Shortstop is one of four trouble spots Detroit will be looking to shore up going into next spring, but it also is the one position where the Tigers could elect to do nothing.
The reason for that would be the presence of good young shortstop possibilities in the organization, including Danny Worth, who hit .254 in 79 games with Class AA Erie, and Cale Iorg, who batted .251 in a full season at high Class A Lakeland. Detroit jettisoned Edgar Renteria, paying $3 million to buy out his 2009 option, but is reluctant to commit to backup shortstop Ramon Santiago, who hit .282. Santiago slumped at the end of the season, and the Tigers don't feel he's sturdy enough to play every day.
General manager Dave Dombrowski is looking to acquire a veteran shortstop who can still play at a high level defensively (which is why the club dumped Renteria) to man the position so Detroit doesn't have to rush a youngster.
That would seem to rule out the high-profile free agent shortstops and some of those that other clubs are seeking to move.
"It depends who it is, what other positions they might play, what other versatility they may have," Dombrowski said. "But for the long term, we're not really looking to sign anybody."
Worth and Iorg could probably both handle the job defensively, but their ability to hit major league pitching at this time is in question. Iorg, 23, is regarded as the better potential hitter.
The Tigers may wind up getting a shortstop who can field with the idea that he can split time with Santiago. Both could be pinch-hit for in late innings.
Then if Worth or Iorg gets off to a strong start, he would become a viable midseason alternative.
