The Tigers, Brewers, Athletics and Nationals are among the teams interested in free-agent second baseman Ian Kinsler, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. The Brewers have met with Kinsler at the Winter Meetings, Tom Haudricourt of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel relays. Detroit’s inclusion on the list is particularly interesting in light of the fact that Kinsler thrived there from 2014-17, before the team traded him to the Angels last offseason. The 36-year-old ended up dividing the season between Anaheim and Boston, where he combined to hit a less-than-stellar .240/.301/.380 (87 wRC+) in 534 plate appearances. But to Kinsler’s credit, he swatted 14 home runs, stole 16 bases and, for the 12th consecutive season, posted at least 2.0 fWAR (2.3).
More chatter from around the game…
- Blue Jays right-handers Marcus Stroman and Aaron Sanchez have been mentioned in trade rumors this offseason, though teams are finding it especially difficult to pry them loose. Per Ben Nicholson-Smith of Sportsnet, interested clubs have found the Jays’ asking price for both pitchers to be “uncomfortably high.” Because Stroman and Sanchez each have two years of control left, Nicholson-Smith suggests the Jays are holding out for a return similar to the one the Mariners received from the Yankees for James Paxton. That doesn’t seem realistic on Toronto’s part, however, as both Stroman and Sanchez struggled through injury-limited seasons in 2018.
- Yankees GM Brian Cashman met with free-agent reliever Adam Ottavino’s representative Tuesday, though no real offers have been exchanged to this point, Joel Sherman of the New York Post tweets. Ottavino, 33, remains near the top of the Yankees’ free-agent wish list, Sherman notes. With free agents Zach Britton and David Robertson possibly on their way out of the Bronx, Ottavino – a New York City native – is a logical target for the club.
- There’s “no chance” free-agent reliever Andrew Miller will re-sign with the Indians, Paul Hoynes of cleveland.com writes. On the other hand, there’s still a possibility of fellow FA reliever Cody Allen returning to Cleveland, according to Hoynes, though he adds that it would be surprising. Although both Miller and Allen fell off in 2018, it still appears the two highly accomplished late-game arms will rake in sizable paydays on the open market.
- Free-agent lefty Wade Miley’s camp is “confident” he’ll reel in a multiyear contract, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. The 32-year-old Miley’s clearly in far better position than he was last offseason, when he had to settle for a minor league deal with Milwaukee. Miley went on to hold his own over 80 2/3 innings with the Brew Crew, pitching to a 2.57 ERA/3.59 FIP with a 52.8 percent groundball rate. At the same time, though, he recorded unappealing strikeout and walk numbers (5.58 K/9, 3.01 BB/9) and benefited from an ultra-low, likely unsustainable home run-to-fly ball rate of 5.2 percent.
Glory Pujols
Very well written Connor. I’m sorry for my future comments on this article
BleedBlue_LA
Agreed. But we won’t stop until Xabial is gone. MLBTR was normal before him.
Phanatic 2022
You are a tool
simschifan
Yet here you are adding nothing to this article. Maybe you guys should go on Reddit or Facebook and leave mlb trade rumors to adults
mrnatewalter
No one cares about any of this. You guys are annoying and this pissing contest needs to end.
turner9
I made a similar comment a few days ago, but it got removed. Meanwhile the personal attack in the same thread was left up.
I dont understand any of this anymore
Probably best not to even open the comment section anymore
3rdStrikeLooking
If no comments, how would Xabial spread his propoganda?
Michael Chaney
I don’t really know what’s been going on the past few days, but it’s annoying. I want to look through the comments and see conversations about baseball, not just childish bickering.
sufferforsnakes
Would you re-sign Cody Allen?
Michael Chaney
Only if he were to somehow sign for a lot less than what he’s expected to. At the price I’d expect him to get, I’d pass.
NotaGM
Hater…X gets life going with the comments.
long time reader and many moons ago many posters would post however it died off some.
posters like x keeps things going.
love to see stats of traffic for posters from 4 years back to within the last few years to show the facts I’m producing.
jleve618
I think it was worse before him. Bunch of stuck up jerks all trying to proove they knew more about nothing.
lasershow45
Well we definitely still have that going on. Last couple of months here have looked like yahoo’s comments section. We should all tone it down a little.
