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Detroit Tigers: 3 ways to address the shortstop predicament

By Roger Castillo |
Aug 8, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Willi Castro (9) chases a ball hit by Cleveland Indians catcher Austin Hedges (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 8, 2021; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Detroit Tigers shortstop Willi Castro (9) chases a ball hit by Cleveland Indians catcher Austin Hedges (not pictured) during the fourth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
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The Detroit Tigers will have to address the long-term solution at shortstop. Throwing money at it may be the only option. Or is it?

In the series against Cleveland, the Detroit Tigers saw their defense cost them the series in the rubber match on Sunday as Zach Short’s two errors allowed for Cleveland to come back in the game. As a collective, the Tigers are -17 in DRS at shortstop.

I suggested last week that one of the most impactful free agents the Detroit Tigers must sign is Carlos Correa.  Lynn Henning of the Detroit News wrote a piece yesterday ($) that throwing money at shortstop would limit the budget because of their mid-market status and it could hamper the Tigers’ ability to make moves to address other issues.

He is right to a degree. The Tigers have glaring holes across the roster and by resigning Jonathan Schoop, it is at least a start and hopefully, as Bless You Boys suggested, not the only thing that the Tigers do this off-season.

Ryan Krielder as Chris Brown mentioned on the Tigers Radio Podcast last week, is on pace to set the home run record for shortstops but it doesn’t mean he is ready to take over the mantle.

Prospects like Gage Workman, Trei Cruz, and Colt Keith maybe a few years away and there are no guarantees of penciling in prospects and calling it a day.

So instead of another year of hobbling together a shortstop, and if Detroit is not going to spend big, what would be another solution? The trade route.

Now, let’s look at three teams that may experience a roster crunch this winter or a scenario in which it makes the most sense for the Tigers. Keep in mind these trade ideas are just that…ideas. Detroit does not need a dynamic shortstop, rather, one that can man the position to put them in positions to win.

Mar 2, 2020; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kevin Smith (78) throws to first for an out against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2020; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Toronto Blue Jays infielder Kevin Smith (78) throws to first for an out against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the sixth inning at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers trade for SS Kevin Smith: Toronto Blue Jays

Kevin Smith has seen some time in left field for the Jays down in Buffalo, their Triple-A affiliate to add to his versatility. At first glance, his numbers do not stand out until this season in which he has a wRC+ of 147 and has tapped into his power, which was a part of his profile according to our friends over at Jays Journal.

He is currently stuck behind a talented core of infielders in Toronto so there is no room for him to play. The Blue Jays need pitching and perhaps a bullpen arm or starter for Smith could be a temporary and a cheaper solution than if the Tigers decided not to spend money.

He has been known for his defense since his days at the University of Maryland but the power as I mentioned earlier, has picked up. Scouting reports indicated he has soft hands and good range with his arm.

His K rate is down and his on-base percentage is up so he is seeing the ball better. Is that a sign he is ready to come up? Perhaps, but the Tigers could look into what the Jays would want in exchange for Smith.

https://twitter.com/BuffaloBisons/status/1404958426447462400?s=20

Aug 4, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers’ third baseman Luis Urias (2) reacts between innings during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 4, 2021; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers’ third baseman Luis Urias (2) reacts between innings during the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers trade for IF Luis Urias: Milwaukee Brewers

Willy Adames has taken over shortstop for the Brewers and the trade for Eduardo Escobar from Arizona has put Urias from third into a utility type of player, which manager AJ Hinch is a fan of, and the Tigers Director of Player Development is Kenny Graham, who was with the Brewers prior to coming to Detroit.

At shortstop, he has a DRS of -3, which is meh but he is plus 2 at second and plus 7 at third base. His slash line of .235/.332/.416 with 14 home runs and 52 RBI would make him the leader among the Tigers infielders and he has a wRC+ of 102 this season.  What is important to note is that he has increased his hard-hit contact from 2019 (the context behind this versus 202 since he has seen 1,030 pitches) from 31.4% to 39% this season. He is also walking around an 11% clip.

His split between lefties and righties is not much different if you are looking at hitting for average but he has more power against right-handers.  Originally he came over in 2019 from San Diego along with LHP Eric Lauer for RF Trent Grisham and RHP Zach Davies.

Urias fits that “change of scene” idea that it could help him long-term and he doesn’t turn 25 until next June. This is another bat in my opinion the Tigers should look into trading for in the winter.

Jul 16, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers short stop Gavin Lux (9) fields the ball over third baseman Justin Turner (10) in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 16, 2021; Denver, Colorado, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers short stop Gavin Lux (9) fields the ball over third baseman Justin Turner (10) in the fourth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Detroit Tigers trade for IF Gavin Lux: Los Angeles Dodgers

Detroit Tigers fans are fans of upcoming free agent Corey Seager. He is a left-handed bat who has had a pair of 20 home run seasons but has seen his numbers decline a bit in 2021 in 44 games due to injuries.

On the other hand, Seager is a Scott Boras client and as it seems to go, Boras’s clients have good luck with the Tigers (see the Jonathan Schoop deal) so shall see what happens what route the  Dodgers will go as their payroll has expanded to $263 million. 

Granted, Gavin Lux before his hamstring injury was playing shortstop until mid-July. FanGraphs had his future value at 70 because of his raw and game power tool at second base but he didn’t see time at short until this season, where he has been in place of Seager and has perform well enough for a DRS of 0.

He has hit just .227 this season and the power tool hasn’t shown yet but he turns 24 in November and just getting out of rookie status.

For how long he is under contract, the Dodgers may not want to move him but another “fresh start” situation could work for Lux. This one of the three is the most unlikely but I like Lux’s ability to play second base if Schoop has to slide over to first.

The Detroit Tigers could spend wisely is the best route to go but…

Chris Ilitch said he was looking to get “high-impact players” in the off-season so Correa would be the easy choice for all Tigers fans but between Al Avila, the front office, and AJ Hinch, Detroit can be smart and go about the trade route. Lynn Henning usually has an insight for these things and his article could give the vibe Detroit may not spend all their money in one spot or try to warn Tigers fans to curve their expectations.

They could make it an open invitation among the players on the roster, including Isaac Paredes but he has not been able to stay healthy and he has not played short on a regular basis. He has the range to play the position but it’s unknown where he will land on the pecking order.

Whatever the case may be, one thing is certain. If Detroit does their homework, they can find a shortstop that allows them to spend wisely or trade for one that can add an element to the lineup.

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