Ian Kinsler is a fantastic offensive and defensive second baseman. He is one of the better players in the game -- so good, that even though he is described as "baseball's most underrated player" once every five seconds, he's still underrated. And the Texas Rangers would like to keep him around for a spell. And according to T.R. Sullivan, the two sides are getting close (but not that close):
Ian Kinsler, Texas Rangers Working Toward Extension
Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler said no agreement has been reached on a contract extension. Kinsler said the talks were close enough to be “disappointed that it’s not done.”
Discouraging that it isn't done. Encouraging that they got so close at all. Locking up Kinsler seems like an obvious move, even if it hampers the Rangers' efforts to re-sign Josh Hamilton.
There is another consideration, though not one that should affect the Rangers' decision with Kinsler: The Rangers also have one of the very best shortstop prospects in recent memory, Jurickson Profar. He's only 19, so he's probably a couple of years away, but if the Rangers extend Kinsler and keep Elvis Andrus around (which they will), they'll have a very, very interesting decision to make with their middle infield in a couple of years.
Also, Jurickson Profar is an underrated awesome name.
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