Source: Royals willing to trade non-core players
 

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/9...n-core-players

Source: Royals willing to trade non-core players
by Jon Paul Morosi
Updated: June 25, 2009, 6:17 PM EDT
Comment
Royals general manager Dayton Moore loathes the word "rebuilding." He's not necessarily ready to concede the 2009 season, even though his team is 31-40.

But a person with knowledge of the team's plans said Moore will be open-minded to trade possibilities — if they bring talent and/or salary relief that would benefit the team in 2010 and beyond.

In that respect, his approach to this year's trade deadline is similar to that of Cleveland GM Mark Shapiro, a competitor in the American League Central.

As a rival AL executive put it on Thursday: "Kansas City will talk about anyone outside their core players."

Generally speaking, Kansas City's core includes power right-handers Zack Greinke and Gil Meche, closer Joakim Soria, third baseman Alex Gordon and first baseman Billy Butler. (The Royals hope Gordon, who hasn't played since April 15 after undergoing hip surgery, will be back after the All-Star break.)

After this season, Meche will have two years and $24 million left on his original five-year deal. While the Royals could save money by dealing him to a wealthy club, it's doubtful that they will move him. Almost every scenario involving a near-term contender in Kansas City includes a rotation headlined by Greinke and Meche.

But with so many teams looking for offense, widespread interest could develop in players like outfielder David DeJesus and super-utility man Mark Teahen.

Teahen has already started drawing inquiries from teams, a major-league source told FOXSports.com. He's earning $3.575 million this year and isn't scheduled to become a free agent until after the 2011 season.

Once Gordon returns, Teahen will become more expendable, particularly when considering how well Alberto Callaspo has played at second base.

Teahen's selling points are defensive versatility and power potential. Teahen has been the Royals' primary third baseman since Gordon was placed on the disabled list, but he has started at least a handful of games at every position except catcher and shortstop. His .438 slugging percentage entering Thursday is the second-highest of his big-league career.

DeJesus is having a down year, batting .246 with five home runs, but he has been a steady left-handed hitter in the past. A good defender in left field, he could flourish offensively if given the opportunity to hit in a more dynamic lineup. He has a relatively affordable contract: $3.6 million this year, $4.7 million next year, and a $6 million team option ($500,000 buyout) in 2011.

A market could also develop for designated hitter Mike Jacobs, but he's a fairly one-dimensional player. He has home run power (32 last year, 10 this year) but strikes out often and isn't a good defender at first base. He's earning $3.275 million this year.

The Royals' farm system is thin on position players in the upper minors, so they would love to restock with up-the-middle talent, especially at center field, shortstop and catcher.

Shortstop Mike Aviles, a revelation last year, is on the disabled list with elbow trouble, and the team has grown concerned about whether he will be able to return this season. Center fielder Coco Crisp, who underwent shoulder surgery on Wednesday, has already been lost for the year.

Unrealistic trade proposals and "trade everyone" tirades in...

3.....2.....1....

and by not "core" means that they will trade Greinke

Grienke/Meche/Hochovar could be special.

At this point, id say almost every hitter is tradeable.

Mike Jacobs gives you nothing. Not even power at this point. Get Teahen in a small ball park and a decent team he will get you 25 HR. Butler can square the ball up at the major league level at 22 years old, he needs to get into the weightroom, be delivered every meal by a person who knows how to build muscle, and he has to have WILL his way to being great player. The talent is there, just going to be a matter of him wanting to do it or giving into the "I got pussy and money, and now I got a twinkie in my mouth"

Good to hear this, I was hoping not to see Teahen's name listed among the "core" players. After starting him at 2B to begin the year, I got mad at the fact that the team couldn't accept him as a utility/role player.

Only problem I see is that there's not a whole lot the Royals can give up to get much in return. I hope DM can find some pieces to move & be agressive by the deadline, but I'm not too optomistic.

1 the team accepted him along time ago as utility player, if they thought he was a star, they wouldn't move him around so much.

I know, but they seemed like they had to have him on the field, so they kept moving him around trying to find a place for him... I've just never liked him.

Hes ok. Hes a complimentary player, not a star. Never will be one.

I think Teahen probably has good value as a utility guy with a decent bat...he may get us more than you'd think. He's been pretty valuable to us esp with the injuries....it's not his fault he might be the best player from the beltran trade. His value was at its highest before they moved him to OF and his injury.

Sorry but I'm taking the Minority on this one. Teahan's utility ability is a great thing for Royals, and without him there really isn't anyone better who is going to step up, and fill the gap. The trade value for him just isn't worth it.

I can see the point, i think he def. needs to get something solid in return, don't trade him just for the sake of trading him. He will be more valuable as a backup guy but he's forced to start.

Teahen has pretty good value as a third baseman. There are many other guys I'd rather see dealt before Teahen goes.

Or DFA'ed.

And while we're talking about trade stuff, let's not get another Neifi in return, mmkay?