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Iglesias’ injury absence for the entire 2014 season was a major blow to the Tigers. While he nursed tendinitis in both legs, the shortstop position became a revolving carousel of players, and it wasn’t pretty.

Tigers shortstops finished with the second-lowest batting average (.226) and had the second-fewest RBI (42) in the majors at the position in 2014. Defensively, it didn’t get much better.

The trio of Andrew Romine (-4), Eugenio Suarez (-5) and Alex Gonzalez (-4) all finished in negative numbers for defensive runs saved. For those unfamiliar with this stat, a score of zero indicates an average fielder.

This will not happen again in 2015.

Iglesias is arguably the hottest young shortstop in the game. Tigers’ president/general manager Dave Dombrowski spoke of his defensive prowess when he acquired him in 2013, per Matthew Mowery of The Oakland Press (h/t Al Beaton of BlessYouBoys.com): "This guy is special, defensively. Our scouting reports have him as an All-Star shortstop. Somebody that has seen him play just sent me a note and said ‘In all my years in the game, the only two defensive shortstops I’ve seen that are better are Ozzie (Smith) and (Omar) Vizquel."

The 24-year-old’s combination with Ian Kinsler in Detroit’s middle infield will be one of the highlights of the 2015 season. They will also be a superb complement to incoming ground-ball pitchers Greene and Simon.

Iglesias is no Troy Tulowitzki with the bat, but he should easily be an upgrade over last year’s contingent. His speed should enable him to swipe a base or two as well.

With Iglesias returning from multiple overuse injuries, Detroit needs to handle him carefully. The Tigers would be wise to give Romine 20-30 starts and also use him as an occasional late-game replacement. Management is the key.