Comments on: Eric Hosmer Versus The Past

By: Flash

Flash — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 05:16:39 +0000

Trading a .300/.360/.420 hitter with some proven big league experience and has good clubhouse rapport to make way for a much-vaunted but unproven prospect? This is the Cult of Prospectism run amok. I know Royals fans are so, so eager for that Promised Land on the horizon when the AAA cavalry comes up and wins us the World Series, but the Lamb saga should have disabused us of such fairy tails. Moose may be great, he may be a total bust. Why we’d want to gamble this way when we have a decent hitter in the real, big leagues for once is totally beyond me.

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:23:36 +0000

As for 2nd base, Getz has had a nice little run the last couple of weeks. I don’t see it sustaining, but why not give it a chance. Aviles is a butcher at 2nd and really at 3rd too. That play last night was SOO ugly. He has no glove skills, and that throw was horrible. I’d say leave Betemit at 3rd and Getz at 2nd with Aviles playing off the bench for 3rd, SS, and 2nd until one of them gets traded. Although Aviles has the most flexibility in the field, he has the least value for me. As soon as Moustakas gets called up one of those three needs to get traded. Could they package Aviles/Betemit and Cabrera/Francoeur in a package?

By: Kyle

Kyle — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 11:20:53 +0000

I am not a huge Melky fan, but he is having a better season than I imagined from him. If he could learn to take a walk every now and then, he could be a legitimate option as an everyday outfielder. Same with Francoeur, he is having a much better season (walking more) than I thought he would. Lough profiles well at all three outfield spots. He isn’t a burner, but he is a legit outfielder.

At some point in time, I would like to see Cain and Lough get a chance. Cabrera or Francoeur could be traded and the other could be the 4th outfielder. Cabrera hits horribly from the right side, and Francoeur can’t hit righties. They really make for a nice platoon.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:33:05 +0000

Navarro has one season over 700 OPs in his career. I really hope this huge jump in hitting ability is real. If he continues after his promotion, I think we can start to look at him as a legit prospect. He is still 2 full years from the major league roster even if his steps forward are for real.

I am not advocating giving Melky way. I don’t think I wrote that very well. I am just saying that he should not be here after July 31st under any circumstances.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:22:39 +0000

Except for the fact that Lough and Melky are not center fielders. Lorenzo Cain can play good CF defense. Chris Getz will be optioned or released before the end of this season. He can’t hit for avg or power, doesn’t walk a lot, can’t play another position and his defense is average at best. He is Willie Bloomquist with LESS power and positional flexibility. That’s not a compliment. If Melky was having this average-ish season at a corner spot then I could see keeping him. In my opinion, defense at SS and CF are must-have’s. Melky just isn’t a good CF at all.

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:10:41 +0000

Much better case could be made for David Lough being blocked by Melky and Cain blocked by Lough.

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 05:07:43 +0000

Navarro is at Wilmington and is putting together a year that should earn him a trip to Springdale. No one ahead of him on the depth chart is doing anything. Getzie’s job is safe for a few years unless Giavotella learns to hit RHP. Until then he is Aviles with a better glove and no power.

That is what the numbers tell me. Melky has a 1.1 WAR, his fielding is -2.9, his bsr 3.0, he has 7 Hrs, 33 runs, 34 rbis, 5 sbs, a .3o6 OBP, .441 slg, .747 OPS, .328 wOBA, and a 104 wRC+. Multiply by 3 and Melky is a 21hr, 99 run, 102 rbi man as a CF. That is good. Main drawback offensively is 5 walks. Both Melky’s season and age wOBA are above average at the moment. I think he is having a very solid season and shouldn’t be thrown away just to clear space for Cain, who is having a decent AAA season but, given the usual drop off when moving to the majors, wouldn’t be a clear upgrade over the Melk Man, so leaves time for Melky to be traded, perhaps in a package, for some legitimate prospect. Not like it is Ankiel or Brian McCrea manning CF for us at the moment. Melky should be gone in July as some teams have needs, the Nats currently with Ankiel. A 25.3 K% in AAA demands more seasoning from someone who doesn’t project as an elite power hitter. But opinions can vary, just trying to show how I see it.

By: Ben

Ben — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 04:12:04 +0000

Melky is NOT an average CF…and it’s not close. He is a well below average CF. His range is really bad, though he does throw really well. and his OBP is now BELOW 300….he’s below average.

Navarro was never a prospect and has never hit at all. This year has been an eye-opener but we will see what happens. Doesn’t matter what he hits or Colon hits he is well behind Gio and Colon on the prospect list.

By: Christian

Christian — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:53:15 +0000

Absurd to even think of trading Moose over Betemit, who before he got a chance was a good bat off the bench. Wilson is a good ballplayer and a fan favorite it seems like anymore but he hasn’t shown the power that Moose has so I dont see Moose going in any way whatsoever he’s part of our future infield opposite Gio and Hosmer and Escobar. Wilson will hopefully stay with the team as a good bat off the bench and to relieve players. Last year they talked about how he has the mental state of mind to stay shrarp even off the bench so he can do that again if he needs too or we can let him go to let another team give him a shot.

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:34:51 +0000

“Giovatella, Colon and Bianchi are all above Navarro on the 2b depth chart in KC’s system.”

None are hitting righties well and Bianchi and Colon aren’t hitting anyone at the moment.

“Melky Cabrera is not legitimately blocking Lorenzo Cain.”

Melky’s an about average CF, leads the team in RBIs, and doesn’t strike out 27% of the time. Cain is the future and will be called up when Melky or Frenchy are traded, but isn’t forcing anyone’s hand. Should Cain get the Ks under control and take some more walks, he projects as the leadoff hitter we need, so becomes more urgent.

Agree on Betamit and Moooose, although Moooose isn’t much of a defensive improvement at the moment over Betamit or Aviles. He has tightened up his splits and is posting an over .800 OPS against both sides, so looks ready when Betamit can be traded for value.