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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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TORONTO, ON – MAY 26: Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Jose Bautista #19 after scoring a run on a wild pitch in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – MAY 26: Devon Travis #29 of the Toronto Blue Jays is congratulated by Jose Bautista #19 after scoring a run on a wild pitch in the sixth inning during MLB game action against the Texas Rangers at Rogers Centre on May 26, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Toronto Blue Jays

Toronto is going through some change at the moment. Edwin Encarnacion departed last offseason, and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Jose Bautista leave town this winter.

Per the folks at Spotrac, Bautista has a mutual option on his contract for next season.

That being said, the Blue Jays could use a definite upgrade at second base.

Thanks to an injury-shortened 2017 campaign from Devon Travis, the Jays were forced to rely on Ryan Goins, Darwin Barney and Rob Refsnyder for extended stretches last season.

All told, Toronto second baseman finished 29th in WAR with a -0.8. Only the Rangers with a -1.1 number were worse.

One hypothetical trade scenario would see Detroit send Kinsler to Toronto as a place holder for Bo Bichette at second base.

In said hypothetical trade, the Tigers would net Devon Travis and a lower level prospect for Kinsler.

Devon Travis

Detroit fans are likely plenty familiar with Travis.

A former Tigers farmhand, the second baseman was flipped to the Blue Jays in a trade for Anthony Gose.

Hindsight is obviously 20-20, but Travis has shown plenty of offensive ability in his three seasons in Toronto.

Two of his first three years in the big leagues saw the ex-Detroit prospect turn in WAR numbers of 2.3 and 2.6 respectively.

Additionally, his wRC+ numbers over the first two seasons checked in at 136 and 110.

However, Travis has seen the field in just 213 games since the start of 2015 due to injuries.

Kinsler would provide the Jays with more stability up the middle

The veteran hasn’t played fewer than 135 games in a season since 2010. He’d also add some extra power to an already potent Toronto lineup.

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