Changes Necessary, But…

Change for the sake of change often doesn't work. The Royals got even younger yesterday when they released back up catcher Alberto Castillo and according to this article in the KC Star this morning, it sounds like more personnel changes are coming soon.

Castillo, 35, wasn't exactly having a banner year (.210, 1 HR, 14 RBI in 100 AB), but he meant a lot more to this club than his offensive numbers.

A couple of months ago, when I was in the Royals dugout to get a couple of interviews, I saw Castillo playing first during pre-game warm-ups (Sweeney was banged up), all the while encouraging the young infield. He was always ready to step in and help the team any way he could. I recall another situation, right after the Royals signed Castillo, when he was sitting on the field way before a game started, watching the other team to see if he could spot any weaknesses.

We need more guys like Castillo around, not less. With personnel changes coming, I'm guessing that Baird is going to do the opposite of what probably needs to happen—he's going to give more young guys a chance to compete for starting positions. If those young guys were ready for the major leagues, I'd say, go for it. But clearly we have a team full of guys at the major league level right now who shouldn't be here.

Ruben Gotay is hitting .227 and his defense has been far from solid. His swing is way, way, way, too long. He shows no patience at the plate. And he ought to be in Wichita or Omaha right now.

Donnie Murphy is only hitting .206 since coming up to the majors and it looks like he's another second baseman who could use another year or two in the minors.

Mark Teahen has some of the most pathetic numbers (.251, 3 HR, 31 RBI in 279 AB) that you'll ever see from a starting corner infielder this late in the season. He can't pull the ball—even just to advance a runner. His footwork in the field is off, he doesn't show a lot of range, and he needs to be with Ruben in Wichita or Omaha.

John Buck has been a disappointment (.228, 7 HR, 31 RBI in 268 AB). I like his hustle and the way he runs things behind the plate. But like Gotay, he shows no patience at the plate and appears to be totally outmatched most nights. He certainly has power, but a .228 average is unacceptable.

Angel Berroa isn't turning out to be the shortstop that we hoped for after his rookie season. He was picked off first base the other night in Boston, with the Royals down 10-6, bringing back memories of him being picked off second base earlier this season when it cost us the game. He's been atrocious in the field. He still takes bigger swings at the plate than Mike Sweeney and he has less patience than Gotay or Buck. He's already struck out 78 times this season and walked just 14 times. I don't think that Berroa needs more time in the minors. I think he needs to be released.

And what in the world is Leo Nunez doing in the major leagues? He's just 21 years old and doesn't appear to have any idea how to get major league hitters out. His 8.54 ERA says all you need to know. He throws ridiculously hard, but he needs to learn how to pitch. Preferably as teammates with others on this list who should be in Wichita or Omaha.

Kyle Snyder (0-3, 9.24 ERA in 25.1 IP) is not throwing well. I don't know if he came back too quickly or if something else is wrong, but he needs more work in the minors. Let's fill the gap in the rotation with someone in Omaha—someone who isn't 21 and about to get their skill crushed by screaming line drives. Let's bring up a guy who can actually help other pitchers on the team. How about Dennis Tankersley? He's not the long term answer with numbers like a 7-6 record and a 4.80 ERA in Omaha, but we clearly don't have anybody else who is ready.

Baird appears to be headed in the direction of going younger which doesn't make a lot of sense when many of the young guys that we've already got at the major league level shouldn't be here. I'm not asking him to sign a bunch of expensive veterans. I just want him to fill in the obvious gaps at the major league level with more experienced players already in our system. Give these younger guys more time to actually learn how to play fundamental baseball.