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So this is just one man's take. But I think the fact that Benentendi won a gold glove in left field shows how much other teams don't really care about defense in the corner outfield slots. They want someone who will mash and create more runs than someone who will catch the ball. Benentendi was fine in left field......but he was no Alex Gordon defensively. I, like you, found myself unimpressed during the year. He's a perfectly capable left fielder and a fine baseball player but I worry the royals will overvalue him because he can win a gold glove in left. I'm glad they got the accolades.....and the recognition. But this team won 22% of the gold gloves in the AL and had three other finalist......and only won 74 games. I'm too pessimistic this morning. lol

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Nov 10, 2021Liked by David Lesky

If we are smart enough to do the best reading of the combination of all stats (I am not, but hope that you are and, just as importantly, that the Royals are), and to take the clear eyed (no favorites or massaging ego view, but the best performer) view, no, then any defensive strike or out saved would, if measured correctly, seem to be as good as a walk or hit offensively - but I also understand that, like ERA and unearned runs, that those sometimes lead to runs, or saved runs, and sometimes they do not. You may tell me that precise measurements are impossible, or a matter of opinion, and that current measurements like WAR and others are an attempt to do just that, I am by no means an expert. But, for example, if MJ can save more strikes than Salvy by better framing, then, in comparing each of them defensively, and wanting to favor the better defender, including throwing out runners, calling the game, blocking pitches - then I am all for doing an overall assessment and hoping that the Royals do the same - and dealing with Salvy's ego as necessary to put him more on the DH side of the C/DH equation with MJ.

If we consider that we have two above/average elite outfield defenders, and, it would seem with Whit or Isbel, a somewhat above average RF, then I am getting excited. In recent articles, it sounds like JJ and Dayton are actively focusing on getting and keeping Mondi healthy, like they did with Cain, to perhaps take him off the "not an everyday player" list. Plus, they have said that their "everyday players let them stay there and play almost every day and really get used to each other" is for "up the middle," so SS/2B, more than 3B. It would seem to me that we could have an elite infield defense and using stats, to figure out how to make it the most elite - Mondi would seem to have the best range, so Witt 3B, Mondi SS, Nicky 2B, Pratto 1B. If we have groundball pitchers to go with that, watch out! And Dayton, please remember that you do not allow vets to block prospects when they are ready, so, depending on how Spring Training goes (JJ said that Witt would have to have another blow out spring to start on Opening Day), then get ready to have Carlos and Dozier as your expensive bench players (and don't be too embarrassed that in retrospect that they were bad contracts, they did seem reasonable at the time, and only look bad now because of the kinds of problems you like to have - Witt and Pratto and MJ blowing up), and Whit in RF, with Isbel as your outfield backup and Whit as your infield backup. Then have as many pitchers as they allow you to have on your roster. 2022 is for getting this next championship core of position players settled in and bonded, and for continuing the pitching auditions of the many young starters and relievers we have and get the settled, including possible use of 6 man rotation, bulk relievers, other creative ways to make the best use of having such young pitching depth. And remember the admonition, "a fool and his money are soon parted" - do not make the mistake of trading away what you have - you have all that you need. Just keep those development programs growing, and get better at keeping them going from AAA to major league, so that the guys dominating at Omaha are truly being prepared to succeed at KC, knowing that growing pains will occur, but that disasters should not occur.

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