Royals Headed In Right Direction Under Moore

Kansas City Royals GM Dayton Moore wasn't joking around when he said that there would be some major changes on the team in this offseason. 

He didn't waste any time carrying out his promise. The day after the 2008 World Series ended, Moore sent dependable reliever Leo Nunez to the Marlins for a slugging 1B/DH Mike Jacobs. Around a month later, Moore pulled the trade trigger again as he sent hard-throwing Ramon Ramirez to the Red Sox for flashy center fielder Coco Crisp.

After making these two trades, Moore was quickly criticized by all kinds of media on why exactly the Royals needed Jacobs and Crisp. Most people did not understand why someone would give up two quality bullpen arms for another 1B and an aging center fielder.

In all reality, Moore made the right moves. His goal ever since he has come to Kansas City has to been try to make this team good enough to eventually win a World Series. In order to do this, you have to upgrade your team a little at a time, and by the same token, you have to make sure you are not trading away too many players that will later deflate your farm system.

By acquiring Jacobs and Crisp, the Royals did have to give up two solid arms, but at the same time they have two young guns named Carlos Rosa and Julio Pimentel licking their chops and waiting in the wings for their chance at the big leagues.

And more importantly, the Royals will have a quality and proven center fielder to start everyday and lead-off that will put longtime Royal Joey Gathright back in his role as a bench-warmer, and shift the steady David DeJesus to left field.

With an outfield of DeJesus, Crisp, and Jose Guillen, this will be the most speed, power and defense a KC outfield has seen since those guys named Johnny Damon, Carlos Beltran, and Jermaine Dye.

As for Jacobs, this is also a significant upgrade for the team. Billy Butler has yet to show that they can produce at the big league level on an everyday basis and this is something that Jacobs can do for this ball club. Jacobs' power numbers last year were very impressive, as he hammered 32 HRs while driving in 93 runs, all while slugging at a .514 clip.

I still think that that Butler should get some playing time on Jacobs' days off, but the young Butler has a lot to learn about the big leagues and should ease his way into the majors. I do believe that Butler will be a great major leaguer someday, but not right now.

Moore is not done acquiring new players, but when he is, he will have this team ready to compete in no time.