3 moves for the Kansas City Royals this offseason
By David Hill
Trade Adalberto Mondesi
In a refreshing bit of honesty, then Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore admitted that the team cannot count on Adalberto Mondesi since he cannot stay on the diamond.
While Moore later walked those comments back, it does not make them any less true. The 2020 season was the only time in his time in the majors that Mondesi lasted a full year, and he has appeared in more than 75 games just once. That is not the profile of a player that any team can count on.
But there is no questioning his potential. While Mondesi’s inability to make consistent contact can be maddening, he is also a dynamic player when he is on. He belted six homers and eight doubles while stealing 16 bases in his 35 games.
Yes, the Royals would be selling low on Mondesi. But he is a player without a position on the team. Bobby Witt Jr. is likely to take shortstop for his own on Opening Day. Nicky Lopez is likely to move over to second, theoretically solidifying the middle of the Royals’ infield for years to come. Mondesi, however, no longer appears to be a part of that future.
Adalberto Mondesi is still an intriguing player due to his potential. If he is ever going to realize it, that should happen in a different uniform.