Ross F'ing Gload?

by FireBell on Dec 18, 2006 9:19 PM EST Comment 8 comments

I'm sure he's a great guy, has already donated his organs to science and donates 100% of his salary to charities.

But.

WHY????????????

I like what Neyer said:

Rob: Wow, you know what's really interesting about this transaction? I had no idea there are two Ross Gloads. The only Ross Gload I ever heard of is going to be 31 soon, and has a bright future as a first baseman in Class AAA. Exactly the sort of player the Royals have little (if any) use for.

Oh.

Rany added this:

But Ross Gload? Gload's not a bad player; he has a career line of .298/.343/.437, which will play in the majors. He hit .327/.354/.462 last year and .321/.375/.479 in 2004...and in between he hit .364/.416/.657 in 60 games in Triple-A in 2005. The guy is a legitimate .300 hitter with some pop, and that's not a bad guy to have on the bench at all.

That is, if you're trying to build a bench. Has Dayton forgotten that, you know, the Royals lost 100 games last year, and teams that just lost 100 games shouldn't be trading upside for consistency. So what if Sisco has an 80% chance of fizzling out - I'd rather have the 20% chance that he becomes a legitimate power arm over the 90% chance that Gload will make a decent lefty stick off the bench.

And then there's the question of what we need another 1B/OF for. My God, we've got Shealy at 1B, Sweeney at DH, DeJesus in CF...Teahen's probably in RF...and you've got Sanders, Brown, Gathright, and Costa that will either get a roster spot or get released. Costa, in particular, has a very similar skill set to Gload - he roped the ball in Triple-A this year - and he's six years younger. What the hell do we need Gload for?

Here's the link.

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I may be repeating myself, but. . .

this move really isn't all that important in the grand scheme of things. 2005 looks more and more like an aberration for Sisco (a lot of that probably represents unfamiliarity by the league and the fact that hitters don't face that many 6'10" power lefties) and there was data to suggest that he was not going to get any better---if he was as good as 2005 promised, even if his mechanics were off, he should have been mowing down AAA and the Mexican League. Instead, he'd have some success mixed in with some lack of success. If he's not willing to work hard enough to at least strive for some consistency, then see ya later.

While we'd like to think that every deal we make should result in either a future ace or freedom from the bondage of Berroa, the fact is that GMDM does not appear to think that we have to improve incrementally ("I'm just gonna fix this one thing at a time, then when that's good enough, I'll start on something else"). He has stated he wants no more losing records. Therefore, he has to improve EVERYTHING. I know nobody seems to care about the bench, but good winning ball clubs have good bench players, and we now have Gload (who, last time I checked, played a similar role for a World Champion), who can play first base and outfield (something Costa, Brown, Reggie et al apparently cannot do). Sweeney can't play first anymore and Shealy can't play every game. So getting Gload helps.

The only acceptable grumble about this is that Huber could have done it, but Huber's been toast for a long time now. Based on the eventual arrival of Butler and Lubanski, not to mention Maier, along with DeJesus and the assumed presence of Teahen, there is NO WAY that Costa has a future with this team (and I have yet to see evidence at the major league level that he should when compared to these other guys). And as for Lime and Reggie, the sooner they're on their way, the better.

GMDM seems to be interested in winning next year and every year. Let's at least wait until the first team to bear his mark actually plays a game before we rain down invective.

Rant done.

by CentralChamps2009 on Dec 19, 2006 11:14 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Have to agree

While I did find the article interesting. They do have some valid points. I have to give GMDM some slack, he's turning around the worst team in baseball and it will take time to make it better. I think that change is right around the corner, we have better pieces than many realize. I look at our team and think if our young hitters develop, it's a situation like the late 90's where we'd lead the league in offense and be dead last in pitching. Which is what I like about GMDM's plan. You have to win with pitching and defense that is how the Braves do it year in year out. Especially in a ballpark as spacious as the K, defense is important. The way he has been stockpiling arms has been encouraging, he sees that deficiency and is willing to correct it. I don't think he's finished either. Middle relief is interchangable unless you think Baltimore is going to be a contender by spending 20 million plus on their bullpen. Don't Think so? Building a winner is priority one and I'm glad to see he has the initiative to do so, just keep in mind it won't happen over night. A 10 to 15 game improvement will be a good season realistically.

lordbyronk

by lordbyronk on Dec 19, 2006 11:34 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Not sure why?

It seems to me that Gload is probably as good as Brown and more flexible defensively. Their career numbers are Brown (.263 336. .414) and Gload (.298 .343 .437) plus Gload is a year and a half younger. Admittedly, Brown has outperformed his career averages over the last two years, but I guess what I'm saying is that we got more than a bag of rocks in exchange for a head-case with zero work ethic, seems like a good deal to me. I think this move makes us better today, and most probably makes us better in the long run.

by BigRedRoyal on Dec 21, 2006 10:38 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Loss of Sisco after addition of Riske, et.al

One of the biggest problems for the fans is not having a bigger picture of what is going on in the front office. At first, trading Sisco seemed like a bad move but after hearing Royals signed David Riske, his loss is not a big deal. After hearing all of the character and makeup issues with Sisco, trading him while he has potential could be a good move. Gload is a serviceable player who is flexible at 1B and OF. Having a backup for Shealy is the biggest piece for the roster.

by daveyork on Dec 21, 2006 1:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Gload, eh, why not

After watching Shealy since we got him,I think that he will be our first baseman of the future. But as has been said before he will not play every day. And after slowly, painfully falling off of the Mike Sweeny bandwagon (Im still on his fanwagon, and wish nothing but the best for Mike, I wish more of our professional athletes conducted them in like fashion)Gload doesnt look like such a bad move. What is the total percentage of the last 3 seasons that Sweeny has been on the active roster. Further more what is the percentage of that time that he has been on it 100% healthy and productive. That train left the station and isnt coming back. Gload will play at first, and DH a good portion of the season. And if Shealy has an injury then we have a respectable, actual, majorleague first base back up. That is the reason for building the bench. When our starters go out, yes it hurts, but the wheels dont fall off the bus. And I think it is nice to see that our bus might have some wheels on it come this season. It may never get out of the parking lot, and certainly wont go out on the highway in 07', but it wont be up on cinder blocks in the tall grass of the front yard at the K.

by cautiouslyoptimistic on Dec 23, 2006 1:10 AM EST reply actions 0 recs