Rockies sign shortstop Jose Iglesias to a one-year deal, according to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand (via twitter). Mike Rodriguez of Univision tweeted earlier tonight that Iglesias and the Rocks were close to a deal, and later noted that Iglesias would earn $5 million. Iglesias represents MVP Sports Group.
As Nick Groke of The Athletic points outThe Rockies’ signing of Iglesias to play buddy means “the door is closed on Trevor’s story era.” Storey took up the mantle as Colorado’s regular shortstop from Troy Tulowitzki in 2016, finishing fourth in Rookie of the Year voting and receiving MVP votes in each of the 2018–20 seasons. In November, the Rockies extended Story’s $18.4 million qualifying offer and he remains a free agent. The signing of Iglesias also solidifies the former third overall pick in the draft. Brendan Rogers as the team’s second baseman.
Iglesias, 32, has played for the Red Sox, Tigers, Reds, Orioles and Angels during his 10-year MLB career. Iglesias signed with the Red Sox in 2009 as a nimble shortstop from Cuba. En route to finishing second in Rookie of the Year in 2013, Iglesias was traded to the Tigers in a three-team deal at the July deadline. . Stress fractures in both legs kept him out of the field for the entire 2014 season, but Iglesias made his only All-Star Game in 2015 and served as a Tigers shortstop for four seasons.
Iglesias joined the Reds in a surprising minor league deal in late February 2019, eventually serving as the club’s starter. He joined the Orioles as a free agent in January 2020, posting an uncharacteristic 160 wRC+ in 150 plate appearances. This led to Baltimore choosing Iglesias’ club option for $3.5 million for 2021, though they traded him to the Angels a month later for a couple of minor league players. Iglesias took over most of the Angels’ shortstop innings in 2021 but was released in September. He returned home to the Red Sox on a major league contract and scored well in his short time there, although he was ill-suited for the club’s post-season roster.
With a career record of 87 wRC+, defense has become Iglesias’ hallmark. His 2016 Statcast Outs Above Average was generally above average. Iglesias’ defensive run save record was erratic and in 21st he struggled in the Ultimate Zone rankings.
Iglesias endured what could be called a lack of respect from the game in the final years of his solid career, from a minor league contract with the Reds to his release from the Angels. However, since 2015, he has been a main player for his team in every season since 2015 and has just signed the biggest contract of his major league career since arriving from Cuba. The post-lockout free agency market quickly brought home several non-star free-agent players who hit over 500 shortstop innings in 2021 when the Cubs signed. Andrelton Simmons to yesterday’s $4 million trade, and the Astros added Niko Goodrum on a $2.1 million pact today. History and Carlos Correawith much higher expected price tags and qualifying offers, have yet to be signed.
As for the Rockies, Iglesias will help bridge the gap with their top prospect, the 20-year-old. Ezequiel Tovar. Baseball America ranked the Venezuelan ninth among prospects in the Rockies, explaining: “Tovar has a few more years of growth ahead of him, but he’s talented enough defensively to eventually become the Rockies’ starting shortstop.” With an affordable light-hit veteran option for 2022 at Iglesias, the Rockies look to fulfill their stated goal of adding attack through the outfield.