Detroit Tigers: Predicting the 2018 lineup ahead of the trade deadline

Second Base: Dixon Machado

Ian Kinsler is under contract for 2018 for a very alluring $10 million. That would certainly fit in the Tigers budget as they try to trim payroll, but his affordability would also make Kinsler an attractive trade piece. It’s not clear which contending team might need a second baseman, but the Tigers will certainly put him on the block this summer. It’s hard to imagine him lasting through the trade deadline and the offseason without getting moved.

That likely leaves an opening in 2018 for a second baseman. The Tigers had a logjam of prospects in the middle infield at one point — Hernan Perez, Eugenio Suarez, and Devon Travis — but Machado is the only one left at this point. His plus fielding ability would make him a better fit for shortstop, but he could play second base if the incumbent sticks around.

Andrew Romine is another option to serve as the nominal starter at second base, but the rebuilding Tigers would be better served to give the youngsters the bulk of the playing time wherever possible.

Shorststop: Jose Iglesias

Jose Iglesias will probably be on the block this summer but I’m predicting that the Tigers won’t get the type of return offers that they’d be hoping for. Iglesias hasn’t progressed at the plate but still carries enough defensive value to be a viable major league starter. He’ll also be in his final year of arbitration eligibility in 2018 so he’ll remain affordable.

If the Tigers find a contending team in desperate need of a shorstop they could get a deal done — the Arizona Diamondbacks just lost Nick Ahmed to a fractured hand — but, again, Iglesias’ light bat means a bidding war is unlikely to develop. Unless they’re overwhelemed with an offer the Tigers would be better off hanging on to Iglesias while hoping for a bounce back season at the plate.

If Iglesias is move, expect Machado to slide into the starter’s role with Romine (or someone currently outside the organization) handling second base.