Detroit Tigers: Long-term successors for expensive veterans

Ian Kinsler’s long-term successor: Dixon Machado

Ideally, Machado would replace Jose Iglesias in the long run.

Detroit could shift someone like Isaac Paredes, Dawell Lugo or Sergio Alcantara to second in the future.

For now though, Dixon Machado is the closest thing to a best bet as Kinsler’s successor.

Kinsler and Jose Iglesias are both controllable through next season.

If both infielders stay with the Detroit Tigers through the end of their respective deals and then depart, Machado would be left to handle shortstop.

In this situation, second base could be conceivably handled by Lugo or another prospect in 2019.

Paredes may be a bit further away than Lugo. However, at this point, if Paredes continues to rake at higher levels in the minors, he could conceivably arrive sooner than expected.

The former Chicago Cubs farmhand shows an advance approach at the plate and is hitting .277 with a .792 OPS at the Single-A level.

He’s also added 62 RBI, 27 doubles and 11 home runs in 436 plate appearances against competition that is on average 3.2 years older than him.

What’s more, the 18-year-old has only struck out 57 times on the season.

Next: Starting in 2018, perhaps a bit sooner, bullpen will get younger. This is good.

A future infield consisting of some combination of Paredes, Machado, Jeimer Candelario and Jose King is certainly something to get excited about.