The 2019 Detroit Tigers season brings a variety of new faces to the table. Among these is Jordy Mercer, the team’s first new shortstop (intentionally, at least) in nearly five seasons.
After declining to bring back glove virtuoso Jose Iglesias, the Tigers entered the offseason looking for someone to carry the infield captain’s flag going forward. After reportedly mulling over a list of suitors including Adeiny Hechavarria, Freddy Galvis, and Alcides Escobar, the Tigers settled on Mercer.
Having spent his entire career to this point with the Pittsburgh Pirates and coming off of a season in which a couple of injuries limited him to 117 games, 2019 will be Mercer’s first season in the American League.