Marlins' Otto Lopez could be Tigers' most intriguing trade target of the offseason

The Tigers have had a recurring infield jam that does not look like it will be resolving anytime soon. However, Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald reported last week that shortstops/second basemen Otto Lopez and Xavier Edwards could be available for a potential trade, if the price is right.

Given the Tigers' recent avoidance of adding talent through the trade market, Lopez feels like the perfect person to change their tendencies for. His excellent defense at shortstop and contact-oriented righty bat could provide some certainty in the Tigers' infield.

Why Lopez?

Lopez, still just 28 years old, just came off a dominant season as a shortstop both offensively and defensively. Posting a .300 batting average in 2026 at all is already a massive victory, but he did so with 52 extra-base hits, less than 90 strikeouts, and a 122 OPS. In addition, he was good for 14 Outs Above Average while posting 6 Defensive Runs Saved. In every sense, Lopez would represent an improvement over options like Javier Baez, John Peck, or Colt Keith.

Lopez truly embodies the perfect contact hitter's profile. While he doesn't walk much at all, he also doesn't swing and miss often, and keeps his chase rate pretty moderate. In addition, he made contact with 90.1% of pitches in the strike zone, and maximizes that quality of contact with a 31.1% squared up rate. He isn't going to hit 20+ home runs a season, especially in Detroit, but he doesn't need to. His skillset is that of a high-average shortstop with excellent defensive capabilities, and his contact profile looks to remain stable.

Calming the infield

A potential Lopez trade would mean that two infield positions are firmly locked down. Lopez and Kevin McGonigle will be a fixture at shortstop and either second base or third depending on where Hinch likes McGonigle the best.

Because Spencer Torkelson is likely to remain at first base for his defensive prowess but may be replaced by Josue Briceño at some point in the year, that covers yet another position fully, with only second or third base open for Hao-Yu Lee, Keith, or Max Anderson to take reps. This would also allow Báez to be potentially moved in a trade, or even have his contract eaten in his walk year.

A trade of this magnitude would likely require an infield piece in return. My instinct would be to include Keith in that deal, as he lacks a clear defensive position currently, but his flexibility could be paramount for a young team like the Marlins. But you could swap him out for any of the young, non-established infielders this organization currently holds like Anderson, Peck, or Jace Jung depending on what Miami is open to. The team control Lopez provides would offer the Tigers the ability to be as flexible as they prefer to be, while potentially offloading extra parts that have become non-essential.

If Lopez truly is available on the trade market this offseason, it would make absolutely perfect sense for the Tigers to pounce on that opportunity. Yes, it will likely cost a top prospect and some young, intriguing bats in the Florida Coast League, but it cannot be overstated how much that trade would alter the identity of this team for the better. The Tigers' main concern in their position player group is defense, and Lopez was a standout with his glove. It would be outside of the status quo for the team, but it would ultimately be a rare risk worth taking.

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