Does Trade of Yamaico Navarro Mean More Chris Getz in 2012?

by Freneau on Dec 11, 2011 3:00 PM EST in Kansas City Royals News

The Royals' on-again, off-again, relationship with Chris Getz continues. Rivals come, rivals go, but Getz remains. Mike Aviles is long gone. Yamaico Navarro was potentially a utility threat to Getz, but he's a Pirate now. Johnny Giavotella is around, but he hit only .247/.273/.376 in 46 late-season games last season.

Are we primed for another round of Getz?

Here are Getz's numbers as a Royal:

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+
2010	26	KCR	AL	72	248	15	2	.237	.302	.277	.579	61
2011	27	KCR	AL	118	429	21	7	.255	.313	.287	.600	68
4 Seasons				307	1099	62	12	.254	.315	.307	.622	68

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 12/11/2011.

That flash of offensive competence he showed with the White Sox in 2009 looks further and further away. He's done his best to get on base, but for two years now his batting average and slugging numbers suggest a player who just doesn't make good, solid, hard contact with the ball. Worse, after a really effective year stealing bases in 2010, his success rate plunged in 2011. (Though Fangraphs rated his overall baserunning as better last season.)

His defense would seem to be good, not great. Overall, he was a replacement level player in 2010 and worth about one win in 2011, an improvement tied nearly entirely to more playing time and a better UZR number.

2012 is set to be Getz's last season on the Major League minimum (give or take the random $50,000 here or there). I suppose, for that price, he's not a terrible player to have on the roster. Is Gio definitively better?

Getz frustrates me, but honestly, I suppose he isn't that bad. He's not good mind you, but I guess, he's not awful. He absolutely should not be anywhere near the top of the lineup however.Paired with Escobar, Getz means we have a middle infield that provides next to nothing offensively. That's not the end of the world, but it is something you have to work around. As of late, the Royals haven't often had elite hitters anywhere else on the corners to make up for it.

Then again, perhaps Getz's demotion in 2011 was meaningful and Gio is now in place at second base. As I've said earlier this winter, I've given up trying to predict or understand.

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Comments

Getz doesnt have that one skill that stands out

Getz shouldn’t be a starter, I think that was established 100% this past season.
On the bench he’s not that bad but the problem is, he doesn’t have that one trait that stands out or helps.
He doesn’t have tremendous speed, he’s not even the most efficient base runner.
He’s not a great defensive replacement. He’s definitely not a guy you want coming off the bench to hit. He can’t even play multiple positions.

He needs to go.

by Royal from Queens on Dec 11, 2011 3:13 PM EST reply actions

I like how Giavotella "only hit"...

When that “only hit” was from a rookie with a better minor league track record and a bad hip. Oh, and I would still take Giavotella based on last year’s performance because he can hit the ball out of the infield. As for defense, I feel confident Giavotella will get better with instruction from Frank White, especially on turning the double play.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 3:21 PM EST reply actions

I'm not sure there is enough Pepsi Max in the world

To get Frank out to the K right now.

by Pointed Stick on Dec 11, 2011 3:23 PM EST up reply actions 6 recs

He would be fine a fine utility infielder

except for his complete lack of utility. As far as I can tell, he can only play at second. Has anyone EVER seen him play at short or third? I guess in a pinch, we could move Gorden back to third, but who would back up Escobar?

I really think that utility infielder is a major question mark right now.

by Pointed Stick on Dec 11, 2011 3:22 PM EST reply actions

he started three games at short in 2011 and one at third in 2010

doesn’t seem to have the arm to play on the left side every day.

by ams5661 on Dec 11, 2011 4:07 PM EST up reply actions

Maybe he could relay the ball from third to SS, then on to first.

Like a relay race.

by kansasjohn on Dec 12, 2011 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

Johnny G.

Why is this even a question? Giavotella showed me more than enough last year to be the every day 2nd baseman.

I can now say this with a straight face, and it will be accurate: Tim Tebow is a better QB than Matt Cassel.

by ProbablyYoungerThanAllOfYou on Dec 11, 2011 3:27 PM EST reply actions

what did he show you?

by Freneau on Dec 11, 2011 3:40 PM EST up reply actions

He wasnt Chris Getz

by KCTiger on Dec 11, 2011 3:51 PM EST via mobile up reply actions 3 recs

I think you need to reevaluate your perception of Giavotella.

As well as your user name.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 4:28 PM EST up reply actions

He showed me that he has the potential to be another Alberto Callaspo

with the glove, I mean

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Dec 11, 2011 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Why no love for Giavotella?

The kid will only get better. Plus he wasn’t fully healthy with that bum hip.

