The Angels have acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Tigers for two prospects, right-hander Wilkel Hernandez and outfielder Troy Montgomery. Kinsler could have taken advantage of his 10-team no-trade clause to block the move, but he’ll instead make Anaheim the third destination of his major league career. The Angels will pay Kinsler’s entire $11MM salary in 2018, his last year of team control.
[RELATED: Updated Angels Depth Chart]
The Kinsler acquisition is the third major move of the offseason for the Angels, who missed the playoffs for the third straight year in 2017. General manager Billy Eppler has worked diligently this winter to bolster his team’s roster around the game’s top player, center fielder Mike Trout. The Halos previously kept left fielder Justin Upton from leaving via the open market and signed the No. 1 free agent of the offseason, two-way Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani, and they may be on the verge of landing a third baseman next.
Kinsler is unlikely to make the type of impact Upton (his former Tigers teammate) or Ohtani will in 2018, during which he’ll turn 36. But he’ll nonetheless provide the Angels a steady option at the keystone to team with world-class shortstop Andrelton Simmons up the middle. Angels second basemen hit a putrid .207/.274/.318 in 2017, so finding outside help for the position was a must for Eppler this offseason. Kinsler’s lifetime output suggests he’ll serve as a sizable upgrade over the second basemen the Angels ran out last year.
A longtime Ranger and Tiger, the right-handed Kinsler has combined to slash .273/.342/.447 with 234 home runs and 224 stolen bases across 7,484 plate appearances, and the four-time All-Star has also offered quality work in the field during his career (108 Defensive Runs Saved, 40.4 Ultimate Zone Rating). Kinsler’s offensive numbers went backward in 2017 as he hit a career-worst .236/.313/.412 in 613 PAs, but he still belted 22 homers and stole 14 bases. Further, his defensive prowess (6 DRS, 6.6 UZR) helped lead to a 2.4 fWAR. That also represents a career low, though it’s still a respectable figure, and the Angels would likely sign up for similar production in 2018 at Kinsler’s price tag.
While the Tigers’ return for Kinsler doesn’t look significant, it’s still not a shock that they’ve moved on from him. They’re in the incipient stages of a major rebuild, making Kinsler a superfluous piece, and GM Al Avila revealed earlier this week that a deal involving the vet was likely to occur. Moving Kinsler leaves the Tigers with 38 players on their 40-man roster, giving them room to add a couple more via Thursday’s Rule 5 draft. Detroit has the first overall pick.
Between Hernandez and Montgomery, the latter ranked higher on MLB.com’s list of Angels prospects (No. 20 to Hernandez’s No. 24). The outlet notes that the 23-year-old Montgomery, an eighth-round pick in 2016, possesses “a very advanced approach at the plate,” “plus speed” and “above-average defense” at every outfield spot. The lefty-swinger divided last season among Single-A, High-A and Double-A, hitting .271/.358/.413 in 434 PAs.
The 18-year-old Hernandez, who signed out of Venezuela for $125K in 2015, spent last season at the rookie level and pitched to a 2.28 ERA, with 8.8 K/9 against 4.4 BB/9, in 59 1/3 innings (17 appearances, 12 starts). The 6-foot-3 Hernandez is a promising hurler who can hit 95 mph at times, according to MLB.com, though he needs work when it comes to repeating his delivery, throwing strikes and improving his breaking ball.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Angels would acquire Kinsler, and he was first to report the trade had been finalized. Katie Strang of The Athletic reported the Tigers would get two prospects. Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press reported the prospects involved. Jason Beck of MLB.com reported the Angels would take on Kinsler’s salary.
Why!!! way better options out there
No there aren’t
They could’ve fliped Valbuena to the mets for Asdrubal Cabrera to play 2nd, then signed mike the moose for 3rd
Mmmmmm…no. Mets aren’t that foolish, and Moustakas isn’t that good.
Howie Kendrick- way better option
Defensively Kinsler runs circles around Kendrick. Offensively Kinsler has a better track record as a hitter, one could argue he had a down year. But overall Kinsler is a way better player.
Agreed. And I’m an Angel fan who is a huge fan of Howie. Kinsler just a better all around player. Doesn’t mean Howie is a scrub. He’s very good himself.
Better than any option they had last year. This team will be a lot better this season with their rotation health and the additions they’ve already made plus I’m sure they aren’t done. Not a Angels fan but definitely a fan of what they’ve done especially bringing back Upton. They stay healthy and they are gonna make a run.
