JUST IN: Could Tigers Ian Kinsler be headed to the Milwaukee Brewers?

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MLB: Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers
Sep 14, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler (3) hits a single in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Whether it’s Justin Verlander, Justin Wilson, or Alex Avila, just to name a few, there certainly has not been a shortage of trade talks involving the Detroit Tigers.

But one player so has seemed to fly a bit under-the-radar, at least in comparison to the players listed above, is Tigers second baseman Ian Kinsler.

Well, not anymore. According to ESPN’s Buster Olney, the Milwaukee Brewers have been “digging into the possibility” of trading for Kinsler.

Kinsler, who is 35-years-old and making $11 million this season, could be an interesting trade piece for a team who needs a second baseman because of the team option that will be included for 2018. Any team that acquires him would have the option of letting him become a free agent at the end of this season or bring him back for 2018 at a cost of $10 million.

The Brewers, who are holding on for dear life atop the National League Central, could certainly use an upgrade at the second base position. Currently, their primary second baseman is Jonathan Villar who has hit only .223 in 80 games so far this season.

It is important to remember that Kinsler’s name came up quite often during this past offseason but his agent, Jay Franklin, told Ken Rosenthal last November they would only waive the partial no-trade clause if a contract extension was agreed upon first.

“If one of the 10 teams happens to call and wants to talk about it, we’re open to talking about it,” Franklin said. “(But) they’re going to have to extend him for us to waive the no-trade.

“His ultimate goal is no different than when he went from the Rangers to the Tigers. He wants to win. If anyone knows Ian Kinsler, he has always been that type of guy.

“He would like the opportunity to stay at his position and hopefully get to the Hall of Fame. He works his tail off to keep himself in shape, trying to get to the point where the writers will one day say he was one of the best ever to play his position.”