We will finish up our comparison of the American League Central position players by tackling two positions in one column.  (Before everyone, including myself loses interest!)

Following the format of the previous columns, let's dive right in, starting in center field.

If these numbers are not discouraging enough, keep in mind that Chicago acquired Alex Rios to fill their center field void.   Cleveland got only 92 games in center field out of an injured Grady Sizemore and Detroit's Curtis Granderson had an off year.

Losing Crisp to injury truly did hurt the Royals, particularly defensively as the above chart shows.  It only gets worse as we move on to right field.

After first base and designated hitter, is there a position with a bigger premium on slugging than right field?   Given that, can we put to bed the worries about David DeJesus not having the bat to carry left field?  At least until SOMETHING is done in right?

The Central is not a division blessed with great fielders at this position.  Dye is years removed from the guy who patrolled right way back when for the Royals:  having posted a UZR/150 the three years prior to 2009 of -21.4, -21.5 and -21.5.  As for Teahen, it is noteworthy that in 2007 his rating was a +6.7.  It slipped to -9.6 in 2008 and then all the way (in an admittedly small sample) to -23.8 in 2009.

As bad as Jose Guillen was defensively, the Royals real problem in right field is at the plate.   We look at Yuniesky Betancourt at shortstop as a liability at the plate, we wonder who will man center in 2010 and hope beyond all hope that Mike Jacobs does not come back for another breeze making mission at DH, but by far the largest offensive deficit on the diamond was in right field.

Solution

Something needs to be done and it needs to be done from outside the organization.   Jordan Parraz is a year removed from being traded for Tyler Lumsden and David Lough is simply a year away and they represent by far the most hopeful outfield prospects on the immediate horizon.

Now, what 'it' is is a matter for further discussion and my ideas will have to wait until we finish up this comparison with a review of the pitching staffs.

Comments

gbewing

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That is 1 big numner for a right fielder- -36 for an outfielder - my God-

Sabrtrey was right about Anderson in CF at least-

outfield is the biggest question about what we have to do and what we can do- something

Monday 26 October 2009, 17:40

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Toby V

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Clark, this may be the most frustrating and depressing set of articles you have put out over the last couple weeks. My brain keeps turning on how to turn this team into a winner. But, all hope I have rest on waiting to see if some young players in the minors pan out. I would feel much better if we had some stud bats in the minors that were so good, that they forced the Royals to bring them up early. (Don't see that) I don't see anyone in the free agent market that is going to come to the Royals and turn us around. Are we only left with the option to trade one or two of our stud players in hopes of getting multiple young players to turn this around? (I don't see them trading Grienke since he is the only one putting people in the seats right now.)

Monday 26 October 2009, 17:56

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Clark Fosler

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Toby - I agree that Greinke will not be traded. I brought up the idea of trading Soria (and Sam Mellinger is on the band wagon now, too), but I got mixed reviews on the possible return.

By the way, take some anti-depressant s, my column tomorrow begins the ptiching comps!

Tuesday 27 October 2009, 03:56

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