An Offseason Process I Could Trust

by nwroyal on Oct 15, 2009 4:38 PM EDT Comment 99 comments

So this is what I am left with: doomed to follow a baseball team that uses pre-modern techniques for assessing players I am forced to come up with my own alternate reality that I hope will happen. I will list some groups of players that I would look to acquire at each position we need. I admit the plan is not "sexy" but it better positions us for 2011/12 and should improve the club next season.

1. Trade for Chris Dickerson

CF-options include:

Mitch Maier

Coco Crisp--FA

Chris Dickerson-CIN

Melky Cabrera/Brett Gardner--NYY

Carlos Gomez--MIN

Felix Pie-BAL

Chris Young-ARI

This is my top priority in the offseason. I like Pie but I think Baltimore is going to want more than I want to give. I'm really high on Dickerson who would provide good D and gets on base and has been pushed out by Drew Stubbs in Cincy. Dickerson is this year's Franklin Gutierrez. I would put the full court press on Dickerson. Would Kyle Davies get it done? I might be willing to offer Bannsiter if Davies isn't enough.

2. Sign Austin Kearns to a 1 year/$2 million deal with 2011 team option

RF options include:

Jose Guillen

Mark Teahen

Mitch Maier

Austin Kearns-FA

Eric Hinske-FA

Xavier Nady--FA

Jeremy Hermida--FLA

Elijah Dukes-WAS

Hermida is intruiging as he is still young but would cost too much and his D is not good. I lean toward Kearns who has had a rough go in DC. Kearns turns 30 next season, plays good D, his bat might bounce back and he would probably sign for $2 million.

3.Sign Kelvim Escobar to a 1 year/$3 million deal. Sign Jose Contreras to a 1 year/$2 million deal.

Starting Pitchers options:

Eric Bedard

Ben Sheets

Kelvim Escobar

Jose Contreras

There are tons of reclamation projects out there and I'm all for seeing if we can snag one. Kelvim Escobar has been mentioned and that would be great. In researching this, I found a guy that I really thought was flying under the radar: Jose Contreras-living in Colorado now I watched as the Rockies picked him up and he looked really good coming out of the pen. His FIP last year was decent and he could be dirt cheap. I say sign him and see if he can start and worst case scenario, stick him in the bullpen. We could just sign one of these guys and throw Hochevar back out there.

4. Trade for JR Towles

C options

John Buck

Brayan Pena

Miguel Olivo

JR Towles-HOU

Chris Snyder-ARI

I played with the idea of offering Arizona Farnsworth in exchange for C Chris Snyder (Snyder's got a pricey contract) but I really like the idea of going for Towles-offering Houston Mark Teahen. Towles is young and Houston has Jason Castro coming up. Its not the end of the world if we end up with Buck as our catcher and Pena backing him up.

5. Release Jacobs and Guillen

Who knows, maybe someone is willing to pay $1 million of Guillen's salary-but probably not-so just release him and Jacobs (and Buck if we trade for Towles) and move on.

Lineup:

CF Dickerson

2B Callaspo

LF Dejesus

1B Butler

3B Gordon

RF Kearns

DH Kaaihue

C Towles

SS Betancourt/Aviles

Bench:

Aviles

Bloomquist

Maier

Pena

Greinke

Meche

Bannister (unless I have to give him up to get Dickerson)

Escobar

Contreras

Bullpen:

Soria

Tejeda

Cruz

Farnsworth

Hochevar

Rosa

Find a left hander

This team has dramatically better outfield defense. The infield defense is still suspect but my hope is that Gordon can be average at 3rd and then Aviles can overtake Betancourt at SS or Bianchi can help out at mid-season. If worse come to worse we could do the Callaspo to DH or 3B. The offense should be better than last years and there is some pitching depth. I would expect this team to win 75-78 games and would enter 2011 with a lot of money coming off the books. So there are my thoughts on moves that will never happen. Thanks for indulging this catharsis for me.

