The Kansas City Royals are once again sellers heading into the annual trade deadline as they are out of postseason contention midway through the season.
The Royals have their eyes set on the future, which is as bright as it has been during these dark years in Kansas City.
With Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas manning the corners of the infield, this will be the only time for the team to trade Alex Gordon.
?I wrote Wednesday that Gordon is among the top sell-high trade candidates in the game, and by trading the 27-year-old now the club could cash in on his breakthrough season and speed up their rebuild.
Finding a trade match is always difficult, but if a club offered a solid No. 3 starter or better for Gordon, or a young pitcher with such potential, wouldn't GM Dayton Moore have to listen?,? states ESPN?s Jason A. Churchill.
The converted third baseman is enjoying a breakout season in left field since the weight of Kansas City is no longer on his shoulders. The former No. 2 overall draft selection is hitting .299 with 11 HR, 50 RBI, 6 SB and 50 runs scored.
These are phenomenal numbers, which is why it is imperative the Royals trade him immediately. His stock will never be higher since everybody remembers all too well of his recent failures and disappointments.
If the team can capitalize and receive any pitching prospects or veterans in return, they must take advantage. As great as he has been, it is more likely that the 27-year-old will crumble in the second half and beyond than for him to continue or even pick up the pace.
Some players are late bloomers. It happens. Some players simply cannot deal with the pressure, spotlight and expectations.
Gordon is that player. He is not all of a sudden going to contend with the elite players in the game. He needs to stay in a small market team that does not have the expectations to succeed or at the very least has other superstars to take the pressure off his shoulders.
Florida always has quality pitching and seems to always be looking to make a move. They may be interested in moving Gordon back to third base. He would complete the left side of the infield with Hanley Ramirez. At the very least, Gordon would be an upgrade over 33-year-old veteran Greg Dobbs.
Seattle and Arizona could be other teams looking to make an upgrade in left field for the second half of the season.
There are options out there for Kansas City. They will never have a better opportunity than this month to trade the usually and eventually disappointing Gordon.
Kelly Clarkson Natalie Portman Jessica Biel Christina Milian Kelly Brook
No comments:
Post a Comment