Padres, free agent Ian Kinsler agree on two-year, $8 million deal, report says

Kinsler would likely fill a utility infield role for the Padres

The San Diego Padres reportedly added some needed infield depth on Friday. According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Padres have agreed to terms with veteran second baseman Ian Kinsler on a two-year contract that will pay him $8 million. The deal also reportedly includes a club option.  

Kinsler, 36, is coming off a 2018 season in which he batted .240/.301/.380 (87 OPS+) in a combined 128 games for the Angels and Red Sox. While the bat is in decline (he's got a 108 OPS+ for his career), Kinsler thanks to his plus fielding (advanced metrics still like him, and he won the AL Gold Glove at second base) and occasional usefulness on the bases was still able to put up a WAR of 2.5 last season.  

As for Kinsler's role in San Diego ... 

For now, even with Kinsler agreement, #Padres still envision Urias as their second baseman, according to a source. Kinsler will play some at third base while also mentoring Urias and Tatis and providing leadership. Kinsler’s career experience at third: Two innings.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 14, 2018

Right now, the Padres have Wil Myers penciled in as their primary third baseman, and that's not an optimal full-time arrangement. At the very least, Kinsler could serve as Myers' glove-first caddy at the position. 

The Padres are beginning to emerge from a deep rebuild -- recall that they also signed Eric Hosmer last offseason -- and they could be a dark-horse team on the free agent market the rest of the way. In other words, the Kinsler signing probably won't be their biggest move the rest of the way. 

As for Kinsler, he's got a shot to get to 60 career WAR at some point during the 2018 season.