There is little question about it, 2019 will likely be another rough year for the Detroit Tigers. In fact, do not be surprised if their final record ends up worse than it was this past season when they finished 64-98 in the American League Central.
General manager Al Avila has made it clear that the team is focused on rebuilding and blowing big money in free agency is not something that will not be happening anytime soon.
http://gty.im/482950628
But that does not mean the team will not be active in free agency as they will look to add a few players here and there.
One position the Tigers will focus on adding in free agency is a shortstop as Jose Iglesias is moving on.
According to a report from Jon Morosi, the Tigers have narrowed their shortstop wishlist down to Alcides Escobar, Freddy Galvis, Jody Mercer, and Adeiny Hechavarria.
#Tigers focusing on shortstops, rather than second basemen, on the free-agent market. Sources say Detroit has yet to begin narrowing a broad list that includes Alcides Escobar, Freddy Galvis, Jordy Mercer and Adeiny Hechavarría. @MLB @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 26, 2018
Escobar, who will be 32 by the time Spring Training rolls around, should be very familiar to Tigers fans as he has been with the Kansas City Royals since the 2011 season. In 2018, he hit .231 with four home runs and 34 RBIs in 140 games. Though his hitting has taken a dip as of late, he is a solid fielder.
http://gty.im/1043804630
Galvis, who happens to be my preference on this list, is 29 years old. He after playing his first six big league seasons in Philadelphia, Galvis spent the 2018 campaign in San Diego, where he hit .248 with 13 home runs and 67 RBIs.
Mercer, who is 32 years old, has spent each of his seven Major League seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 2018, he hit .251 with six home runs and 39 RBIs in 117 games.
Hechavarria is currently 29, has bounced around the league for the past seven seasons. In 2018, he hit .247 with six home runs and 31 RBIs in 94 games while ping-ponging between Tampa Bay, Pittsburgh, and the New York Yankees.