No there isn’t
I’d take solarte over Kinsler any day
I’ll take Kinsler and his grit ANYDAY
You must not watch solarte play
Dude has a lot of heart and give it everything he gots. Ain’t bad with the stick can play all over the diamond and quite affordable
Kinsler had a down year last year, yet managed to put up 2.4 fWAR. In his best year, Solarte put up 2.8 fWAR. Kinsler at his worst is nearly as good as Solarte at his best.
Solarte is also younger, cheaper and comes with more control (in club option form I might add)
While younger, he’s still 30 and only once ever put up a 2+ fWAR season. Kinsler had done it 11 times.
I actually like Solarte, but I just don’t see why the Angels would be excited to play a guy who’s been an above average regular exactly once in his career if they hope to contend for the wild card.
Kinsler only had a bad year because of a .240 babip.
His babip went down because his line drive percentage dropped and his infield pop up rate spiked like crazy. I hate when babip is used liked that as if it’s all luck
thank you it’s definitely partly luck but if the batted ball data supports it going down it’s probably going down legit
As a Tigers fan, you guys are getting an excellent 2B. He didn’t hit for average last year, but he still gets on base, has legit power, a little speed and will give you gold glove caliber defense.
Plus, he’s a good clubhouse presence.
damn straight.
Kinsler has been a 5-6 WAR player the last few years, and even with a down 2017, he’s still an excellent defender who should bounce back offensively.
What? You just put that .313 OBP in front of Trout and watch the runs roll in.
Oh wait…….
That’s Cesar Hernandez and his .373 OBP.
What? You used stats to make your point! How dare you! Really what’s with people on this board. It’s baseball like avg and OBP is supposed to be ignored. It’s all a numbers game not to the moneyball extent but ya know.
Angels don’t have the prospect depth to acquire Hernandez, plain and simple.
You should try doing some research rather than simply posting every anti-Phillies thought that pops into your head.
Jordan Adell would do it.
Much cheaper to get Kinsler for one year and not give up any of the farm we’ve been building
Would you prefer another season of Danny Espinosa? This is a real upgrade.
Dipoto would have traded everyone for Hernandez. Eppler is a smart dude. This is a smarter move I think
Yessir I completely agree. Probably would’ve gone out and got an ace for like 4-5 prospects too instead of piecing together a pretty awesome rotation on the cheap
Damn.
Wow
Yes!!! Thank god! I know my mets are weak but man whew! Dodged a bullet there.
Kinsler is better then anything the Mets have at second….
Yeah his .236 avg would have done great in city field. Rather TJ Rivera sucking over at second that Ian’s old you know what.
Average? Really?
That was one down year, I get that he’s old, but I don’t think he regressed that much over one year. Should get back to about .260/.330/.410 with 15-20 homers and 10-15 steals with plus defense.
Yeah, really. Why trade for Kinsler, rather have Harrison or Castro even Walker.
Angels will love Kinsler. GRIT. Dilly, Dilly.
Well I hope he does well in Anaheim, I as a mets fan felt they should look elsewhere. That’s my opinion and I’m sticking to it.
You can’t the guys you mentioned for what the Angels were willing to offer.
I’m not sure. Wilmer Flores and TJ Rivera have potential to put up better offensive numbers I think. Certainly won’t be better defense, but you could cover poor range at 2nd base with lots of shifting.
You haven’t dodged the Matt Harvey bullet tho
Keeping Matt is the smart move. Trading him would be stupid.
I wonder if this guy is a mets fan?
Yeah I am. And…
Several years ago the angels actually drafted Harvey but he declined and went back into the draft. Looks like they dodged a huge bullet too…..
In other words this isn’t the matrix where everyone is dodging bullets
That’s a bit unfair to say. Harvey was really good from 2014-15. Since his injury and surgery he’s still trying to find the feel. But if he’s anything like he was when he first started then it’s a huge plus. For all the pitching problems the Angels have had the last few years you think they wouldn’t take a chance on Harvey especially if he rebounded. If he does bounce back and I wish he does. The Mets have three aces that’s more than the Angels could ever say.
Get em prdrnyc…Harvey has Cy Young written all over him, thankfully no Mets pitcher has any injury history, and you should include matz, you got 4 aces…and you will undoubtedly acquire your 5th on a minor league deal…sandy for president
Same can be said with Richards or Heaney in regards to Harvey. But id rather have low team ERA, (12th in mlb) than so called aces with potential and high team ERA (28th I’m mlb)
Yeah, and if pujols is anything like when he first started then it’s also a huge plus. You could do that with anyone. mets maybe have 2 aces. Angels have 8 starters, who btw don’t refuse MRIs then get injured (noah) or don’t show up to the ball park because of golf (harvey)
I’m gonna be laughing hard if the Mets get Kinsler (apparently this trade is being held up). Talk about having egg on your face…. it’s a complete omlet!
