After bidding farewell to two of their more productive players of 2019 via trades last month, the Orioles have finally made their first notable signing of the offseason.
According to MLB.com, Baltimore has agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract with veteran shortstop Jose Iglesias. The deal reportedly includes a 2021 club option that would pay Iglesias $6 million over two years.
The 30-year-old spent last season with Cincinnati, batting .288 with 11 home runs, 59 runs batted in, and a .724 on-base plus slugging percentage in 530 plate appearances. Known for his above-average defense, Iglesias was worth eight defensive runs saved last year and has registered at least 1.4 wins above replacement in each of the last five seasons.
General manager Mike Elias had been eyeing a veteran shortstop with last month’s Jonathan Villar trade and the likelihood that former Rule 5 pick Richie Martin will begin 2020 in the minors. Orioles pitching ranked 28th in the majors in strikeouts last season, creating a desire for stronger team defense in the midst of an extensive rebuild.
A Cuban native, Iglesias finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2013 and was an All-Star selection with Detroit in 2015. He is a career .273 hitter with 32 homers, 247 RBIs, and a .687 OPS in eight seasons with Boston, Detroit, and the Reds.
