Royals GM Dayton Moore told Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star that the club has some "nice pieces" to market this summer. The 27-37 Royals have a number of players who might appeal to contenders and Moore is ready to listen, even though the Royals aren't actively looking to move players at this point.
"We'll evaluate what comes our way if anything does come our way," he said.
It wouldn't be surprising to see an offer or two for David DeJesus come the Royals' way. Dutton reports that clubs are already scouting the outfielder, who is hitting .314/.392/.479. DeJesus makes an affordable $4.7MM salary this year and there's a club option for $6MM in 2011 ($500K buyout).
If the Royals hold onto DeJesus, they could decline his option and offer him arbitration. If he turns down their offer to sign elsewhere, they would obtain at least one draft pick, possibly two. The promise of draft picks makes the Royals hesitant to deal him for a pedestrian return, but there are advantages to dealing now. DeJesus must climb into Type A territory under the Elias rankings system and decline arbitration for them to get two picks. Even if they get the picks, they would have to wait a year and pay each draftee about $1MM.
Rival teams could also have interest in Scott Podsednik, Jose Guillen, Kyle Farnsworth, Willie Bloomquist, Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies, Alberto Callaspo and Rick Ankiel.
start_wearing_purple
I’m kinda hoping with all the outfield depth problems the Sox have that they’ll make an offer for DeJesus. He’s always struck me as an underrated player… that kind that if was on the Sox or yanks the fan base would call brilliant and the rival fans would call overrated. The Royals might get a return with some potential… but the rest of the names, not exactly awe inspiring.
04Forever
I was just going to say that. The sox cant maintain on Triple A players and Cameron. If he came at a reasonable price, ive always liked DeJesus, I would love to see him in Boston
start_wearing_purple
As much as I want to believe Nava will be a team savior who can keep hitting clutch home runs, there is such a thing as reality as opposed to drugged out of your mind fantasy world. I’m not advocating to bring in someone like Fielder, but a solid guy who can take over left or center for part of the week and a hopefully healthy Beckett would make the team much better.
04Forever
again, i agree. Im all for a Cinderella story like Nava, but betting your hopes on the longshot is always stupid when your a contending team. I dont think we NEED the big bat right now, although it would help protect Ortiz which its obvious he now needs more then ever, but strengthening an already strong all around club with another productive player is a smart move
User 4245925809
Agreed that the career ML guys in McDonald and Nava probably are doomed to fall back to earth at anytime, wouldn’t it be better to just wait another week for Hermida to get back than give up a useful piece for Dejesus and the rest of the 4.7M he has left and 500K buyout for 2011? It’s not like he would stick over Hermida when everyone returns and with Hall as the B/U IF, what happens then? why not wait the extra few days and see how hermida is and then decide at least before the team makes this salary cap exceeding swap.
Yankees420
Why would Hermida stay over Dejesus?
RMR
I would LOVE for the Reds to pursue DeJesus as a long-term LF solution. Gomes is hitting well but his defense is abysmal.
ronny9
I like the guy; but for free we are getting ok production from the fill ins. I think the Red Sox swing some sort of three way trade with lowell and a very minor prospect going to team A (twins, rangers, etc.) team A sending avg prospect to Team B (somebody out of contention with a good OFer that is costing them too much money) sending an OFer to the Sox.
Yankees420
So the Red Sox trade Mike Lowell and a very minor prospect and in return get a “good OFer”? Keep dreaming.
ReverendBlack
I was going to say that it must sorta suck to play in KC and be referred to as “nice pieces” for trade every summer. But you know, it really DOES suck to play in KC, so I bet they all get friggen excited this time of year. PLEASE GOD GET ME OUT OF HERE
Otis26
I think now is the time to move DeJesus. His stock is as high as it’s going to be. He’s not young and he’s having a nice season. He is a solid player, however, he has to be one of the worst baserunners I’ve ever watched. He has above-average speed and can’t steal a base to save his life. He gets picked off first way to much (then gets up smiling), and makes bad choices on the basepaths. Oh…and he seems to hit better leading off – which is the last place you want a bad baserunner.
Threat_Level_RedSox
Does anyone else think Grienke is regreting his extention, I think there’s a fine line between respecting your best player and watching him suffer, the royals always seem to walk that line.
I propose that the Prates and Royals switch leagues just to shake things up.
Otis26
No, I don’t think ‘Grienke’ is regretting his extension. I’m certain the management made it clear that this team would not be competitive until the last year of his deal. It’s no coincidence that the minor league system is going to produce its prospects in a bunch in 2012 – which is the last year of his contract.
Jack D
I fully expect the Royals to net less than optimal return for DeJesus, mostly because they likely do not comprehend his entire value and other teams probably know it. I’d rather see them sign him to a modest extension which he would not exactly be ambivalent towards and then watch him exceed his contract value for 2011 and possibly 2012 but then produce under his value in 2013 and possibly 2014, thus making the deal fair to both sides.