The Atlanta Braves have suffered a huge setback just before the beginning of the season, with All-Star shortstop Ha-Seong Kim injuring his finger in South Korea. Now, they’ll need to find an emergency replacement for the four-to-five months he’s out.
Luckily for them, there are plenty of short-term, cost-effective shortstops on the market. Fansided’s Cody Williams believes one of those options is former All-Star Jose Iglesias.
“I don't mean this nearly as derogatory as it might sound, but Jose Iglesias is almost the prototype for what a team like the Braves would want in finding a replacement for Kim. He's experienced as they come, having played 13 seasons in MLB to this point in his career. At 36 years old, he'll likely come dirt cheap to Atlanta or any team that signs him. And on top of that, you know exactly what you're going to get from Iglesias as well,” Williams wrote.
This past season, Iglesias slashed.229/.298/.294/.592 with 11 doubles, three home runs, and 36 RBI in 112 games played. However, the previous season, he slashed.337/.381/.448/.830 with 16 doubles, four homers, and 26 RBI in 85 games.
He’d also be incredibly cheap. He’s projected to receive a one-year, $1.4 million contract. A contract of that kind, covering only until the All-Star Break or Trade Deadline, would be a great deal.
While he’s not the best shortstop, if he can put up numbers that are between his 2024 and 2025 seasons, he would make for the perfect short-term replacement. Hopefully, the Braves realize that and pick up the phone.
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