MLB Rumors: Veteran Shortstop Leaving Red Sox, Heading To Rockies

With the MLB lockout now a thing of the past, teams are now scampering for available talent looking to join a new team.

Veteran shortstop José Iglesias signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Colorado Rockies Saturday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com and Nick Groke of The Athletic reported. This means that his one-season return to the Boston Red Sox will be cut short.

Iglesias was signed by the Red Sox on Sept. 6 last year. While Boston advanced to the 2021 postseason, the Cuban player was deemed ineligible since he joined Boston after Aug. 31, the deadline for any player to be part of any active roster, Yahoo Sports reported.

Despite being held out, Iglesias continued to cheer on his Red Sox teammates from the dugout and provided some extra energy.

The 32-year-old infielder hit .356 (21-for-59) with one homer, seven RBIs and a .915 OPS in 23 games after signing a minor-league deal with Boston last year, MassLive.com reported.

Iglesias originally signed with the Red Sox as an international free agent in 2009. He spent three seasons with Boston before he was traded to the Detroit Tigers in 2013.

From there, Iglesias also had stops with the Baltimore Orioles in 2020 and the Los Angeles Angels in 2021 before he was released on Sept. 3, 2021, as the Angels tried to make room to sign Janson Junk.

The All-Star shortstop hit .277 with a .700 OPS in 978 games over 10 seasons. He was also second in the American League Rookie of the Year voting in 2013, splitting the season between the Red Sox and the Tigers.

One thing that the Rockies will have to keep tabs on regarding Iglesias is his defense. Although he has been known for his flashy and acrobatic defense at shortstop, he struggled during the 2021 season.

He posted a total -1.4 defensive WAR with a -6.1 UZR and a league worst -22 DRS.

The signing of Iglesias suggests that Trevor Story is no longer returning to Colorado. Iglesias is likely to be fielded in at second base, depending on what develops during spring training with Alan Trejo and Story, Purplerow.com suggested.