Detroit Tigers 5 defensive questions

Apr 12, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias (1) throws out Cleveland Indians left fielder Jerry Sands (40) in the seventh inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

#1: Will the Detroit Tigers have two Gold Glove middle infielders?

Fans were extremely excited in November 2013 when the Detroit Tigers sent Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Ian Kinsler. While the Prince-Tigers’ fan relationship turned very sour throughout the 2013 season, and many fans were delighted to see him go, they were equally happy to see Kinsler come back in return.

Kinsler has offered a decent stick throughout his career but the most exciting thing about his addition to the team was his paring with Jose Iglesias. Fans were thinking that it would finally give the Tigers a keystone combination they have lacked since the glory days of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker.

The team even symbolically acknowledged this by issuing Kinsler #3, thus making Iglesias #1 a sort of bizzaro Tram-Sweet Lou. Of course this duo never saw one game together in the field in 2014 because of Jose’s season-ending shin surgery.

Now (again knocking on wood) seemingly fully healthy, Iglesias and Kinsler have settled in nicely to become a formidable double-play duo.

Could this be the duo that wins Gold Gloves at these positions in the same year for the first time since 1984 when Trammel and Whitaker won the hardware?

That was the last year a Tigers’ shortstop won it and the last time any Tiger won it was Placido Polanco in 2009 at second base, though many of us feel Kinsler was absolutely robbed of the honor a season ago.

I am predicting it now. The Tigers will take home their first Gold Glove in five seasons and the new #1-#3 combo will each take one home.

Next: MCB: TigerTalk #4