MLB Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers Need Another Strong Year From Ian Kinsler

Fresh Videos

By @Brad_Faber

KinslerFieldingThrow

Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

More than 13 months ago, the Detroit Tigers pulled off a surprise trade, sending Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler. The deal ultimately worked out even better than originally hoped.

After putting together his second 30-30 season in 2011, Kinsler was coming off of two consecutive down seasons at the time the Tigers acquired him. In his first year with the Tigers, however, Kinsler had a bit of a resurgence, slashing .275/.307/.420 with 17 home runs at season’s end. He also made his fourth All-Star team and set new career highs in hits (188) and RBIs (92).

Perhaps the most impressive part of Kinsler’s game was his stellar glove work. His 13.0 UZR ranked second among all qualified second basemen in baseball behind only Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox. Kinsler was also worth 5.4 fWAR in 2014, the second-highest mark of his career.

For as great as Kinsler’s 2014 season was, however, his poor second half raised a few concerns. After the All-Star break, Kinsler batted a mere .239 with a .627 OPS. He also went just 1-for-12 in the 2014 ALDS against the Baltimore Orioles. After fading in the second half and in the postseason, it is reasonable to wonder what the Tigers may get out of Kinsler in 2015.

Kinsler, who is under contract through 2017 with an option for 2018, will turn 33 years old in June. It is generally agreed that a baseball player’s prime is between the ages of 27-32, so that might be something worth keeping in mind as well. It should also be noted that the Tigers may not be quite as deep in the department of middle infielders after trading players such as Eugenio Suarez and Devon Travis.

Furthermore, Torii Hunter, who was a very effective No. 2 hitter for the Tigers in each of the past two seasons, has now departed, leaving the team with a bit of a problem at the front end of the batting order. Obviously, Kinsler is likely to continue batting first or second, but the issue of who will make up the second half of the 1-2 punch remains a bit of a question mark.

Sure, Rajai Davis might be a good candidate to put up there against left-handed pitching, but he batted only .247 with a .617 OPS against RHP in 2014. The speedy Davis also quite arguably enjoyed his best season with the bat since leaving the Oakland Athletics after the 2010 campaign. It will remain to be seen whether or not his 2014 output will be sustainable.

If Kinsler struggles out of the gate, the top of the Tigers’ batting order might be in pretty rough shape. Of course, Detroit has Miguel Cabrera, Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez and Yoenis Cespedes in the heart of the order, but it is still going to be important for the table setters to do their job. To put it simply, the Tigers are going to need to get another strong season out of Kinsler in 2015.

Brad Faber is a Detroit Tigers writer and Sabermetrics columnist for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Brad_Faber, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.

Share Tweet
Trending Now on