Colorado Rockies rumors: 3 teams that could use José Iglesias

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Things have gone awry for the Colorado Rockies in the last month as they have lost 20 of their last 28, which has firmly cemented them in the bottom tier of the NL West.

Barring some unforeseen changes with the team in the next two months (with a more difficult schedule upcoming), the Rockies will be sellers at the trade deadline. One of the players that they are most likely to trade is shortstop José Iglesias.

Iglesias signed a one-year deal for $5 million this past offseason with the Rockies as a stop-gap to hopefully give way to prospect Ezequiel Tovar, who is tearing it up at Double-A Hartford (.317 average with a .979 OPS entering Tuesday).

Thomas Harding of MLB.com identified Iglesias as the most likely trade chip for the Rockies so let’s take a look at the four teams that could use him the most.

The St. Louis Cardinals could use José Iglesias

The shortstops for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022 have not exactly been the cream of the crop. In fact, their offensive production at shortstop is the worst in baseball at 40 OPS+.

A lot of that comes from former All-Star Paul DeJong who was sent down to Triple-A after having an OPS+ of 22 to start the season.

2021 Gold Glove winner Tommy Edman has been their best shortstop but he has played center field and second base as well. He played right and left field in the past too and both of which have been weak spots for the team since Dylan Carlson and Tyler O’Neill have struggled and both are currently on the IL.

Jun 4, 2022; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies shortstop Jose Iglesias (11) warms up prior to a game against the Atlanta Braves wearing the teams newÒCity ConnectÓ jersey at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: John Leyba-USA TODAY Sports /

The New York Yankees could use José Iglesias

The New York Yankees are the best team in baseball and for two good reasons: they are the most well-rounded team in the sport and they have been relatively healthy.

However, one of the weaker spots on their team offensively is at shortstop. Their primary shortstop, Isaiah Kiner-Falefa, is hitting .272 with a .639 OPS and an OPS+ of 89 and as a team, their shortstops have been 18th in offensive production.

José Iglesias, on the other hand, is hitting .313 with an OPS of .747, for an OPS+ of 103.

Defensively, Kiner-Falefa is the far better defender (3 Defensive Runs Saved vs. -4 DRS in 2022 thus far) but he’s more versatile than Iglesias. If he isn’t a late-game defensive replacement, he could garner the occasional start at shortstop as well as third, second, or even catcher, where the Yankees have struggled some as well (particularly before José Treviño broke out for them).

The San Diego Padres could also use José Iglesias

Three months ago, you would probably be thinking that it would be nuts that the San Diego Padres would be in need of a shortstop … but they do.

Fernando Tatis, Jr. has been out all season and he will likely be out for at least another month. In the meantime, Ha-Seong Kim has filled in and not exactly been Tatis (.205 average with a .616 OPS).

With Iglesias there, he could fill in for Tatis until he returns or Tatis could do like he did last year and play some outfield. Both center and right field have been weak for them offensively as well.

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 02: Joey Gallo #13 of the New York Yankees at bat during the third inning of game one of a doubleheader against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on June 02, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images)

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The St. Louis Cardinals could use José Iglesias

The New York Yankees could use José Iglesias

The San Diego Padres could also use José Iglesias

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