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MLB: Ranking the top 5 free agent shortstops

By Jennifer Rainwater

Oct 6, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) catches a pop up by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (not pictured) during the third inning in game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Hanley Ramirez (13) catches a pop up by St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Matt Adams (not pictured) during the third inning in game three of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 19, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Mike Aviles (4) fields a ground ball against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 19, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Cleveland Indians shortstop Mike Aviles (4) fields a ground ball against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /

5. Mike Aviles, Cleveland Indians*

Age: 33

2014 Statistics: .247/.299/.393, 5HR, 39RBI

Aviles has a club option for 2015, which if utilized by the Indians means he will be off the market like Hardy but until that happens he qualifies for the list. Aviles appears like a decent choice on the surface but he’s never played more than 136 games in a season which he did with the Boston Red Sox in 2012. In 2013 he played in just 124 and in 2014? 113.

Offensively when he has played his numbers are run from average to slightly above average. Aviles has a career slashline of .269/.299/393 which is quite a bit higher than his 2014 stats. Chances are his numbers are not going to improve being that he is already 33 years old. He’s more of a last resort option for the clubs that are looking because most of them are looking to be contenders in 2015. That said, things could be worse than grabbing Mike Aviles from the free agent market and you never know, the Indians might just keep him around for another season.

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