Ian Kinsler Trade Rumors: Latest News, Speculation on Tigers 2B

As the Detroit Tigers start to retool their aging roster and build for the future, second baseman Ian Kinsler has emerged as an attractive piece to offer in trade talks.

Continue for updates.

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No Market for Kinsler?

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal reported that the Tigers are struggling to move Kinsler, as teams still have plenty of options available to them on the open market. Rosenthal noted that the Tigers are looking for an infielder or outfielder.

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Dodgers Linked to Kinsler

Wednesday, Dec. 7

Rosenthal reported on Nov. 16 the Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers discussed a possible Kinsler trade. Rosenthal reported on Wednesday the Dodgers were still in the mix to land Kinsler.

Jason Beck of MLB.com noted on Nov. 16 the Dodgers are one of 10 teams on Kinsler's no-trade list.

MLB Network's Jon Morosi first reported the Dodgers' interest on Nov. 10, adding that Los Angeles believes Kinsler is a potential fit for its roster.

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Tigers Looking to Get Younger During Offseason

Tigers general manager Al Avila previously said the team would likely be taking a different approach this offseason by trying to add more young talent and create more financial flexibility, per Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press:

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I can’t call it a rebuild, because we haven’t really broken anything down. I’m not comfortable with the word "rebuild." I don’t think that’s the right term. I’ve read "retool," but I don’t know if that’s the right term. I don’t know if there’s a term for what I want to do here. I really don’t. If you guys can come up with a slogan, let me know, and we’ll go with it.

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Per Evan Woodbery of MLive.com, Avila said Tuesday that the Tigers were willing to hear offers for players like Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera but were not actively shopping them. 

The Tigers do have an aging and expensive nucleus heading into 2017. Cabrera, Verlander, Kinsler, Victor Martinez, Anibal Sanchez and Jordan Zimmermann are all 30 or older. 

Per Cot's Baseball Contracts, the Tigers currently have $179 million in payroll obligations for 2017 before factoring in players who are eligible for arbitration.

Kinsler has an affordable $11 million salary with a team option for 2018 at $10 million, per Spotrac. He did have a strong 2016 season with an .831 OPS, but at 34 years old, it's fair to wonder how many more peak years he has left. 

Because Kinsler's contract falls closer to team-friendly territory than the longer-term deals for Cabrera or Verlander, it would make sense for the Tigers to dangle him in a deal to see if it brings back any significant bites.