Royals fans react: ‘A move that smells of desperation’
While Dayton Moore may be happy with the spoils of his latest acquisition -- one he likely hopes is of the job-saving variety -- Royals fans are somewhat less pleased, to put it nicely.
Kansas City acquired right-handers James Shields and Wade Davis from the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Myers, and three other prospects: right-hander Jake Odorizzi, left-hander Mike Montgomery and third baseman Patrick Leonard.
The move is a game-changer on both sides. The move is essentially a “win now or not at all” move for Moore and the Royals -- who have spent the last several years laboring through “the process” -- while the Rays drop a significant amount in payroll for next year and receive high-quality, team-controlled prospects for the future.
While Moore may be be happy with the spoils of his latest acquisition -- one he likely hopes is of the job-saving variety -- Royals fans are somewhat less pleased, to put it nicely. Craig Brown and the rest of the folks over at Royals Review think the move is uninspiring at best and smells of desperation:
As fans, when we looked ahead to the 2013 season, there were two names that topped our list of players we were anxious to see contribute full time: WIl Myers and Jake Odorizzi...
Now they’re gone.
And all we get is James Shields and Wade Davis. Ugh.
This is the first time since The Process started in earnest that Dayton Moore has moved a prospect chip in exchange for big league talent. This means he’s going for it.
But can he afford to go for it? This is a move that smells of desperation...
Dayton Moore is fighting for his job. When that happens, you sacrifice the long term plan for the short term gain. Yes, we are talking about dealing away prospects in Myers, Odorizzi and Montgomery. Unproven players.
No, Wil Myers alone wasn’t going to get the Royals to the postseason in 2013, but he was a piece of the puzzle that would have definitely improved the team...
Although they may improve in the win column in 2013, this is a losing trade for the Royals.
There are scenarios where the trade could end up paying off for the Royals in the long run -- like if Bubba Starling develops quicker than expected -- but they seem to be few and far between.
This will be the move that defines Dayton Moore’s tenure with KC, whether for good or for bad.
