One Step Sideways, 2 Steps Back

The Royals traded outfielder Wil Myers, arguably the best hitting prospect in baseball for an above average pitcher in James Shields, and an average pitcher in Wade Davis.  Yes James Shields has put together two really good years in a row, but a big reason for that was who he was pitching for. Tampa Bay has the best defense in the league and the best manager, two things that will change in KC. If I were to predict his year I would say 210 innings with an ERA of around 4.00. Wade Davis is a decent pitcher, who can hopefully help out the rotation next year but I'm not counting on much.  This trade upgrades the rotation for next year but I don't think they are much better next year with this trade, and for the future they are way worse.

The biggest factor that is getting overlooked is that the Royals have the worst right fielder in the game, Jeff Francouer, and we traded away Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year, and other good prospects.  What really frustrates me is that if Jeff Francouer was making two million dollars he'd be replaced, but since he makes about 8 million he remains on the team. Sometimes teams have to realize they made a mistake and limit the damage, instead of determining playing time by salaries. He hit .235 with 49 RBI's last year and terrible plate discipline, and he's going to be our starting right fielder.

I don't understand why the Royals why the Royals don't utilize free agency.  Brandon McCarthy signed last week for a 2 year 15 million dollar deal with Arizona.  Yet every major deal the Royals have made recently has been through a trade. Yes you typically have to pay a bigger salary to free agents but you don't have to give up any prospects to do so.  And it's not like they are saving money with Shields and Davis, their salaries total 16 million dollars a year, while Myers costs almost nothing.  Why not put less money into Brandon McCarthy and keep Wil Myers, or make a bold move and sign Anibal Sanchez to a five year deal worth about 15 million a year?

The Royals are now in complete win now mode. I thought they needed to start winning this year, but I also thought they shouldn't mortgage the future to do so. I'm not completely done with this team, but if this trade doesn't work, I'm checking out.