles Angels is greeted by Jett Bandy #47 of the Los Angeles Angels after earning a save in the ninth inning against the Texas Rangers at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on July 18, 2016 in Anaheim, California. Los Angeles Angels won 9-5. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

The Detroit Tigers have made two trades with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the past year.

Deals sending Cameron Maybin and Justin Upton to Anaheim have netted Detroit pitching prospects Victor Alcantara, Grayson Long and Elvin Rodriguez as well as plenty of salary relief.

However, there may not be much left in the farm system for a potential Ian Kinsler trade.

The Halos certainly have a need. Despite 24 games of Brandon Phillips down the stretch, the team’s second baseman combined to post the 28th-lowest WAR and the joint-lowest wRC+.

Phillips is a free agent at the end of the season, so Anaheim could once again be in the market for a second baseman.

With Phillips, Yunel Escobar, Jesse Chavez, Ben Revere, Cliff Pennington, Yusmeiro Petit and Bud Norris slated for free agency and club options on both starter Ricky Nolasco and reliever Huston Street, Anaheim will certainly have the financial flexibility.

However, Detroit should probably look elsewhere.

Anaheim’s best trade chips

Minor leaguers like Jo Adell, Jahmai Jones, Matt Thaiss and Griffin Canning all have upside.

However, it remains to be seen if the Angels will deal from a perilously thin farm system.

Unless the Tigers can convince Anaheim to part with a player like high-leverage reliever Cam Bedrosian or 26-year-old starter Andrew Heaney, there isn’t too much in the way of trade chips in the Anaheim organization that could help a Detroit rebuild.

That being said, a pitcher of Bedrosian’s caliber would certainly help the Tigers.

Just 26, the right-hander pitched to a 2.77 SIERA and 11.38 strikeouts per nine frames in 40.1 innings last year.

He also posted a 3.45 SIERA and 10.68 strikeouts per nine innings in 44.2 frames in 2017.

Pairing the reliever, who is controllable through 2021 per Spotrac, with Shane Greene and Joe Jimenez at the end of games would give the Detroit Tigers a dynamic backend of the bullpen for the foreseeable future.

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