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Comments

i want dukes and Chris Young...

dukes is basically free and chris young costs what one of our catchers does for next year.

Cortes would really come in handy right now as a trade chip for a real player with real potential

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 15, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dukes yes

Young…i don’t see it. he’s not even that good at defense any more i don’t think.

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Oct 15, 2009 9:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he admittedly had a bad year this year...

but that’s when you get guys….when their value is low and you think they’ll bounce back…which i have a feeling young will do

we shall see though

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 15, 2009 9:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and if you want to base it on this year....

dukes was far worse than young

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 15, 2009 10:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

young has really never been very good though

his career high in OBP is like .315. that’s pretty terrible.

anyway were basically banking on upside here and i’d bank mine on Dukes. i think he might be good for .275/.375/.500 in a full season which he has never been given.

baseball rules.

by doublestix on Oct 16, 2009 3:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i would also love dukes

"I'll take some Coco with that please"

by RoyalJHWKR on Oct 16, 2009 12:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great post!

I like your take on the state of the Royals — instead of saying stuff like, “sign rich harden or john lackey” you’re actually presenting “feasible” options. Thanks for that. And your roster could actually be constructed even if the Royals have no increase (or even a decrease) in payroll.
I like Chris Dickerson… great call on that one.

The Alex Gordon era - www.number4thesmirk.com

by CollininCalifornia on Oct 15, 2009 6:21 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Decent Plan

I mentioned Dickerson last week, I like his combo of OBP and defense.

I don't know how to put this but I'm kind of a big deal.

by kcscoliny on Oct 15, 2009 6:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'm not sure i'm ready to bite on Dickerson

tell me more

by royalsreview on Oct 15, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He'll be 28 next year

http://www.fangraphs.com/statss.aspx?playerid=7095&position=OF

383 OBP in 400+ big league at-bats with great defense

didn’t hit with any power last year but has a little pop.

by nwroyal on Oct 15, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

sold

Blank

by benfunke on Oct 15, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds Like Mitch

On steroids, and we all know what an improvement that makes.

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

by philofthenorth on Oct 15, 2009 7:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's like mitch except actually good at stuff

whereas mitch’s best quality is ‘not josh anderson or ryan freel’

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 15, 2009 7:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate to say it

But I think this is true

by sterlingice on Oct 15, 2009 9:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

nice!

StonewallPDS

by StonewallPDS on Oct 16, 2009 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

which is good enough for me right now.

I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.

by Warden11 on Oct 16, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he's a good player

he seems to be nicked up a lot though

by Salty on Oct 15, 2009 8:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think I'd want to give up Davies for a 15% upgrade on MM

by royalsreview on Oct 15, 2009 10:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And Thus My

Steroids comment.

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

by philofthenorth on Oct 15, 2009 11:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

excpt for dickerson had twice the value in less ABs last year

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 16, 2009 1:47 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like these muy macho

Sponsor of the Will Ebner Physical Therapy Center for Will Ebners' Torn Lateral Meniscus Get Better Quick Fund. Or the SWEPTCWETLMGBQF for short.

by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Oct 15, 2009 7:25 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it...

except the signings of Escobar and Contreras. I think that would be wasted money. If we do sign a free agent starter i think it should be someone younger than those guys. Justin Duchscherer comes to mind. Chris Capuano maybe if he’s healthy. The rest of these moves i like though.

by ryancrist1986 on Oct 15, 2009 7:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I agree w/ Ryan on this

Duchschechehchechecshscer would be a good sign (could we get ManCaveItch & Grudzianalansk back for the all long name team?). Capuano should be about free after his last couple of years of poor health.

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Oct 15, 2009 10:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and Salty at catcher

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Oct 15, 2009 10:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm too old and was never that good

oh wait…

by Salty on Oct 16, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Great post

and we need more of this unlikely as some of these may be (really I have no idea what DM’s going to do).

