Hot Stove Daydreaming: Billy Butler

by Joltin Joe Orsulak on Oct 30, 2008 2:34 PM EDT Comment 26 comments

In a recent commentary on the Royal's potential acquisition of Mike Jacobs (which has actually happened since he wrote), Rany Jazzyjeffli [I may be spelling that wrong] mentioned something I wasn't aware of.

Most importantly, though, trading for Jacobs makes it more likely than not that Billy Butler has already played his last game for the Royals.

We know that Moore is not a fan of Butler; we’ve known that since Sam Mellinger wrote this summer that Moore had offered Butler to the Mariners for Yuniesky Betancourt two winters ago. (The Mariners, bless their hearts, declined. Betancourt’s defensive reputation is massively overrated, and he hits like a late-model Angel Berroa.)

Butler has struggled to adjust to the majors and he's a born DH if there ever was one, but he's just 22 and has incredible potential. I don't know how correct Rany's reading of the situation is, but it seems like exactly the kind of thing the Orioles should look into -- if the Royals are determined to make bad decisions, it's only right that we should do our best to facilitate.

Here's the link to the post, which is a much longer discussion of the trade and why Rany hates it: Rany on the Royals.

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yeah...

i saw this and wept.

i predict lost opportunity!

"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."

--Jerry Reed, on acting

by j.q. higgins on Oct 30, 2008 4:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I read Rany's article too

And I thought the same thing. Trade Huff and make Butler the full-time DH. Keith mentioned two good prospects as a fair offer in his chat today (see below). If Penn counts a “good” prospect, I wouldn’t mind moving him for Butler.

Patrick (Chicago): Keith, what kind of return could Kansas City expect to get for Billy Butler?

Keith Law: The more they acquire replacements/obstacles, the less they’re going to get. If they could trade him for a couple of good-not-great prospects, that is probably their best option (well, short of just PLAYING THE GUY). Toronto would be a great fit.

Zartan says, "Sign Dan Johnson."

by birdman on Oct 30, 2008 5:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

trade

Penn barely even counts as a prospect these days. The Royals are stupid but they aren’t that stupid. To get him, the Orioles would probably have to part with two of their B-level pitching prospects, which they happen to have a ton of (Spoone, Beato, Erbe, Patton,Bascom, Arrieta maybe, etc.). Or maybe even a Liz or Olson could be flipped.

Butler is intriguing, hes decimated the minors. At the very worst he will give us what Millar gave us last year, and of course we know about his potential. A change of scenery will probably work well for him.

This seems like the type of opportunity that MacPhail should jump on, or at the very least give a honest try. The trend of stock-piling-talent-no-matter-the-position has left the team with a lot of above average-good pitching prospects. Might as well put them to use in trades because only a couple will pan out. Butler on the other hand is a pretty good bet to post a .800 OPS right away.

by UMterp08 on Oct 30, 2008 10:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'll give up Olson

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Oct 30, 2008 10:26 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Griffey

Why pick up Griffey? could platoon in OF and DH too.

by ks6cw on Oct 30, 2008 9:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Awful idea

We might as well sign Chris Sabo while we’re at it. Wait, we already did.

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Oct 30, 2008 9:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Picking up JUNIOR??

I’m not sure about this move… If we were to sign Griffey for say 1year/5 million than where would he play… DH?? He looked horrible in the field this season, legs have left him behind… With Luke Scott and Lou Montanez emergence I’m not sure Griffey would fit anywhere. Although in turn he would be a great mentor to a player like ADAM JONES !!! Unless Luke Scott is traded which I don’t forsee happening there is no need for Junior… I do think it would put many fans in the seats because he would hit well in Camden also, but lets remember the big picture… Rebuilding…….

by fearthechant on Oct 31, 2008 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Montanez emerged?

when?