I can now say this with a straight face, and it will be accurate: Tim Tebow is a better QB than Matt Cassel.

by ProbablyYoungerThanAllOfYou on Dec 11, 2011 5:52 PM EST up reply actions

Johnny G has Swagger + Grit, or "sweater"

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Dec 11, 2011 9:57 PM EST up reply actions

a rusty piece of scrap iron

he will fight you long enough that you will need to take a lunch break

by kansasjohn on Dec 12, 2011 10:58 AM EST up reply actions

"will only get better"

But will he ever be any good in the majors? Still very hard to say.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 11, 2011 10:19 PM EST up reply actions

I think it's probably fair to say he will be better

But does ‘better’ mean .255/.285/.380 or .275/.300/.400? Maybe .280/.330/.420? Johnny’s a big question mark. Which one of those is he most likely to produce? Nobody really knows.

by Yodazilla on Dec 11, 2011 10:53 PM EST up reply actions

i would take .280/.330/.420 out for a number 8 hitter.

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 12, 2011 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

No, he actually could get worse.

There are no absolutes here.

Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan

by Old Man Duggan on Dec 12, 2011 12:38 AM EST up reply actions

it can always get worse

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Dec 12, 2011 12:56 PM EST up reply actions

an example of the ever perplexing replacement player

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Dec 12, 2011 3:24 AM EST up reply actions

Bottom line:

We need to develop a middle infielder that can hit. It’s too rare to be able to buy it. There are at least some options right now, even if it’s not a star.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Anthony Serratelli????

is he even being considered as a contender for the backup infield spot. the kid is the exact definition of a “utility” infielder, playing 3B, SS, 2B, and 1B (i believe) last season at NWA. posts better than average speed, Giovatella level pop in his bat and can switch hit.

any chance he takes Getz’s spot on the bench??

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 11, 2011 3:35 PM EST reply actions

Isn't he almost 30, and has never been higher than the AA level and has never particularly impressed in the minors?

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 11, 2011 10:20 PM EST up reply actions

Yes.

We don’t even need to be having this discussion.

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 12, 2011 11:20 AM EST up reply actions

I Am More

Concerned about Gio’s glove than his bat. He just plain drops too many balls, especially going to his right. He seems to do well an reaction plays, but his range is not good, and he does not turn the DP well. He does have some pop, and I believe he will do better in 2012.

Getz is sub-Sporq at the plate, and only marginally better with the glove. I’m sure he could stand between 2B and 3B in a pinch, but I wouldn’t want to see him there for any more than a few games. If anyone has any interest in him, takez what you can getz.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 3:45 PM EST reply actions

Getz has decent range to one side, but terrible range to the other.

I honestly can’t remember which side is which.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 4:30 PM EST up reply actions

I would bet it is good to his right, bad to his left.

If so, it is most likly not his true talent level, and is due to the shift that the Royals put on agianst every left handed batter that makes it seem that way.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Dec 11, 2011 9:23 PM EST up reply actions

If his “bad” side is indeed his left, then I would be willing to cut him some slack.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

he has decent range to the "down" side

limited range to the “up” side

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Dec 12, 2011 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

i'll reserve judging Gio's fielding ability until we see what he can do without a bum hip

don’t know which hip was repaired, but it could be the reason he couldn’t range to the right very quickly. if he still has problems after recoverying from surgery, then we can slap the bad uzr albatross around his neck. but lets wait and give the kid a chance to play with 2 good hips.

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 11, 2011 3:49 PM EST reply actions

Definitely.

Seems like the hip wasn’t bad enough to keep him out of the lineup, but was bad enough to slow down lateral movement.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 4:31 PM EST up reply actions

I'd feel better about him if the scouting reports on his defense from the minors were different.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Dec 11, 2011 7:51 PM EST up reply actions

I Don't Think

The hip made those fairly routine grounders bounce off his glove, but he should be better overall.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Obviously

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions

chalk it up to the famous "first 46 game jitters"

he’ll settle down and get better at the routine stuff.

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 11, 2011 5:43 PM EST up reply actions

FWIW, Gio's defensive scouting reports have always been bad

There’s really no reason to expect that he’ll be a decent MLB fielding 2B.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 11, 2011 10:21 PM EST up reply actions

Regardless of Gio's hip

I’d rather see Gio fail than waste any more time with Getz.

by Royal from Queens on Dec 11, 2011 4:04 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

If Giovatella has the 2B job Getz can't be on the roster

In fact, they need a true 2B/SS/3B utility guy if they want to have 5 outfielders and 13 pitchers. The Royals need to find what they have in Gio, and Getz is not qualified at SS or 3B as I understand it.

by thelaundry on Dec 11, 2011 4:15 PM EST up reply actions

You're right.

