The Effect of Ian Kinsler’s Two-Year Contract with the Padres

The San Diego Padres added a veteran infielder to their lineup when they signed Ian Kinsler to a two-year deal worth eight million dollars. The 36-year old spent time last season between the Angels and the Red Sox and he won his first World Series ring with Boston. He has a lifetime .271 batting average with 248 home runs and 887 RBIs over 13 seasons.

The Kinsler signing gives San Diego a little more versatility over their young infielders. 21-year old Luis Urias played 90 games with the Chihuahuas at second base, 20 games at short, and 10 games at third. If Kinsler plays the bulk of his time next season at the keystone, then Urias can slide over to short. Once Fernando Tatis Jr. is ready for the big leagues, he would take over as the Padres shortstop, while Urias moves to second, and Kinsler becomes off of the bench.

There is also the chance that Kinsler experiments at third base in 2019, a position that he only has two innings of experience at in his big league career. The Padres did the same thing last season to left fielder Will Myers, but he is eight years younger than Kinsler.

Tatis, the Padres top prospect is expected to start the season with the Chihuahuas. He missed the final two months of the 2018 season with a thumb injury and he's currently hitting .264 in 21 games with Estrellas de Oriente from the Dominican Winter League. Tatis has only played a half season in Double-A and he's never been on the Chihuahuas roster.