Detroit Tigers: Exploring Shane Greene trade scenarios

The Chicago Cubs

We already discussed a plethora of trades the Cubs and Tigers could make, and Shane Greene is certainly a strong possibility. Cubs General Manager Theo Epstein specifically mentioned shoring up the bullpen as a need for his team, especially now that incumbent closer Brandon Morrow is on the disabled list.

Of course, the Cubs and Tigers have done this before. Last year, the Tigers flipped closer Justin Wilson and catcher Alex Avila to the Cubs in exchange for infielders Jeimer Candelario and Isaac Paredes. Candelario has been one of Detroit’s steadiest performers, and is locked in as Detroit’s third baseman of the future. Paredes is one of the Tigers best hitting prospects, and could be a future second baseman. Perhaps Greene could get sent to the North side to reunite with Wilson?

If the Tigers want to take yet another infielder from the Cubs system, one solid target would be shortstop Zack Short. Short is a 23-year-old who has turned his high-contact approach into more of a fly-ball approach, which has led to a surprising home run output. When comparing his adjustment to other infielders, his profile starts to look like a Matt Carpenter, Daniel Murphy and Justin Turner type. That’s an outstanding sign, as all three are All-Stars. Short also has the defensive profile to stick at shortstop, which could make him a rare power-hitting shortstop with good defensive skills.

Acquiring Short and a lower level prospect would be a solid return for Greene, who still has team control left but is not the future closer in Detroit now that Joe Jimenez has emerged.