Orioles pick up option on José Iglesias' contract (updated)

The Orioles made their one option decision for the 2021 season.

Shortstop José Iglesias is returning to the Orioles. They're picking up his $3.5 million option, according to a source.

The alternative was Iglesias accepting a $500,000 buyout and re-entering the free agent market this winter. The deadline arrived this afternoon.

A coronavirus pandemic complicated the process with revenue lost this season and teams seeking ways to save money, including a slew of furloughs and layouts throughout baseball. Otherwise, retaining Iglesias would have been logical and lacking in drama.

Asked about Iglesias on the final weekend of the season, executive vice president/general manager Mike Elias said, "His impact on the team has been plain to see this year. He's really helped us and we love having him. That goes for a lot of guys here."

No one is pushing for the starting job at shortstop, where Iglesias is rated as a plus defender. He agreed to a one-year contract in January that set his 2020 salary at $2.5 million and included the club option, and produced a .373/.400/.556 slash line in 150 plate appearances that countered his reputation as a glove-first player.

Iglesias' 17 doubles ranked second in the American League behind the Indians' César Hernández (20). However, he didn't qualify for the batting title due to injuries that reduced his at-bats over the summer.

Recovered from back soreness in summer training camp, Iglesias kept coming out of the lineup with an injury to his left quadriceps muscle. He landed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to Aug. 16.

Manager Brandon Hyde used Iglesias as his designated hitter in 13 games to lessen the strain on the veteran's leg.

Iglesias was drilled on the left wrist in a Sept. 19 game and had to undergo a series of tests to ensure that he didn't suffer a break.

Some media and fans pounced on Hyde's opening day lineup that included Iglesias as the No. 3 hitter. However, Iglesias batted .391/.413/.529 in 21 games, as well as .340/.377/.600 with three home runs in 14 games in the second slot.

Hyde routinely praised Iglesias for his "professional at-bats" and leadership that he brought to the clubhouse - an especially important trait with Trey Mancini missing the entire season and staying away from the club while undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

Iglesias registered a career-worst -0.2 dWAR per Baseball-Reference.com and didn't rate among the Rawlings Gold Glove finalists, but physical limitations played a significant role in the drop-off.

The Orioles can use Iglesias as a trade chip over the summer if he stays healthy. They're hoping to get back Richie Martin, who missed the season with a fractured wrist.

They also claimed Yolmer Sánchez off waivers from the White Sox on Friday, though most of his experience is at second and third base. He won a Gold Glove at second in 2019 and could project as more of a utility player in Baltimore.

Update: The Orioles announced the option on Iglesias.