Grant Green/Jemile Weeks 2013 Candidacy for a roster Spot

With the July trade deadline just over a month away A’s GM Billy Beane, Manager Bob Melvin, and the scouting department are beginning to set their sights on potential additions to the roster to help make a final push for the postseason. I recently wrote an article taking an early look at potential acquisitions the A’s might make. Pitching was the main focus and will likely continue to be. One position A’s fan mights think needs upgrading could potentially be solved in-house. It is a tired story but one which might finally see some light at the end of the tunnel this season. The Weeks/Green conundrum. It is finally time for them to arrive (or rearrive in Weeks case).

Mar 5, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Oakland Athletics center fielder

(35) throws out Kansas City Royals left fielder

(not pictured) during the fourth inning at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

The A’s second base situation has been an interesting one to follow this season. It started last season with the addition of shortstop Stephen Drew. That led to the current shortstop  Cliff Pennington being moved to the right side of the infield. When Pennington was traded in the offseason the second base job was open for the taking. This created a try-out of sorts during Spring Training with Adam Rosales, Eric Sogard, Grant Green, and Jemile Weeks. Jed Lowrie played second in Spring Training every once in a while to get his work in because at the time the thought was to have Hiroyuki Nakajima play shortstop and Lowrie to rotate all around the infield.

Jemile Weeks got off to a hot start in Phoenix and it looked for a while like he might take back over the position once thought to be his. However, injuries led to Weeks playing in limited spurts thus dropping him out of the race. Grant Green made a statement but still was not seasoned enough at Triple-A Sacramento to have a legitimate shot to make the team.

In the last week of Spring Training Nakajima was injured thus forcing Melvin to play Lowrie at shortstop. This left second and a back up infield spot open for the final two players mentioned. Sogard had a great spring and deserved his spot. The same could be said to a lesser extent about Rosales as well.

Sogard has produced offensively at a rate which is unspectacular yet could be seen as benefit to keep him in the lineup given the fact that his replacements have not fared any better this season. However, nearly half way through the season Rosales has struggled to find any consistency at the plate. He is out of options thus making it difficult to remove him from the roster. Rosales’ real value comes defensively in his range and versatility.

While range might be a factor there is no doubt in my mind the versatility of Grant Green and the potential for offensive production should at least lead to the consideration by A’s upper management to make the call for Green’s promotion. The service clock period for this season has passed and it is time to see what the A’s have in Green. It can’t be any worse than the production the Green and Gold have seen from Rosales this season.

Jemile Weeks has cooled off some in Triple-A Sacramento but up until recently he was on a hot streak. His defense has improved and he would make a great addition to the lineup. His offensive skill set is much more suited to the A’s everyday lineup and would add more balance to the bottom of the lineup. The A’s would love to have a legitimate speed threat who knows how to use those skills. Sogard may be getting on base but his lack of above average speed lessens the chance of swiping a bag.

This leads me to think the A’s should finally part ways with Rosales and Sogard (or outright them if they are not claimed) and move onto the future of Green and Weeks. The risk to the team will only increase if both players struggle mightily. However, the chance that both shine is an even greater reward. It is now time Billy Beane and Co. Green/Weeks 2013.