We should also tone down the absolute garbage trade offers too. Some of those are driving me insane.
jkurk_22
Same
LADreamin
MLBTR should track IPs, it’s probably some loser with 6 accounts replying to himself that’s the driving force behind this. Would love to go back to when it was just about baseball.
sufferforsnakes
Also, I’ve noticed more disgusting comments on a sexual nature on here lately. Wonder why that’s allowed? They appear to be nothing more than strictly personal attacks.
User 4245925809
Miley will return to giving up the HR, it’s how he was when previously was going well and just as assuredly, was always around the plate and should not walk very many either.
Maybe it’s just been coaching problems since he left both Arizona and Boston as to why his results have been so bad. he looks ok mechanically the times have seen him since. Still gets the ball and quickly pitches. No issues with control either.
Odd how it drops like a guy Miley, then comes right back for him in 2018.
stubby66
If I remember correctly he added a splitter to arsenal and that is what has helped his rebound
Payne Train
I’m a cards fan and I don’t want to see the central get any better, but why doesn’t the Brewers resign Miley and Gio – almost makes too much sense ?
HalosHeavenJJ
I’d like to see Gio get his 180 innings of ground balls here with Simba and Cozart behind him.
jbigz12
Gio gonzalez’s Grounder percentage is pretty much a steady 45%. I mean that’s slightly better than average but not exactly something I’d post about wanting.
HalosHeavenJJ
Kinsler is a good fit in Milwaukee. Great glove and keeps Shaw at third.
SHARK_VACUUM_GUY
Says the Angels fan
mrnatewalter
The Brewers should aim higher. Kinsler’s career has been great, but he’s gotten worse as he’s aged. Look at his past three seasons:
2016- .356 wOBA, 124 wRC+, 5.3 WAR
2017- .313 wOBA, 94 wRC+, 2.6 WAR
2017- .298 wOBA, 86 wRC+, 2.3 WAR
His BABIP has tanked for two consecutive seasons (in over 1100 PAs). I think age has finally caught up with the guy. Kinsler will be a starter next year, but it shouldn’t be for a contender.
For a team that finished in the middle of the road in wOBA (10th) and wRC+ (13th), they need a better bat at 2B, in my opinion.
Ejemp2006
Kinsler had a resurgent year after he spent an offseason living off the grid in Africa, near Kilimanjaro. He probably took some local vitamin packs to extend his career. If he goes back to that regimen, then I’d say slot him for a starting position and put him on a hall ballot next to Bonds.
stubby66
I’m kinda in favor of resigning Moose on a three year deal and then you could use Shaw in a trade or more time at first if Aguilar regresses. They can use Dubon and Huira at second( have them split sometime at AAA so they get an extra year of control on both players
Bochys Retirement Fund
Ian, you got the ring. You don’t need to continue this any longer my guy.
SHARK_VACUUM_GUY
Classic name btw
pinstripes17
He isn’t good anymore, but he’s coming off a gold glove season and he isn’t that bad of a hitter, he’s got at least 1 more year left.
NotaGM
Ian has a 57.3 WAR….wow I over looked that…36 yrs of age and still ran the bases last season. He has my vote as a sleeper for the HOF
dugdog83
Nothing devalues a comment more than only talking about WAR. It’s not 2012 anymore, the cuteness has worn off. Put your man pants on and you could be a GM.
jaysfan1994
He’s an elite fielder, runs well and has been a constant average to above average hitter for his career. Even the last few seasons he’s still hit just enough to be considered a starter on a team despite being in his mid 30’s.
dbacksfan22
People need to chill with Xabial
costergaard2
Truth
luclusciano
#truth
3rdStrikeLooking
Fake news
its_happening
Says the guy that brings absolutely nothing of substance to the comment section except to troll. Thanks 3rdstroke, your uselessness is noted.
its_happening
Outrageous if the Jays are asking for what Seattle got for Paxton. Sanchez can’t stay healthy and Stroman has an identity crisis. On top of that, Jays would have to spend more money, most likely, replacing the two in the rotation due to the lack of pitching depth.
