Updated throughout the day with quick takes from staff.
Is it possible? Will the Royals actually reconsider their cockamamie outfield plan?
Maybe, if Lorenzo Cain keeps his on-base streak alive for another few days. Or weeks. So far, so good, though ...
The Royals starting outfield appears set with Alex Gordon in left, Melky Cabrera in center and Jeff Francoeur in center. That is subject to change, however, especially if Cain continues to impress in spring training.
At least the guy Cain has to impress seems to be paying attention ...
"Cain really showed that athleticism," Royals manager Ned Yost said of his catch against the Padres. "He's a tremendous defender in center field. He's a very heads up player. He plays the game very hard. He works hard on his base running. He makes aggressive turns. In the outfield, he's always moving, always thinking, always playing with his instincts, which is going to make him the player he's going to be. It's going to be a very, very, very special player when it's all said and done."
Am I missing something here? In 47 games with the Brewers last summer, Cain batted .306/.348/.415 and his brilliant defensive statistics are matched by his reputation. Are we being given the runaround? Has the plan been all along -- as it obviously should have been -- to hand center field to Cain and (sort of) platoon Melky and Frenchy in right field, which at this point would be the least damaging eventuality?
Let's just say I'm waiting to be impressed. But the Royals need a center fielder for Project 2012 (or '13) and Cain's the only candidate I'm seeing in the entire organization. Why not see what he can do now?
6 comments
Comments
so you're saying
Cain is raising eyebrows in Royals camp?
/booooooo
I'm white and I don't dance but that doesn't mean I have all the answers.
by smk73 on Mar 3, 2011 10:26 AM EST reply actions
Promises . . . promises
My understanding is that Melky was promised the center field spot, and he was signed before the trade for Cain. Moore hinted that had he known he was getting Cain, he would not have signed Melky. However, when you break promises to free agents, you are creating a credibility problem that may come back to bite you when you try to get free agents in the future.
by Royals-Gooner on Mar 3, 2011 11:04 AM EST reply actions
I don't think this is an issue
I don’t expect for Alex Gordon or Jeff Francoeur to start becoming the players they once were supposed to be. There should be plenty of AB’s for Melky so as not to completely break your promise to him. The only way they end up looking bad is if Cain struggles and Melky plays really well. In which case you give Melky the starting job and then trade him to a contender who has suffered an injury in their outfield. Melky gets to play and the Royals get to let Cain develop.
by Pflood83 on Mar 3, 2011 4:36 PM EST up reply actions
this is crazy
I know the Royals aren’t exactly title contenders and ultimately Cain won’t make a ton of difference, but I don’t see why they wouldn’t put him in there and try because he at least has an upside. As a Yankee fan i’ve seen all I need to of what Melky is as well as Frenchy and to use the cliche they are what they are at this point, replacement level players. I’m personally not sold on Cain’s abilities but he’s young (or at least younger than them) and has a chance to be something better. then again this is the royals so them making the wrong move like this is par for the course.
by burnsie77 on Mar 3, 2011 12:02 PM EST reply actions
The added benefit of giving the CF job to Cain is that a RF platoon of Frenchy and Melky is probably the best way to maximize their limited talents.
by moviegoer74 on Mar 3, 2011 12:04 PM EST up reply actions
DOUBLE CENTER FIELDERS
Hah, USA Today has Francoeur in center field. Dang, had to look up to see how to spell that name.
by thelifeofbenny on Mar 3, 2011 2:51 PM EST reply actions
Comments For This Post Are Closed