With Matt Vierling coming back from the IL, someone had to go down. The player that was chosen was Trey Sweeney, who has been struggling at the plate, just 3-for-17 over his last 11 games. (.176/.263/.294)
“Someone has to go with Matty (Vierling) coming back. We’ve gotta get Trey back on the field, playing a little bit more. Detroit Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. We see some things that he can do, defensively, offensively, and just get him back in the flow of playing a bit more.”
What Hinch is looking for Trey Sweeney to improve on in Toledo?
“I would say there are little subtle adjustments for him to control his posture at the plate. He’s an aggressive hitter who can time up anybody. He’s gotta get the ball in the air a little bit more…maybe a tick less pull, maybe a little better ability to adjust to the gameplan against him.” “Defensively, he’s been slowly but surely tweaking some of his mechanics. But he’s been fine. I know the defensive numbers aren’t always kind to him. Being a tall shortstop comes with a few obstacles you’ve gotta deal with. One-handed versus two-handed, how low do you play to the ground, how quick do you turn your double plays. Just some natural things that he’s going to continue to get better at.”
Hinch later said that the Tigers will continue to use their entire roster, which implies guys like Andy Ibáñez, and Ryan Kreidler, who both offer position versatility, would be considered. But looking deeper, the Tigers have a log jam between Toledo and Erie on the left side of the infield. So let’s take a deeper look at the implications of possible playing time.
Toledo:
Make no bones about it, Sweeney will get the lions share of playing time at short. So who has been playing short for Toledo?
- Andrew Navigato: 28 games, .186/.265/.322 6 HR 24 RBI wRC+ 59
- Ryan Kreidler: 27 games, .248/.360/.436 3HR 29 RBI wRC+117
- Gage Workman: 16 games, ,209/.320/.418 5 HR 18 RBI wRC+ 101
With Bligh Madris sidelined due to injury, Navigato has been seeing increased time on the right side of the infield, playing both first and second base more frequently. The arrival of Gage Workman has added further position flexibility for Toledo manager Gabe Alvarez. Workman has played third, left field and short since he came back into the organization.
Meanwhile, Tigers manager A.J. Hinch has stated that Trey Sweeney will start immediately, including Saturday’s game as Toledo hosts Charlotte.
Kreidler has been splitting his time between shortstop and center field in recent weeks. Moving forward, it appears he’ll see even more time in the outfield, sharing opportunities with Brewer Hicklen and Akil Baddoo. Alternatively, he could remain primarily at shortstop, serving as the right-handed bat option alongside the left-handed Trey Sweeney.
Right away, based on his numbers, Trey Sweeney gives the Mud Hens an upgrade at shortstop, which could boost Toledo in the second half of the season. However, his arrival creates a ripple effect across the infield. With Sweeney taking most of the reps at short, Andrew Navigato and Gage Workman will see fewer opportunities there.
Navigato has already been playing more at first and second base with Bligh Madris out, while Workman’s versatility continues to be an asset. On the left side, Jace Jung and Hao-Yu Lee have been splitting time between third and second, with Workman and Andy Ibáñez also getting reps at third. This positional shuffle gives Gabe Alvarez flexibility but also leaves limited playing time for some infielders as Sweeney settles in as the primary shortstop.
Who becomes the odd man out? We may not see anything after the All-Star break as far as massive roster turnover goes as the MLB Draft will more than likely backfill the rosters which will affect all the levels but mainly Double-A Erie and here is why I think it will.
The Erie Infield Puzzle: Cruz’s Future and McGonigle’s Fit
Trei Cruz has now spent parts of three seasons in Erie, showcasing his versatility across shortstop, third base, and center field. Defensively, he has held his own, posting a perfect fielding percentage at third this season while providing depth at shortstop and in the outfield. His ability to handle multiple positions and his time served in Double-A suggest he deserves serious consideration for a promotion to Toledo, especially as the Mud Hens juggle their own infield logjam.
However, the upcoming arrival of Kevin McGonigle (Number one on our Top 39) will add another layer to Erie’s infield configuration. McGonigle has been viewed as a potential long-term solution at either second base or shortstop, depending on organizational needs. His left-handed bat profiles well in Erie’s lineup, and his defensive skill set is advanced for his age, though the Tigers may initially slot him at second base to ease his transition to Double-A pitching.
Projected Alignment with McGonigle’s Arrival:
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Shortstop: Jim Jarvis continues to hold down the position with solid defense, though McGonigle could see occasional reps there to maintain versatility.
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Second Base: McGonigle is likely to take over as the everyday second baseman, pushing Max Anderson to DH or occasional third base reps. He was taking reps there last weekend before the game and could see sometime there.
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Third Base: Trei Cruz and Danny Serretti could continue splitting time, but if Cruz is promoted to Toledo, Serretti would see increased reps.
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Utility: If Cruz moves up, Carlos Mendoza would continue could see time in Erie as a versatile left-handed option.
Strategic Implications:
For Cruz, his promotion window is tied to organizational movement above him, particularly with Sweeney, Workman, and Navigato rotating in Toledo. For McGonigle, Erie represents the next step in his rapid development arc, and his arrival will not only reshape the SeaWolves’ infield but also pressure the Tigers to clarify the defensive pecking order system-wide.
Additionally, Izaac Pacheco is making a strong case for a promotion to Erie. At West Michigan, he’s hitting .271/.395/.492 with a wRC+ of 151, showcasing improved plate discipline and power that suggests he’s ready for the next challenge in Double-A. His arrival would further crowd Erie’s infield, potentially shifting defensive alignments to ensure his bat stays in the lineup.
How much of a ripple effect will there really be?
With the Tigers holding a nine-game lead in the AL Central, the organization has an opportunity to challenge its top prospects at higher levels without immediate pressure on the Major League roster. Familiar faces like Cruz may need to move up to create space, while McGonigle’s arrival will force the Tigers to decide if his future lies at second base or shortstop. Either way, the system is reaching a point where upward movement is necessary to keep development progressing across all levels.
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Chris Brown 
Jerry McKennan