Last year, between June 5 and July 4, Greene played in 28 games, starting 18, and had 71 PAs. He hit .194/.239/.224 for a .463 ops. He had 4 runs, 13 hits, 2 2bs, and 3 rbis. He had 21 ks to 3 bbs.

He was overmatched at the time, but he went back to AAA and played well. In the spring, he was the frontrunner for the utility spot, but he did not play well, especially defensively. According to Strauss, he played “tight” all spring.

This year, the lineup has been pretty well set already, with Ryan earning ample time to work out his struggles due to his play last year and defensive ability. Plus Lopez. Freese has locked down 3b, and Schu has been and will be given a lot of rope at 2b (not that I love this). His only real available spot this year is as a utility, that’s just the way it is unless he he plays so well that he forces himself into a starting role, much like Brendan Ryan did last year.

Sorry, but I think he has been given ample chances to produce in a utility role, and last year was given a pretty darn good shot to seize a starting role at 3b or ss. If he needs a cushier position and 3 or 4 months of starting to learn on the job, he may be in the wrong org. It’s harsh, but this is not a rebuilding club and he has to seize the opportunity when it presents itself. Jon Jay did that and did extremely well, and, unfortunately, got screwed (I think signing Winn was very unfair to Jay and don’t like the signing).

No, it should be based on the ability to actually stick at MLB level. Take advantage of opportunities.

I like Greene, honestly. I just want to see him actually earn extended playing time when he gets the chance on callups.

That should be fairly concrete. You think that great stats at AAA should guarantee him a spot on the Cards roster even though he has struggled when given opportunities?

Shumaker only has a 2-year deal, so it’s not like he’s going to hold anybody back that long. If Descalso or Greene outplay him in spring training next year for the starter’s job, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Shumaker traded or even the 4th outfield role he used to have.

“I don’t see why a big league job should be given to him solely because of how he has done at AAA.”

So should it be judged on something more concrete like an arm-wrestling contest?

He has had some sporadic chances thus far in his career to translate his AAA to the big club, with 144 career plate appearances and a .224/.273/.336 slash line. He hasn’t seized the opportunity that has been available yet, and Strauss says there are many withing the org that feel he plays tight when called up.

It’s great that he has the right attitude and has gone back to Memphis with his head up and has continued to perform well there. I think he will get more chances, certainly, and will hopefully relax and let the game come to him. But he has to perform well, taking full opportunity when given what will most likely not be everyday chances at the big league level.

I don’t see why a big league job should be given to him solely because of how he has done at AAA.

Agree that it was premature. IIRC, the Cobbler’s deal was consummated while Flopez was still on the market. Defensively I don’t see much difference between the two. The bats are a different story.