Rumor heard around the K
by loyal2sdad on Sep 24, 2009 11:06 AM EDT
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PrintTalking to a season ticket holder Tuesday night; a guy who knows some of the front office personnel, supposedly. I think he knows some of the lower level guys, not the top-rung people, but still, some of the things he has told me the club was toying with doing in the past actually ended up playing out eventually.
If the Royals were able to get rid of Guillen, they would consider moving Callaspo to 3B, Gordon to 1B, and Butler to DH, with Aviles getting a shot at winning the 2B job next year, or acquiring a 2B and using Aviles as MI utility man. There is some thought in the organization that Callaspo's defensive "abilities" play out much better at 3B than 2B, because while his range is limited, he has quick reflexes and a strong arm ( much stronger than needed at 2B).
Now, I have no idea if this guy is accurate this time - but at least this makes some sense. It would strenghten the team defensively in several positions, while having the added benefit of not losing the offensive value of Callaspo's bat (800 OPS at 3B is acceptable). Assuming Aviles this season is irrelevant, since he was trying to hit with basically ONE ARM all year, and it is not inconceivable that he would be more than adequate offensively for 2B. I think we can all agree that he would be adequate defensively there, and a significant upgrade from Callaspo defensively.
The key to the offseason is to get rid of Guillen, somehow, someway. The Cubs are desperate to get rid of Bradley. Despite whatever issues he might bring, he is a SIGNIFICANT upgrade talent-wise over Guillen. Would love to see Moore pull that off, somehow.
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I suppose it makes some sense
Although I think Gordon loses a ton of value moving to 1B, particularly if he doesn’t get much better. Are they concerned about his hip?
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I agree
With Gordon moving to first base, our defense there increases while our production from the position drops. Gordon HAS to have a breakout season this next year or he will be expendible and a bust. I believe he can. He still hooks way to many outside pitches. With a full offseason of Seitzer, he can be productive.
I still would almost rather have JoGui and his cancerous attitude than the attitude of Bradley who doesn’t even want to play somewhere that wants him. Much less all the fights in the broadcast booth. At least JoGui doesn’t listen to the media and he’s a respectible human being off the field doing a lot of charity work in our area for our youth. I don’t know, but I’d imagine MB doing nothing close to JoGui.
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He didn't offer any reasons;
I agree with him losing value moving to 1B. I wonder if perhaps he couldn’t be converted to OF? I personally still think his bat can play – this season does not concern me production-wise, as in my mind he might as well have missed the entire season. I still see decent plate discipline in his ABs – but the hip injury at the very least may have hurt his power for this season. Would assume that he would be better after an off-season of additional rehabbing to strengthen the area.
Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!
The hip
This is just my personal scouting judgement, so take it for what it’s worth – I think the hip has severly affected his defense at 3B. I previously thought he was the equal or better defender to Teahen at 3B – but now I think it’s Teahen, and it’s not even close.
Reading between the lines, maybe the Royals think playing 1B would help him relax and concentrate on his offense, as I think he could play 1B just fine without having to work too hard on it defensively at all. If they are being cautious because of the hip, playing first would probably be easier on it going forward as well, I would think.
Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!
ARod had the same thing right?
Why is he still able to play 3rd base? He’s older than Gordon, and yet the Yankees aren’t worried about him. I just don’t get it. Gordon loses a lot of value for moving to 1B. Anyone can play there, but hey, let’s give them another reason to block Billy Butler and let go of Kila for nothing. At least we know Jacobs wouldn’t be back, or would he? I’m so sick of this team and their stupid ass moves. It’s not just outside the box thinking which would be nice, it’s completely off the effing map thinking. They are completely insane. I can’t wait to watch a left side of the infield that constantly lets balls go between 3rd and SS, a SS who can’t get to balls hit slowly up the middle, so we can marginally improve our 1B defense (same as 3rd base, just no throwing). The only thing that makes sense is Aviles at 2nd. But then again, we wouldn’t have this problem if we hadn’t traded for the worst SS in the league and given him the starting job for the next however many years. If this happens I really hope somebody starts to shine a spotlight on this inept excuse for a management team. THis is just sad.
by AxDxMx on Sep 24, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Totally agree
studies have shown that when you move someone over to 1B from 3B, they don’t hit the ball as hard or as far. Simple sabermetrics, really.
I think the better idea is to keep Guillen on the team, thereby keeping Gordon at 3B where he belongs and maintaining his “value”.
