Tigers Focus on Infield Upgrades, but Shortstop Remains Uncertain

February 19th, 2025, at 7:37 PM CST • By Darragh McDonald

The Tigers have made significant efforts to strengthen their infield this offseason. They brought in Gleyber Torres on a one-year contract to handle second base, leading to Colt Keith shifting to first and Spencer Torkelson potentially seeing a reduced role or even a stint in the minors. The team also explored the possibility of acquiring Alex Bregman to play third base, which would have blocked Jace Jung’s path, but Bregman ultimately signed with the Red Sox.

However, the shortstop position remains unresolved, leaving the Tigers with an open competition heading into spring training. This approach carries risks but was likely influenced by a lack of superior options in free agency and trades. While Bo Bichette’s name surfaced in trade rumors, he never appeared to be genuinely available.

On the free-agent market, Willy Adames was the only established everyday shortstop, securing a seven-year, $182 million contract with the Giants. Although the Tigers had the financial flexibility to match that deal, it seemed unlikely they would make such a move. Their payroll already includes a significant commitment to a shortstop, and they have potential long-term solutions developing in their system.

With spring training approaching, let’s examine the team’s shortstop outlook in both the short and long term.

The High-Cost Bounce-Back Candidate

Javier Báez

Báez’s struggles in Detroit have been well-documented. The Tigers signed him to a six-year, $140 million contract before the 2022 season, following a productive six-year stretch where he hit .271/.312/.490 with a 107 wRC+ and strong defensive and baserunning numbers, accumulating 21.9 wins above replacement (WAR) per FanGraphs.

His first season with the Tigers saw a decline, as he posted a .238/.278/.393 line with an 89 wRC+—a step down but not disastrous. However, his performance worsened in 2023 (.222/.267/.325, 63 wRC+) and dropped further in 2024 (.184/.221/.294, 48 wRC+). His defensive metrics have also deteriorated over time.

The best-case scenario for Báez is that his decline is linked to injuries. He appeared in just 80 games last season due to lumbar spine and hip inflammation, eventually undergoing season-ending surgery in August. His back issues weren’t a sudden development—he previously mentioned dealing with lower back discomfort throughout the 2022 and 2023 seasons in an interview with Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press.

Tigers Face Uncertain Shortstop Future Amid Báez’s Struggles

Javier Báez’s recent decline could be attributed to injuries, making it a plausible explanation for his sharp drop in performance. If his surgery has resolved these issues and he regains full strength in 2025, he may be able to reverse the downward trend. Even if he doesn’t return to his All-Star form, simply improving from his recent struggles would be beneficial.

If his poor performance continues, the Tigers will have a difficult decision to make. Teams rarely release players with multiple years left on a significant contract, but as the season progresses, Báez’s remaining commitment will shrink from three years to two. While an outright release is unlikely, he could be relegated to an expensive bench role if his struggles persist.

A Short-Term Alternative

Trey Sweeney

Turning 25 in April, Sweeney filled in at shortstop while Báez was sidelined last season, making his major league debut and appearing in 36 games. During that stretch, he hit .218/.269/.373, posting a wRC+ of 81. While his offensive numbers weren’t stellar, they were still an upgrade over Báez’s recent output. His defensive performance was rated above average in a limited sample of 294 innings.

Although Sweeney is not regarded as a top prospect, ranking eighth in the Tigers’ system per Baseball America, he has shown promise in the minors. Last year in Triple-A, he hit .267/.345/.450 but struggled with strikeouts, recording a 26.7% strikeout rate—a trend that continued in his brief MLB stint (26.9%).

His ceiling may not be as high as other prospects, but he has already reached the majors and performed capably. If Báez continues to struggle, the Tigers have Sweeney as a fallback option. However, since he has minor league options remaining, he may begin the season in Triple-A while Báez gets another chance to prove himself.

Depth Options

Zach McKinstry & Ryan Kreidler

McKinstry, who turns 30 in April, isn’t a strong hitter but provides versatility off the bench. Over 1,207 career MLB plate appearances, he has hit .220/.285/.357 with a 79 wRC+. However, he has stolen 40 bases, including 16 in each of the past two seasons, and hasn’t been caught stealing since 2022. Defensively, he has played at all three outfield spots and every infield position except first base, receiving solid defensive marks. Despite his limited bat, FanGraphs has credited him with 3.0 WAR over the past three seasons. He is out of minor league options and will be on the Tigers’ bench.

Kreidler, 27, is still striving to establish himself at the major league level. In his brief big league career (167 plate appearances over three years), he has struggled offensively, hitting just .147/.212/.193. However, his shortstop defense has been rated above average, and he has experience at second base, third base, and in the outfield. While he had a rough season in the minors last year, he has shown better offensive potential in the past. With a minor league option remaining, he may start the season in Triple-A.

Potential Shortstops of the Future

Kevin McGonigle & Bryce Rainer

The Tigers have two promising shortstop prospects in Baseball America’s Top 100 list: Kevin McGonigle (#23) and Bryce Rainer (#60). McGonigle is considered the better hitter and is closer to the majors, but there are concerns that he may not stick at shortstop long-term.

McGonigle, just 20 years old, was selected 37th overall in the 2023 draft. Since then, he has played in 95 minor league games, recording a strong .310/.412/.443 slash line with a 143 wRC+. He has an impressive plate approach, walking in 15.2% of his plate appearances while striking out just 9%. While he only hit six home runs, his ability to get on base makes him an intriguing prospect. He finished last season in High-A and could advance to Double-A or Triple-A in 2025.

Rainer, 19, was drafted 11th overall in 2024 out of Harvard-Westlake High School but has yet to play in any minor league games. Despite his lack of experience, expectations are high. Baseball America ranks him 60th, while MLB Pipeline places him at #53, ESPN at #79, and The Athletic’s Keith Law at #70. Though not included in FanGraphs’ rankings, he was highlighted as a player who could break into the Top 100 once he starts his professional career.

McGonigle’s arm is suited for shortstop, but his range and mobility raise questions about his long-term fit. Rainer, on the other hand, has a stronger chance of staying at shortstop, but he still needs to gain professional experience.

Looking Ahead

Neither McGonigle nor Rainer has reached Double-A yet, so they remain a few years away from the majors. Meanwhile, Báez still has three years left on his contract, but many fans are eager to see the team move on. Since the Tigers cannot recoup any of his salary, their best hope is for him to rebound. If not, they can transition to Sweeney in the short term before considering McGonigle or Rainer down the road. However, prospects are never a sure thing, and there’s no guarantee they will develop as expected.

How this situation unfolds could significantly impact the Tigers’ future. The team has no major long-term financial commitments beyond Báez and demonstrated a willingness to spend aggressively with their recent six-year offer to Alex Bregman. If they can find an internal solution at shortstop, they should have the financial flexibility to strengthen other areas of the roster.