PBR's two cents

Since this wouldn't be a Royals' blog if we didn't address our opinions regarding the sensitive issue that is the Alex Gordon demotion, we have to weigh in and make some sort of Hilman/Moore bashing statement in order to keep our name in the ranks of the top 50 Royals' blogs (I just made that up, but can there really be more than 50?). However, we're going to make an attempt to add something novel to the discussion and take a peak at it from a new angle...

It hasn't yet gotten weird enough for Alex Gordon, we all know the story: George Brett reincarnation now all the way down to LF in Omaha. As opposed to re-hashing the well covered arguments that he is simply better than Chris Getz, lets just get it out there: The PBR is most definitely in favor of seeing Callaspo at second, Gordon at 3B and Getz loosening his legs with Willie Bloomquist. However, for the sake of argument, lets just take the angle that Moore and Hilman have some sort of predictive vision that we don't and see Getz as a future all-star and Callaspo just will not stop hitting .300. This move might then make some sense because we get to see Mike Aviles back and who didn't love seeing him last night? Yuniesky who! Also, due to the Ankiel DL stint, Royals' blogger favorite Kila Ka’aihue is finally getting his shot, maybe-sorta-kinda.

So, sorry Alex you now have to re-invent yourself as an outfielder, good idea - almost. The new position for Alex is LF, okay, but don't we already have enough of those? In fact, one is playing RF and two are in CF (counting Maier and Ankiel). Why would the position of choice for Alex not be RF? We will almost certainly pick-up one, if not both, of the options we have for next year on the contracts of Posednik and DeJesus. And correct me if I'm wrong but usually, having failed center fielders at both LF and RF is less than ideal. Do the Royals really see DeJesus as a long term option in RF? Are they already eyeing an aging RF for whom they can over-pay in the offseason? Is there someone in the minors ready to become the next Jason Heyward? I think the answer to all of these questions is NO and if it is YES, I'd like an explanation of who and/or why. AG has all of the makings of, at worst, a poorman's JD Drew and, at best, a JD Drew carbon copy. Good arm? Check. Potential Power? Check? Gets on base? Check. The similarities to Drew are pretty good, at the end of the year, though he may not be a super-star, his numbers are solid. At least good enough to beat out whatever the Royals next best option is at RF and more appropriately positioned than in LF. New possible end-of-year line-up: DDJ-LF, Maier/Pods-CF, Gordon-RF, Callaspo-3B, Aviles-SS, Getz-2B, Kila/Butler-DH&1B, Pena/Kendall-C. This would be down right youthful for the Royals and might actually look like a stable future line-up into 2011 (oh, I'm sorry did you still like our chances in 2010?).

So, if this switch to LF is real, then when pray tell is he going to get a reasonable shot at that position? Are they planing on not picking-up the options on DDJ and Scotty Pods? Seems unlikely, barring injury. The DDJ switch to RF is permanent? Not really desirable, but AG in RF 20+ HRs, .350+ OBP, solid defense...Of all of the Gordon scenarios I hate this one the least.