Further, I submit that Soria HAS to be in the rotation, so that his WRXNLVARPS+ is maximized for his two starts before he is out for 2 years due to labrum surgery.
Kansas City Royals - rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic since 1994.
by Home Run Tony Cogan on Sep 24, 2009 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions
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by RoyalsRetro on Sep 24, 2009 4:12 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
I can't envision Callaspo being...
an adequate 3b defender. Plus, who the hell would trade for Guillen. He will have to be released for this to happen.
And at this point
I’d rather have one year of a terrible malcontent than two years of a good malcontent who is probably batshit crazy.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
Not everyone is as poor a judge of value as Dayton Moore
Maybe Omar Minaya. But whatever, no one is trading for Jose Guillen.
Wouldn't playing Aviles at short and leaving Callaspo and Gordon alone
be better for the team than playing Yuniesky?
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.
This is a pretty good point.
Aviles there might be the best case scenario, just not a real-world scenario.
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.
I am not sure about Aviles chances, GMDM hasn't been watching him play every day
can’t evaluate by statistical number-who-bideee-jew, gotta use your evaluation eyes
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by MarioVanPeebles Republic of China on Sep 24, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions
plus Aviles LIED!!
I’m surprised they’re even considering keeping him. They have never liked him at all.
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I think I heard in one of the broadcasts
that Callaspo’s natural position was 3rd base, which surprised me. I thought they should have left Teahen at 2nd and put Callaspo on 3rd after the Gordon injury just to see what happened
We always did feel the same, We just saw it from a different point of view, Tangled up in blue.
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Good god
no Milton Bradley, pleeeease no Milton Bradley
by I need more Esteban on Sep 24, 2009 10:27 PM EDT reply actions
Seems like all that move would do would be to block Kila
Aviles and Betancourt are still question marks. Well, Aviles is, anyway. I’d rather have those two battle it out for short and keep Gordon and Callaspo where they are.
Concerns about "blocking" Kila
suggests this organization is actually willing to give him a chance.
If you look closely, it really says "CentralChamps2012."
by CentralChamps2009 on Sep 25, 2009 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Terrible ideas
Gordon has been bad at 3B this year after coming back from surgery, whjo knows how that will work out.
But the idea that simply moving Callaspo to 3B will suddenly make him good is dumb, unless his whole problem is turning the DP and he has a rocket arm. I’m pretty sure that isn’t the case.
Of course, Yuni is the biggest problem, but whatever. I’d rather argue with a “Young Earth” theorist than someone who thinks that trade is defensible.
Moving Callaspo to LF after a (smart) DDJ trade would make sense. But heck, if you have to move BIlly to DH, why not try Callaspo at first if you don’t want him at 2B?
There’s sort of a point behiind these ideas, but they’re so messed up in general and involve so much reliance on the idea that Yuniesky Betancourt is a major league player that it’s not worth the effort to discuss.
I wonder if there are any front offices in baseball where the Royals aren’t a laughingstock?
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oh, and Teahen is terrible at 3B
Gordon’s recent performance is a problem, but Teahen is dreadful.
Luckily, we know the front office won’t make a judgment based on a small sample.
I hope this decision isn’t’ being made on the basis on an irrational hatred for Guillen, since he hit so well last September when the Royals went 18-8.
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 Matt Klaassen on Sep 25, 2009 10:19 AM EDT up reply actions
I guess what all this REALLY means,
is we will have a FUN offseason waiting to see WHICH poor decisions are implemented. It’s not a matter of if – just which.
Mr Glass, this is a pro sports team, not a retail store - run it like one!
Moreover
if they really like Callaspo’s arm, they should be trying him in RF, too.
And, for the record, if they must move Gordon, they should try him in the OF before 1B.
Dayton just doesn’t get it.
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 Matt Klaassen on Sep 26, 2009 1:45 PM EDT up reply actions
I guess I'm not seeing the connection
between all these IF moves to keeping or dumping JoGui. Does this mean they only see him as DH and therefore in conflict with their preferred Butler job? I guess that’s at least a minutely tiny improvement in their thought patterns.
But, I think it’s really stupid to screw Butler after he did a lot of work and proved to be pretty decent at 1B.
I agree at being flabbergasted that the whole infield has to rotate around the idea of keeping Yuni at SS. I need a drink.
Air Cassel - approved for takeoff
that's what Bert said
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 Matt Klaassen on Sep 27, 2009 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions
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