A little OT, though-I’m sitting here watching the playoff game, and look at the Dodgers-imagine if we could get Manny, Furcal, Hudson, Pierre, and Blake on this team. Sure, we wasted $$ on Guillen and Farnsworth, but the Dodgers had Orlando Hudson coming OFF THE BENCH in the DS.

Look, I get it-DM has made some really questionable moves and may not be the man for the job. But goddamit, it really pisses me off that we sit here and basically everything has to go perfect for us and we MIGHT get a sniff of the postseason here and there. I also get that MIN has been consistently competitive in the same environment, so it can be done.

I’m also not a guy that, if I think the rules are unfair, then change the rules-I hate that way of thinking. Being a huge KU football fan (yes I had season tickets during the Terry Allen era and still do) so I know that even seeming insurmountable obstacles can be overcome. But it sure would be nice if we could have things go our way once in a while, and I’m talking in the cosmic sense, not just a good player here or there. Can we luck into a fucking Albert Pujols for once? Can we just have something REALLY good happen, that turns things around for a change, instead of this constant scraping by?

Even football, why do the Pittsburgh Steelers always have to just end up on top? Can we end up with Peyton Manning just once, instead of turds like Matt Cassel and Elvis Grbac?

All snark re: DM aside, it sure would be nice to get rid of this losing shroud that seems to permeate this city’s pro sports teams.

Kansas City Royals - rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic since 1994.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Oct 15, 2009 10:50 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

royals def need some breaks...

but every time they get one, like Aviles coming out of nowhere, they seem to fizzle out

by royalsreview on Oct 15, 2009 11:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

true, but

i’m talking a franchise-changing talent, like a george brett. i guess you could argue that we have greinke, but a pitcher only pitches every 5 days so his impact is limited.

Kansas City Royals - rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic since 1994.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Oct 15, 2009 11:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

alex gordon? ughhhh, nevermind

"I'll take some Coco with that please"

by RoyalJHWKR on Oct 16, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i wish we had good... no, GREAT players come thru here, too

and I understand your sentiment about things not going right for the Royals. But at the same time, they’ve shot themselves in the foot, too! We had Beltran, Damon, Dye and even Ibanez sitting here. If we pony up and keep even one of those guys long term this is a different story. Or, if we flip even ONE of those (Ibanez excluded) for an emerging minor league star, then we’d have 5-6 more years of great play.

However, the Royals have continued to shoot themselves in the foot. They can’t even get the gun out of the holster they’re so bad at this. They had three young guys (and an older, fan-favorite in Ibanez) come through here who could’ve made this franchise better and given it an identity. They should have signed them or gotten something great for them but they didn’t. That’s why we are where we are… or at least that’s one major reason why we are where we are. Sure, the “universe” is against us, but it’s easier for the “universe” to grant you good fortune when you’re helping yourself.

The Alex Gordon era - www.number4thesmirk.com

by CollininCalifornia on Oct 16, 2009 12:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Well

We do have Greinke and Soria who are legitimately great, and Butler, who seems to be on the path for greatness.

The problem isn’t that we don’t have impact players, its that we don’t surround them with anything close to replacement level talent.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 16, 2009 2:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

they did sign Sweeney though

they went all in on one and picked the wrong one.

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on Oct 16, 2009 5:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I actually think if they hadn't signed Sweeney, the whole fan base would have quit

Why pay attention to a team that has no intention of winning? This was about the only signal they ever gave that they wanted to contend.

by AxDxMx on Oct 16, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

oh yeah... i'm not saying it was bad to sign sweeney.

i liked the guy a ton. I’m just saying they signed one of their young studs; they just happened to get burned by signing the one that got hurt a lot.

Don't Stop Believing!

by KC Chris on Oct 17, 2009 9:48 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't know if Beltran or Damon would have ever resigned

Both seemed ready to get out of KC ASAP. But…keep Dye and Ibanez, both of which were very doable (both seemed to like KC and wanted to stay—interesting that both were guys the Royals bought low on), and, with DDJ, your OF was essentially set for the last 5 years.

