Detroit Tigers shortstop Jose Iglesias could be out for the first half of the 2014 MLB season due to a leg injury, creating speculation that the Tigers will consider signing Stephen Drew.

After learning about Iglesias' injury, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski said that they will likely rely on their internal assets to fill the void.

However, CBS Sports noted that the Tigers will have no choice other than signing a free agent or striking a trade for a reliable shortstop, indicating that internal candidates Eugenio Suarez, Steve Lombardozzi, and Hernan Perez failed to impress in their recent outings.

Sources suggested that the Tigers can't afford to rely on their internal candidates for at least half of next season, which could force them to take a strong look at Drew, who is still unsigned at this point of the offseason.

"Internal 40-man-roster candidates to replace Iglesias -- Eugenio Suarez, Steve Lombardozzi and Hernan Perez -- fail to inspire, especially considering this might be a year-long concern. Given all that, the very obvious conclusion is that the Tigers will pursue free agent Stephen Drew, late of the champion Red Sox, who's still on the market," noted CBS Sports' Dayn Perry.

Reports indicated that Dombrowski will opt to look for potential trades instead of signing Drew, knowing that signing the former Boston Red Sox shortstop will force them to forfeit their top draft pick in June.

But if the Tigers are really serious about making a strong World Series push next season, CBS Sports indicated that they might be willing to pay the price, including their first-round pick in an expected deep draft in June.

"As for the cost, the Tigers in signing Drew, who turned down a qualifying offer from the Red Sox, would forfeit their top June draft choice and the slot money assigned to that pick. That's a cost that can't be dismissed. However, it's a late first-round choice, and that's a consideration that will be baked into any offer. The larger point is that the Tigers are squarely in contending mode, and a World Series push in 2014 should inform all decisions," CBS Sports noted.

It is still unknown what Drew's current asking price is, but the 31-year-old shortstop, who batted .253 with 13 homeruns last season, is reportedly not interested in signing a short-term deal with any team.