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Trading Deadline Royal Rumors

Van_gough_the_siesta_tiny by James Quinn on

I thought I would start a sort of "open thread" here for all the Thursday trading deadline scuttlebutt.

There already is one discussion going on regarding the rumored Brian Bannister for Melky Cabrera trade which came up on MLBtraderumors.com earlier today.  I hate this idea and hope it is a bunch of nonsense.

Djk has some thoughts on who the Royals should shop vs. who they should hold on to.  I pretty well agree with him across the board.

Another possiblity I saw today, the Marlins are shopping Cody Ross for relief help.  As I understand it Ross is not a great outfielder but he can hit pretty well.  Cube him here.  In 747 MLB at bats he has hit .262/.325/.505.  That gives him an OPS of .830, which would immediately make him the best offensive player on the Royals if he was obtained.  Ross is only 27 and controllable for at least three more years.  Perhaps Mahay for Ross?

Personally the guy I would most like to see the Royals trade for would be Jason Bay but it appears Pittsburg is asking for a lot in return.  Perhaps Teahen plus one of the Royals pitching prospects at AA would swing this trade?  If I were GM I would offer Teahen plus Julio Pimentel and see if the Pirates bite.

So, what do you think the Royals should do?

What crazy rumors have you seen regarding Royals on the move?

1 recs | Comment 172 comments

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I wish there were more Grudz rumors

It seems like just about everyone loves to ridicule ol’ Grudz, but he’s been a very good player for the Royals each year he’s been here, and this year is no different. But, his time has come and gone. He should not be a Royal next year and we can’t afford to risk offering him arbitration. So it’s either trade him now or get absolutely nothing for him. I wonder if anyone is interested. The Royals appear to be unlucky in that no contender really needs a second baseman.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 27, 2008 9:46 PM EDT   0 recs

part of my issues...

with grudz are that he shouldnt have been given an extension last year…

...that and all the awesome gidps and clutch two out nobody on hits

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 27, 2008 9:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You've got to love his numbers

I think any argument which involves him not being “clutch” is pretty empty. I probably wouldn’t have re-signed him either, but he has contributed at a much higher level than German or Callaspo.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 27, 2008 10:01 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

it may just be unlucky....but he's been terrible this year with runners on base...

his pretty batting average is carried by a bunch of pretty worthless singles

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 27, 2008 10:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't value his or any other player's pretty batting average

I do, however, value his .761 OPS from a middle IFer, which this year for the Royals means an OPS+ of 102.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 27, 2008 10:08 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

ehh...thats alright, not spectacular...

playing german every day wouldnt kill us..in fact, it might make us better

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 27, 2008 10:13 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That's pretty damned good for a middle IFer

And German hasn’t been that good. I don’t know why you would think that German would make us better. German hasn’t hit as well as Grudz and Grudz is a much better defender. Even when German was hitting well, he was a part-time player, which meant he had a disproportionate percentage of PA’s against LHP. If he’s playing everyday, he doesn’t get the platoon advantage as much and his overall numbers would go down. Grudz > German

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 27, 2008 10:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

We've battled about this before

and I’ll continue to. Where are you when Grudz goes 3-4 with 3 doubles and is the only player in the lineup that does anything? Because those games have happened a handful of times this season. In fact, just last week I was at the Tigers game where we faced Rogers. Grudz was 3-3 before the rain delay and I think the rest of the team had maybe 1 or 2 hits besides him. I could give a crap if they are singles or not. He is a 2nd baseman; getting on base, scoring runs, and playing solid defense is what most teams ask from their 2nd baseman…..he is not Chase Utley, those are few and far between….sorry he isn’t even your boy Robinson Cano either.