Of course, they stay in KC, Dye would have been out of baseball with bad knees and Ibanez would have hit a total of 7 HR over that time. That’s True.Blue.Tradition for ya.

Sigh…

If you look closely, it really says "CentralChamps2012."

by CentralChamps2009 on Oct 20, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ilike everything you said except your omission

of acquiring a SS. I doubt that Aviles is going to make it back and YUNI is no option what so ever. Maybe pick up an old good defensive weak hitting SS until Bianchi can pull it together at AAA. But, if YUNI is our SS next season we have a hole big enough to drive a Mack truck through in our infield defense. I could live with an outfield of DDJ, MM, and Teahen… but not Yuni at any position. Other than that good job…

by grudz96 on Oct 15, 2009 11:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i'd love to pick up everett

"I'll take some Coco with that please"

by RoyalJHWKR on Oct 16, 2009 12:30 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree about SS

although I would be willing to give Aviles a legit shot at winning the starting SS job from Yuni before I start hitting the FA wires for a cheap, slick-fielding SS. Tommy John surgery isn’t quite as treacherous for positions players as it is for pitchers.

A DDJ-Mitch-Teabag OF would actually be pretty good defensively. I’d much rather have Teahen patrolling RF with Hoagie as a full-time DH than get rid of Teahen and have to play Jose in RF on a regular basis.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 16, 2009 1:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Good size hole in the line-up as well.

by BrRoyal on Oct 16, 2009 8:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

No SS

I didn’t add a SS because I think Jeff Bianchi will eventually fill that role. Betancourt can be our SS for next year b/c I don’t expect to contend and rather than spend money/prospects to acquire one I’ll wait until we Bianchi has a few hundred AAA at bats.

by nwroyal on Oct 16, 2009 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

his early numbers in the AZL aren't that impressive...

I read some where that he has yet another boo boo.

by grudz96 on Oct 19, 2009 12:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What about Bobby Crosby?

One year deal, he can still pick it at short, draw a few walks and has decent power so long as you can overlook his .210 batting average.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 16, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds like the SS version of Buck

Not an upgrade from Betancourt.

by jbrocato on Oct 17, 2009 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

An SS version of Buck

would actually have value, whereas Yuniesky Betancourt is worse than worthless.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Oct 17, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

worse than worthless

= worthlessest?

Air Cassel - approved for takeoff

by kabrink on Oct 17, 2009 9:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

worthlesser?

by BrRoyal on Oct 19, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

At least the Royals didn't give up anything for Betancourt

If the Royals had traded Beltran for Betancourt, I would probably not be a fan of his. But the Royals gave up an underachieving pitcher with personal problems. Big upgrade.

by jbrocato on Oct 19, 2009 7:44 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Except for the fact that trading for a guy that sucks isn't an upgrade.

I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.

by Warden11 on Oct 19, 2009 9:19 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

Have you forgotten TPJ?

Betancourt was a huge upgrade over the black hole at SS, especially if Aviles is unable to come back.

by jbrocato on Oct 20, 2009 7:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How has he upgraded SS?

TPJ was a more consistent fielder with more range.

I used to work with an old man that told me. Son, every workplace has a dumbass, if you don't have one where you work, then I'm afraid you're it.

by Warden11 on Oct 20, 2009 1:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Have you forgotten that TPJ didn't play SS for the Royals in 2009 much?

Willie Bloomquist had logged more time there than TPJ when the Yuni trade was made.

by AxDxMx on Oct 20, 2009 1:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

An underachieving pitcher who has some talent and is cheap

Whereas Yuni makes millions and only has the talent to look smooth while sucking.

by BrRoyal on Oct 19, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll take a cheap, underachieving pitcher

Over an expensive underachieving shortstop

And Derrick Saito has a non-zero chance of being a useful reliever someday.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 19, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Even if they really gave up nothing

Betancourt is worse than nothing, and costs more than nothing on his own.

I'm not a sabermetrician, but I do play one at Driveline Mechanics.

