L.A. Angels interested in acquiring Detroit Tigers' Ian Kinsler

ORLANDO, Fla. — A potential suitor for Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler emerged on Wednesday.

The L.A. Angels, who have been interested in Kinsler since late last season, have been having extensive internal discussions about acquiring the veteran, according to multiple people with knowledge of the situation. It’s unclear if the Angels have communicated directly with the Tigers about acquiring Kinsler this offseason, and a move does not appear to be imminent. .

Kinsler, 35, will be the Tigers’ most talked-about trade chip this winter. Despite having a down season offensively in 2017, he remains one of the better second basemen in baseball and would be a coup for any team trying to compete next season.

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In 2017, Kinsler hit .236 with 22 home runs, 52 RBIs and 14 stolen bases. He was a finalist for the American League Gold Glove Award at second base.

Kinsler is under contract for $11 million next season, his final year before free agency. He has a 10-team no-trade clause. It is unclear if the Angels are on that list, but the clause is thought to be less of an obstacle because the Tigers have entered a rebuilding phase.

Tigers general manager Al Avila said earlier in the week at the MLB general manager meetings that the team has received inquiries about Kinsler.

The Angels and Tigers have been trade partners recently. Last off-season, the Tigers traded center fielder Cameron Maybin for prospect pitcher Victor Alcantara. On Aug. 31, the Tigers traded left fielder Justin Upton for prospect pitcher Grayson Long.

Kinsler would give the Angels a steadying presence at second base and perhaps a potential lead-off man hitting in front of Upton and two-time American League Most Valuable Player Mike Trout. But as Jeff Fletcher of the Orange County Register pointed out on Wednesday afternoon, the Angels have plenty of right-handed hitters and Kinsler is only under team control for one more season.

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Contact Anthony Fenech: afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech.