With the Anaheim Angles pushing to be back in October since 2014. Ian Kinsler is one of the key acquisition that the Angels are hoping can help get them over the hump. The Angels were 5 games away from clinching the 2nd Wild Card until Minnesota broke away from the crowd. With the duration of Mike Trout's contract ending soon. The Halo's needed to make some head wave this offseason to show Mike and Anaheim that they want to win now. Ian Kinsler was one of the key pieces that they picked up this offseason now becoming there everyday 2nd basemen in 2018. Ian is turning 36 this year and understand's that his career is coming to an end sooner than later with the outlook of hoping to get one more chance at a World Series ring. The Tigers are now in a position to rebuild there team after losing 98 games with an aging team that is stocked with high leverage contracts and no farm system. Detroit realized that Kinsler still has value to his name and has no reason to play for a team that's preparing to tank. With being in his final year of his contract Detroit traded Ian to Anaheim for cash consideration and a low level prospect. Anaheim's hoping to make playoff run this year with the additions of re-signing former Tiger Justin Upton, signing All-Star Zach Cozart, and the signing the Japanese Babe Ruth Shoehai Ohtani. Kinsler is a solid veteran that has playoff experience going to the World Series back to back years with the Texas Rangers and a couple playoff runs with the Tigers. What is a bonus for Ian in this trade is that he is heading back to the AL West where he's spent the majority of his career with the Rangers. Now joining a form division rival, Kinsler can make the simple adjustment of heading back to the West. Ian still has atleast 2 more years of performing at an above average rate in the show with him staying in shape, never being injury prone, and rejuvenating his career to a new shot of October. Kinsler will yearly play around 125-155 games with a career batting average of .273, varies in home runs every year, 60-80 rbi's and 10-20 stolen bases with over 90 runs a season depending on the lineup, and solid defense at 2nd. His glove will also be a big factor with only committing only 10 erros last season and 9 the season before. With his solid defense and Andrelton Simmons at SS (2017 Gold Glove Winner) at his side, you can see a lot of Top 10 plays coming from Anaheim's middle infielders. Ian's purpose for the team is to show the how to prepare for October and to provide enough offense to keep the Angels in the plus column with a steady glove. Kinsler did have a career low in average last year batting .236 but still had 22 homer's and 14 bags so the average could be a fluke, but the home runs and stolen bases could deplete this season with his age. With Ian at the top of the lineup, having Mike Trout and Justin Upton batting behind him. We can see Kinsler batting around .255-275 with 15-25 home runs, 55-75 rbi's and 85-115 runs. Anaheim is an interesting team to watch this year. They have a good chance of going to the playoffs, with there upgraded lineup, having the best player in the game leading them, and Ian Kinsler at 2nd chasing for October. Better enjoy it while you can Ian because this could be your last shot for a ring so don't take it for granted.
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