Adios Alberto

Normally reading the morning round-up of Royals' news is about as exciting as doing your laundry, however yesterday might be one of the most action filled days that I remember the Royals having in quite some time. First of all we here at the PBR would like to give a send-off to one of our favorites; Mr. Alberto Callaspo we wish you the best out there with the California Los Angeles/Anehiem Angels. Shortly after the Callaspo trade, DeJesus slammed into the CF wall putting him on the DL, effectively killing all trade rumors associated with him and in turn leading to the recall of Alex Gordon. Of course, this was all in addition to the glorious return of slick Rick Ankiel so lets sort it all out...

Alberto's departure: This can be looked at a number of different ways, but I like to stick to the positives. Not that I like seeing him go, but this is what he deserves, he will fit right in out there with the Angels and be able to fill the role that he is most capable of: a solid piece on a good team. The Royals needed or asked him to be something that he just wasn't quite capable of, due to their complete lack of power Al was asked to be one of the main run-producers and this just isn't his role. What the Royals got is pretty much irrelevant; two pitchers who aren't great but might fill a need now or at some point in the future. The best part of all of this is that the "coming of Moustakas" is on track, we are basically being told that by next year he is expected to man the hot corner and in the meantime Wilson Betimet can get some playing time to see if somehow he can fully realize his once-upon-a-time superstar potential. As I see it there is really no down side to any of this; Albert is in a good place where he might just win some games, the Royals are looking ahead and unlike DeJesus it didn't really matter what we got for Callaspo.

DeJesus' injury: As long as he is not really hurt too bad and is able to come back and be the same, this is actually a very good thing. Number one, it finally gets Alex Gordon back to the majors to see if he can carry his minor league powers numbers into the bigs and finally be a part of the team's future. Number two, we were never going to get exactly what we wanted for DeJesus, there were too many other names out there among outfielders who hit for powers so it is just as well that he doesn't get traded and assuming he recovers from the injury he will be nearly as valuable this offseason or at the same time next year if you really want to trade him. Also, picking up his option and keeping hime will prevent Dayton from signing next offseason's Rick Ankiel. Number three, it will focus all of Dayton Moore's GM-ing skills on trading the people who really need to be traded. I'm sure Dayton was having blast actually being on the receiving end of so many phone calls from other GMs asking for DeJesus, but he needs to be calling them back to say "what about this Guillen kid" and "lets talk a Pods AND Bloomy package" long before he needed to be asking other teams for their entire AA team in exchange for DeJesus.

Gordon & Ankiel's Return: While this gives us a really crowded outfield along with Mitch Maier it is nice to see Gordon back. If Rick continues his return the same way he started it last night then he should quickly find himself receiving one of those awkward phone calls letting him know that his services are no longer needed and the overcrowding problem is solved. JASON KENALL WAS INTENTIONALLY WALKED TO GET TO ANKIEL LAST NIGHT. This was not to set up a double play this was CC Sabathia saying I've got a much better chance against Rick than against the man who is slugging .318. By the way Rick proved CC made the correct decision by striking out, one of his three (in 3 ABs) on the night.

I'm excited, I don't really know why, given that two of the most likable and productive Royals are no longer on the team (for now in the case of DDJ). However, at this point in a long losing season any kind of change is good.