One of the Mets’ top choices to play second base in 2018 came off the board Wednesday when Ian Kinsler was traded to the Angels.
The Mets have other options, including the Indians’ Jason Kipnis. But they did like Kinsler’s above-average defense and pop for a second baseman.
The 35-year-old, due $11 million in 2018, is coming off his worst season, hitting just .236 with a .725 OPS. But he still had 22 homers, 14 steals and the strong glove work.
The Angels — like the Mets — were on Kinsler’s 10-team no-trade list, but he decided to waive it to get from the rebuilding Tigers to the Angels, who with the addition of Shohei Ohtani look more and more like contenders next year.
Besides the Angels and Mets, the other teams on Kinsler’s no-trade list were the Yankees, Dodgers, Padres, Brewers, A’s, Giants, Rays and Blue Jays.