Robert Mayer-USA Today Sports
Let me get this straight; the Kansas City Royals are buyers? Say, what?! I thought I would never see the day. Well, good for them. Personally, I think that Royals are just tired of being sellers year after year. They’re trying their hardest to build a franchise, which hasn’t made the playoffs since 1985 (won the World Series that year). I mean, this franchise has only had a winning record three times in the past 20 years (1993, ’94 and 2003). I don’t blame Kansas City GM Dayton Moore for coming out saying that he’s not selling at the deadline.
The Royals have had somewhat disappointing seasons from Alex Gordon and Billy Butler. They’ve been okay but not producing the way they should. James Shields and Ervin Santana have been very good for them even though their record doesn’t show it. The Royals sit with a record of 48-51 and they’re seven games behind the Central leading Detroit Tigers. They’re also just seven games behind the last wild-card spot.
Moore, just go for it.
When I say go for it, I don’t mean going after Chicago White Sox outfielder Alex Rios, who they’re reportedly looking at. I am talking about a “Game Changer”. I am talking about Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. That’s right, Moore. If you say you’re tired of being the “lowly” Royals, then make it happen. I understand that your once highly-touted farm system has taken some hits over the last year or two with the addition of James Shields and call-ups, but why not package third baseman Mike Moustakas, catcher Salvador Perez, and your two top prospects (Kyle Zimmer and Bubba Starling) for him? Actually, throw in your entire farm system if you like.
The Marlins get guys they can control in Moustakas (can’t be a free agent until 2018) and Perez (signed a five-year deal worth $7 million in 2012). Moustakas has struggled but still is only 24 and talented. Perez, who is 23, becomes the Marlins’ catcher of the future. The Royals get a franchise player that they can finally build around. Stanton, who is only 23, has a ridiculous amount of power. He is only hitting .236 with 11 home runs and 29 RBI, but the guy needs a change of scenery in the worst way. This makes too much sense to me, so this won’t happen.
Joseph Hickman is a Philadelphia Eagles writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @phillytugger, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
