As brought up above, I am interested in what package it would take to acquire a 1 or 2 starter, especially a situation where the Royals take on salary to avoid giving up any of the very best prospects. Who do you want and what would you give up?

Why Getz is still on the roster is a mystery. A utility man who can’t hit a lick and can only play one position isn’t very useful.

“I don’t think he’s shown enough to bring him up now.”
What more are you looking for out of Cain? He is hitting .310/.381/.508 with 43 extra base hits and 12 steals. His Omaha OPS that is higher than that of anyone this year except Eric Hosmer and Mike Aviles. Cain hit, as Kyle mentions, .306/.348/.415 in 150 major league at-bats in 2010 and has a career minor league line of .294/.368/.429 (which includes an injury plagued 2009 that drags down the numbers).

Cain my not slug .461 in the majors like Melky, but he will bring increased range at the very position that said attirbute is the most important and very likely will make up for a dip in slugging with improved OBP.

Cain will have MUCH better range than Melky in CF, and over 150 ABs for the Brewers last year he hit like Melky. Cain .306/.348/.415 compared to Cabrera .303/.337/.461. I like the odds that Cain will produce and play a better CF. I don’t have a problem with the Royals keeping Cabrera and Francoeur and bring up Cain for 2012. I know there are doubters, but a platoon in CF and RF wouldn’t be the end of the world. And it’s better to be safe than sorry, in case Cabrera or Francoeur don’t produce or Cain doesn’t live up to the expectations.

Neither can Escobar. That’s why you look at all the tools and why I don’t get too excited about “might”. Cain may be a fine player, I think he has upside, but I don’t think he’s shown enough to bring him up now. He’ll probably be a good center fielder, but I doubt he equals Melky’s production this year or next year. He’s possible in right, better range, much worse arm, unknown offensive production, maybe not even much increase in SBs over Frenchy.

I think if I was going to have hope spring eternal in the minor leagues, I’ld concentrate on Sal Perez; major league ready catch and throw, hitting .319 in Omaha, has some power, and blocked by the injured Treanor and Brayan Pena, whose defense just isn’t that strong for the position. Treanor’s 35 and will be a free agent and Pena hasn’t really nailed down the position and C has been much weaker than the outfield this year.

I don’t see the connection. Dyson has better range and better arm than Cain, which is why he was mentioned.

“im – why is it you have decided Cain cannot play center?”

I haven’t said that, just have pointed out that his arm is in Melky range while his hitting probably isn’t. Neither has a right field arm, Melky is under control for another year, so replacing Frenchy is the most likely.

“neither had a good arm, but both had exceptional range.”

That’s why I mentioned them. Watching them both throw from center was extremely painful to watch.

“Getz did nothing that deserved that job as long as he had it.”

Aviles lost the job and when Mike went down, Gio was hitting about .300 with split issues and iffy defense in Omaha. A two month hot streak got him called up. Getz got the job by default. At this point he deserves a shot, so we can see how the third call up from Omaha translates to the big leagues.

“I’m sure Cain will be very good pro and I’m excited to see him.”

He may well be, although he’s getting a little old to be considered a prospect, but unlike Gio, the three guys ahead of him in the big leagues are producing, so the only improvement Cain offers is range at the moment, and that probably isn’t near enough to warrant replacing Gordon, Melky, or Frenchy. If it was, Dyson would be the CF.

10,000 words posted on stats from AAA up and down about Giavotella the last 2 months and why Getz should be the 2nd baseman and poof, Gio gets calls up and continues to rip the baseball…lapping Getz’ gritty no slug abilities. That’s why the eyeball test is getting way over looked. Getz did nothing that deserved that job as long as he had it. I’m sure Cain will be very good pro and I’m excited to see him. I only saw him a few times in spring training and haven’t seen him in KC yet so I’m not gonna judge his -1 arm or over analyze AAA numbers until I can watch major league games.

Any other team have a backup that can only man 2nd base and that you would never want to pinch hit with right now?

And Clark, well spoken point. Range is huge. We saw Guillen’s strong arm get stale unless the ball was hit right at him.