For the record, I agree with NYRoyal, I would definitely take a trade for Grudz, but you continuing to bash Grudz when he is one of the few position players we have who is above average at his position just makes no sense to me.

by I need more Esteban on Jul 28, 2008 12:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

It would still bring his OPS down 15ish points if he were an everyday player

Everyday players face 75% RHP and 25% LHP.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 1:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think his platoon splits are a stronger argument than that he'll feel more comfortable playing as a regular

Regardless, Grudz is and has been better than German, which was my point. There’s no good reason to think that having German replace Grudz wouldn’t be a drop in talent or even make the Royals better.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 2:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Does The Sign

And trade ever happen any more?

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on Jul 27, 2008 9:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If you sign a FA, I think you have to keep him for at least a few months before you can trade him

There’s a MLB rule on this. I don’t know the details. Sign-and-trades are more of a NBA thing because of the particulars of their soft salary cap.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 27, 2008 10:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Jason bay would be pretty cool,

but i dunno if thats enough.. teahen doesn’t seem like hes worth THAT much but i think im most likely way off on everything im saying here, just think Jason bay would take more. Once again prolly waaaaay off here.

by cfizzle on Jul 27, 2008 9:55 PM EDT   0 recs

You're right

Bay would cost a ton.

If I had to guess, they’d want a young regular and either one excellent prospect or two very good prospects. Guess they’d ask for something like DeJesus + Rosa + Another good prospect. I don’t think that is worth it…

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jul 27, 2008 10:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You have to take years of team control into account

After this season, Teahen has 2 years of team control and the pitching prospect would have 6. Bay has 1.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 27, 2008 10:04 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Cody Ross

Would LOVE to pick this guy up if it cost Mahay, or maybe even R. Ramirez. The guy hits for power in a big ballpark, get him out of that park and he could really be an excellent hitter. Ross is hitting .284/.339/.547 in away games, which is not surprising. He could replace G-Load in the lineup.

CF – D. DeJesus
2B – M. Grud/A. Callaspo
3B – A. Gordon (swap with Butler vs LHP)
RF – J. Guillen
LF – C. Ross
DH – B. Butler (swap with Gordon vs LHP)
SS – M. Aviles
1B – M. Teahen
C – J. Buck

Find a replacement for Teahen…and suddenly you have a pretty damn solid lineup.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jul 27, 2008 9:58 PM EDT   0 recs

Wayne Krivsky = Complete Baseball Idiot

Wayne Krivsky picked Cody Ross up off waivers last year. The Dodgers were trying to sneak him through. The Reds held on to Ross for all of two games before they sent him to Florida for cash. Wayne thought it was more important to hold on to a three catchers at the MLB level than keep Ross. Krivsky decided to keep journey man third catcher Chad Moeller and let Ross go.

It will take years before I will be able to see Krivsky’s name and not immediately be full of hot burning rage.

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Jul 27, 2008 10:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

LOL

So true.

Sometimes you wonder how certain people get where they are.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jul 27, 2008 10:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I would be more apt to trade for

Jacobs who they also say is available. KC is a combined 47 games below .500 vs RH pitching over the last three years. He would add some definite power to the 1b position that KC is lacking. His OBP numbers are down a scoach this year if he can bring that back to the last 2 years combined with this years power you would be looking at a 830 OPS. This would be a better move than relying on Shealy or Gload next year also would allow them to keep salaries down to go after Dunn/Burrell/Furcal.

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Jul 27, 2008 10:08 PM EDT   0 recs

What's Jacobs OBP?

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Jul 27, 2008 10:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

His numbers don't look as good as Ross's

Jacobs 109 .261/.316/.490 career (102 .239/.282/.490 this year)
Ross 113 OPS+ .260/.323/.499 career (112 .258/.308/.502 this year)

I’d definitely prefer Ross.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 27, 2008 10:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

we're also like 90 games below 500 overall...

which means we’re just as far below 500 against lefties…and they constitute far less of the league…our hitting against lefties is miserable…in fact we cant hit against anyone

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 27, 2008 10:11 PM EDT   0 recs

yes but

KC is improving vs lefties with the addition of Guillen/Butler/Aviles KC is 3 games over .500. All 3 hit lefties very well and if Aviles can hit close to the way he has this year I would think KC would continue the improvement next year. Especially if Butler progresses the way he has the second half of the season. Ross’s numbers are good but a pickup of him might mean a blocking of Dunn/Burrell. Of the available FA’s I would think KC’s chances of landing one of those two are slightly better than landing Texeira or Furcal. Unless Moore’s relationship within the Braves would help with Furcal.

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Jul 27, 2008 10:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think Furcal is worth big bucks

Given his injury history. The Royals could probably play Grudz and Aviles in the middle infield in 2009 for less than half of what Furcal will make.

I’d rather see the Royals spend FA money on a slugger and a starting pitcher.

by jbrocato on Jul 27, 2008 10:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

? who said Gordon

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Jul 27, 2008 10:40 PM EDT   0 recs

A lineup with Jacobs

DDJ-CF
Aviles-SS
Butler DH
Dunn RF
Guillen LF
Gordon 3b
Jacobs 1b
Buck C
Callaspo 2b
This wouldn’t be the rangiest OF so that might present troubles but would definitely provide alot of power

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Jul 27, 2008 10:45 PM EDT   0 recs

Dunn

Why couldn’t we just move Dunn to 1B and get some actual power out of that spot? 40 hrs?

by 306008 on Jul 28, 2008 12:51 AM EDT   0 recs

Maybe

When negotiating with Dunn, a team is going to have to ask his agent what position(s) he wants to play. He may only be interested in playing the OF. If so, he’s not going to sign with the Royals if they are going to move him to 1B. And the Royals would be stupid to lie to him to get him to sign and then move him to 1B. That would create clubhouse problems and other players would learn of this, poisoning FA’s against the Royals for the future (even moreso than they are right now). And, we don’t yet know if we’ll be able to get Dunn at all. For all we know, someone is going to throw a huge contract offer at him that the Royals can’t/shouldn’t match.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 12:56 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I'm beginning to think

The Royals may actually have a shot at Dunn now. There appears to be no interest in him at the deadline, despite his OBA and power numbers. That low average and high strikeouts seem to scare teams away (as well as possibly his attitude). I’m thinking the market for him may be smaller than I thought, which means we could get a real steal if we pursue him hard enough.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 28, 2008 9:37 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i've never heard of anything bad about Dunn's attitude.

I actually met him once at a reds game, just said hi smiled and signed my baseball. But all i ever here from him is he is just a good ol’ boy. The guy you’d want your daughter to marry.. sooooo mike sweeney just more power?

by cfizzle on Jul 28, 2008 12:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Regarding Dunn's attitude

I think everyone finds Dunn a good guy. But there have been rumors for a few years that he doesn’t care as much as might be desired about things like improving his defense and physical conditioning. He is certainly not a trouble maker. He dealt with some real horseshit from Krivsky for two years without killing the man. Krivsky ran down Dunn publically for two years and Dunn’s only reaction were a few off-handed comments to reporters like, “He doesn’t know what he is talking about.”

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Jul 28, 2008 1:24 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Attitude problem from Dunn?

That I hadn’t heard about. I know he was a bit POed at J.P. Riccardi, but that hardly means someone has a bad attitude.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 12:45 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

There is a perception around the league

Real or perceived, that he is lazy.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 28, 2008 1:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wow

I hate to pitch against a non-lazy Dunn, then.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 1:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

*I'd

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 1:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wait 'til Hoagy lights a fire under his ass!

My mother's basement is better than YOUR mother's basement!!

by Royal Kingdom on Jul 28, 2008 1:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

...and gets squashed when

the 7’6”, 400-pound Dunn sits on him?

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 1:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Cincinnati tried Dunn out at first for about 40 games in 2006.

He played first poorly. The Reds moved him back to LF.

I have no idea what Dunn thought about the move or if he could get better at first given time.

Dunn would help the Royals out tremendously. If he is open minded about coming to play in KC the Royals should just let him pick his spot. LF/1B or DH. Just get that guy’s bat into the line-up.

