Detroit Tigers: 3 free agent shortstop options they could pursue

Jose Iglesias

The first option is the simplest: bring Jose Iglesias back. General manager Al Avila made it clear they don’t envision Iglesias as a part of the team’s future, and that is why no contract extension conversations took place during the season. However, after seeing the ghastly performances from Ronny Rodriguez and Dixon Machado last season, it is clear the team needs a stopgap shortstop for at least another year – maybe two.

Of course, Iggy may want to spread his wings and find himself on a team that isn’t headed for another 90 loss season. The problem is that most, actually all, contending teams are pretty darn set at the shortstop spot. Iggy would have to settle for a utility infielder role on a contending team. While I have no doubt that he would excel in that role, teams are not going to want to pay a light-hitting utility infielder much, even if he possesses one of the best gloves on planet earth.

As such, Iggy’s best chance to earn significant playing time and get paid as a starter might be by staying in Detroit.

For the Tigers, brining Iggy back gives them someone they are familiar with at a key position, while affording them the opportunity to let younger shortstop options like Willi Castro and Sergio Alcantara continue to develop. If one of them is ready by midseason, the Tigers can shop Iggy once again and see if they can get a prospect or two back. If not, they can play this same game again at the end of the season.

Adeiny Hechavarria

If the Tigers aren’t able to re-sign Iglesias, either because he doesn’t want to come back or they get priced out, they could turn to the rest of this year’s free agent market. One of the most practical, affordable options is the poor man’s Iglesias – Adeiny Hechavarria.

Hech has been in the big leagues since 2012, spending four seasons as the primary shortstop for the Miami Marlins before bouncing around to five different teams in the last two seasons. He is a light, light-hitting shortstop with a solid glove and decent speed. For his career, he has a .254/.290/.345 with a 72 wRC+ and a 3.9 fWAR, almost all of his value deriving from his glove.

Hech split 2018 between the Rays, Pirates and Yankees, posting a similar slash line to his career line. He’s been nothing if not consistent, meaning the Tigers know almost exactly what they’d be getting themselves into.

While Hech does have very solid marks for his defense, he’s not on Iggy’s level. Still, he is the second best defensive shortstop on the market, and is considerably better than Rodriguez would be over a full season. Plus, it’s entirely possible he’d contribute more at the plate.

Hech can probably be had on a cheap one-year deal. He will suffer from the same fate as Iglesias, wherein most teams don’t need starting shortstops. If a few jobs do open up, they’ll likely go to other more qualified free agent options, leaving Hech accepting either a utility role or a starting role on a rebuilding team like the Tigers.

Jordy Mercer

The most accomplished offensive player on this list, longtime Pirates shortstop Jordy Mercer is set to hit free agency at age 32. Mercer slashed a respectable .251/.315/.381 last year, although age regression may be starting to take its toll. He had a 7.3% walk rate and a 20.0% strikeout rate, both worse than he had in 2017. Additionally, he only hit six home runs, his lowest total since 2015.

Still, Mercer has a ton of experience at shortstop and still has enough life in his bat to be a consistent regular for another year or two. He is not the defensive caliber player that either Iggy or Hech are, but he has always held his own with the glove – posting roughly league average defense for his career.

Prior to 2018, Mercer had hit 11 or more home runs in three of the last four seasons. That may not seem like much, but power is not something the Tigers have had from a shortstop in a while and having someone who can leave the yard might be kind of fun.

Mercer will almost certainly command the most money of the three, but a lack of available jobs could bring him into Detroit’s price range. His experience would also make him the most appealing trade candidate as well – provided he hits well for Detroit in the first half.

The Detroit Tigers are no longer the big spending team they once were. However, there is plenty of talent to be had in the bargain bin this offseason.

If Detroit plays their cards right, they can find some of that talent and turn it into more prospects to help lead this team back into the playoffs in the early 2020’s.