Detroit Tigers: Second base replacements if Ian Kinsler is traded

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers turns a double play in the seventh inning during MLB game action as Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides into second base at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers turns a double play in the seventh inning during MLB game action as Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides into second base at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 27: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers batsl against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL – AUGUST 27: Ian Kinsler #3 of the Detroit Tigers batsl against the Chicago White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field on August 27, 2017 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers GM Al Avila has shown a willingness to move veteran players to free up money and acquire prospects. If Ian Kinsler is moved, here are a few replacement options the Tigers could explore.

Over the last few months the Detroit Tigers moved quite a bit of the team’s 25-man roster.

Veterans Justin Wilson, Alex Avila, Justin Upton and Justin Verlander were all shipped away in trades to restock the Tigers depleted farm system and save the franchise money.

The Tigers will likely continue shedding salary and acquiring prospects. One player that seems like a trade candidate is second baseman Ian Kinsler, who has already reportedly been linked with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim this offseason, according to a tweet from the Detroit Free Press’ Anthony Fenech.

Ian Kinsler has been in the Motor City since 2014, coming over in a trade for slugger Prince Fielder. Kinsler was an All-Star in 2014 and has posted a 17.4 fWAR during his time in Detroit.

Even coming off a down season, replacing Kinsler and his 2.4 fWAR will be a tough task for the Tigers.

If they do end up moving Kinsler, the Tigers could look either internally or externally to replace the former All-Star.

TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 8: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers turns a double play in the seventh inning during MLB game action as Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides into second base at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 8: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers turns a double play in the seventh inning during MLB game action as Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides into second base at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

Dixon Machado

Ian Kinsler played 135 games at second base last season. Andrew Romine, who has already been claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners, was next, appearing in 27 games at second.

If Kinsler is traded that would leave 25-year-old Dixon Machado, who also appeared in 27 games at the keystone in 2017.

Coming up, Machado was labeled a defensive wizard who will struggle to hit at the major league level. That has been the case so far.

Machado hit .259/.302/.319 with a 64 wRC+ and a -0.5 fWAR in 73 games last season.

In 105 games spread across three seasons, Machado is a .246 hitter with a 63 wRC+.

Machado fared much better in Triple-A, where he boasted a 10.2% walk rate in 2016 en route to a 106 wRC+ across 569 plate appearances.

Machado’s future will likely be as a glove-first utility man capable of manning second, short and third base.

However, if the Detroit Tigers moved Kinsler than Machado would immediately jump to the top of the depth chart.

At 25, there is a chance Machado’s bat will come around and that he will be a major league regular.

For a rebuilding team it is worth taking a gamble on Machado who has already proven he is capable with the glove in the Majors..

MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 08: Nick Franklin #2 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a game at Miller Park on April 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
MILWAUKEE, WI – APRIL 08: Nick Franklin #2 of the Milwaukee Brewers celebrates a home run against the Chicago Cubs during the fourth inning of a game at Miller Park on April 8, 2017 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

Nick Franklin

Nick Franklin was taken in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft by the Seattle Mariners.

He was an instant success, rapidly rising through the minor leagues. He blasted 23 home runs and stole 25 bases in Single-A in 2010.

Then, Franklin put up a 151 wRC+ at Double-A in 2012 and a 147 wRC+ at Triple-A to start 2013. Shortly into 2013, Franklin made his big league debut.

Unfortunately, Franklin’s minor league success has yet to translate to the majors.

He hit .225 with 12 home runs, six stolen bases and a nice 10.2% walk rate in 102 games with the Mariners in 2013, good for a 0.8 fWAR.

Since then Franklin has played on four different teams, accruing 462 at-bats and slashing .206/.271/.342 with 12 home runs and 11 stolen bases.

Still, the 26-year-old has posted strong walk numbers in the majors and has seen his strikeout rate decrease from 27.4% in 2013 to 18.5% in 2017.

Franklin has served as a utility man in his career, playing every infield position and both corner outfield positions.

He graded out as a strong defender with a +2 DRS and a 35.6 UZR/150 at second base last season in 77 innings, although he has struggled there in the past.

There is reason to believe that a 26-year-old with strong minor league numbers could find his groove and display some of that power and speed that helped him ascend to the Majors so rapidly.

At the very least, he can be a serviceable replacement for Romine and will cost next to nothing as a minor league free agent signing.

KANSAS CITY, MO – MAY 2: Christian Colon #24 of the Kansas City Royals reaches out but can’t stop a ball hit by Yolmer Sanchez #5 of the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 2, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – MAY 2: Christian Colon #24 of the Kansas City Royals reaches out but can’t stop a ball hit by Yolmer Sanchez #5 of the Chicago White Sox in the first inning at Kauffman Stadium on May 2, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

Christian Colon

Christian Colon and Nick Franklin have a similar backstory: a former first-round pick who dominated the minor leagues, made his debut early and struggled while displaying good walk numbers and improving strikeout numbers in the show.

Colon was the fourth-overall pick by the Royals out of baseball powerhouse Cal-State Fullerton in 2010.

While he did not hit as well as Franklin in the low minors, he did post double-digit home runs and stolen bases while limiting his strikeouts.

Colon debuted in 2014 but has only earned 386 plate appearances over four seasons. He has posted a .252/.315/.315 line with one home run, five stolen bases and a 73 wRC+.

The former Royal offers less positional versatility than Franklin but is a stronger defender at second base, posting a very nice 7.2 UZR in 478 career innings.

Colon is 28 and has yet to hit consistently in the Majors.

However, his career 7.8% walk-rate and plus defense means he is only a little shy of being a glove first, light-hitting regular at the keystone.

He won’t develop into a star, but for a team scouring the market for inexpensive contributors, Colon is worth the investment.

Detroit Tigers fans are entering a rebuilding phase that may test the resolve of even their most loyal fans.

Next: Tigers announce prospects added to 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 draft

Finding potential hidden gems like Franklin and Colon will help bridge the gap while the team allows their prospects to develop on the farm.

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