This wasn't going to be Ian Kinsler's last season on the the Texas Rangers, as the team held a $10 million option on their second baseman. But there have been recent rumblings about the Rangers and Kinsler working toward some sort of extension, getting close enough that Kinsler openly expressed disappointment that the deal wasn't done. According to Jeff Wilson of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, though, Kinsler is going to be on the Rangers for a long time:
Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers Agree To 5-Year Contract Extension
Source: Ian Kinsler, #Rangers have agreed to a contract extension, believed to be six years.
— Jeff Wilson (@JeffWilson_FWST) April 10, 2012
Wilson later dug up the terms: five years, $70 million, with an option for a sixth year that includes a $5 million buyout. It's hard to peg Kinsler's value exactly after sifting through park effects and defensive metrics, but it's safe to say he's one of the Rangers' best players, and the cost certainly seems reasonable, even after accounting for some decline on the back end. Perspective: That's about $12 million more than Vernon Wells will get from the Angels over the next three years.
With Elvis Andrus and Ian Kinsler both locked up for the near future, there's some question as to what will happen with prospect dynamo Jurickson Profar, who reportedly plays a mean defensive shortstop. But seeing as he's still just 19, that's probably a question for 2014 or so.
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