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Abysmal Royals Could Trade Sweeney
The Kansas City Royals have been on a horrid tear of loosing games, a trend that is likely to continue, possibly to 110 losses. With ownership unlikely to spend to right the ship after last year’s disaster, a full-out rebuild could be in order come July. Depending on how they perform until then, many players could be traded to look towards the future. Mike Sweeney is the main name mentioned and could go in a blockbuster. Other minor deals could involve Brian Anderson, Eli Marrero, Tony Graffanino and even Jeremy Affeldt.
Although Jeremy Affeldt has great potential and is still a year from arbitration, Mike Sweeney is the main prize. Sweeney will have many suitors as well. The Los Angeles Dodgers have been rumored many times to be interested in the Orange California native. Depending on IF Barry Bonds returns and whether Edgardo Alfonzo and J.T. Snow continue to hit, the Giants may be interested as well. The Baltimore Orioles may be another destination as well as they push to challenge the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox. Even the Texas Rangers have been interested in the first baseman.
What do the Royals need to attempt to rebuild this once proud organization? A review should look around the diamond, starting with catcher. In the Carlos Beltran trade last year the Royals acquired more talent than many thought. Royals GM Allard Baird traded a Boras client on the verge of free agency and acquired some decent players for the position he was in. They won’t be stars, but the position players he received should at least be regulars. One of which was John Buck, a power-hitting catching prospect in the Astros organization, he should be a very good hitter in a couple years with protection.
First base is another position that should be filled soon via a recent trade. Former catcher Justin Huber has been remolded to take over at first and has been putting up great numbers in Double-A, drawing the interest of many. With the plate discipline that he has been displaying, Huber may be up in the majors before long. As for now, Ken Harvey should be able to handle the spot until then and then move to DH.
The middle infield is where it gets somewhat murky. The Royals have waited for Ruben Gotay to become a regular at second base, he has a decent bat but could be replaced if a much better prospect is available. Depending on shortstop Angel Berroa’s ability to hit, they could be interested at an upgrade at shortstop as well.
Mark Teahen, noted by many as the key to the Beltran trade, should be a solid – but not spectacular – third baseman for the next few years.
The outfield is in dire need of refit. Although David DeJesus is solid in center, the corners have nothing to note and only Matt Diaz at Triple-A Omaha has showed any promise at all.
The rotation will need some work as well. While Zach Greinke looks to be a good pitcher, and Runelvys Hernandez has potential as he recovers from surgery, the only other pitcher to note in the rotation could be Denny Bautista if he can turn his great great promise into actual results.
In review, the outfield corners and rotation need shoring up, while the middle infield may need a change down the line. But what teams can offer what the Royals need?
The largest rumor lately has been involving the Dodgers, with their trade-happy GM, Paul DePodesta. As Hee-Seop Choi continues to struggle, Paul may look the Sweeney as a savior to the offense. The Dodgers do not have much in outfield talent that is major league ready, but they do have pitching and middle infielders. Could future star shortstop Joel Guzman be completely untouchable in even Paul’s eyes? A more likely scenario could include a pitcher like Chuck Tiffany and possibly second baseman Delwyn Young.
San Francisco could draw the interest of Baird by offering a one of a variety of good pitchers from Jerome Williams, to Jesse Foppert, to Noah Lowry, or even Merkin Valdez to go along with a borderline outfielder like Todd Linden or Freddy Lewis. Any one of those three starters could be great additions to the rotation.
The Rangers could also come in with a deal for the interesting Sweeney. Trade scenarios could include players like Kevin Mench, who has been supposedly intriguing the Kansas City front office. His power bat would be very welcome to the Royals lineup. Another power hitting outfielder Jason Botts, who at this time is slugging .611 at Triple-A, could be bait as well. Even Ian Kinsler, who is expected to take over Alfonso Soriano’s place once the Rangers have had enough of Soriano, could make the Rangers tempting as well.
The last of the initial teams interested in Sweeney could be the Baltimore Orioles, a team with decent players to offer as well. A possibility of right-hander John Maine and power hitting outfielder Jeff Fiorentino could be an enticing offer. Other players of interest could include starter Eric DuBose or reliever prospect Chris Ray.
Needless to say, the Royals need to address the reality of the loosing season and look ahead with a desire to contend rather than flounder in the muck.
