Detroit Tigers: Exploring potential Shane Greene to San Francisco trades

Shane Greene should bring in one of San Francisco’s top 10 prospects, as well as a few other pieces.

San Francisco outfielder Bryan Reynolds could headline a very strong return for the Tigers.

Reynolds is a 24-year-old switch-hitting outfielder who destroyed High-A ball last season.

He slashed .312/.364/.462 with 10 home runs, five stolen bases and a 122 wRC+ in 491 at-bats.

The Giants like the adjustments he has made at the plate in his brief minor league career.

From MLB Pipeline:

"A switch-hitter, Reynolds has a smooth stroke with good bat speed from both sides. Some scouts wonder if he’ll make consistent hard contact against quality pitching, but San Francisco was impressed with his ability to make adjustments during his debut. He has begun to drive the ball more consistently and should have at least average power, and he also showed a knack for drawing walks in college."

While his power is suspect, he has good speed and an ability to get on-base.

Defensively, he profiles as an average defensive center fielder. It seems likely that he will move to the corners when he makes the major leagues, but it is possible he will stick in center field.

If the Tigers acquire a speedy, switch-hitting center fielder and other prospects for Shane Greene, you can bet Al Avila will enjoy his Holiday season.

Austin Slater

Another potential nice find for the Tigers would be outfielder Austin Slater.

Slater, 25, made his major league debut last season. In 117 at-bats he hit .282 with three home runs and an even 100 wRC+.

He was better at Triple-A, hitting .321 with a 121 wRC+ in 184 at-bats.

A pair of groin injuries and a sports hernia sidelined Slater for a good chunk of the season last year.

However, he showed enough potential that the Tigers should take a chance on him.

San Francisco’s outfield logjam

The Giants have a glut of corner outfielders in front of both Reynolds and Slater on the depth chart.

Hunter Pence is penciled in as the starting right fielder. Even coming off a bad season, it seems likely that the Giants will keep him in their starting lineup if they do not trade him.

Jarrett Parker is projected to start in left field, with Mac Williamson as a backup. Gorkys Hernandez is the starting center fielder on the current depth chart, but the Giants are exploring other center field options which could push Hernandez into a bench role.

Additionally, number one prospect Chris Shaw is expected to debut sometime in 2018.

The Tigers should capitalize on a position of depth in San Francisco and acquire a potential impact bat in the outfield.

Next: Tigers should trade Shane Greene for a 2B

Shane Greene had what could be a career year last season. The Tigers would be smart to capitalize on his value now and trade him for players that could make the team better in the future.