Can't get enough of me? Check out my Twitter feed.

by devil_fingers on Oct 19, 2009 2:45 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's nothinger

by BrRoyal on Oct 23, 2009 7:12 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Crosby draws more walks

And plays great defense. And will probably make a million or so. That is not John Buck.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 19, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would be behind a Crobsy pick up

His numbers should improve not having to play half his games in Oakland

by nwroyal on Oct 20, 2009 11:33 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A lot of interesting ideas, nwroyal

and overall, a well-thought out post.

That said…

There is no way I trade Banny for a guy who will turn 28 around Opening Day 2010 and has yet to put together a full MLB season. I might be persuaded to give up Davies for Dickerson (I haven’t taken a look at Dickerson’s defensive stats yet); I would prefer Dickerson + a throw-in for Davies. Davies for Dickerson straight up is a trade I would have to think long and hard about. If Dickerson is under team control for a few years, I just might do it. A really intriguing idea.

I also probably wouldn’t sign Austin Kearns. He hasn’t played a full season since 2007, is even worse offensively than Hoagie, and is quickly looking at the wrong side of 30. I would, however, be all about signing Eric Hinske—his D won’t be as good, and he’s roughly a year older than Kearns, but he brings both plate discipline and a little power, plus he can spell Butler at 1b if Moore obstinately refuses to give Kila a genuine shot at the Show. If the Royals non-tender Jacobs plus either Buck/Olivo, that money should be able to cover the expense of signing Hinske to a fairly cheap two-year deal.

Out of all the SPs you list, I am most intrigued by Myers, but I would only go for him if we are able to maintain a good defensive OF. Duchscherer, Sheets, Bedard, Pavano, and Harden are all likely going to be out of our price range, so I didn’t give them a ton of thought. I wouldn’t really want to pay $2 mil to a 38-year-old Contreras, but I could see the Royals taking a super-cheap, incentive-laden flyer on Escobar. $3 mil is too much for a guy who hasn’t pitched in two years, but I wouldn’t mind giving him half of that in base salary and letting him make it up in performance-based incentives. I would also be more in favor of us pursuing a SP if we were to trade Davies for Dickerson.

I have nothing against Towles, but I think that with B. Pena, Buck, and Olivo, catcher is not one of our biggest worries on the 25-man roster, unless we that urgently need to dump salary, and if that happens to be the case, we should be able to sign some random backup catcher on the cheap without having to give up talent in a trade. If we sign someone like Hinske, I’d be fine with flipping Teahen for whatever we can get, but we shouldn’t trade Teahen simply for the sake of trading him. Like you said, it isn’t the end of the world if we end up with Buck and Pena as our catchers next year.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 15, 2009 11:52 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

myers would fit right in with daytons 'we want good people' mantra

seeing as he punched his wife on the streets of boston not to long ago

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 16, 2009 1:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He and Bert should sing kumbayah together. Or at least go bowling.

Even Myers’s wikipedia picture makes him look like a complete douche.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 16, 2009 1:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

(to be clear...

…I’m not trying to make light of Myers’ history of domestic violence…I’m agreeing with you that he’s probably a hotheaded jerk.)

by DarthYoshi on Oct 16, 2009 1:59 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we can only hope

that DM has some of these type moves in him. to be fair, he has had some of these moves already:

callaspo for buckner (callaspo seems to be coming into his own as a hitter. defensively, not so much-although he did have a +6.5 UZR/150 in 2008, albeit in limited time, but maybe there’s some hope)

bannister for burgos (an up-and-down pitcher who probably is a #5 on a contending team, in exchange for an accused murderer)

picking up tejeda for nothing

picking up 2008 version Ho-Ram for nothing, then managing to flip him for a prospect

ramon ramirez for denny bautista

not making an overall judgment, b/c there’s some bad ones as well, as we all know. just saying that he does have a history of making some moves such as this that have worked out.