And I think many people have thought about this. I think the Royals know this, but their perception of Getz is altered by their affection for a white guy with dependable defense and decent speed. Not suggesting a racist thing… just the same old grittiness stuff.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

I Find It

Hilarious that Aviles is good enough for BOS but not us. His best position is SS.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 4:32 PM EST reply actions

He's definitely better than Getz

But I’m not going to miss watching him flail around at the plate. The whole thing where he stepped toward 3rd base just made it too easy to get him flailing at pitches on the outside part of the plate.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 4:34 PM EST up reply actions

Hard To Watch

But he had undeniably good results at times. His career line in 1,300+ PA’s is .288 .318 .419 .737; that is great for a UI.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions

Yes, but he only put up good numbers during periods of time where he played consistently.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 4:53 PM EST up reply actions

SSS, But He

Hit well for BOS. I have to believe some of Aviles’s struggles at the plate were health related.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 5:05 PM EST up reply actions

They need to go with

Nine regulars, a 4th OF, a backup catcher, a utility infielder who can play short, five starters, and eight relievers. With this starting rotation we’re going to need them. (Unless we’re going with my pet idea and stacking starters.)

Getz is not good enough to be a regular and can’t play short. Therefore, he must go. We should have kept Aviles. He can field adequately and sometimes more or less hit.

Giovatella should get the chance to win the 2B job. We don’t really have anyone else but Getz, who just won’t do, and Colon, who’s not ready.

This American keyboard is pissing me off. I can’t do accents, and the apostrophe is where the accent mark ought to be, and the hyphen is where the apostrophe ought to be, and the @ is where the quotation marks ought to be.

"All the boys think she's a guy
She's got crazy Frenchy eyes."

by Juancho on Dec 11, 2011 4:54 PM EST reply actions

Agree with all this. Seems pretty obvious too.

except the keyboard rant

by Loose Seal on Dec 11, 2011 9:04 PM EST up reply actions

KC is in America

Just think of it as the ‘fuller baseball experience’

by Yodazilla on Dec 11, 2011 10:46 PM EST up reply actions

Imagine

Alcides Escobar if he was left-handed, with a few more walks but (somehow) even less ability to drive the ball.

Also imagine that instead of playing very good shortstop, he was an average-ish fielder at second.

BOOM: Chris Getz

Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.

by Matt Klaassen on Dec 11, 2011 5:29 PM EST reply actions

Chris Getz is so scrappy though.

Plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played. Good baseball instincts as well.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 5:38 PM EST up reply actions

The Superfluous S

Keeps this from being an apt description.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 6:05 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

It's funny

I don’t recall Gio being all that bad with the glove. Not great, mind you. Just not bad. Of course, that’s probably selective memory at work. I can’t stand, Getz. He frustrates the hell out of me. I was very glad to see Gio (why isn’t it GiA??) come up and even more glad to see what he could do with the bat. I think he’s going to do well. Pizza from Gio’s for everyone!

by LaFLamme on Dec 11, 2011 5:42 PM EST reply actions

Tia Maria, Tio

Mario.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 6:04 PM EST up reply actions

Indeed.

by LaFLamme on Dec 11, 2011 7:14 PM EST up reply actions

I don’t like “Gio” either. Makes no sense.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

I Like Java

For no other reason than I thought of it.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 12, 2011 1:32 AM EST up reply actions

Obvious solution: Johnny G

"All the boys think she's a guy
She's got crazy Frenchy eyes."

by Juancho on Dec 13, 2011 1:31 PM EST up reply actions

Because his aunt owns Gio's Pizza in New Orleans.

by Bronzillo on Dec 12, 2011 7:59 AM EST up reply actions

I say we go with one of the following:

Prizm,
Metro,
Tracker,
or
Storm

Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan

by Old Man Duggan on Dec 12, 2011 6:50 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Aren't those Sarah Palin's son's names?

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Dec 12, 2011 8:13 PM EST up reply actions

Only three of them are.

Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan

by Old Man Duggan on Dec 12, 2011 8:58 PM EST up reply actions

One's an out-of-wedlock daughter

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 13, 2011 6:09 PM EST up reply actions

Sometimes fan bases get fed up with a guy and just hate him even if he isn't horrific, (Aviles)

Granted Aviles was playing bad but maybe he could fill this role..
And sometimes a player is so bad you cannot see how a man payed to run a team keeps him (Getz)

BFIB

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 11, 2011 8:27 PM EST reply actions

OT

My namesake and former Jag WR started a feud between Brady and the Pat’s OC
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/Video-Tom-Brady-in-heated-sideline-confrontatio?urn=nfl-wp13621

BFIB

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 11, 2011 8:31 PM EST reply actions

That's horseshit.

