Trust the Process—For Four More Years

So, the word is that the Royals are signing Dayton Moore through 2014. There’s not much I can say about this, except to say that Moore must have incredibly huge balls just to ASK for a contract extension during the season the Royals are having. I wish the Royals showed that kind of guts on the field. In any case, here are a few other thoughts that occur to me:

Joe Posnanski has confirmed something I have thought for quite awhile about Alex Gordon; i.e. that he doesn't have the best of attitudes. Early in Pos’ excellent article on Disco Hayes, he refers to Gordon "moping his way through games at Omaha." Now, it’s known that I’m no big Gordon fan. I think he's an underachiever, and might always stay that way. His trip through Omaha has been a long time coming, and I hope he learns at some point what DeJesus, Teahen, and Butler figured out during their remedial trips to O-town.

Am I the only one who can’t figure out Mitch Maier? He spent the first 300 at-bats of his major league career proving that he’s the classic 4-A player. And now he’s spent the last 30 at-bats making a statement that he should be locked in as the Royals’ 2010 center fielder. Seriously, 0 homers for 300 AB’s, and then three in the last 30? What the heck is up with that? And whatever it is, how can we keep it?

Since the All-Star break, Maier is hitting .296/.389/.469 in 81 at-bats. Those numbers, of course, are helped a LOT by the three dingers in the last week—but Maier also brings a bit of speed, with 7 SB’s against 1 CS, and a decent glove in center. As the Royals try to figure out what to keep for next year, is it too much to hope for that Trey plays Maier virtually every day for the rest of the season? If Maier can keep an OPS of .750 or so the rest of the way, he’s a cheap and effective alternative in center.

And while we’re talking about players who should be playing every day, how about keeping Brayan Pena behind the plate? Let’s see what the kid has, and whether he can be the first decent-hitting Royal since Mike MacFarlane?

Well, that’s all, just trusting the process from under the sack. And of course, wondering which Luke Hochevar will take the mound tonight in Oakland.