Aledmys Diaz. A New Shortstop Option?

Oct 25, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jhonny Peralta (27) throws the baseball to first base during the seventh inning of game two of the 2012 World Series against the San Francisco Giants at AT

I guess it is somewhat disrespectful to continue to talk about other shortstops while Jhonny Peralta is still a Tiger, but hey, there is a chance that he won’t be a Tiger by the time 2013 starts. Anyway, even if Peralta is the starting SS come April the Tigers still will need to continue to explore younger options. Jhonny Peralta can’t play forever after all.

Since names like Elvis Andrus don’t seem entirely feasible, exploring other options will become necessary. Enter another Cuban defector.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, two Cuban prospects are apparently close to free agency. And guess what? One of them happens to be a 22 year old shortstop. His name is Aledmys Diaz. I don’t know much about Diaz other than what is in the post at MLBTR, and that is his frame and the fact that he is 22 and hits right-handed. But he is taking part in some showcase events next week apparently, and the Tigers should be there, and probably will, given their recent interest in Yoennis Cespedes last year.

Last year was a big year for Cuban defectors. The aforementioned Cespedes was really good with the A’s, and the two younger players signed to big deals, Jorge Soler and Yasiel Puig, both impressed their respective clubs by turning in strong minor league performances. Those successes make Diaz an intriguing option for a Tigers franchise that seems willing to spend on just about anything at this point.