FanPost

Who is this year's Ross Gload?


Last spring, there was a lot of gloom on the pending roster and the undoubted inclusion of Ross Gload on it. It looked like the Royals were so committed to Gload that nothing would stop them from bringing him back. Then as spring training wound up, the Royals traded him for a player to be named later. This year there are at least two places where they will probably have to trade or lose someone. In the outfield, unless someone gets injured, one person will have to go (I am already assuming Brian Anderson starts in Triple A). Of Podsednik, DeJesus, Ankiel, Guillen, and Maiers, it looked like Maiers was the odd man out going into the spring. He happens to be playing great; is out of options; and I will be totally torqued if he is cut or traded. Any chance any of the others could be traded?

At infield, Callaspo, Bloomquist, and Fields are fighting for a spot. That assumes that Aviles starts the year on the disabled list and that Gordon might start the year in Triple A on a rehab assignment. Until Aviles comes back, Betancourt will have a job (I think), Getz is the second baseman and Butler the 1st baseman. Oh and I forgot Kila who is also out of options and hitting well. Somebody's got to go. Fields might make it through waivers. Callaspo probably has the highest value of the guys the Royals would trade - though it would tick off the fan base to trade the second best hitter last year.

Personally I am hoping Guillen gets traded for cash; Getz plays shortstop while Aviles starts the year at second; Betancourt gets traded for PTBNL; Fields gets through waivers; Gordon starts at Triple A. Even with all that, I don't see how they can keep Kila, which bums me out (unless they traded Callaspo for someone good and Gordon could play opening day at third). In any case, it seems to me that the Royals have more good players to give away than they have in the recent past.

This FanPost was written by a member of the Royals Review community. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the editors and writers of this site.