HALOS HAUL IN IAN KINSLER FROM DETROIT
The Los Angeles Angels acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Detroit Tigers for outfielder Troy Montgomery and pitcher Wilkel Hernandez.
What does it give the Los Angeles Angels
This is another big move by the Angels this off-season, after landing two-way Japanese star Shohei Ohtani earlier. In adding Kinsler, Los Angeles fills its void at second base while upgrading the top of the batting order as well. He will probably bat leadoff ahead of the likes of superstar Mike Trout, former Detroit teammate Justin Upton, veteran DH Albert Pujols and (at times) Ohtani. Kinsler should benefit from setting the table in this lineup.
What does it give the Detroit Tigers
For the Tigers, this move was expected as they seem to be in full-blown rebuilding mode. In Montgomery, Detroit adds a very athletic outfielder who could make his way to Motown at some point in 2018 (if he continues to progress as a hitter). There are openings in the Tigers' outfield, so Montgomery should be plenty motivated to move up the ladder quickly. As for Hernandez, he is a 19-year-old potential stud pitcher who needs a lot more development.
Fantasy impact
Kinsler's situation is obviously much better in Orange County than it was in the Motor City (especially now that the Tigers are rebuilding), so the veteran second sacker should move up the fantasy rankings at his position heading into 2018 drafts. Both Montgomery and Hernandez should now be on the fantasy radar, with Montgomery the one who is much closer to MLB. The new second baseman in Detroit might be Dixon Machado, a 25-year-old utility infielder who has yet to receive regular playing time in MLB. He offers marginal fantasy value as an everyday player and is not even a sure thing to win the job outright. Pass.
