Detroit Tigers: Milwaukee Brewers are ideal trade partner if Ian Kinsler is dealt

Detroit Tigers fans could see plenty of trades in the coming months. Among the players who could conceivably be dealt is veteran infielder Ian Kinsler. If he’s moved, Milwaukee is an intriguing fit.

Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler is probably general manager Al Avila’s best trade chip at this point.

After a plethora of veterans were dealt during the season, including Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez, Justin Upton, Alex Avila and Justin Wilson, Kinsler remains on the rebuilding Tigers.

With one year and $11 million (per Spotrac) left on his deal, the veteran second baseman is a superior option to the players set to comprise the second baseman portion of the free agent market.

Though Kinsler had somewhat of a down season in 2017 at the plate (91 wRC+, .313 wOBA in 613 plate appearances), he still mashed 22 home runs to go along with 90 runs scored and 14 stolen bases.

What’s more, the second baseman led all Tigers position players not named Justin Upton with a 2.4 fWAR in 2017.

This was largely due to some solid base running (1.5 BsR) and another strong defensive season at second base (+6 DRS, 7.5 UZR/150).

Trade chip

At 35, Kinsler likely isn’t a fit with Detroit’s rebuild.

The Tigers could always opt to keep him through the first half of next season and rebuild his trade value somewhat ahead of July.

Still, Kinsler has an outstanding track record in the Majors. He has turned in a fWAR above 4.0 in six of the last nine seasons.

That includes a 5.7 number last season, and a cumulative 9.3 fWAR from 2014 to 2015 in Detroit.

One team, and this is all hypothetical mind you, that could be a trade partner for Kinsler is the Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee’s best trade chips

Jesus Aguilar

Somewhat of a platoon complement to Eric Thames last season at first base, Aguilar logged a .889 OPS and 12 extra-base hits in 115 plate appearances versus left-handed pitching.

The ex-Cleveland prospect also added an .806 OPS against right-handed pitching in 196 plate appearances.

Overall, the 27-year-old hit .265 with a .331 on-base percentage, a .505 slugging percentage, an .837 OPS and a 0.9 fWAR.

He also turned in a 112 wRC+, a .351 wOBA and a .240 ISO that finished tied for third on a Brewers team loaded with Power threats.

Controllable, per Spotrac, through 2022, Aguilar’s arrival in Detroit would allow Miguel Cabrera to move off first base to designated hitter and help extend his career in the process.

Keon Broxton

Another one of Milwaukee’s many sluggers, Broxton could eventually find himself on the outside looking in regarding the team’s outfield picture.

Despite showcasing an intriguing blend of power (.200 ISO, 20 home runs) and speed (21 stolen bases), the outfielder is one of a number of options for Milwaukee manager Craig Counsell.

Ryan Braun and his contract are entrenched in left field, while Domingo Santana mashed 30 home runs as the team’s primary right fielder in 2017.

There’s also Brett Phillips, who managed a 1.0 fWAR and a .351 on-base percentage in his first 98 Major League plate appearances last year.

This is all without mentioning elite prospect Lewis Brinson, who could be starting in the near future—or Villar and Perez who can also see time in the outfield grass if need be.

In Detroit, Broxton would not only provide the Detroit Tigers with a stop-gap option while Christin Stewart, Daz Cameron and Derek Hill develop.

What’s more, the Milwaukee outfielder could also slot in next to the prospects in the Comerica Park outfield in the future considering (according to Spotrac), he’s also controllable through 2022.

Corbin Burnes

The only player not on this list so far still in the minors, Burnes has shown plenty of promise since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2016 draft.

Already in Double-A, the right-hander worked to a 2.10 ERA, 8.8 strikeouts and 2.2 walks allowed per nine innings and a 1.004 WHIP.

Stats aren’t everything when regarding prospects. However, it’s encouraging to see that Burnes is already making quick work of older opposition.

The average competition for the starter was 2.2 years his senior.

Mixing in four quality pitches, Burnes would probably fit into the same timetable as current Tigers prospects Franklin Perez, Beau Burrows and Grayson Long in reaching the Majors within the next two years.

Mauricio Dubon

Another prospect who could be established in the Majors in the next few years, Dubon is a quality fielding middle infielder who stole 38 bases in 129 games split between Double-A and Triple-A last year.

He also added a .712 OPS.

With Isaac Paredes and Dawel Lugo a few years away, Detroit is in need of Major-League ready middle infielders.

Brett Phillips

Like Broxton, Phillips is part of a crowded outfield picture.

Braun, Broxton and Santana are ahead of him in the pecking order.

What’s more, Brinson is playing like he has little left to prove in the minors.

The prospect batted .331 with a .400 on-base percentage, a .562 slugging percentage, a .962 OPS, 66 runs scored, 48 RBI, 39 extra-base hits and 11 stolen baes in 340 Triple-A plate appearances this season.

If the prospects produces at a level anywhere near that in the Majors, he could push Phillips out of the picture.

Given Phillips’ ceiling, however, one year of Ian Kinsler may not be enough to snag the outfielder.

With Anthony Swarzak set to hit free agency this winter, perhaps the Detroit Tigers could package Kinsler with reliever Alex Wilson in a hypothetical trade.

Next: Why it is essential for Tigers to sign veteran free agents this offseason

According to Spotrac, Wilson has two years of team control left via arbitration.