Longtime MLB Infielder Ian Kinsler to Reportedly Retire
By Sean Facey
After a long and successful career, one of the game's most veteran and well-respected infielders is set to hang up the cleats.
San Diego Padres infielder Ian Kinsler is calling it a career after spending 14 years patrolling the infield at the major league level.
Ian Kinsler is retiring, but will remain with the #Padres in front-office capacity, sources tell The Athletic. Kinsler is still owed $4.25M on his contract, and will work out a financial settlement with the club. Full story coming shortly.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 20, 2019
He is expected to transition into a front office role with the Padres for the foreseeable future. The 37-year-old had one year and $4.25 million remaining on his contract, which Rosenthal reports the two parties will settle that matter internally.
Kinsler, a 14-year veteran, first made a name for himself during his eight-year stint with the Texas Rangers. He also spent time with the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox and Padres.
Few players matched Kinsler's all-around talent, especially at the outset of his career. From his rookie year in 2006 to 2016, he hit 212 home runs, posted a .795 OPS, was selected to four All-Star games, and even won a Gold Glove.
Ian Kinsler: “I gave it everything I had.” https://t.co/0N5kqluclu
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 20, 2019
He exhibited a sharp decline after that, however. From 2017 onward, he hit just .234 and managed a paltry 85 OPS+. In 2019 Kinsler slashed .217/.278/.368 with 9 home runs and 22 RBI in 87 games in San Diego.
He has been something of a mentor for younger players around the league in recent years, and now he'll have the chance to share his baseball knowledge with the team's stars in a different role.