Kansas City Royals could have trade chip in Terrance Gore
With the Kansas City Royals looking to sell virtually everything on the roster, Terrance Gore could actually be an interesting trade chip.
It is difficult to see where Kansas City Royals minor leaguer Terrance Gore would ever have a full time role in the majors. Even in what has been a lost season in Kansas City, Gore remains toiling away in AAA, the hope that he could become another Jarrod Dyson has long since disappeared. Gore simply has not proven that he can hit at all, posting a mediocre .213/.309/.254 batting line with three extra base hits and four RBI in 144 plate appearances.
That is still more production than Gore has had at the major league level, at least with the bat. In his 49 major league games, he has just 14 plate appearances. In that time, he has drawn three walks, but does not have a hit and has struck out four times. And yet, Gore has managed to 14 runs and steal 21 bases in his time as a major leaguer.
That ability to run is not just his calling card, but could make him a viable weapon for a playoff team. Just look at what Gore did for the Royals during the 2014 and 2015 postseason, scoring two runs and stealing four bases. He was a viable threat off the bench, a force to be reckoned with on the basepaths.
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It would not be the first time that a player was acquired to reprise the Herb Washington role for a playoff team. After a 94 game trial with the Tigers in 2012, Quintin Berry has essentially been a basestealer for hire, earning a World Series ring with the Red Sox due to his swipe a key bag. In fact, in his three playoff games for Boston in 2013, Berry stole a base each time.
Gore could easily reprise that role for a contender. Despite his struggles hitting the ball, he has stolen 13 bases in AAA this year. Over the course of his eight years in professional baseball, Gore has a total of 306 steals, and has been caught just 35 times. He may never hit his body weight in the major leagues, or even get a hit against major league pitching, but Gore still has value.
Given his incredible speed and prowess on the basepaths, it may not be much of a surprise to see Gore end up on the move. It would take a team in need of a boost off the bench, and one that is not afraid to look outside the box, but Gore could end up being a viable weapon. And, he would likely come cheaply, providing a tangible upgrade without expending many resources.
Next: Taking inventory of the Royals
Kansas City Royals minor leaguer Terrance Gore still has some value. If a team is looking for an upgrade that would not cost much, he could be the perfect candidate.