2019 MLB Free Agency: Ranking the Top 5 Shortstops on the Market
The pickings are slim this offseason for MLB teams that are looking to bolster the shortstop position.
In fact, there might be just three free agents at the position who sign major league deals this winter. The remaining options may settle for a minor league pact and a non-roster invite to spring training.
Superstar Francisco Lindor could wind up on the trade block depending on what direction the Cleveland Indians take this winter, and Addison Russell looks like a clear non-tender candidate for the Chicago Cubs. We'll make no assumptions on the availability of either player or any others not currently listed among this year's free-agent class.
For now, here's a look at the five best free-agent options at shortstop.
5. Jordy Mercer
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After seven seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jordy Mercer signed a one-year, $5.25 million contract with the Detroit Tigers last offseason.
A nagging quad injury limited him to 24 games during the first half of the season, and he hit a brutal .190/.256/.304 in 79 plate appearances when he was able to take the field.
Things turned around once he shook the injury bug.
The 33-year-old batted .305/.335/.497 with 18 extra-base hits in 185 plate appearances after the All-Star break, serving as a reliable veteran piece on a young Tigers roster.
Defensively, he graded out poorly from a metrics standpoint (-9 DRS, -10.1 UZR/150), and it's clear he's lost a step.
Unless he catches on as a stopgap with another rebuilding team, he seems destined for a bench/depth role in 2020.
4. Adeiny Hechavarria
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Adeiny Hechavarria spent four years as the everyday shortstop for the Miami Marlins before moving into a utility infielder role the past three seasons.
He signed a minor league deal with the New York Mets last offseason and had his contract selected at the beginning of May, but he hit just .204 with a 62 OPS+ and negative-0.2 WAR in 151 plate appearances before the Mets released him in August.
The division-rival Atlanta Braves scooped him up two days later. He did a complete 180 in Atlanta, hitting .328/.400/.639 with 10 extra-base hits in 70 plate appearances en route to 1.1 WAR in 24 games.
He graded out slightly below average in defensive metrics in 2019 (-2 DRS, -7.2 UZR/150) but has been a standout defender throughout his career, logging 20 DRS over eight seasons.
His strong finish at the plate and his reputation as a solid defender should secure him another minor league deal and a real shot at landing a spot on an MLB bench.
3. Eric Sogard
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We're cheating a bit here since Eric Sogard saw significantly more action at second base (74 games) than shortstop (four games) in 2019.
However, with a deep crop of available second basemen and a thin pool of shortstops, a team might be willing to give him a shot on the other side of second base in 2020.
The 33-year-old has played 129 games at shortstop in his nine-year career, so he's no stranger to the position.
He's also fresh off his best offensive season, hitting .290/.353/.457 with 23 doubles and 13 home runs in 396 plate appearances with the Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays.
Considering he had just 11 career home runs in 1,743 career plate appearances prior to 2019, it would be wise to expect some level of regression.
Still, with his versatility on the heels of a 2.6-WAR season, he should land an MLB deal this time around after signing a minor league deal last offseason.
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2. Jose Iglesias
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After four seasons and 6.8 WAR as the Detroit Tigers' starting shortstop, Jose Iglesias was forced to settle for a minor league deal with the Cincinnati Reds in his first trip to free agency last offseason.
The 29-year-old broke camp with a roster spot and a $2.5 million salary. He found his way into 146 games, hitting .288/.318/.407 with an 85 OPS+ and a career-high 11 home runs en route to a 1.5-WAR season.
He remained a standout defender, logging 8 DRS and 7.6 UZR/150 in 2019. He's now racked up 20 DRS in 6,307.2 career innings at shortstop.
Will he be forced to settle for a minor league contract again?
While he has a high batting average, his lack of on-base skills and middling extra-base pop make him a below-average offensive player. In today's game, offensive production drives open market value.
At the same time, anyone with a need at the shortstop position could receive good bang for the buck if he signs for something close to the $2.5 million he made in 2019.
1. Didi Gregorius
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While he's an easy choice for the No. 1 spot in these rankings, Didi Gregorius is one of the biggest question marks on the free-agent market.
During his first four seasons with the New York Yankees, Gregorius racked up 13.3 WAR and established himself as one of the best offensive shortstops in baseball. His 72 home runs from 2016 to 2018 trailed only Trevor Story (88) and Francisco Lindor (86) among players who primarily manned the shortstop position.
His recovery from Tommy John surgery kept him sidelined until June 7 this past season, and he batted just .238/.276/.441 for an 87 OPS+ with 16 home runs in 344 plate appearances upon returning.
Where does that leave his stock as he hits the open market?
While the inevitable rust that comes with an injury layoff would explain the downturn in his power production in 2019, it doesn't explain a sharp decline in his walk rate (-3.5%) and uptick in his strikeout rate (+3.3%).
He was also not the same defensive player, logging negative-6 DRS in just 82 games.
Someone will take a chance on the 29-year-old, and he could wind up being one of the biggest bounce-back players of 2020. He could also be a complete bust, especially if his price tag climbs considerably from the $11.75 million he made in 2019.
All stats courtesy of Baseball Reference and FanGraphs unless otherwise noted.
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