MLBTR Chat Transcript

Like Markakis a lot. Surely he would fit into the Royals OF. But the Royals platoon RF has gotten them to the WS the past 2 years. All 3 of their RF’s can also play CF and LF. They throw runners out, get clutch hits, are fast and smart baserunners that steal bases, hit triples in their park, and take the extra base.

Two factors that need to be addressed away from 2016 rotisserie baseball –

1) Markakis was brought in by John Hart on a long-term contract not just because of his on-field production, but because of the stability he would help bring about in the clubhouse in what was going to be a primarily young team adjusting to MLB play; and for the example he set by his daily routine as he prepared for each days game (Carlos Carrasco broke through his inconsistency as a pitcher when the Indians staff asked him to hang around Kluber and mimic his daily work routine). There is more to a players value then what his on-field stats show – Raul Ibanez was a huge force in the Royals breaking through as a winning team when they picked him up in early 2014, even though he was washed up as a player.

2. Mankasis is on an expensive long-term contract. The Royals need to save as much money as they can in hopes of resigning Hosmer, Moose, and Cain in the next few years. Last off-season they asked the Red Sox about Bradley, Jr. He is cheap, could play some RF, and in the event Cain were to leave in free agency he could have taken over CF. Mankakis makes no sense for the Royals in regards to their intermediate-term plans.