The Royals must continue to play Dozier


Following the end of the 2022 season, the Royals had a few questions surrounding their lineup for the 2023 season, including third base. The team played Bobby Witt Jr. and Hunter Dozier at the hot corner last season, and both weren't too shabby. Dozier struggled at the plate and is just above average with his glove, and Bobby Witt Jr. is the team's primary shortstop with Nicky Lopez playing the position from time to time. Two off-seasons ago, the boys in blue believed they had found Mike Moustakas's long-term replacement at the hot corner when they signed Hunter Dozier to a four year contract extension worth $25 million dollars guaranteed plus bonuses and escalators maxing out the contract at $49 million dollars over five seasons. Dozier's production at the plate and on the field at the time made the extension seem like a good move. Now looking back at the deal, it wasn't the greatest move by former General Manager Dayton Moore. Fans have the right to be frustrated about the Dozier contract but trading him might not be a great idea. The idea to trade Dozier itself isn't the issue, but what are the Royals going to get in return? The team would most likely get another player on a bad contract from another team or a no name prospect. Royals Review has brought up players the Royals should consider trading Dozier for on a bad contract. Looking at possible bad contracts Kansas City could trade Dozier for would seem to be a bad move for the organization due to a player’s declining production like Miguel Cabrera or Yusei Kikuchi, who's stats have been above 5.00 the past two seasons with Toronto. The Royals would be smart to hold on to Dozier for the remaining life of his contract which is only through next season unless the team decides to pick up his team option for the 2025 season, which seems very unlikely at this point. At the beginning of the season, Royals general manager J.J Picollo told reporters:  “We want Hunter Dozier to get at-bats,” Picollo said. “That’s the best place for him to play every day.” Royals manager Matt Quatraro has been playing Dozier almost every game like Picollo said entering the season, but not always at the hot corner. Dozier has played first base and a little bit of outfield so far this season and will continue to as the season progresses. As I mentioned earlier in the article, the Royals chances of finding a trade partner for Dozier aren't great, leaving Kansas City to live with his contract. The team could sit Dozier and let some young players get some reps at the big league level, but the team won't let a player that's under contract until 2024 sit on the bench and allow the remaining salary to go to waste. The team has signed players to much worse contracts than Dozier like the deals with Alex Gordon and Ian Kennedy. The Royals don't look to be making a postseason run anytime soon giving the up and coming players more time to develop in the minor leagues. Fortunately, the season is still young, and Dozier is only 31, leaving the possibility that he can bounce back this season and take that into the remainder of the deal and end it on a good note. 

Popular posts from this blog

Flashback Royals: Remembering a Murder Victim

Image
The Royals over the years have worn patches on their uniforms to remember tragic periods in American history including 9/11 and more. Kansas City in 2007 was stunned after learning that local teenager Kelsey Smith was abducted and murdered. The Royals wore light blue ribbons on their wrists in remembrance of the 18-year old after former manager Buddy Bell spoke to the Smith family.  Many Kansas Cityians remember the Kelsey Smith case well after the story of her abduction hit the local media and national media. On June 2, Smith was shopping at her local Target in Overland Park, KS looking for a picture frame for her boyfriend John Biersmith. While at Target, Smith's killer followed her throughout the store after noticing her at the jewelry counter. While Smith was in the checkout line, her abductor ran to his vehicle to grab his gun and waited for her to leave the store to grab her. The 18-year old was unable to fight off the kidnapper and was forced into her vehicle and...
Read more

Should the Royals extend Singer or trade him?

Image
The Royals have just wrapped up an incredible postseason run, and with the offseason approaching, Kansas City faces critical decisions regarding their pitching staff. One player who has been a topic of discussion is right-hander Brady Singer, who has emerged as a potential trade candidate. Last offseason, Singer's name was linked to teams such as the Reds and the Rangers, with Texas being the most notable. Singer has two years of arbitration remaining, including the upcoming season. While he has been a solid contributor throughout his career, his performance has not been stellar. Despite the trade rumors, it seems unlikely that he possesses the trade value necessary for the Royals to secure a desirable return. Over 127 games, Singer holds a career ERA of 4.28, with one playoff appearance from the bullpen against the Yankees, during which he struck out Aaron Judge. At 28 years old, Singer has maintained relative health, missing only one start due to illness, which was ag...
Read more

Royals small connections to US Presidents

Image
The state of Kansas and the Kansas City metro have several connections to US Presidents, such as the 33rd President Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. Although both Kansas and Kansas City have connections to the late Presidents, none of Kansas City's professional baseball teams such as the Monarchs, Athletics, or the Royals had the chance to meet either of them. However, former Royals manager Ned Yost has been to the White House more than once. Yost has met five US Presidents during his time in baseball. The former manager's first interaction with a President was with 39th President Jimmy Carter while living just outside of Atlanta. Yost said the 39th President attended games regularly: "Jimmy used to come a lot to the Braves games, and you could walk down the tunnel going to the dugout when Jimmy was there because Secret Service guys were all outside his little room they had for him and I’d waltz right in there and go sit down,” Yost said. “Him and Rosa...
Read more