A growing number of e-mailers are wondering whether the Royals would be better served trading David DeJesus and going with Joey Gathright full time in center. Two problems: There is still some hopeful thinking inside the Royals organization (I'm of that mindset too) that DeJesus has another level offensively he will excel to, and there is no outfield depth
I'll believe it when I see it. I've been disappointed with him almost every season. He was supposed to be able to make Beltran expendable, but I haven't seen anything even remotely close to that level out of him. He's serviceable at best. The problem with trading him is that Huber is now gone. There is a lot of unproven potential in the minors, and nothing left to be able to confidently insert onto the major league roster. So, for now at least, DeJesus is probably not going anywhere -- unless they decide to make him the 4th outfielder.
I'm not sure what you're looking for when you look at DeJesus, but there aren't too many people that would step in and produce like Beltran did. It's not that he hasn't played well, it's just that some people expected way too much out of the guy.
He's a ballplayer. He's not the fastest guy or the biggest guy, but he get's the job done. He kind of reminds me of Eckstein a little bit, not a whole lot of hype and isn't the prototypical guy you want, but he does what needs to be done.
If we can find someone that is better, great. Is Gathright that guy? Maybe, but let's give him another year against major league pitchers before we start proclaming him the next great ballplayer. What if Gath turns out to not be that good? Then we've traded away DDJ and now have a hole in that spot.
If your going to trade DDJ you need to do it now and get something in return. if he has another season like he has which isn't bad, but not that good either, the Royals won't get much for him. i think Gathwright can be a solid player especially if they turn him loose on the bases.
He's gotta get on those bases first off....I don't think he can leap 100 pitchers in a season can he? I've been a Gathright fan since he was in Tampa but he's gotta work on getting some hits....I'm hoping he is going to be very similar to Willy Taveras from Colorado in the sense he can get a ton of infield singles and produce runs from that.
I knew somebody was going to mention that. Yes his spring numbers give me reason to hope as well. He has been constantly improving on his BA since he was a rookie--another sign of hope.
If he can play a full season (i'd take 3/4 a season) with a .300 average then I would love it.
If we get to the midway point and he is still this hot, go ahead and trade away DeJesus for anyone available
I don't get it? Why are you guys so hell-bent on trading Dejesus? He's a good hitter, not great but .290 every year except last year. He is more than serviceable in center field, and who are you going to get to play the outfield? You have to have 4, and don't give me Hillman's line of "German could play right field." Yeah whatever. Have you SEEN German in the outfield - VERY scary. Gathright is a good player, and could become something more than a role-player this year. But again, I go back to the fact that you need to carry 4 outfielders. Mitch Maier looks like a bust, and who knows about Lubanski. The only other decent option would be Damon Hollins. The other fact is that Dejesus signed a long-term contract, under what he would probably get now, and is committed to the Royals. I may be biased, but I like him. He's not flashy, a masher or speedy. But he is CONSISTENT!
Now is the time to do it if we are going to. DeJesus has all the value he is going to have right now. With his playing style he is an injury waiting to happen. Don't get me wrong I love the guy but isn't it time to move someone who is going to be an average OF and get someone (hopefully) with some upside in return. DeJesus is probably not going to be any more than a .300 hitter with little power and little speed on the basepaths. I think right now Gathright can hit .300 with the same OBP and while admittedly less pop, his speed on the basepaths can cause other teams headaches. As far as depth in the outfield goes, one of a group of Costa, Hollins, Maier or Lubanski could be a decent 4th outfielder because for the next 3 years, barring injury, that's all the Royals need.
