What Ian Kinsler retirement means for San Diego Padres in 2020

The announcement of Ian Kinsler to retire from Major League Baseball on Friday will have a huge impact on the San Diego Padres in 2020.

We all knew there was no way Ian Kinsler was going to be on the San Diego Padres Opening Day roster in 2020.

At the very least he would have been immediately placed on the 60-day IL. But his playing days with the Padres were likely over.

Kinsler knew that as well, and in order to help out both sides, the 14-year veteran decided to hang it up.

The story from Andrew Simon on MLB.com says that the two sides are working on a settlement as Kinsler was due to make $4.25 million over the next two seasons, including his buyout for 2021.

But you still have to figure the Padres are saving a good bit of money here towards the 2020 payroll.

The team was already in a pinch being over $140 million, which is where they were expected to be on Opening Day.

This should free up a good chunk of money for A.J. Preller to at least make a smaller move if he can’t get rid of Wil Myers‘ money as well.

In the end, this is the perfect situation for the Padres as they likely would have had to cut the clubhouse favorite Kinsler before the season started and would have owed him all of his remaining contract.

This was a pretty classy move from Kinsler, and it’s not like the Padres left him high-and-dry as they gave him a job in the front office as an advisor to baseball operations.

I feel bad that Kinsler is going to end his career one hit shy of 2,000 hits. It’s not like that is what would keep him from making the Hall of Fame, but that still would be a pretty awesome achievement.

Over his 14-year career he made 4 All-Star teams, received 2 Gold Glove awards, and garnered MVP votes in four seasons.

Jurickson Profar, Greg Garcia, and Jake Cronenworth will battle for time at second base in the 2020 season now.

We certainly wish Kinsler all the best going forward, but this couldn’t have worked out any better for the Padres as it gives them a little release towards the 2020 budget and helps them avoid an awkward conversation.