Ex-Red Sox Shortstop Available & Could Bolster Middle Infield In Need Of Help

Will Boston make a move to fill a much-needed infield deficiency?

The Boston Red Sox's middle infield production has been atrocious through 20 games of the season and it might be time to find an upgrade. 

The current options include Kiké Hernández (hitting .229 with a .713 OPS) Christian Arroyo (.176 with .443 OPS) and Yu Chang (.100 with a .456 OPS). Boston also has Enmanuel Valdéz and David Hamilton in Triple-A Worcester but neither option is expected to take the league by storm in 2023. 

Former Red Sox shortstop and 2015 All-Star José Iglesias is now a free agent. Iglesias signed with the Miami Marlins back in March of this year, lasting a little over a month with the club. 

“José Iglesias is opting out of his deal with the Marlins,” MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand tweeted Thursday night.

Iglesias hit .292 with 33 extra-base hits including three home runs, 56-to-17 strikeout-to-walk ratio and .708 OPS in 118 games for the Colorado Rockies last season. 

The 33-year-old ranks toward the bottom of the league in exit velocity at this point in his career but can hit enough singles and doubles to outproduce the current in-house middle infielders. 

If Iglesias were to be picked up by the Red Sox, this would mark his fifth season suiting up in Boston between three stints. Although he has a history here and the team has lacked shortstop production since Xander Bogaerts’ departure, it’s unlikely that he finds his way to Boston again. 

"José Iglesias, who the Marlins sent to Triple-A at the end of camp -- isn’t as logical of a fit as many would think," MassLive's Christopher Smith wrote last week. "The Sox are down on Iglesias’ defense and, despite his positive impact at the end of the 2021 season, generally don’t think he’s an upgrade at the major league level."

While it's true that Iglesias's chase for All-Star appearances likely is behind him, he certainly could beat out Chang for a roster spot and would be a solid replacement for Arroyo until he gets back on track. 

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