The shortstop and second-base positions were held by Asdrubal Cabrera and Logan Forsythe, respectively, bringing a consistent product to the field when both were healthy.
Cabrera put together an above-average offensive season for a shortstop, which gave him the kind of numbers any player wants to take to free agency. The veteran did just that and came away with a two-year, $18.5 million contract with the Mets that includes a club option for 2018.
Understanding that they would not be able to bring back Cabrera, the Rays' first order of business for the offseason was to make a trade with the Mariners that brought them versatile Brad Miller, who appears destined to be the starting shortstop in 2016.