If Harvey rebounded, it wouldn’t be taking a chance. The chance is in not knowing if he will, for the price he will cost
And he’s an Angel. So piss off no real mets fan wanted him.
No one likes Sandy, and please I would love to know what team you root for?
So we’ll just ignore 2016 when the mets had the 3rd best ERA in the league huh… You’re a momo. And no that’s not a typo.
That there is what we call “jinxing yourself.”
A+ or AA infielder coming back?
Gotta be ohtani. That’s the only young value they have
could be trout now that I think about it
Ohtani I got they got him, don’t ya think this exam would target at least some other pitching???
This team*
What are you talking about. Why would they trade Ohtani for Kinsler.
Omg… get the joke …
Jones?
Oh, as an Angels fan, I hope not. That feels like a pretty big overpay.
lmao don’t birch at least your team is improving
don’t birch, they have wood.
I wish they would have went for Hernandez. Then we could see the younger guys play.
Is this good for the angels
Yes
Nice, he seems like a good fit for the Halos!
Good acquisition. He will be a huge improvement on defense and at least produce something on offense.
Kinsler has been criminally underrated throughout his career. I like this for the Angels. They’re brewing a nice little bit of potential in that lineup now. Ohtani’s success is so huge for the ramifications of a move like this. Will be interesting to watch all of this unfold.
Called it
Even on a down year he was worth 2 war…
Possible room for improvement on that 236 average
So many trolls here, these comment sections are worthless tbh.
Bye
I agree with you on some of the comments. I seem to still be drawn to them like a mosquito to a bug zapper!
good move
Angels fans are going to have a lot of fun watching him on the defensive side of the ball. Fantastic defensive player and a gamer. He’s in great physical shape and his offense will trend back up. Would love to see him get some playoff action.
Couldn’t agree more, Kinsler is a throwback… great passion… ++ defender… Angels fans got a good one…. he’ll be missed here in Motown
I wonder if Upton had some input on Ian waiving his no trade clause to the Angels? I know the 2 of them are pretty good buddies.
I think it was more brad ausmus, he’s an assistant to the gm for the angels now
I haven’t seen him play much, but that description has me hopeful the Angels will have solid defense up the middle. He should work well alongside SImmons in the infield.
Not to shabby.
too*
It’s only for 1 year I can live with that
Angels got no prospects to swing trades but kinsler could be a really good get for them
Damn! If Richards, ohtani and Heaney can stay healthy then look out for the angels!
Whats the return? Does it include one of those OFs or Matt Thaiss?
No way in hell.
1 year $11 Mil. FA options next year include Daniel Murphy, DJ Lamehiu, Elvis Andrus (maybe), and Brian Dozier. Opens up room for another signing this year – hopefully Moose. If Kinsler matches his career low this year hes gonna be a huge upgrade.
who tf would downvote this.
Lol some Rangers fan downvoted every single comment containing anything remotely positive about Kinsler
I haven’t. I was hoping Texas would re-sign him and trade off Odor. Texas made a huge mistake trading Kinsler for Fielder. Wished Kins was back home in Texas
people who believe that Moose’s contract will be another albatross pujols contract
Kinsler could be a good pickup despite a down 2017, but its still just one year left on his contract and we will need a 2B again next offseason. Hope we didn’t give up too much for him.
Definitely better than what we started 2017 with.
Who are the tigers getting back?
Great another ex ranger douche bag.
A douche bag could produce a higher OBP than old man Kinsler.
Caseys Partner
“A douche bag could produce a higher OBP than old man Kinsler.”
You could?
Moose must be next
if they don’t get Moose , they should look at nunez or frazier
Every team in the west in trying to make the playoffs. Like there’s 2 wild card spots which will probably go to Boston and Twins so don’t know why Seattle and Angels aren’t rebuilding.
why the hell would the angels rebuild? their lineup is gonna be a top 5 AL lineup and their farm system is gonna be ranked top 15.
he was referring to the Tigers…Kinsler is a “superfluous” player on a team that appears more headed to a rebuild than to contention (Tigers)
Don’t know why? Mike Trout…
Boston, Angels, Twins, even Seattle, all expect to win their division next year. It won’t happen if they don’t try. Repeating isn’t automatic.
