Detroit Tigers: Three hypothetical Ian Kinsler trades involving the Angels

Ian Kinsler for Matt Thaiss

For the Angels to give up their third-best prospect (according to MLB.com’s Pipeline) the Tigers would have to chip in a good portion of Kinsler’s contract.

However, Thaiss is a very intriguing prospect who could slot into the Tigers future plans as soon as 2019.

The first baseman was taken 16th-overall in the 2016 draft out of Virginia and made it all the way up to Double-A last year where he slashed .292/.412/.388 with a 136 wRC+ in 221 plate appearances.

Thaiss hasn’t hit for power yet, but he projects to be a power hitting left-hander who can play first base. The Angels have a number of 1B/DH types with Albert Pujols locked up through 2021, per Spotrac, and C.J. Cron, Luis Valbuena and Jefry Marte also on hand.

Thaiss could be the perfect replacement for the Tigers when Victor Martinez becomes a free agent and Miguel Cabrera is transitioned over to DH.

For the Angels they would be parting with a top prospect that does not have a clear role on the team going forward, and would likely be getting Kinsler on the cheap if the Tigers helped cover some of the $11M remaining on his contract.

Ian Kinsler for Brennon Lund

If the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are game for another salary dump deal (similar to the Justin Upton for Grayson Long trade that took place in August) the Detroit Tigers could play along.

While there are plenty of prospects whom the Tigers could choose from, a reasonable prospect to expect back is outfielder Brennon Lund.

Lund was an 11th-round draft pick in 2016 but has put his name on the prospect map thanks to strong hitting in the minors.

The BYU product rocketed through three different levels of the minors last year, posting a 138 wRC+ in Single-A, a 123 wRC+ in Advanced-A and finishing with a 86 wRC+ in Double-A.

His walk-rate dropped and his strikeout-rate rose at each level, but his ability to collect base hits and steal some bases has kept him productive.

Lund is a few years away and is nearly 23-years-old, but has the potential to be an outfield contributor in the Major Leagues down the line.

While that may not seem like an exciting haul for a four-time All-Star, Anaheim taking on Kinsler’s contract would free up some much-needed money for Detroit as they continue to cut costs.

Ian Kinsler for Blake Wood

The final scenario involves the Detroit Tigers taking a salaried Major League player back from the Angels in exchange for Kinsler.

This seems like the least likely scenario. The Tigers are trying to cut costs and get younger, so adding a veteran doesn’t make sense.

However, one hypothetical option that could work involves the Tigers receiving relief pitcher Blake Wood in exchange for Kinsler.

Wood is projected by MLBTradeRumors to earn $2.2M via arbitration next season and would slot into the Tigers bullpen.

The 32-year-old posted a 10.17 K/9 last season with an ugly 5.45 ERA thanks to a very low 64.6% left on-base rate and a very high .369 BABIP.

FIP and xFIP pegged Wood as much better than the results showed at 3.67 and 3.54, respectively.

The Tigers would conceivably want prospects along with Wood in exchange for Kinsler.

However, this deal would alleviate some of the financial burden on the Angels while giving the Tigers a major league relief pitcher to pitch out of their depleted bullpen next season.

Next: FA who could make for intriguing depth adds for Tigers

It is hard to say which trade is best for Detroit, as each has their pro’s and con’s. The Angels have a need at second base, making it at least plausible that Kinsler will be back in the AL West in 2018.