Red Sox: Trading for second baseman Ian Kinsler will pay off

The Boston Red Sox acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler on Monday night from the Los Angeles Angels for two top-30 prospects. When it’s all said and done, Kinsler will make an impact in the Red Sox pennant chase.

Hold onto your horses, Red Sox Nation. President of baseball operations, Dave Dombrowski, showed us he had another trick up his sleeve this trade deadline.

With all thoughts on the Red Sox landing a left-handed reliever, Dombrowski made a defensive splash on Monday night. Needing help defensively at second base, the Red Sox agreed to a deal with the Los Angeles Angels for Ian Kinsler.

The 36-year-old Gold Glove winner comes to Boston for.. well.. his glove. His offensive numbers are down compared to his past few seasons, slashing .239/.304/.406 with 13 home runs and 32 RBI on the season. However, in his last 19 games, Kinsler has found a rhythm. In that stretch, he has slashed .353/.429/.515 with two home runs and 10 RBI.

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With plenty of top-notch hitters in the order, the idea of Kinsler coming to Boston wasn’t for an offensive upgrade at second base. Again, he his here to flash his leather.

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Kinsler ranks second among all second basemen in defensive runs saved (10). As for Red Sox second basemen on the season, their -16 defensive runs saved is the worst in the American League.

The two primary second basemen on the season, Brock Holt and Eduardo Nunez, have been decent replacements for Dustin Pedroia this season. However, Nunez is at -13 defensive runs saved on the season as Holt is at -2.

Speaking of Pedroia, where does this leave him moving forward? The fan favorite has been nursing a knee injury all season that dates back to 2017 and has only appeared in three games this season. Seemingly, Pedroia will not be returning this season. Not to worry, he now has the rest of the season and the offseason to fully recover and hopefully start the 2019 season at second on opening day.

Kinsler once transferred out of Arizona State University because Pedroia was the starting infielder. Now he’s taking Pedroia’s job in Boston. Well, for the remainder of 2018 that is.

According to Mass Live, Dombrowski said Kinsler will be Boston’s “regular second baseman.” Holt and Nunez will return to their super utility roles.

Although this move isn’t as flashy as some fans may have liked, it makes perfect sense for the Red Sox.

As we all know, the Red Sox have the best offense in baseball based on numbers. They weren’t in need of any help at the plate. However, they needed help in the field at second base. Kinsler fits the bill on that one. And as his past 19 games may suggest, Kinsler may be bringing a hot bat into Boston also. Adding Kinsler to the mix also allows manager Alex Cora to rest players at any given time as well as experiment with lineups as the season winds down.

Between his golden glove and the options he gives Cora, the move for Kinsler will pay off in the end. As of right now, his bat is as hot as one can be. The hope there is that he keeps hitting as well in a Red Sox uniform as he has over his last 19 games in an Angels one. His glove has been and still is reliable, which should help Red Sox fans heart rates on balls hit to second base.

Even if his bat doesn’t make the trade pay off his glove and veteran presence undoubtedly will.