Detroit Tigers: Exploring Jose Iglesias Trade Scenarios

With the trade deadline approaching, which contending teams may have interest in Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias?

As the trade deadline approaches, teams will be calling the Detroit Tigers regarding several players. Matthew Boyd, Michael Fulmer, Shane Greene, Francisco Liriano, and Leonys Martin could all be sent packing by the end of the month. But what about defensive wizard Jose Iglesias?

Detroit inked Iglesias to a one-year deal in January to avoid arbitration. The 28-year old becomes a free agent after the season. With General Manager Al Avila admitting Iglesias does not fit in the team’s long-term plans, it makes sense for the Tigers to deal him.

Finding a new home for the Cuban shortstop has become somewhat of a cottage industry here at Motor City Bengals. Over the last several months, our own Andy Patton analyzed potential trades to the Padres, Twins, and Dodgers.

New Developments

Over the last couple months, a few things changed in regards to teams’ possible interest in Iglesias. For one, he’s in the midst of his best offensive season in a few years. Through 88 games, Iglesias sports a .274/.310/.381 slash line, the best he’s been in all three categories since earning an All-Star nod in 2015.

Iglesias has stolen 12 bases, already establishing a new career-high. He’s also on pace to surpass or at least challenge his previous career-highs in hits, runs, doubles, and RBIs.

The other factor looming in a potential Iglesias trade is the availability of Manny Machado. Baltimore appears extremely likely to deal their superstar shortstop, with suitors lining up to try and acquire the four-time All-Star.

Teams looking to acquire a shortstop may wait until Machado is off the board to ask about Iglesias. There’s only one of him to go around, so several will miss out in the Machado sweepstakes. That leaves Iglesias as one of the best remaining options.

Here are a few teams who could come calling for the Detroit Tigers shortstop as the deadline nears:

Why Iglesias May Be a Fit

Somewhat surprisingly, the Brewers sit atop the National League Central. Their first place standing comes in spite of getting very little out of the shortstop position.

Orlando Arcia entered the year as the undisputed starter at short for Milwaukee. Arcia claimed the job in late 2016, and turned in a very good first full campaign in 2017. He hit .277 in 152 games, and played well defensively.

2018 has been disastrous for Arcia. In 66 games, his average stands at .197. Milwaukee sent him down to Triple-A a few different times, trying to get him back on track.

In his absence, the Brewers have tried five others at the position. Behind Arcia, the leader in games played at shortstop is Eric Sogard, who was recently designated for assignment. Next up is Tyler Saladino, who was activated from the disabled list last week.

Detroit Tigers fans may remember Saladino from his three-year stint with the White Sox. His best season on the South Side was 2016, in which he slashed .282/.315/.409 with a 98 OPS+. In 20 games with Milwaukee this season, Saladino carries a .292 average.

Saladino may continue his strong season at the plate, but it’s much more likely he regresses toward his .235 career average. Acquiring Iglesias and sending Saladino to the bench would make a lot of sense for Milwaukee. Saladino’s ability to play multiple positions would make him a very valuable bench asset, especially in the National League, where bench players are used more frequently.

Along with the Dodgers, the Brewers remain one of the teams most heavily linked to a Manny Machado deal. If Machado goes elsewhere, Iglesias would slot in nicely for the NL Central leaders.

A Potential Return

With free agency looming for Iglesias, any organization’s premier prospects are likely off the table. In the case of the Brewers, the Detroit Tigers could try to nab one of the many outfielders with promise in their system.

Trent Grisham

The 15th overall pick three years ago, Grisham has fallen off in the eyes of many due to a lack of average and power. What Grisham does bring is a high on-base percentage. Last year with High-A Carolina, he batted .223, but managed a .360 on-base percentage thanks to a league-leading 98 walks.

He also ranked in the top-five in runs scored and steals, although a hamstring injury has slowed him down a bit this season. In 2018, Grisham is hitting a career-low .212 with a .340 on-base percentage at Double-A Biloxi. At 21 years old (three years younger than the average player at Double-A), there’s plenty of time for Grisham to improve.