Nick4747
They’re asking for it with the expectation they get turned down. If someone meets the demands great if not oh well and hope they restore value and actually get that type of return.
its_happening
I take it you aren’t from Toronto so I’ll reiterate the point; trade Stroman and Sanchez at their lowest value and you will have to pay for two pitchers to replace them at a greater salary than what Stroman and Sanchez will make in 2019.
Why is that important? Because Toronto wants to keep costs to a minimal. That said, front office has more pressing needs than to deal pitchers when pitching depth is very thin.
turner9
Their value is whatever a team gives up. There is no sticker price that can be negotiated upon.
However you’re correct that their perceived value is lower than say 2 years ago or even last year, but it’s not outside the realm of possibility a GM will give us what we want.
As a fan I’d be content with getting SP prospects from anyone. Even if they are still 2 years away, as long as they have a good pedigree.
We could go with all the AAA rotation from last year, give Borucki, Reid Foley, Mayza and Pannone a chance to prove they have the stuff.
Call up Merryweather asap. Promote Pearson and Romano.
We still have the 2 SP we got from Houston as well. Paulino and Thornton.
Get 2 young SP prospects to grow with Pardinho and Kloffenstein
turner9
And I even forgot about the 6’8 TJ Zeuch
Although can a pitchers name be T.J. and stay healthy???
Point is, We have boat loads on possible 2 3 and 4 SP. Pearson being the only #1 possibly.
We need to find out who’s the best of the bunch this year, not patch something together 2 years from now and trade the wrong guys. Let them all go now
It cant get any worse
its_happening
^Turner9 – Stroman at 5+ ERA and Sanchez with finger problems returns very little. So no, they have to hold these guys and pray for a good start to the 2019 season. So make that sticker price rise. I don’t think that’s asking for too much.
Reid-Foley needs AAA, as does Zeuch. Pearson’s proven nothing and still needs work in the minors.
Rotation:
Stroman
Sanchez
Borucki
Pannone
Whoever wants it or whoever they sign. Houston arms can go for it.
Rest go to the minors. Pick a guy to be a longman. Cut Drake. Merryweather can’t stay healthy so make him a bullpen arm. Romano too.
naidle
James Paxton has never pitched over 160 innings. Not exactly a model of health for anyone who has followed his career.
I think a stronger argument can be made that Sanchez is not worth what Paxton received because of health and inconsistency. In fact I think it’s hard to make a case they are the same outside being 4 years younger.
I’d love to hear the argument for Stroman as being “outrageous”. Both have career 10.9 WAR, One is 3 years younger. Consistency, outside an injury plagued year, has been great. He has two 200+ inning seasons under his belt pitching successfully under a much harder division.
I don’t get the “spend more” logic either. Arbitration pitchers aren’t cheap. They also do not have salary issues. They’re rebuilding and wont be ready to compete until the year both pitchers are FA’s. Kind of smart if you ask me.
agentp
So what’s new? A pitcher puts up 5+ ERA in Baltimore and goes on to whirl a sub 3 ERA elsewhere, Maryland where the blue crabs are great and pitchers go to die.
bravesfan
Braves should be talking to the Jays for that pitching… good fits for what we need right now
turner9
Who you giving up? We need more front end SP prospects
srdiaz1972
Angels need to sign Andrew Miller and Joe Kelly
srdiaz1972
Also trade for Julio Tehran.
TennVol
Actually, trading both Stroman and Sanchez is not a bad idea, especially if they can get a decent return. Neither will be with the Jays when they are back and ready to contend so just having them in a rotation to eat up innings is counterproductive. They can start Foley, Borucki, Pannone, Romano and Zeuch and maybe sign a couple of starters to a 1 yr bounce back deal and see who emerges over the next few years while Pearson and his 104mph heater and Pardhino, Kloffstein, Thornton and others develop. When they are ready to compete in a few years, that’s when you dip into free agency to find an Ace or 2 to put your team over the top.