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Not surprising this thread transitioned from Sweeney hate to Butler hate. Hand-in-hand.
Some facts from 2013 (which by all means was a down year for Butler):
Stat/Butler's number/AL rank
AVG: .289/3rd
OBP: .374/2nd
SLG: .412/8th
OPS: .786/2nd
The guy still gave the Royals the 2nd-best DH numbers in the American League last year, in his worst year as a pro.
He's not overpaid. He's not worthless. And the number of double plays into which he hits does not matter (lots of great hitters hit into a ton of double plays, regardless of speed, including: Dustin Pedroia, Matt Holliday, Victor Martinez, Paul Goldschmidt. Even speed guys like Jose Altuve and Darwin Barney were in the top 10 in 2013).
Butler needs to be better this year. The Royals need him to have 60+ combined 2B and HR again, something he's done in every full season except for last year. They will have a tough decision on his 2015 option. But thinking he's easily replaced and being glad he's gone... just silly things. Teams that have tried the new, in vogue platoon approach at DH have received mixed results from it.
Suggesting Jarrod Dyson gives you ANY value when used solely as a hitter/offensive player is ludicrous. The guy is not a full time player. He needs to have limited at-bats to prevent overexposure. You don't slot .258/.326/.366 hitters into the DH spot.
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---- Sinatra
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