MLB Rumors: Detroit Tigers Interested in Adeiny Hechavarria?

Mar 6, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; Miami Marlins shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria (3) warms up in the outfield before a game against the Boston Red Sox at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

The Detroit Tigers recently lost their starting shortstop Jose Iglesias for several months to heal a fracture in each lower leg. With the loss of Iglesias, the Tigers are said to be scouring the shortstop market, hoping to find a someone to plug the hole Iglesias’ injury left them.

The Tigers have already been linked to free agent Stephen Drew and to the Mariners Nick Franklin. However, could there be another name on the Tigers radar that has not been brought up yet? According to a scout Jon Heyman of CBS Sports spoke to, Adeiny Hechavarria could be on the Tigers radar.

One scout said he could see Marlins slick-fielding shortstop Adeiny Hechevarria, a sort of Iglesias-lite, filling their need. But a Marlins source said they have yet to be contacted regarding Hechevarria.

Hechavarria might be someone on the Tigers radar, but its inconceivable for me to see the Marlins even entertaining the idea of trading Hech. The Marlins are extremely high on Hechavarria and believe him to be the shortstop for the Marlins for the next decade. Despite advanced defensive metrics saying that Hechavarria was a below average fielding shortstop in 2013, the Marlins defend Hech and say most teams would want him to be their starting shortstop.

The Marlins would likely place a price tag that no team would match for a glove-only shortstop. Like editor Chris Logel reported yesterday, the Diamondbacks are seeking a major league ready pitcher for their glove first shortstop, Didi Gregorius. It’s conceivable to think that the Marlins would seek the same kind of return for Hechavarria.

A scout may have mentioned Adeiny Hechavarria as a name in passing that could fit the Tigers need at shortstop, but it would be extremely shocking to see the Marlins trade their shortstop. This is true especially because of how high the team is on him and his future.