Finding a landing spot for Jay Bruce
By Jason Burke
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals have been hot and cold all season long, but with the trade deadline having passed while they were on a high note, they’re now all in the rest of the way. One facet they could stand to improve upon is their run-scoring ability, which, after a dreadful April they have risen up the ranks to 24th in baseball in runs scored. That’s the worst showing from any legitimate playoff hopeful.
As a whole, the Royals offense has performed 12 percent below league average, and adding Bruce’s 22 percent surplus would bring them a little closer to even. Plus, he’s a masher, something that the Royals targeted this past offseason.
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Bruce could be added as a replacement for Brandon Moss, who has been the team’s DH for the majority of the year. The 33-year-old is batting .212 with 14 homers and 29 RBI this season, but he’s also under contract for 2018 and has a $10M mutual option for 2019, so it’s not as easy as just designating Moss for assignment. He’s not necessarily the problem, either.
Instead, they could take Alex Gordon (yes, this is blasphemy) out of a starting role, move Melky Cabrera over to left where he had been spending his time with the White Sox, and place Bruce in right. Gordon could then become a defensive replacement late in games if need be.
Gordon is another player that is under contract past this season, but with so many current Royals likely to land elsewhere in the offseason, he’s long-term playing time is not in jeopardy. Instead, if Gordon buys in to this plan (and he should, he has a wRC+ of 58), it could increase their odds of success in the postseason, should they make it.
The Royals are going for it this season, so whatever it takes to get the job done should be on the table for Kansas City. Whether that means acquiring Bruce, benching one of the faces of the franchise or bringing back the lucky praying mantis, just make sure it gets done.