Kansas City Royals - rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic since 1994.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Oct 16, 2009 2:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denny Bautista

was part of the Shealy trade. Ramirez was acquired for a PTBNL, which eventually became cash. The Rockies did the same with JDLR, so Ramirez for JDLR was essentially the deal. Out of that deal in 2009, we got a month of Coco, and the Rockies got one of the best pitchers of the 2nd half. Sweet.

If you look closely, it really says "CentralChamps2012."

by CentralChamps2009 on Oct 20, 2009 2:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I see your points

I like Hinske but the reason I went with Kearns over Hinske is that Kearns has a higher potential reward (and is a higher risk). If I thought we might compete for the division, perhaps the safer choice is better. But for next year, I’d rather have the guy that might blow up for a 3 or 4 WAR season and if we have an option for 2011—that allows us to hang on to the guy or trade him to a contender for a decent return.

by nwroyal on Oct 16, 2009 10:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

Kearns is three years younger, could still turn it around, and plays much better defense. Hinske may be more solid, but Kearns has a better upside.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 16, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why not both?

Coming off a better year, Hinske signed last offseason for $1.5 million. He might be had simply for a major league contract (as the 40-man roster has plenty of room). I suspect Kearns might be able to get more than $2 million (he will probably be popular among the teams looking for undervalued players), but if he really does cost only $2 million, the team should be able to afford both.

My first preference is still to find younger players under club control for multiple years, but Kearns or Hinske is the right idea for cheap, one-year stopgaps to fill out the major league roster.

by Gopherballs on Oct 16, 2009 1:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not a bad idea

I don’t know how we’ll be able to carry three catchers and thirteen pitchers though.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 16, 2009 2:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

why not?

we’ve already got 12 utility players

Air Cassel - approved for takeoff

by kabrink on Oct 17, 2009 9:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree in that...

Kearns is definitely higher-risk, higher-reward. But offensively, Kearns was atrocious in 2008 and 2009, and was mediocre in 2007. Over the last three years, Hinske has been clearly the better player, and having DDJ and (hypothetically) Dickerson patrolling 2/3’s of the OF would mitigate having Hinske out there.

And if Kearns puts together a likewise poor season behind the plate in 2010, it is going to be hard to get much of a return for him in a trade to any team. (But I also think that Gopherballs’ idea of both is pretty good too)

The more I think about it, the more I like the idea of trading for Towles…I still don’t know enough about him.

by DarthYoshi on Oct 17, 2009 7:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

2/3 of the outfield?

More like 4/5 with Hinske/Guillen out there.

by AxDxMx on Oct 17, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hinske's defense is definitely a step up from Hoagie's

by DarthYoshi on Oct 18, 2009 1:22 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hinske's getting old

He’s no Ichiro out there.

by AxDxMx on Oct 18, 2009 4:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

excellent post

who knows, perhaps GMDM is a longtime lurker on this blog, and will consider the moves.

On the other hand, perhaps YOU are GMDM and are running these ideas up the flagpole, looking for salutes?

Has anybody ever seen nwroyal and GMDM in the same room?

StonewallPDS

by StonewallPDS on Oct 16, 2009 10:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nwroyal knows too much about the minor leagues

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 16, 2009 12:18 PM EDT up reply actions 5 recs

Great post

Seems realistic and level-headed. I’m not sure I’d give that much guaranteed money to Escobar, and I don’t see Contreras adding anything, but I love the thought of adding Pie or Dickerson and Kearns. That would upgrade our defense considerably, and I think Pie or Dickerson still have upside. Towles would be a great guy to pickup as well.

Smart thinking…which means it won’t happen!

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 16, 2009 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

Dickerson and Towles are the types of players the Royals should be stockpiling. I’m not sure I would bank on Kila adjusting to the majors and I would definitely want to see how Hochevar performs as a starter in front of a non-horrible defense, but those are just quibbles.

by Gopherballs on Oct 16, 2009 1:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Way ahead of you on Towles

I’ve been saying that for over a year now.

Hermida would be nice, but that’s one of those where you’re a year late. You would have had a nice bargain if you had looked up the Marlins last offseason instead of this winter.

