Detroit Tigers: 3 free agent shortstop options they could pursue

The Detroit Tigers have a handful of options for their starting shortstop in 2019. Here are three free agents that could fit into the mix.

Detroit Tigers General Manager Al Avila has a laundry list of tasks to accomplish this offseason. One of the biggest needs is at starting shortstop. Presently, the team has three big league middle infielders on the roster: Niko Goodrum, Dawel Lugo and Ronny Rodriguez. Goodrum is expected to start at second base, with Rodriguez the likely shortstop if the season started today.

However, the season doesn’t start today, and the Tigers have a long offseason to find someone else who can start at short. While the team is in rebuilding mode, that doesn’t preclude them from exploring the open market to find a veteran to plug in for a year or two while guys like Sergio Alcantara, Wenceel Perez, Willi Castro and Jose King develop on the farm.

Plus, if the Tigers find a shortstop stopgap that performs well, they could always shop them in July to acquire more prospects as they trudge along in their rebuild.

Here are three free agents that the Detroit Tigers could pursue this offseason to help bridge the gap between the future of the position and the current set up.

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.