Everybody is telling the coach to shut up and back off while Brady just sits there yelling. Who knows what all was said… just looks like Brady is getting a pass for yelling obscenities at his coach.

by hawkinscm87 on Dec 11, 2011 11:14 PM EST up reply actions

Haven't seen enough

of Gio at 2nd to say he is horrible. This seems to be a media driven thing. Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he is going to be great, but I am not yet convinced he can’t be an every day 2B. I have a question. If Cain, Escobar, and Sal end up being excellent defenders, but very average at the plate, doesn’t our 2B need to be an offense-first type of guy? If not, sounds like an average lineup to me. My personal opinion is that Cain is average, Escobar is not quite average and Sal slightly above average for a catcher. Sal had a great year last year, but I haven’t seen enough yet to say he is going to be a great hitter.

by 7-step-drop on Dec 11, 2011 8:49 PM EST reply actions

Of Course, Nothing

Is proven yet about any of these players, but this is plausible.

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 11, 2011 9:09 PM EST up reply actions

Getz

is a low cost option that provides a decent glove and speed.

He’s not a long term solution, but the Royals have several “HYbrid” infielders at the moment.

Can we really wash up Giovatella? Colon could easily take a step forward in 2012, he was first rounder.

Moustakas – Escobar – Colon/Getz – Hosmer

Could be late 2012?

Twitter - @peterman7

by Peterman700 on Dec 11, 2011 9:16 PM EST reply actions

saw Colon play several times last year....

he didn’t impress me…..my assessment…. average fielder, below average bat. personally i like Gio better as a 2B solution.

by DickHowser4ever on Dec 11, 2011 9:21 PM EST up reply actions

Getz has speed

but he doesn’t get on base

BFIB

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 11, 2011 9:26 PM EST up reply actions

Steal 1B!

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

by philofthenorth on Dec 12, 2011 1:33 AM EST up reply actions

Chris Getz had 451 Polk Points

why is this being ignored?

by BeauJackson on Dec 11, 2011 9:49 PM EST reply actions

Baseball is a game of INCHES

BFIB

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 11, 2011 9:55 PM EST up reply actions

every inch of chris getz is filled with passion

that is more than enough for me

by BeauJackson on Dec 11, 2011 10:03 PM EST up reply actions

Just ask Gordon Beckham about his inches

hey yo

BFIB

by tiquanunderwear on Dec 11, 2011 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

For a second, I thought you wrote 'NICHES'

Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan

by Old Man Duggan on Dec 12, 2011 12:46 AM EST up reply actions

Getz & Giovotella

I feel they did not do that bad! Both of them did get on base and I remember some very good plays by Giovotella! Especially, the double play that made it to the Gibby’s Award! Giovotella started late in the season as a Rookie and made some hits as well! He will do even better this new seasaon…now that he had to feel to MLB and not what he coming across! Chris, in my opinion didn’t do so bad and from all the games I watched he also got on base. Not everyday do players have a great day! they will have some good day and some bad days! This is part of baseball and it even happens with the best players as well! Looking forward to the new season and confident KC Royals this new season will be much better and even make the playoffs! Go Royals all the way!

by Fans-of Eric Hosmer on Dec 11, 2011 10:01 PM EST reply actions 1 recs

i like your spirit

by Freneau on Dec 11, 2011 10:13 PM EST up reply actions

But not your exclamation points!

by 7-step-drop on Dec 11, 2011 10:14 PM EST up reply actions

Because

Go for it!

by Yodazilla on Dec 11, 2011 10:47 PM EST up reply actions

Minor point

Getz is arbitration eligible for the first time this year, so he would stand to make at least $1 million in arbitration.

I would call Nick Punto’s agent first before tendering Getz tomorrow night. If Punto only wants a one-year deal, he would be money better spent.

by Gopherballs on Dec 12, 2011 1:00 AM EST reply actions

I’ll be pissed if Getz is on the 40 man come Tuesday.

by WURoyal on Dec 12, 2011 1:42 AM EST via mobile up reply actions

The Royals

keep saying they are looking for a utility guy, but they have not signed one-and then traded their most likely option.

Gio is a question mark offensively, I hope it was rookie jitters or the hip, but he outsucked Getz offensively last year.

I hope they sign someone, because I could see the Royals keeping Getz, and just planning to have Escobar play every day and having the option to bring Gordon in to third when Moose needs a break- they did it at the end of last year.

It is actually too bad that Getz has no arm, because as much as I hated seeing him every day, I’ve always thought that if he could make the throws he would be OK as a utility guy. Most UT’s end up grading out as subpar fielders anyway (although some have one position where they field well.)

"Trying is the first step to sucking" -Jimmy Chance

by KHAZAD on Dec 12, 2011 5:46 AM EST reply actions