The Kansas City Royals have finally let Chris Owings go, ending their fans’ two month long nightmare.
Seemingly since the start of the season, Chris Owings has felt the ire of Kansas City Royals fans. He had been in the lineup virtually every day, an almost guaranteed out whenever his place in the batting order came around. Due to those struggles, Owings became the poster child for the Royals ineptitude this season.
That season long nightmare is over. The Royals have mercifully designated Owings for assignment, with Cheslor Cuthbert being called back up to the major league roster.
We have selected 3B Cheslor Cuthbert from Omaha. In a corresponding move, INF/OF Chris Owings has been designated for assignment. #Royals
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 31, 2019
In theory, Owings was an interesting piece for the Royals heading into the year. A solid utility man with speed and a bit of pop, he had stolen 20 or more bases three times and led the National League in triples in 2016. Capable of playing third, both middle infield spots, and in the outfield, Owings had the potential to be an attractive trade chip at the deadline.
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Instead, his production cratered in Kansas City. Owings produced a horrendous .133/.193/.222 batting line, with seven extra base hits and four steals. Over his 145 plate appearances, Owings drew eight walks, and struck out 55 times. For comparison, he struck out just 75 times in 309 plate appearances last season.
In his place, the Royals have brought Cuthbert back to the majors. He had displayed signs of promise in 2016, producing a .274/.318/.413 batting line with 12 homers when Mike Moustakas was lost for the season. However, since that point, he had been unable to replicate that production, being outrighted from the 40 man roster and retained on a minor league contract.
Cuthbert certainly deserved his second chance. He had produced a stellar .310/.370/.529 batting line in Omaha, hitting eight home runs and 17 doubles in his 219 plate appearances. In theory, Cuthbert will serve as the Royals backup at both corner infield spots, providing depth behind Hunter Dozier and Ryan O’Hearn.
Yet, it is possible that Cuthbert finds himself in the lineup on a more frequent basis than expected. While Dozier has been a revelation this season, O’Hearn has struggled at times. Dozier is also dealing with an injury to his thorax, making Cuthbert’s ability to play third all the more important.
It took longer than Kansas City Royals fans may have wanted, but Chris Owings has been designated for assignment. While this was a good signing in theory, it just did not pan out as the front office had hoped.