13 Comments

What would a fair return look like for Melendez? Given Moore's track record and comments, my guess would be he'd look for someone relatively young and controllable, but who already has MLB experience. Positionally, obviously CF is a priority. But you do limit yourself if you feel the need to focus on position and not just go "best player available", as it were.

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It's a good question. He's had a truly amazing season, but he's also just one season removed from basically falling from legit prospect status. Given how far the Pirates are from contending, I would think Melendez with one of the pitchers could be a good start at least for Bryan Reynolds. Alec Lewis and I both have mentioned Ramon Laureano, but I honestly can't wrap my head around if that's too much for a team to give up for Melendez or not enough. Like I said, it's a good question!

Maybe the Braves would be a good fit given their catching issues and all those outfield prospects who are close. The Padres do have Campusano, but they never have an issue accumulating depth. maybe Trent Grisham is a good return if they want to put CJ Abrams in the outfield. The Mariners have Cal Raleigh as one of their top prospects, but they also have some center field types. And that's of course if you're looking at center field only.

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I feel like the slightly harsh stereotype of Moore -- the version who considers tools over approach exclusively -- would absolutely covet Pache. (Which isn't to say the real Moore shouldn't, necessarily.)

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Oh he definitely would love Pache.

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I'd be VERY interested to see what Drew Saylor could do with Pache. That guy would be your everyday centerfielder.

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I mean, I'm sort of at the point that I want to see what that group can do with pretty much any talented player. Probably a bit ahead of myself there and setting myself up for disappointment somewhere along the way, but I'm okay with it.

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If anyone needs me, I'll be spending the rest of the day concocting ways the Royals can get Pache "without giving up that much," as George Costanza would say.

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I sometimes think that God is trying to help the Royals, such as by Benny’s injury opening the door for us to give Olivares and Rivera the time they need to show us if they can be a successful part of our next championship team. If God fearing Dayton (no disrespect intended) cannot get the message, then it might be good for that injury to linger until the end of the year.

And I hope that Singer stays at AAA until until he sees how Bubic’s and Hernandez willingness to use more pitches is a requirement to return. And why not give the next chance to Kowar anyway? Some humble pie for Singer might help him, like it helped Alex and Moose to be sent down, whether for shoulder fatigue or ineffectiveness or whatever the reason.

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It's pretty interesting that roster "issues" tend to work themselves out pretty quickly. Really makes you take the idea of "if you have depth, get more" to heart.

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I hope you are right - but not sure I agree - Olivares going to Omaha and back so many times this year being a case in point. If it takes a lingering (but not beyond this year) injury to Benny to truly give Olivares and Rivera their play everyday chances - then so be it.

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Olivares was going back and forth because he was the only guy with options. Well, him and Gutierrez, but they needed someone at third. Rivera I’m less convinced about staying up now, but they can find the ABs if they want.

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Yes, but Witt will have options when he comes up too - but my guess is they will not send him back unless something is wrong. And my point is that it should now be the same for Olivares - now is the time to find out if he can be one of our guys - and hoping that if Dayton and Matheny do not recognize that - that the Benny injury will open and door and keep it open.

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Well yes, there's a difference between having options and being a future star and having options and being a role player. I agree that Olivares should be up full time and I believe he will be now. I'm just saying that's why he was sent down so often before. He was one of the few who actually could.

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