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Oct 31, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Montanez

Well I do think that he was just named the top Double A hitter of the year for 2008 at Minor League Baseball Yearly Awards……….Oh yeah failed to mention he was a Triple Crown Award winner… First time in 30 years of the Eastern League this has happened. I would call that an emergence for a former 1st round pick that was considered a failure before the Orioles gave him a 2nd chance after the Cubs gave up on him… Go ahead and say that it was in Double A…….but still an emergence of potential….

by fearthechant on Oct 31, 2008 9:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he's almost 27

a little late for a AA emergence, especially one that spent 7 years in the Cubs’ system. he’ll be a good place holder for someone else though.

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Nov 1, 2008 1:14 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we already had a huge montanez argument

I’m on record saying I think it’s a dumb idea to expect anything out of him. He’s David Newhan all over again, except without the sportswriting father to let sportswriters and broadcast guys wax poetic about.

by pipkin on Nov 1, 2008 1:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

lou m

there always a ever so slight chance he could go Ryan Ludwick on us or something. But certainly don’t count on it. I think he can eventually be a useful 4th outfielder type though if he learns to play CF.

by UMterp08 on Nov 1, 2008 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why do people say that Griffey would be a "great mentor to" and list black players?

Now, if you’re suggesting he’d be a good mentor because he played centerfield, that’s different, but I still think it suspect there was no mention of Nick Markakis or Luke Scott. Griffey did, after all, play the corner later in his career.

Just saying.

by Dr Orpheus on Nov 1, 2008 2:04 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

For the sake of argument

Not only does Jones also play CF, but he’s also a similar style of ballplayer (we hope) to Griffey’s early career. Good speed with (again, hopefully) developing power. A high ceiling guy with “tools.” It’s not a reach to say that Griffey is comparable to that, whereas Nick’s style is basically patience and athleticism, and Scott’s is basically a bit of power and being left-handed.

by punkrawka on Nov 3, 2008 9:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

really?

griffey’s a bit bigger and demonstrated much more advanced power potential at an earlier age. jim edmonds is maybe a better analog for adam jones, no?

"When people ask me what my motivation is, I have a simple answer: Money."

--Jerry Reed, on acting

by j.q. higgins on Nov 3, 2008 10:13 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

It's my understanding

That AJ has nowhere near the raw power of Griffey.

by pipkin on Nov 3, 2008 10:58 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

This is what I understand as well

He’ll have power, but nowhere near the kind of power Griffey has displayed in his career. Jones will use his speed to athleticism more then Griffey, even making him a superior defender. But, this is all speculation. Who knows?

by Dr Orpheus on Nov 3, 2008 3:46 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Jr.

I’d like the O’s to get Griffey and Texieria and another decent starter. But then again does it really matter playing in the AL East?

by ks6cw on Oct 30, 2008 10:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What is the rationale behind getting Griffey

and for that matter, Texieria? Maybe if things were a bit different, I’d want Tex, but come on. We do not need to spend $20 million on someone right now.

"This world extends way beyond this little field of dreams we're dancing in and I want to see that world"

by exitfare on Oct 30, 2008 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

it definitely doesn't matter with crappy Griffey

"Yesterday I was lying, today I am telling the truth." -- Bob Arum

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by SC on Oct 30, 2008 11:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would love to sign Griffey to a four year deal...

just so long as we also get a time-machine that can turn back the clock 10 years. Otherwise, I would pass.

"If you know how to cheat, start now." - Earl Weaver

by rebop on Oct 31, 2008 10:58 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you guys get Billy Butler,

I will weep for the Royals.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Oct 31, 2008 12:03 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What do you think of the Jacobs trade?

[Guthrie's] president of my heart. ~PhilR8

by Stacey on Oct 31, 2008 8:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Really not good.

Jacobs is something the Royals already have in spades…an average-ish 1B/DH, with the exception that he has little to no breakout potential like Butler does. It’s really not encouraging when your team with OBP issues goes out and trades for a 1B who can’t play defense who had a .299 OBP.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Oct 31, 2008 1:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs