Once Tejada’s replacement with A’s, Bobby Crosby grooming Semien’s likely successor

The last time the A’s had to replace a star shortstop was in 2004, when the team allowed Miguel Tejada to walk as a free agent.

Oakland had a ready replacement: Bobby Crosby, who won the American League Rookie of the Year award. Now, in a similar situation, with the team unlikely to make Marcus Semien an offer a la Tejada, Crosby is again part of the picture: He is a minor-league manager and coach working with the A’s top shortstop prospects, including defensive whiz Nick Allen.

“He could play shortstop in the big leagues right now, 1,000%, and be very, very good,” Crosby said. “His glove will take him as far as he wants, but he’s never seen above Single A.”

Allen appears more likely to be an option in 2022, especially if he’s at Triple-a Las Vegas next season. Sheldon Neuse, who — like Allen — was at the A’s alternate site in San Jose this year, has played shortstop capably in the minors and as an amateur. Crosby is working out with him in the Fort Worth area, where both live in the offseason. Neuse has dropped some weight, Crosby said, and is a polished hitter who has big-league experience. “I hope he’s a thought,” Crosby said. “I’m sure he could handle himself.”

At this point, the most logical successor to Semien on the big-league roster is utilityman Chad Pinder; Crosby is among the many who believe Pinder should get the first crack.

“If it was me, I would take him in my lineup every day,” Crosby said. “You could put Pinder at short every day and wait for Nick Allen’s progression.”

Pinder has hoped for everyday playing time for years, but didn’t want to do so at Semien’s expense.

“It’s so difficult to even think about Marcus not coming back,” Pinder said. “For me, that leaves a sour taste in my mouth. I will play wherever they want me to play, but Marcus is our guy. He’s been our guy. He’s been the captain of our team the last couple of years.

“If they need me to do that, I’ll play wherever, but it’s tough to fathom even replacing a guy like that. ... It’s a weird conversation to have. It’s the last place I want to be. ... I hope Marcus comes back. He couldn’t be more respected in the clubhouse, there’s no one better. He’s going to be amazing wherever he is, but I hope it’s with us.”

Unless Semien’s market is much less than expected, the A’s have little chance of re-signing him. They have not made him an offer and wouldn’t if they thought it would be so low as to be insulting. Certainly, the team could explore a trade for a shortstop or pick up a defensive specialist among the less pricey free agents or minor-league free agents — especially because second base is also an unknown at this point and Pinder could be a possibility there.