The Royals are looking for a young catcher, according to Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (on Twitter). One possible trade chip, Alex Gordon, is drawing interest, but the Royals expect a lot in return.
Though Kansas City boasts the game's best farm system, they don't have a clear-cut catcher of the future now that the powerful Wil Myers has moved to the outfield. Salvador Perez, a 20-year-old backstop who placed 17th among Baseball America's preseason list of top Royals prospects, hasn't played above Class A, so the Royals are looking elsewhere for catchers.
As Rosenthal notes, the Rangers and Nationals have a number of catchers and could be potential trading partners for Kansas City. The Royals have had interest in Taylor Teagarden before, according to Rosenthal, and since the Rangers already have Yorvit Torrealba, Matt Treanor and Mike Napoli at the Major League level, it would not be a surprise to see them listen to offers for Teagarden.
Meanwhile, the Nationals have a surplus of catchers and are open to dealing one of them. The Nats have Ivan Rodriguez, Jesus Flores, Wilson Ramos, and Derek Norris and would consider trading catching for pitching.
The Padres and Astros are among the other teams that could have interest in trading for a catcher this spring.
Well, maybe if the Twins send them Wilson Ramos and- wait, never mind. The Twins have $7.1 million set-up man Matt Capps instead.
It’s all part of the plan. First Ramos, then Hardy for two scrub relievers, and soon Slowey for a couple of bullpen arms as well.
We’ll see who’s laughing when Bill “Evil Mastermind” Smith wins a World Series with Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and 23 middle relievers!
Sigh… I literally despise Bill Smith.
Who needs Hardy when you can have Alexi Casilla? Sure, JJ Hardy may be better at hitting and playing defense. However, Casilla has way more “get-after-it”, and is superior at “battling his tail off out there”.
One of these days the Twins will get into a bench-clearing brawl on the field, and then the Twins bullpen will empty out AND TAKE OVER THE WORLD!!!!
wait…so you’re saying the non-white guy is grittier than the white guy?….noooooooo way
so, like the opposite of the nba
baseball is probably worse about it then the nba is
Thanks again for that. Ramos hit something like 900 ops in winter league ball and is hitting over 400 this spring (only over a handful of abs, but still). Awesome.
– Mike Rizzo
I may be in the minority on this one but I would be willing to see the Braves explore a deal with the Royals. We have Bethancourt, Sucre, and Delgado. While obviously Bethancourt would cost the most. We do have arguably the best 1-2 punch in the majors, with McCann not going anywhere anytime soon.
Not sure how a deal would work out or anything, but Gordon has talent and it would be interesting to see what a change of scenery would do.
I hear the Royals have a lot of 1B options. I also hear the Cubs have an abundance of catchers and need a 1B if they don’t intend to land Pujols. Maybe they should work something out here.
The Cubs don’t really have the talent behind the plate to match the Royals 1B prospects unless you want Clint Robinson who is getting a little old to be considered much of a prospect. That just doesn’t make sense from a Royals standpoint.
Straight up, no but with a few additions they could be a match. Wellington Castillo would be the most obvious catcher the Royals would want. I just don’t know what other pieces they are in need of. I agree with you, it seems an unlikely match.
I’d agree, unless you plan to make Soto available to KC – then I think the cupboards open up in the 1B department.
Jays have catching depth
A.J Jimenez or Carlos Perez.. both really good looking prospects
Would allow Bautista to move to RF and Rivera to be a really expensive bench player (or DH)
No way I’d want to give up Carlos Perez for Alex Gordon. The opportunity cost is too high
Perez is still only 20, although I agree if he hits his ceiling and Gordon continues on his normal career numbers it will end up a bad trade.
But with D’arnaud and Jimenez in the minors and Arencibia in the majors, you can consider yourself covered.
Prospects can flame out at any point.. but the more I think about the more I may agree with you
It’s not really about the other catchers in the system. You’d be selling high on someone who can be bought low. You are trading down in value. Instead, even if you really wanted to move Perez, you can deal him for someone with much more value.
Would you move Jimenez and Mills for Gordon?
Yes, easily, but am not sure KC would take it. Mills belongs in the pen, and Jimenez still has to prove himself at AA or above. Jimenez will be squeezed out by what should be a d’Arnaud/Arencibia duo in Toronto for years to come. Also, when Perez is ready, and he’s the best of the bunch imo, he’ll push Arencibia to 1B or DH.
Having said that, due to his proximity to the majors and better defensive play (as well as a great OBP for a catcher) I see Brian Jeroloman – also known as the forgotten Jays catching commodity – as a better option for the Royals. Brian Jeroloman and Jo-Jo Reyes for Alex Gordon (with whatever minor added pieces each team wants to balance it out). Done, sealed, and delivered.
Jeroloman is 26 soon, and while he has shown a great ability to get on base, he has minimal power. I don’t think an overage prospect fits in well with KC’s direction
From the article it says they already have a catcher in the low A’s, so they are looking for someone closer to the majors than someone like Jimenez.
Do the Jays still have Raul Chavez in the system?
lol
Ryan Budde.
Too bad the Rangers and Royals couldn’t have worked out something back when for a package with Teagarden for Greinke. Maybe now Mike Moustakas, Aaron Crow and Eric Hosmer for Teagarden? Turnabout is fair play, Royals.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA….
ok, but seriously….
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
I’m assuming this is trying to be comedic in some way, but it fails at that enough to make me say “Wtf?”
he’s bitter b/c the royals wouldnt trade Greinke to the Rangers without getting Perez….how dare them not just give away one of the best pitchers in the game
yet they went ahead and did it anyways
they got much more than any confirmed offers from Texas and plenty for Greinke.
I guess your definition of plenty is different then mine
starting ss with lots of potential, cf with potential and potential lights out closer and a top 100 SP prospect
Interesting. They were willing to take Montero and others for Greinke but Cashman pulled out. I wonder if they ever asked for Austin Romine who is the one sure fire catcher to star at the position? I wonder if the Yanks could’ve had Greinke if it came down to something like one of the Killer B’s, Austin Romine, Eduardo Nunez and a CF prospect that might be a couple years down the line like Melky Mesa or Slade Heathcott? It seems that Cashman had more hesitations about Greinke then the Royals not liking what they had to offer.
that should’ve been “to stay at the position”.
You did look at his name right? “Madman” might be quite apropos?
Haiku’s are easy
But sometimes they don’t make sense
Refrigerator
*whistles*
Yankees obviously have C depth but they probably would want a current starting pitcher and the Royals rotation is horrible.
why exactly would they want Alex Gordon?
??
Teams Inquiring On Alex Gordon
Royals Seek Young Catcher
One possible trade chip
As in, there could be other possibilities. Ya know?
meh.
Those are two separate articles, don’t be that guy. MB923’s original comment was perfectly valid. This article was about the Royals seeking a catcher, that doesn’t mean it has to be related to shopping Gordon. If you are going to play the topic police at least get it right.
Those are two separate articles, don’t be a jerk. If you are going to play the topic police at least get it right. MB923s original comment was perfectly valid.
Well thank you
May and Pena both have the talent to become at least an acceptable tandem and they still have thar other old guy around. Perez is the future at catcher and so I don’t see the Royals making a move for a catcher unless it makes a ton of sense for them.
Gordon for Ramos or Norris? What are the feelings on this deal from you Royals and Nats fans? I think it helps both clubs. The Royals get there C prospect they want and your OF will be Cain, Francouer and Cabrera (not to great) but those players are guys that can and will be replaced by this or next year. The Nats get a kid that has all the talent but hasnt tapped in yet, maybe the move would be just the thing Gordon needs. I know you have a packed OF already but Gordon can play OF,3B and 1B. Sorry I think he is your starting LF and then move Bernadina to CF and Werth in RF. Sorry Morgan is horrible!! Then when Harper comes up put him in the OF and move Gordon to 1B. Just an idea.
I think that doesn’t work because Gordon’s bat only plays in the infield.
The Nationals don’t match up well. They really don’t have a need for Gordon, especially if it means giving up one of their only positions of strength.
Not to mention the fact that Ramos or Norris straight up for Gordon just isn’t going to happen. The Nationals would be overpaying. I know Gordon may still hold some potential somewhere, but he’s already nearing free agency (at least sooner than either Ramos or Norris will be) and hasn’t proven anything to justify giving up such talent to acquire him.
Also, Gordon could not move back to third base. The Nationals already have Zimmerman there. There will be little room in the outfield going forward. Werth will eventually need to move to a corner spot because longterm he isn’t going to remain in center field. Once Harper is ready (whenever that ends up being) he’ll be in the other corner. So longterm there is no real position for Gordon to fill.
