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Detroit Tigers: Three hypothetical Ian Kinsler trades involving the Angels

By Andy Patton

DETROIT, MI - JUNE 7: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers singles to left field in the tenth inning for the game winning hit during the game against the Toronto Blue Jay on June 7, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - JUNE 7: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers singles to left field in the tenth inning for the game winning hit during the game against the Toronto Blue Jay on June 7, 2016 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Blue Jays 3-2. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Romine #17 of the Detroit Tigers shares a laugh teammates Ian Kinsler #3 and Jose Iglesias #1 after Romine pitched in the eighth inning during of their baseball game on September 30, 2017, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Andy King/Getty Images) /

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.

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