Tristen Lutz

Milwaukee selected Lutz on the first day of the draft a little more than a year ago. He played 40 games for a pair of rookie-level affiliates in 2017, posting a .311/.398/.559 slash line.

Lutz has spent all of 2018 with Class A Wisconsin. His average has dipped to .240, but he leads the Timber Rattlers in runs, doubles, and RBIs. The 19-year old also earns high marks for a strong, accurate arm in the outfield, and good base running instincts.

Jake Gatewood

Originally drafted as a shortstop, Gatewood spends most of his time at third base these days, with occasional appearances in the outfield. As he’s risen through the system, he’s continued to develop power. After hitting 15 homers a year ago, he’s already blasted 14 this season, tied for the Southern League lead.

Strikeouts continue to be the main problem for Gatewood. In his five pro seasons, he’s yet to post a strikeout rate below 26 percent. An improved approach at the plate and continued improvement to his power stroke will make the strikeouts less of an issue.

Why Iglesias May Be a Fit

The Diamondbacks currently sit atop the tight NL West race. One of the weakest points of a very potent Arizona lineup is shortstop. After the J.D. Martinez deal last summer, could the two be a deadline match again in 2018?

Only two players have manned shortstop this season in the desert, Nick Ahmed and Ketel Marte. Ahmed leads the duo, having played in 85 games. Like Iglesias, Ahmed boasts a strong glove at short. Unlike Iglesias, he’s had a hard time staying on the field over the course of his career.

The former second rounder first reached the big leagues back in 2014. In his five big league seasons, he’s managed to appear in more than 90 games just once, playing 134 back in 2015.

Iglesias’ bat has been more consistent, too. Ahmed hits more home runs, but Iglesias’ career .271 average dwarfs Ahmed’s .226 career mark.

Marte spells Ahmed on occasion, but spends most of his time at second base. Arizona would be well-served to keep Marte at second, as he’s a much better defender there than at short.

Like Milwaukee, Arizona has also reportedly shown interest in Manny Machado. Several other teams boast much higher regarded systems than the Diamondbacks, making a Machado deal less likely.

A Potential Return

Despite the low rank of their system, the Detroit Tigers could scope out a gem or two from Arizona. Similar to Milwaukee, the Diamondbacks possess more position player talent than pitching talent, making it a good match for the Tigers, based on the current state of their farm system.

Drew Ellis

A second round pick in 2017, Ellis hit just .227 in 48 games with short-season Hillsboro in his pro debut last summer. The third baseman collected eight home runs and posted an 11.5 percent walk rate.

This season, Ellis jumped over Class A, straight to High-A Visalia. He’s rewarded the Diamondbacks aggressiveness with a good season thus far. Ellis leads the California league with 28 doubles, and ranks in the top-five in RBIs and extra-base hits.

Gabriel Maciel

A 19-year old switch-hitter, Maciel made his full-season affiliate debut this spring. In 56 games with Class A Kane County, he’s slashing .259/.337/.311. As evidenced by his slugging percentage, Maciel does not possess much power.

Primarily a center fielder, Maciel’s speed gives him great range in the outfield and the ability to steal bases. His walk rate is just shy of 10 percent, and combined with a solid hit tool could make him a very solid table-setter down the road.

Kevin Cron

The younger brother of C.J. Cron, Kevin has put up impressive power numbers in the minor leagues. In his three years of full-season ball, he’s blasted at least 25 homers in each, and collected no fewer than 88 RBIs. Last season, he hit .283 with 25 bombs and 91 RBIs and took home the Southern League MVP.

Primarily a first baseman, this season, Cron has started playing third base more than ever. His bat has been as strong as ever, too. Despite missing about a month at the start of the year, he’s slashing .319/.371/.606 and ranks in the top-five in the Pacific Coast League in RBIs.