I really want the Royals to either move Butler to first base or bring up Shealy.

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Jul 28, 2008 10:59 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Grudz

I’d like to see him gone anywhere for a A ball player with some upside rather than say, Brett Gardner or somebody like that who can’t hit his way out of a paperbag. It’s Callaspo time, cheap 2B time, young 2B time, speedy 2B time, upside 2B time. Our SS problem…play Aviles until he suck, which will happen

by playingwithfire on Jul 28, 2008 2:17 AM EDT   0 recs

Right now, nobody knows what Callaspo's future is

He may have been the 2B of the future, but his impersonating Tony LaRussa right before the Cardinals came to town has damaged his career. I would not trade Grudz for the sake of making a trade; that’s how the Royals got stuck with players like Tyler Lumsden or Kyle Davies.

by jbrocato on Jul 28, 2008 10:36 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

and dan cortes...

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on Jul 28, 2008 10:38 AM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Seen how Kyle Davies has pitched this year, jbrocato?

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 1:46 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

unsustainable.

But still, getting a cheap young guy is better than letting somebody walk.

by playingwithfire on Jul 28, 2008 2:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes, him pitching like a pretty good #3 SP is very likely unsustainable

But how far will he regress? To the level of a #4? Maybe? To the level of a better than average #5 SP? Likely. Getting a better than average #5 SP for the last two months of Dotel is a good trade. And next year, he’ll likely be a long reliever with Rosa as the #5 SP. And I think Davies will make a pretty good long reliever who can make some decent spot starts when necessary.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 2:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

agreed

I never understand the obsession with writing Davies off. Yes, he has looked bad more than not, he’s also shown flashes of a good pitcher. Has no young pitcher ever improved after the age of 25?

In 2000, when Chris Carpenter was 25 he pitched 175.1 Innings, gave up 204 H, K/BB ratio of 113/83 with an ERA of 6.26. After that season, besides an injury shortened season, he improved each year as he got older. Will Kyle Davies be like Chris Carpenter? Chances are high he won’t, but is it possible. And I think we can all be optimistic that he is still a young pitcher who is getting MLB experience. Like NYRoyal said, he could be a pretty good long reliever/ spot starter. But there is always the possibility he becomes more. None of us know.

by I need more Esteban on Jul 28, 2008 2:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I wouldn't be shocked if Davies/Rosa both beat out Banni next year.

Banni is TOO Stat obsessed. Its almost like it he is making excuses for getting shelled. See I didn’t pitch that bad I just had bad luck. I’m sure that was Tomko’s excuse too. I wish instead of reading articles about Banni looking at stats I was reading articles about Banni’s obsession with game tape ala Maddux.

Banni has produced more than Davies but Davies has the better stuff and wouldn’t be shocked to see Davies and Rosa beat Brian out of spot in the rotation.

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Jul 28, 2008 3:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I would be shocked

Bannister has performed much better in the majors than Davies. But we’ll see what happens.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 3:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Davies looks like one of those guys who will either

get it and be good, or not get it and be Chris George. I don’t see a middle ground.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Jul 28, 2008 4:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I think he has improved to the point where he's a legitimate, average #4 or #5 SP (more likely #5 SP or good long reliever)

He just needed to improve his control some and he has.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 4:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Uh, Lumsden sucks, true

but Davies has been a fine return for Dotel…who people seem to forget pitched all of 24 innings as a Royal.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 1:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

and got hurt the second he went to Atlanta

Every fight is a food fight when you’re a cannibal.
-- Demetri Martin

by kcscoliny on Jul 28, 2008 1:55 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yep

In other words, it shouldn’t surprise us that Davies isn’t awesome.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 2:07 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Indeed

And we should be very impressed that so far this season, Davies has the ERA and FIP of a pretty good #3 SP.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 2:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I have to correct one thing

I, too, thought that Callaspo had some speed earlier this year but I’m pretty sure he has below average speed….better than Grudz? Probably, but he is by no means a double-digit steals candidate.

by I need more Esteban on Jul 28, 2008 12:09 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't see us doing a thing

We don’t have the parts and there aren’t really players available that would help us long term. It seems to be mostly impending free agents and players down on their luck (Anthony Reyes, Melky Cabrera) that are available.

