Orioles rumors: Baltimore unlikely to acquire Rangers 2B Ian Kinsler

Despite recent rumors, a trade involving Texas Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler heading to the Baltimore Orioles "likely won’t happen," reports Eduardo Encina of The Baltimore Sun:

I’ve been getting a number of inquiries about whether the Orioles are interested in trading for Rangers second baseman Ian Kinsler, and I can say it likely won’t happen.

The Orioles entered the offseason seemingly in the market for a second baseman. Robert Andino and Ryan Flaherty manned the position last season, while veteran Brian Roberts missed most of yet another year due to injury. Andino and Flaherty didn’t perform well offensively for the O’s and there remain questions regarding Roberts’ health.

This led many to speculate the team could look to acquire a second baseman this winter. Baltimore has added Alexi Casilla on a waiver claim from the Minnesota Twins, but whispers of a more significant addition continued.

However, Encina reports that Orioles general manager Dan Duquette has said he "likes" the team’s current options with the waiver claim of Casilla.

Kinsler is rumored to be available given the Rangers desire to keep infielders Elvis Andrus and Jurickson Profar in the fold. If the long-time second baseman isn’t traded he could shift to left field.