With regard to very vague, unsourced middle IF rumors, I’m not going to start getting upset until there’s more to go on. I try to bash Moore for the mistakes he actually makes, not the rumors about mistakes that he might possibly make in an indeterminate future.

I live in Springfield, Mo so I watch both Royals and Cardinals games (with opposite aspirations, of course) and I absolutely cannot stand Eckstein.

and, please God, not Gloadquist.

These guys would just provide depth for Aviles/Callaspo and only get 200-300 PAs, but still, I’d rather have taken a Rule 5 guy like Callix Crabbe (for the name more than anything) who will probably do about the same production wise for a fraction of the price.

it’ll be harder if we get Eckstein. I don’t know if I can take that.

I need more GRIT!

but depending on the price, either Eckstein or Hairston would be a decent utility option for the Royals. Of course, almost any player is the right choice at the right price. But the truth is, we don’t know how good Callaspo is — yes, I think he should be given every chance to fail next year. He can hit .300, but he would be lucky to slug .400, and there are legitimate questions about his glove.

Moreover, if Aviles gets hurt and/or Callaspo goes to he drunk tank on the DL again, there isn’t any depth.

I’d say both Eckstein and Hairston are in that 1-1.5 WAR range. Stopgap starters at best, but very good guys to have on the bench… for the right price.

Reports are Hairston is resigning with Cincy.

first of all, why get three below replacement level players in the offseason whos total contracts would be above ten million per, when we see quality bats being signed for near the same value. Its not less money just because its spread around, DM.

Secondly, I love the grit comments. Listen to sportscasters when a white guy makes a play, (esp. in football) and Joe Buck or whoever will say something about heart/grit/determination etc. (because of course they have no talent, because they are white) My favorite is when they go all out and say something like
“you know that wes welker, hes just old school. He woke up this morning grabbed his thermos, lunch pail, and hardhat, drove to work and clocked in for a tough day.”

My friends and I expanded on that thought to create “Local Number 54”. This of course is the gritty white guy union, like the steelworkers union local number two ads that are always played on Royals Radio. So whenever you see your favorite gritty player make a play remember to put on your joe buck mask and say, “wow, David Eckstein, proud card carrying member of local number 54”

p.s. also remember to thank the veterans, and tip your waitress

Is David Eckstein worth roughly $4 million a year? Eck brings OBP and slightly under leage average defense at short stop. Aviles trumped him in both catagories in 2008 while requiring 1/10th of the money.
Aviles is iffy this year. How many players have a great first year and bomb the second? I can think of two off the top of my head — Bob Hamelin and Angel Berroa. But that doesn’t mean this team needs to shelter Aviles from a possible failure of a year. If anything, they need to find out if he is going to work long term at the shortstop position or if they need to try to get someone via trade (hint hint Jason Donald) or via free agency in 2010.
Bloomquist is already on this team, he just goes by the name of German.

Of course they should have just told Tony Pena to learn how to play second base. They seem to love the kid, he has a worthless bat and only plays one position. what is the point in keeping him, if three other people (German, Aviles & Callaspo) can play respectable defense at shortstop and have a much better presence at the plate?

Shortstop is a premium position, just like catcher and center field. This isn’t going to be fixed overnight. They might as well pay whatever Texas wants for Elvis Andrus, whatever LA wants for Brandon wood or whatever Philadelphia wants for Jason Donald. If it means giving up David DeJesus, go for it. Any of those three could potentially help this team more than David DeJesus ever has or ever could. You’re talking six years of basically worry free shortstop. That’s worth a lot in this day.

A UI who can only backup 2B. We haven’t had a true one of those since Graffanino was traded*.
 
 
 
* German doesn’t count because he can technically “play” 3B and LF in addition to 2B.

Less tempting for Hillman to play, cheaper and even I (TPJ hater) think it would be tough for him to repeat those unbelieveably bad hitting stats. I just don’t see much out there worth attaining at this point with KC’s current budget restraints.

In reality, teams may budget annually but truly they are also planning and committing budgets well ahead. After all, they are making commitments from 1 – 3,4,5 years out (or the yankees 8 yrs) and tracking who will be falling off, who will be in arbitration or fa, etc.

and then trade them to the Orioles for Matt Wieters.