You could say the same thing about Pie. As it is, I see no reason for the Orioles to trade him without somebody overpaying them for the priviledge of doing so. He’s cheap and even with Reimold, it’s not like they have somebody who would make you think twice about rotating 4 young outfielders through, using the DH spot as the 4th lineup spot for them.

"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it." - Mark Twain

by JM Barten on Oct 18, 2009 8:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, we probably could have gotten Pie for Cortes I bet.

Instead we got Yuni. Oh happy day!

by AxDxMx on Oct 18, 2009 12:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd guess he was close to being DFA'd in Chicago

Even after he went to Baltimore, I’d say he wasn’t that sure of a thing. Or maybe I read too much Cubs stuff.

by Salty on Oct 18, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don't think Baltimore is that high on him

There was talk they might try to slip him past waivers and send him to the minors. I don’t think it’ll take all that much to get him.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 19, 2009 11:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'd be shocked if they did that after his performance this season

he really does look like a guy who could be starting in CF somewhere

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by devil_fingers on Oct 19, 2009 2:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You guys

Could really use a DH. I know a guy in Chicago that could be had for cheap. If you drop Guillen then the trade off in club house headaches would be a wash. He can still hit a little bit—switch hitting with some power still for a DH named for a board game company—how bad could it be? This is posted with tongue planted firmly in cheek because there are only a few teams I would wish Bradley on and the Royals are not one of them—I like you guys and love the K, I would hate to not go to the games because he was there.

"There is no tomorrow for you, and that makes you very dangerous people."--Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) The Replacements

Time is an illusion--lunch time doubly so.

by snowyman28 on Oct 18, 2009 4:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't mind Bradley on the Royals.

The Royals need offense desperately.

by jbrocato on Oct 19, 2009 7:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan Lefebvre would disagree

If you look closely, it really says "CentralChamps2012."

by CentralChamps2009 on Oct 20, 2009 2:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

On a side note

Has anyone here heard anything about a possible trade with the Brewers involving Greinke for J.J. Hardy, Matt Gamel, Angel Salome, and Manny Para? Just curious, I saw the rumor over at Brew Crew Ball and it piqued my curiosity.

"There is no tomorrow for you, and that makes you very dangerous people."--Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) The Replacements

Time is an illusion--lunch time doubly so.

by snowyman28 on Oct 18, 2009 4:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It's bull

The guy who published it said he heard it from his friend. Yeah, I’m gonna believe that.

by NotAHippie on Oct 18, 2009 4:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

Hadn’t seen the source, just an interesting rumor.

"There is no tomorrow for you, and that makes you very dangerous people."--Jimmy McGinty (Gene Hackman) The Replacements

Time is an illusion--lunch time doubly so.

by snowyman28 on Oct 18, 2009 5:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Got mentioned on 810 today

Although they quickly poo-pooed it.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Oct 19, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Heard the goofy old guy on the local ESPN affiliate

propose that as an idea. How often do trades like that happen?

by Salty on Oct 18, 2009 6:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds a bit like the Dan Haren trade

Though that trade had more prospects and fewer major league players, if I remember correctly.

by Soria's Unibrow on Oct 19, 2009 4:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

and a not as good pitcher as the centerpiece for the trade....

i’d flip shit if we make that trade…

hardy is alright, but not here long term. gamel will probably be a decent hitter but a butcher wherever we play him…extremely poor mans version of Butler, salome sucks and parra is probably my favorite part of that trade…which makes it not even close to good enough for zack

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Oct 19, 2009 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The genesis of the story was talked about today on the radio

Seems it started as chatter about what it might take to make a trade for a pitcher like Zach, was repeated as close to happening by some twit on Bleacher Report (who ended up taking it down). Fools followed by citing a Bleacher Report story – good grief.

I think it might be too much to give up, but I don’t know Zach’s contract situation and it isn’t worth debating given that the chance of it happening is so small.

by Salty on Oct 19, 2009 9:18 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs