Detroit Tigers: Five remaining trade candidates

Shane Greene

Our readers might be tired of hearing us talk about trading Shane Greene. First, we discussed dealing him for a second baseman. Then, when San Francisco started making moves to contend we discussed the possibility of sending Greene to SF and what a potential return could look like.

All-in-all, Greene is in a similar situation to Wilson. However, Greene is younger (29) and has two more years of team control.

Additionally, while Wilson is coming off the worst season of his career, Greene is coming off his best.

Greene would certainly fetch more on the open market than Wilson. However, it benefits the Tigers to keep him more as well, based on his contract and age.

The Tigers need to decide if Greene is part of their rebuild or not. The expected rebuild will likely have the Tigers contending in 3-5 seasons. That puts Greene between 32 and 34 years old.

Greene’s transition to the bullpen was successful last season, as he posted a 2.66 ERA and a 9.71 K/9 while also locking down nine saves.

However, a 4.52 BB/9 was concerning. Additionally, Greene posted a 4.24 xFIP, indicating some of his success last season was good fortune more than anything else. If Greene cannot learn how to limit his walks than last season may have been his career season. If that is the case, the Tigers would be smart to sell-high on the reliever and try and get something of value in return.

Of course, the team could choose to bank on his success from last season and hold onto him. If he has a strong first half the deman would be very high. He could command as much or more than what they received for Justin Wilson last year. There is risk of course, as Greene could struggle to regain his success from last year and decrease his trade value.

For now, the market for Greene has not really developed. Unless a few teams come calling for his services, it looks like Greene will start the year out as the closer in Detroit.