As I’ve said before, I expect DM to be pretty active this winter.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 28, 2008 9:36 AM EDT   0 recs

+1

and like some have said, I really hope he doesn’t make a trade just to do it. The cupboard out there is pretty bare right now. Mahay could bring back something interesting, but is he more valuable to us for another year?

by I need more Esteban on Jul 28, 2008 12:10 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Given that we won't get compensation for Grudz...

...I would like to trade Grudz for something…anything. I’d happily take a C prospect for him. That’s better than nothing. Plus, it would give German more playing time so he can get his numbers up and make him more attractive for an offseason trade.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 1:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yes that's another benefit

But even if a team who has some interest in him wants us to kick in the remainder of his salary, I’d do it if we could get a C prospect for him.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 28, 2008 1:57 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Mahay

We need to keep Mahay at least through this season. If someone blows us away with a great offer this winter or next year at the deadline, take it. We’ll be in the same spot unless we do have an aggressive winter.

Making trades to make trades isn’t great. Neither is signing FA just to sign FA. I still think Melky will be great by the time he turns 27. Better than what we have now in our OF. (excluding Guillen, but possible)

We need to move Grudz unless he becomes a type B FA. Will that happen?

We need to put TPJ in the pen, give Brayan a shot, and see what Maier has for us.

What we have on our team is a bunch of complimentary players. We have no one for them to compliment! Get some people in here that need complimenting and we’ll be fine.

by 306008 on Jul 28, 2008 12:24 PM EDT   0 recs

Agreed on Mahay

Nothing wrong with dealing him next July. Look at how many suitors there are for two months of Brian Fuentes. Mahay is better, although without the “Proven Closer” tag.

My only worry is the volatility of reliever performance from year to year. But Mahay has been pretty solid the last few years, I think the chances of collapse are quite low.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 28, 2008 12:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I've always liked Cody Ross

but are the Marlins really interested in shopping him for a reliever? I guess they think they’re close enough to contention that that makes sense. It doesn’t.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 12:33 PM EDT   0 recs

They are in both the NL East and Wildcard races

who knows, though. It seems like they have a lot of guys like Ross too. I think they would definitely want a pretty good reliever for him, though.

by I need more Esteban on Jul 28, 2008 12:56 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No doubt

I’m just not sure if a reliever is going to help them more than a youngish outfielder with an 800 OPS.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Jul 28, 2008 1:03 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What are the Pirates asking for in exchange for Jason Bay?

The Pirates apparently turned down an Atlanta offer for Jason Bay. Looks like the Braves offered a couple of Bish prospects (OF and SS) and a couple of low level minor leaguers. The Pirates turned them down.

The Atlanta offer was not too fabulous. Since Pittsburg thought about it…. I think the Royals have enough pitching currancy to get this deal done. I hope Dayton Moore is involved in these talks.

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Jul 28, 2008 4:12 PM EDT   0 recs

John Sickels on what the two prospects the Braves offered.

3) Brandon Jones, OF, Grade B+
.257/.331/.382 for Triple-A Richmond, has actually been a bit better in the majors at .278/.316/.463. I probably overrated him by a notch but he should still be a useful player.

6) Brent Lillibridge, SS, Grade B
.212/.276/.288 in Triple-A, .208/.236/.358 in the majors. Really struggling with the strike zone this year, despite doing well in Triple-A last year. Perhaps he is frustrated.

Link here

www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage

by James Quinn on Jul 28, 2008 4:15 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I don't think

The Royals should be looking to acquire anyone who is a free agent after next season.

Unless you were talking about getting Lillibridge.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on