Agent: Kinsler will only approve trade to Dodgers if granted an extension
If the the Detroit Tigers are indeed interested in trading second baseman Ian Kinsler to the Dodgers, one of 10 teams on his limited no-trade list, the three-time All-Star would only approve a deal if Los Angeles gives him a contract extension, his agent, Jay Franklin, said Wednesday.
"If one of the 10 teams happens to call and wants to talk about it, we're open to talking about it,” Franklin told FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal. "(But) they're going to have to extend him for us to waive the no-trade."
Kinsler, who ranks third in WAR among active second basemen, is owed $11 million in 2017, and has a $12-million team option for the following season that includes a $5-million buyout. This past summer, the 34-year-old hit .288/.348/.484 (123 wRC+) with 28 homers and 14 stolen bases in 153 games while also earning the first Gold Glove award of his 11-year career.
It's no surprise, then, that the Dodgers are reportedly talking to the Tigers, given that Chase Utley is expected to sign elsewhere as a free agent this winter and his potential replacement, Howie Kendrick, was traded to Philadelphia last week. In Los Angeles, Kinsler - who was on losing side of the World Series in 2010 and 2011 - would join National League Rookie of the Year (and MVP candidate) Corey Seager in one of the most formidable double-play combinations in baseball.
"His ultimate goal is no different than when he went from the Rangers to the Tigers," Franklin said. "He wants to win. If anyone knows Ian Kinsler, he has always been that type of guy.
"He would like the opportunity to stay at his position and hopefully get to the Hall of Fame. He works his tail off to keep himself in shape, trying to get to the point where the writers will one day say he was one of the best ever to play his position."
Though Tigers general manager Al Avila refused to characterize his offseason strategy as a rebuild, cutting costs appears to be a top priority in Detroit after finishing 86-75 - 2 1/2 games back of the second American League wild-card spot - in 2016 despite an Opening Day payroll of almost $199 million.
"We certainly want to stay competitive, we certainly want to try and get back into the playoffs. But at the same time, this organization has been working way above its means, as far as payroll, for many, many years, and it’s put us in a situation where, quite frankly, it’s very difficult to maneuver," Avila told Anthony Fenech of the Detroit Free Press last month.