Detroit Tigers: Should team seek additional help at second base for 2019?

Although the Detroit Tigers signed a new shortstop in Jordy Mercer this offseason, they have yet to bring in a second baseman. With spring training just weeks away, will the Tigers simply go with their in-house options?

After the Detroit Tigers traded Ian Kinsler to the Los Angeles Angels in December of 2017, it paved the way for Dixon Machado to be given a chance at second base. However, Machado struggled, ended up being designated for assignment and spent a good portion of the season in the minor leagues. He is now in the Miami Marlins organization.

All in all, the Tigers used a total of six different players at second base in 2018. The player who performed the best was Niko Goodrum. After making the team as a utility man in Spring Training, Goodrum turned out to be arguably the greatest surprise of the Tigers’ season. Through 131 games, the switch-hitting Goodrum slashed .245/.315/.432 with 16 home runs and 53 RBI. He made 59 starts at second base.

Recently, Evan Woodbery of MLive tackled a series of questions from Tigers fans. One reader asked why the Tigers didn’t make a run at Jed Lowrie, arguing he would have been a solid, affordable fit until the team’s youngsters are ready. Further down the road, Isaac Paredes, Sergio Alcantara, Willi Castro and Kody Clemens will all be candidates to snag a middle infield spot.

Woodbery responded by saying that he, too, is a fan of Lowrie, but doubted the Tigers ever gave serious thought to signing a second basemen to a multi-year deal (Lowrie signed with the New York Mets for two-years, 20 million). He also mentioned other affordable second basemen that the Tigers missed out on, naming Brian Dozier, Jonathan Schoop and former Tiger Ian Kinsler, two of whom were signed to one-year deals.

Woodbery ended by saying that Goodrum is the likely second baseman as of right now, but suggested that the Tigers could still make a last minute addition.

If Detroit does decide to bring in another second baseman, players such as Asdrubal Cabrera, Neil Walker and Logan Forsythe  are still available.  Cabrera is coming off of a rather nice season, hitting a combined .262/.316/.458  with 23 home runs and 75 RBI for the Mets and Philadelphia Phillies. Walker and Forsythe, on the other hand, might be good players to buy low on as potential bounce-back candidates.

In addition to Goodrum, others such as Dawel Lugo and Ronny Rodriguez will be candidates to compete for playing time at second base as well.  It should be interesting to see whether the Detroit Tigers decide to hand Goodrum the keys to the second base job, or simply determine he is better suited for a super utility role.

Either way, it appears that Detroit will be looking for a short-term solution at second base in 2019. There appears to be a good chance that whoever is playing second next season could be playing elsewhere on the diamond or for another team once the Tigers prospects are ready.