Angels need left handed hitting, Kipnis better option or Hernandez
thats why I Think they are gonna sign moustakus
It’s not just staying healthy, it’s producing. Fandom wishes for Ohtani to be an Ace. That’s not realistic expectations. He’s more likely to pitch like the rookie he is. That will still be excellent for the price. The question is whether the Angels will be prepared for that to happen.
Finally solves the 2B question which has existed since Howie Kendrick exited. Kinsler/Simmons should work well together. Kinsler is a veteran with a ton of experience with AL pitching, especially in the West thanks to his days in Arlington. He should be great in the clubhouse and has almost 40 games of playoff (2 WS) experience (.291).
I guess the Phillies wanted too much for Hernandez or Kingery is part of the Machado deal.
now all the angels need to do is get moustakus , it’s a perfect fit
Makes sense
Scratch one team off the list for Moustakis.
Wow all of a sudden the Angels have a real team for the first time in like 10 years.
Mike Trout surrounded by wheezing old men.
Lol
They had the best record in baseball in 2014.
That was four years ago. Pujols and Kinsler need a respirator.
Got anything solid to contribute? Or just gobbling on the Halo knob?
that awkward moment, when the team you yelled “gtfo our field” to, becomes your team.
Hard to evaluate the deal since we don’t know the return. Assuming that the Angels didn’t give up much (given the availability of so many decent 2nd basemen I’m counting on them taking advantage of the buyers market), this is a very solid move. It’s clear that Hernandez would be a better long-term asset but his cost was most likely prohibitive. So far, the Angels have made additions without sacrificing the farm. This move follows in that tradition. They’ll lose something but it won’t be much.
Should be interesting now with 3rd. A fair number of options remain. As mentioned above, Cozart would be another potential move. Shift him to 3rd. You have all world infield defense (sans 1st base). He won’t cost picks or talent and I’m guessing he fits in under the budget. Could potentially slide over to 2nd next year when Kinsler leaves or stay at 3rd if he gets comfortable.
What were the Phillies demanding? I want to know that.
This is the most incompetent front office I’ve ever seen. They and their farm crew have no idea what they’re doing. Amaro looks like a freaking genius compared to this bunch.
What are you talking about? Amaro would be so much worse lol
Well now they need to go after moustakas or hosmer plus a good starter. You cant have a great core of trout, upton, kinsler, simmons, calhoun and then trot out valbuena and cron at the corners. If the angels dont half-ass this theu could be in the second tier of contenders (behind astros, yankees, sox).
Yeah Moose posts an OBP like a batting average too, he’ll fit well with old man Kinsler. What was Pujols OBP last year? Still looking for a “bounce back”?
someone’s mad they didn’t get ohtani lol
don’t get him started on that…he’ll just say that the Phils didn’t get Ohtani because they’re racist against Japanese players…
…about as much substance as anything else he contributes on here, so I can’t say I’m surprised
“Kinsler is unlikely to make the type of impact Upton or Ohtani will in 2018”
I think this is a frivolous if technically true comment by the author as Kinsler could very easily have as productive a year as Upton or Ohtani.
True enough. A lot of players have up and down years based on who the players surrounding them are. A well balanced lineup top to bottom is more successful than an All Star caliber player in a weakly balanced lineup.
Baseball fans from 2010 are excited about this move and thinks it makes the Angels a 90-Win team.
THIS
Trout the only OBP on the team.
What?
Yeah let’s get younger, we don’t need another aging star to rot in our lineup
He was a brat in Texas. Enjoy Captain Pop up.
Wow. Interesting analysis
Angels will be a very dangerous team next season. If they can get some pitching behind Ohtani, they are due for a playoff spot.
Scratching my head as to why Kinsler would veto a trade at this point. Tigers won’t do anything in 2018 while the Angels are actually starting to look pretty good.
Probably wants them to toss him a million or two. I’d imagine he waives eventually
Kinsler has stated he wants to stay with the tigers even three rebuild unless the tigers don’t want him anymore
13% state tax vs 5% (or something like that), more travel time, higher cost of living. Post season wiinings dont count for much when you have made tens of millions, just means shorter vacations
The stro’s are a dynasty in the making.
Getting Kinsler won’t cut into any of their lead.
What we need is pitching people.
Kinsler made it very complicated last off season, he wouldn’t waive his no trade clause unless interested teams promised to pick up his option and/or sign him to an extension. Great player but I think teams view him as a one and done stop gap.
