Chris Getz in the Way

It is far from a news flash that Chris Getz is not a starting-caliber major league second baseman. The Royals search for a 2B did not start this year. In fact, the position has been a revolving door of mediocrity (offensively, defensively, and often both) since the prime of Frank White's stellar career. The following is a list of players who led the Royals in Games Played at second base, the years in which they led, and their average OPS during those years. Obviously, there are more precise and thorough ways of measuring 2B production, but this one gives a quick, easy picture. Lil' Getzy's place in team lore is being cemented- with the other dead bodies.

1990 Frank White                         .560

1991 Terry Shumpert                   .605

1992 Keith Miller                           .741

1993-94 Chico (No Pants) Lind   .606

1995-96 Keith Lockhart               .781

1997-98 Jose Offerman              .797

1999-02 Carlos Febles               .686

2003 Desi Relaford                     .691

2004 Tony Graffanino                 .667

2005 Ruben Gotay                     .632

2006-08 M. Grudzielenek           .751

2009 Alberto Callaspo                .813

2010 Mike Aviles                        .748

2011 Christopher Getz              .605

This is quite the motley crew. There are the guys that really were average/good hitters, but defensively, not at all second basemen (Miller, Offerman, Callaspo, Aviles), one who was pretty good but at the end of his career (Grudz), one who we should have probably kept (Lockhart), and some who were, for the most part, terrible (Lind, Febles, Relaford, Gotay, Graffanino, Getz).

By 1990, Frank White could no longer hit, and his glove was no longer a weapon. We told him his services were no longer needed. That's tough to do. After 1991, Terry Shumpert showed he could not hit, and was average defensively. We told him his services were no longer needed. That was not so tough to do. Getz has the same OPS right now that Shumpert did in 1991. It should not be tough to give him the boot, either. Getzy, you are no Terry Shumpert, and you are no Frank White. There's the door, now Getz the Hell Out!