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Detroit Tigers: 3 free agent shortstop options they could pursue

By Andy Patton |
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 19: Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins slides safely into second base as Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers fields the ball during the eighth inning of the game on August 19, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Tigers 5-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 19: Miguel Sano #22 of the Minnesota Twins slides safely into second base as Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers fields the ball during the eighth inning of the game on August 19, 2018 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Tigers 5-4. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 9: Shortstop Ronny Rodriguez #60 of the Detroit Tigers throws out Paul DeJong #12 of the St. Louis Cardinals at first base as second base umpire Tony Randazzo looks on during the second inning at Comerica Park on September 9, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 9: Shortstop Ronny Rodriguez #60 of the Detroit Tigers throws out Paul DeJong #12 of the St. Louis Cardinals at first base as second base umpire Tony Randazzo looks on during the second inning at Comerica Park on September 9, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

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.

DETROIT, MI – JULY 8: Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers makes the throw to first base during the sixth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park on July 8, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JULY 8: Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers makes the throw to first base during the sixth inning of the game against the Texas Rangers at Comerica Park on July 8, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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.

ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 25: Adeiny Hechavarria #11 of the Tampa Bay Rays makes a throw to second base to start a double play in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Tropicana Field on June 25, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
ST. PETERSBURG, FL – JUNE 25: Adeiny Hechavarria #11 of the Tampa Bay Rays makes a throw to second base to start a double play in the seventh inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals at Tropicana Field on June 25, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images) /

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.

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 12: Gorkys Hernandez #7 of the San Francisco Giants steals second base ahead of the throw to Jordy Mercer #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the sixth inning at AT&T Park on August 12, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA – AUGUST 12: Gorkys Hernandez #7 of the San Francisco Giants steals second base ahead of the throw to Jordy Mercer #10 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the bottom of the sixth inning at AT&T Park on August 12, 2018 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

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.

Next. Three Free Agent First Baseman for Detroit to Pursue. dark

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.

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