Awesome, can’t wait to see Kinsler kill angel rallies with his infamous infield pop out
I’m dead
Gone too soon
What do we get in return….a box of used baseballs and a pair of old spikes. Looks like we’ll have the 1st overall pick in 2019 too!
A Mike Trout autographed rookie card.
Please Please Mets make a better offer and take him
The Angels will want him.
In order news, my 41 game season ticket prices for the Detroit Tigers did NOT go down a penny. Oxymoronic, or just Moronic?
Chris I is new to this. He’ll find out soon enough people aren’t going to pay top dollar for such a product.
Should read “other news”.
Warning to Anaheim fans : He will be fun to watch when he’s on – but you will get at least one infuriating pickoff at first base and some maddening pop ups. Wish Texas never traded him.
What are the tigers getting back?
Didn’t give up anything substantial. Adding 11 million to the payroll. I expect the Angels to be done at this point.
I know nothing.
Montgomery isn’t a bad prospect
Mike? He’s 28 isn’t he?
Troy
He’s 23
Just another salary dump.
His best years are behind him but can still produce some fairly solid numbers and it’s a one year stop gap that didn’t cost anything of value to it’s a wash to me
Who’s the next Detroit Tiger player to be jettisoned?
Shane Greene imo. I would say miggy but no team wants him now for obvious reasons
Castellanos to the Cards or Yankees.
Nicholas Castellanos will cost heavily unless he’s a throw in to get someone to take on Miguel Cabrera.or Jordan Zimmermann.
Santa Al gifts another competitor a quality ballplayer in return for…..
anyone?
c’mon, anyone???
We’re doing a rebuild with the worst GM in baseball.
It’s going to be a long winter…
Long winter? Heck, a long decade coming up with shades of Randy Smith.
First and foremost, this is very solid addition for the Angels. Kinsler will be leaps and bounds better than any other option they had last year. Solely by adding Kinsler, according to analytics, the Angels should be gaining approximately 3 to 5 more wins.
Kinsler and Simmons should pair together to form one of the most defensively sound and gifted 2B/SS combinations. Those two will eat up just about everything hit near them, and they should easily turn DP’s with the best of them..
Kinsler has been TERRIBLY UNDERRATED for the majority of his career. He has been such a steady, consistent, and solid presence at 2B, providing excellent defense, solid on base skills, and also providing a good mixture of power and speed.
Now, YES, Kinsler is 36, and YES, he had a down year last year, considering his typical production, BUT he still managed to knock out above 20 HR’s, rack up about 15 SB’s, and provide the Tigers with about 2.5 fWAR. Keep in mind, that was a DOWN YEAR for Kinsler!!…lol
Now, go back and take a look at what the numbers were for the Angels Second Baseman last year…Again, Kinsler is an IMMENSE UPGRADE for the Angels!!
The Angels line-up, as a whole, is really starting to come together and balance out well. They still have a couple of holes to fill in, but it isn’t nothing signing a guy like Todd Frazier couldn’t really fix…
Some will say the Angels have to sign Moose, but Frazier should be more than capable of handling 1B and 3B to round out the Angels roster. Add Frazier, or another corner infielder, another bench piece, another arm for the pen, and some pitching depth, and the Angels will be primed and ready to make a serious playoff run…
Again though, it will really all depend on their SP’s ability to stay healthy. If their SPs cannot stay healthy, this season, and if they don’t adequately add enough depth, then it’ll be another unfortunate story and short ending for what very well could be a promising Angels team…
So why was there not consideration to getting Dozier from the Twins? He’s younger, cheaper and hits for more power. Never saw that this option was considered by either side. NOTE to the Twin’s Brain Trust, you can’t just sit back and wait for other teams to come knocking at your door. You need to go out and pursue them and market what you have to offer. DUMB.
Twins are planning to compete why would they give up dozier??
Why is a playoff team looking to trade a 4.5 WAR player?
They should have signed Moose. Keep their prospects and have another LH bat. Ohtani is their only one. But I love Ian Kinsler. He is getting long in the tooth. Maybe one more real good season. Maybe 2-3 good ones
Kole Calhoon hits left
The AL West is shaping up to be fun to watch!! Excited to see the aggressive approach this Hot Stove!!
Let’s just rename the Detroit Sea Wolves and be done with it.
Nice job: added a pitcher whose arm is about to blow out and a head case/prima donna.
Mariners should have started rebuilding two years ago. Now they’re stuck with this old, mediocre, injured team with no prospects and two teams in the division who are way better.