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Detroit Tigers: Who will play shortstop in 2019?

By Brad Faber

DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 14: Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers smiles in the dugout prior to playing the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on August 14, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - AUGUST 14: Jose Iglesias #1 of the Detroit Tigers smiles in the dugout prior to playing the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park on August 14, 2018 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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TOLEDO, OH – JULY 19: Toledo Mud Hens shortstop Dixon Machado (6) gets a lead off of first base during a regular season game between the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Toledo Mud Hens on July 19, 2018 at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TOLEDO, OH – JULY 19: Toledo Mud Hens shortstop Dixon Machado (6) gets a lead off of first base during a regular season game between the Lehigh Valley IronPigs and the Toledo Mud Hens on July 19, 2018 at Fifth Third Field in Toledo, Ohio. (Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Dixon Machado

Early this season, it appeared that the Detroit Tigers already had their replacement for Iglesias in Dixon Machado. In 2017, Machado spent the entire season as the Tigers’ utility man and hit a respectable .259/.302/.319 over 73 games.

When Ian Kinsler was traded to the Los Angeles Angels last offseason, it opened the door for Machado to be the Tigers’ everyday second baseman at the start of the season. Whether it happened at the middle of this season or next, it seemed that it would only be a matter of time before Machado would slide over to shortstop once Iglesias had moved on to his next team.

While Machado got off to a rather good start this season, he eventually floundered at the plate. With Machado struggling and Goodrum excelling, the Tigers needed to ride the hot hand. Machado was designated for assignment and eventually accepted a trip back to the minor leagues.

Machado hasn’t exactly been tearing the cover off of the ball in Triple-A either, hitting just .225/.323/.261 through 40 games. However, according to Evan Woodbery of MLive, Machado could be back in Detroit before the season is over. After all, rosters can expand on September 1, so it will be quite interesting to see if Machado will be given a chance to redeem himself.

Machado has already proven that he can be a solid enough player on the defensive end. If he can just provide the type of offense that Iglesias did, he may yet be the Tigers’ answer at shortstop.

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