Detroit Tigers: Second base replacements if Ian Kinsler is traded

TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers turns a double play in the seventh inning during MLB game action as Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides into second base at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON - SEPTEMBER 8: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers turns a double play in the seventh inning during MLB game action as Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides into second base at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
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Detroit Tigers
TORONTO, ON – SEPTEMBER 8: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers turns a double play in the seventh inning during MLB game action as Ryan Goins #17 of the Toronto Blue Jays slides into second base at Rogers Centre on September 8, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Dixon Machado

Ian Kinsler played 135 games at second base last season. Andrew Romine, who has already been claimed off waivers by the Seattle Mariners, was next, appearing in 27 games at second.

If Kinsler is traded that would leave 25-year-old Dixon Machado, who also appeared in 27 games at the keystone in 2017.

Coming up, Machado was labeled a defensive wizard who will struggle to hit at the major league level. That has been the case so far.

Machado hit .259/.302/.319 with a 64 wRC+ and a -0.5 fWAR in 73 games last season.

In 105 games spread across three seasons, Machado is a .246 hitter with a 63 wRC+.

Machado fared much better in Triple-A, where he boasted a 10.2% walk rate in 2016 en route to a 106 wRC+ across 569 plate appearances.

Machado’s future will likely be as a glove-first utility man capable of manning second, short and third base.

However, if the Detroit Tigers moved Kinsler than Machado would immediately jump to the top of the depth chart.

At 25, there is a chance Machado’s bat will come around and that he will be a major league regular.

For a rebuilding team it is worth taking a gamble on Machado who has already proven he is capable with the glove in the Majors..

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