ORLANDO, Fla. -- Four teams were interested in second baseman Ian Kinsler as late as Wednesday afternoon.
Unfortunately for the Detroit Tigers, all four were on Kinsler's trade-veto list, a strategic selection of 10 teams to which Kinsler was required to approve any trade.
By the late afternoon it became clear Kinsler would approve a deal to only one team: The Los Angeles Angels.
The Tigers picked up two low-level prospects from the Angels in exchange for Kinsler. But general manager Al Avila made clear during a meeting reporters late Wednesday night that the Tigers didn't choose the best deal, they chose the only deal.
The Tigers briefly debated keeping Kinsler and his $11 million contract, but decided it was time to pull the trigger on the trade for three reasons: Kinsler's value wasn't likely to go up, and it might go down; even at the trade deadline, Kinsler would still hold all the cards by virtue of his no-trade clause; and Kinsler's presence was blocking an opportunity for youngster Dixon Machado, who the Tigers would like to see play everyday in a rebuilding year.
"He's already gone through one trade deadline (last July) and nothing was there for him," Avila said. "And now he's another year older. So here we are. It's time to move on."
Kinsler, 35, is a great fit for the Angels, where he'll form a potent double-play combination with Andrelton Simmons. He's also reunited with close friend and teammate Justin Upton and former manager Brad Ausmus, who is a special assistant with the Angels.
Avila said he believed Kinsler had a comfort level with the Angels because of Upton's presence.
Tigers executives will leave the Winter Meetings Thursday afternoon, immediately after the Rule 5 Draft, and the end of the annual conference was a sort of artificial deadline for getting a deal done.
Yes, it would have been possiblity to trade Kinsler in January, but there are only so many teams with an opening at second base. (Not coincidentally, all of them were on Kinsler's no-trade list).
The longer the Tigers waited, the smaller the market would get for second basemen. And Avila said no teams would be interested in taking on $11 million in spring training, when budgets and rosters are largely set.
So it was now or never, and the Tigers chose now.
Avila said he didn't blame Kinsler for exercising his contractual rights to land in his desired location. He said Kinsler didn't demand any extras for approving the deal (like an exension or a bonus); he simply wanted to go to Anaheim.
The Tigers received 18-year-old pitcher Wilkel Hernandez and 23-year-old outfielder Troy Montgomery.
Any young pitcher is like a "lottery ticket," Avila said, but the Tigers like the upside of the Venezuelan prospect. He compared Montgomery to current Tigers prospect Jake Robson, who was also drafted out of college in the eighth round in 2016.
Neither player has to be added to the 40-man roster, which means the Tigers now have two spots available for Thurday's Rule 5 Draft.
Avila said the Tigers will definitely take one player with the first overall selection in the draft. Whether they take a second will depend on who's available.