With six games left in their season entering Tuesday night it seemed almost certain that Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler would reach his 600th plate appearance thus triggering a $11 million option for the 2018 season.
Kinsler did just that in the third inning.
The Tigers were open for business at the trade deadline and with a team already gutted of most of its parts enters the offseason looking for ways to move the remaining high priced players on their roster as they finally push towards a rebuild.
Stalled by the presence of players like Justin Verlander, J.D. Martinez and Victor Martinez the Tigers had hoped to remain relevant in the AL Central by adding Justin Upton before the 2016 season. It failed to work out and the Tigers were forced to trade away Verlander, Upton and J.D. Martinez while Victor Martinez is headed towards retirement.
Kinsler and Miguel Cabrera are all that remains and early indications are that the Tigers front office is willing to move both. Given Cabrera’s huge remaining contract and back isses this year such a deal would seem almost impossible unless the Tigers eat a majority of the money. Kinsler has seen his numbers drop to just .238/.314/.417 in 2017, but he’s managed 22 home runs and 14 stolen and remains a good defensive player so someone may take a gamble on his contract.