DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers' massive rebuilding effort continued Wednesday as the team has reportedly agreed to a trade that would send veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Los Angeles Angels, according to Ken Rosenthal.
Kinsler, 35, is coming off one of his worst seasons as a pro, batting just .236 with a .313 on-base percentage. He hit 22 home runs and 25 doubles and stole 14 bases as the Tigers' primary leadoff hitter.
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Source: Kinsler to #Angels.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 14, 2017
In four seasons with Detroit, Kinsler hit 78 home runs, 129 doubles and 18 triples while batting .275 with a .328 on-base percentage and .436 slugging percentage. He won his first career Gold Glove award as the top second baseman in the 2016 season.
Kinsler has played 12 seasons, eight with the Angels' division rival Texas Rangers. Throughout his career, he's racked up 1,826 hits, 234 home runs and 225 stolen bases. He owns a career .789 OPS.
Kinsler's no-trade clause
In order for the trade to be completed, Kinsler would have to agree to a trade with the Angels and waive his no-trade clause. Kinsler said during the offseason he had no problem sticking with the Tigers through their rebuilding phase, but would also welcome a trade to a contender.
The Angels fell five games short of a wildcard spot in 2017, finishing with an 80-82 record.
Detroit traded star outfielder Justin Upton to the Angels last August in exchange for prospect Grayson Long.
Los Angeles also added the most highly coveted free agent on the market this offseason, Shohei Ohtani, who immediately became baseball's No. 1 overall prospect. The Angels appear to be in a position to compete for a playoff berth, if Kinsler decides to accept the trade.
What will the Tigers get?
Ohtani is the Angels' only top-100 prospect, but the Tigers could be interested in several of the organization's minor league players.
The Tigers have reportedly received two prospects in the trade.
Headed to the Tigers are outfielder Troy Montgomery and pitcher Wilkel Hernandez.
Montgomery is 23 years old and was ranked No. 20 on the Angels' prospect list. He is a left-handed hitter who could be a fourth outfielder.
Hernandez is a right-handed starter who is only 18 years old. At No. 24 on the Angels' prospect list, Hernandez has upside and time to improve in the Tigers' system.
The move also frees up a spot on the Tigers' 40-man roster, so they now have two spots open heading into Thursday's Rule 5 draft. Detroit has the first pick.