Detroit Tigers should trade Shane Greene for second baseman

Chad Pinder

Chad Pinder played all around the diamond last season in Oakland. He logged time at second base, shortstop and all three outfield positions.

In 282 at-bats, Pinder slugged 15 home runs with a .238 batting average and a 97 wRC+.

His 29.8% strikeout rate and low 5.8% walk rate need work, and defensively he is a tick below average.

However, the opportunity to add a power-hitting second baseman like Pinder is tantalizing.

Furthermore, he is just 25 years old and the Tigers would control him through 2022.

The A’s don’t like trading their young, controllable assets until they are closer to free agency, but Pinder is blocked from being a starter in Oakland.

Marcus Semien is locked in as the team’s shortstop at least through 2018. Uber prospect Franklin Barreto is expected to be the full-time second baseman in 2019 after Jed Lowrie departs for free agency.

Additionally, the A’s have 22-year-old prospects Jorge Mateo, Kevin Merrell and Richie Martins all in their system. Each of them can play middle infield and could make their MLB debut as soon as 2018.

With such an influx of young middle infield talent knocking on the door, the A’s can afford to let Pinder go to help shore up their struggling bullpen.

The A’s have expressed interest in improving their bullpen, although the recent addition of right-hander Yusmeiro Petit may make Greene less desirable to them.

If the Tigers acquire Pinder, he would compete with Dixon Machado for the starting second base role. Whomever loses would likely serve in a utility role. Either are capable of serving in that capacity, making Pinder an appealing trade option should the Tigers pursue it.

Pinder is not the only utility infielder the Tigers could pursue in return for Shane Greene.