If he can be an example to Harper of what NOT to do to live up to the hype, itd be well worth Ramos
Too many questions around Gordon to give up solid prospects. I would, however, trade Jesus Flores straight up for Gordon. Flores is only 26 and proved when healthy to be a solid big league catcher with some pop in his bat. Both players have question marks surrounding them, but should put up similar WAR numbers at their respective positions if healthy.
I’m not so certain that Norris will wind up being a catcher. First base, left field, or right field (Harper’s intended position obviously) might be more likely.
Well, it seems to me like the Royals would be selling low on Gordon right now. He hasn’t had a full year of playing in the bigs since 2008, when he did pretty well for a 24 yr old. He’s been injured, but even worse he’s been jerked around by a team going nowhere who should’ve at least seen what they have by playing their youngsters.
Only way I would trade Gordon right now is if you’re convinced his stock will plummet even lower. Frankly, I think if he’s healthy and the Royals guarantee him playing time, he will put up some pretty good numbers. He may never be the franchise player they thought, but with all the talent coming up, he doesn’t need to be. If the Royals just don’t see him in their plans, then roll the dice on him having a good year, and THEN trade him for your catching needs.
Jays would be a pretty good match. The Reds might be a good fit as as well. They have two excellent catching prospects in Mesoraco and Grandal, and a hole in the outfield.
I wouldn’t say that the Reds have a hole in their outfield. It’s more like the bats in their outfield have holes in them.
I could get behind a deal focusing on Gordon and Mesoraco. Both seem to be the odd men out in the future of their organizations. Both were well thought of prospects and it could just be a fit. Better than the Yankees, Cubs, Jays (that could still be possible), and the other teams mentioned. It will be interesting to see if any serious talks begin anywhere.
Mesoraco is the odd man out? It seems to me that Hanigan or Hernandez is the odd man out. Why would you deal the cheapest and most cost-controlled of the group?
Also, they already have a cheaper and potentially better version of Alex Gordon. His name is Todd Frazier.
Can’t see how Austin Romine’s name is not on that list. Guy is a stud behind the plate, needs a little more work batting, but he is a probably one of the most solid options not mentioned and he is young, fits the frame work of the Royals. It’s been said that he could even play at an MLB level in 2011. Rated 98 on BA 2011 Prospect list. With Montero doing much much better, Sanchez probably 2 yrs away and Cervelli back in about 2 months, they’ll still have plenty of depth. Not sure for who, but prospect for prospect straight-up could work if its something that makes sense for the Yanks. I have no idea who though..
He’s not up there because the Royals don’t match up with the Yankees in a trade
the rumour is Gordon is on his way out and the Yanks have no use for him
Gordon could be a nice role player on Yankees, fill in for A-Rod if needed or get a little play as LF or DH. I do like the Romie for Gordon move and think it could benefit both teams…
Not worth giving up the 98th best prospect in baseball over. Even if he is blocked, you are better off trading for someone who has much more value than Alex Gordon does.
Defintely would not be a one-for-one trade involving Romine for Gordon. Actually, I don’t think Gordon would be involved at all.
Alex Gordon for Josh Donaldson?
This is why the stupid Angels should have not given away Napoli. A napoli+ a reliever deal would surely have got it done. Fire Tony Reeagins! Fire Tony Reeagins! Fire Tony Reeagins!
Yes, this is true. Napoli could have gotten LAAAA a much better haul than VERNON WELLS LOLOL (sorry, still cant believe that happened)
“Royals Seek Young Catcher”
Ewwwwwww…. Craigslist?
I’d like to see the Cardinals show some interest….Bryan Anderson and another prospect for Gordon?
No Lucas May? Actually that makes sense because he has zero defensive value.
I agree with Pete, Josh Donaldson of the Oakland A’s would be a great fit. I say that because he started catching at Auburn University when he was a sophomore. Some people may say this is a disadvantage I say it’s an advantage because he has done so much improvement in so little time and he has fresh knees. I believe this young man has a huge potential Because he’s younger, has more power and more athletic than both Kurt Suzuki and Landon Powell. I’m hoping to be able to see him play more and not rot behind Kurt Suzuki playing once a week and batting three times per week. What a huge waste of talent.