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Detroit Tigers: Who will be the Opening Day Second Baseman?

By Rob Low

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 18: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers gets the game winning single in the twelfth inning and celebrate as he rounds the bases during the game against the Kansas City Royals on September 18, 2015 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 18: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers gets the game winning single in the twelfth inning and celebrate as he rounds the bases during the game against the Kansas City Royals on September 18, 2015 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the Royals 5-4. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 28: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers steps on second as he gets the force out on Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images)
KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 28: Dixon Machado #49 of the Detroit Tigers steps on second as he gets the force out on Lorenzo Cain #6 of the Kansas City Royals in the fourth inning at Kauffman Stadium on September 28, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Ed Zurga/Getty Images) /

The heavy favorite to get the first crack at the everyday job at second base is Dixon Machado. The 26-year old is coming off a season in which he played a career-high 73 games. Of those 73 games, 59 came at shortstop or second base to spell Iglesias or Kinsler.

The Venezuelan has always been known more for his defense, hitting just .246 with a .303 on-base percentage in 105 Major League games. Machado is not known for power either, with just 10 career extra-base hits.

Machado showed improvement at the plate last year, hitting a career-best .259. While the sample is small, it gives optimists hope that he can continue to get better with more playing time.

The real value with Machado has always been with his defense. Baseball America rated him as the Best Defensive Infielder and the Best Infield Arm in the Detroit system for three straight years while he was in the minors.

An Iglesias-Machado double play duo could be a great defensive combination. However, if the Tigers are looking to replace Kinsler’s offense, they likely need to search elsewhere.

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