(Two notes: first, I couldn't find a picture to go with this post, so I just picked one that made me laugh. The other possible reaction from that picture is to get grossed out; sorry if it was yours.
Second, I'm off all next week and won't be posting. I'll be back the following week and then for as long as they'll have me.)
Well, this is a good start. The Royals have many holes, and many fans who've long soured on general manager Dayton Moore.
Trading Mark Teahen for Josh Fields and Chris Getz should help both -- a little.
First, a humble farewell to Teahen, who had a complicated time in Kansas City. He was the centerpiece of the Royals' side of the Carlos Beltran trade, an unfair standard, and turned into the kind of player fans always expected more from.
He is big and strong, but hit just 34 homers over the last three full seasons. He is athletic and fast, but stole only 12 bases the last two years.
He is also, at least, a solid big leaguer whose value increases with defensive versatility.
As the old saying goes, he's the kind of player you can win with, but not because of.
He is also a terrific "clubhouse guy," for whatever that's worth, for a team that needs it and -- not that anybody should care about this -- great to cover as a sports writer.
All that said, this is a nice little move for the Royals.
Defensive metrics aren't kind to Getz, but he potentially improves the Royals up the middle -- big need -- and gives them speed -- another big need.
Fields hasn't stayed healthy the last two seasons, but he did hit 23 homers in 100 games as a rookie in 2007, potentially giving the Royals some power -- a third big need. It's also worth noting that even after Fields' big rookie year, he was essentially beaten out for the White Sox's third base job by Joe Crede.
The Royals are sending some money along with Teahen to offset the salary difference, but even without financial considerations, this appears to be a good move for the Royals.
Fields has experience at both third and first base, so the Royals don't lose defensive versatility. The concern would be that the Royals need someone to play right field now, because Jose Guillen is clearly better suited as a DH, but Teahen hadn't been as good there the last two seasons as he was in 2007.
Both players certainly have flaws. Getz sluggled .347 last year, and here's a number for you -- his .670 OPS was better than just one qualifying American League player last year: Yuniesky Betancourt.
Fields has had the injury issues, but even beyond those, is a career .229/.302/.416 in 746 big league plate appearances.
It's possible that the Royals just traded a solid big leaguer -- one of their few expendable players with any trade value -- for two duds.
Then again, both Fields and Getz are 26 with relatively short big league resumes, so you figure each can get better.
The Royals are a team with a lot of holes, and this move, at least potentially, improves their depth, power, speed AND defense.
It could blow up in their face. But at the moment, looks like a good gamble.
There is still much work to be done.