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Monday, August 13, 2012

St. Louis Cardinals Trade Tyler Greene: Why It Was the Right Call - Bleacher Report

The St. Louis Cardinals traded second baseman Tyler Greene for next to nothing, speaking volumes about the team's dissatisfaction with their former first-round pick.

Greene was given every opportunity to secure the second base position, as he was the projected starter in spring training instead of Skip Schumaker and Daniel Descalso.

However, Greene's inconsistent play across the board this season led to the loss of his starting spot, and the eventual loss of his spot on the roster all together.

Here is why the Cardinals made the right call.

Greene's Stuggles

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There comes a time in sports when production outweighs potential.

The Cardinals got tired of waiting for Colby Rasmus to come around last season, and it appears the same happened with Greene.

The 28-year-old struggled at the plate in 2012, hitting only .218 with four home runs and an on-base percentage of .272 in 77 games with the Redbirds.

Greene was also inconsistent in the field, making four errors in 55 games at second base. Greene's errors at second base, in addition to his two strikeouts, in last Wednesday's 15-0 debacle against the San Francisco Giants was the final straw.

The Cardinals' main use for Greene was as a pinch runner, as he possessed good speed on the bases (nine stolen bases for the Cardinals in 2012). But even then he was fallible.

Greene became the first Cardinals pinch runner to be caught stealing twice in the same season since 1996.

Cardinals GM John Mozeliak knew it was time for Greene to have a change of scenery.

More Playing Time for Schumaker/Descalso

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While Greene was favored over them in March, Schumaker and Descalso have proven to be the better options at second base in 2012.

When healthy, Schumaker has been one of the Cardinals' best hitters this season, batting .310 with four triples and a .387 on-base percentage.

Schumaker saw his playing time decrease with the outfield additions of Lance Berkman and Carlos Beltran the last two years, but Greene's absence opens up more time at second base.

Sharing that time with Schumaker will be Daniel Descalso, who has been a "Web Gem" waiting to happen in the field.

Descalso was a Gold Glove nominee in 2011, despite playing mostly as a platoon player.

Descalso has also swung a better bat than Greene in 2012, tying for the team-lead with five triples.

The Cardinals' production at second base will be key in their run for the playoffs. With the quality play of Schumaker and Descalso, the trade of Greene will undoubtedly be addition by subtraction.

Kolten Wong's Call-Up

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Greene's departure from St. Louis may open up a spot for another former first-round second baseman.

Springfield Cardinals second baseman Kolten Wong was selected 22nd overall in the 2011 MLB June Amateurs Draft.

Wong is hitting .287 with eight home runs and a team-high 18 stolen bases for the Cardinals' AA squad this season.

He was rated as the 93rd best prospect in baseball by Baseball America after the 2011 season.

With Greene off the roster, Wong could get a call-up to the "Big Show" come September.

The Cardinals figured out Greene was not the second baseman of the future. Soon enough it will be Wong's turn to prove whether he is worthy of the spot.

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