Royals think moving around Merrifield and Dozier may play to team’s strengths
The calendar certainly provides cover for any manager or general manager in regards to forecasting next season’s roster. The start of spring training remains two months away.
It only takes one or two moves between now and the end of spring training to completely alter the equation.
In speaking to reporters Tuesday at the MLB Winter Meetings, new Royals manager Mike Matheny left himself wiggle room as he suggested that Whit Merrifield and Hunter Dozier could be everyday players without having one steady position.
Matheny acknowledged the difficulty of a player remaining sharp and ready to play daily at a high level at multiple positions, and referred to it as a “demand” on the body. He likened it to a switch hitter having to do double the work in order to stay in a rhythm and comfortable regardless of hitting left- or right-handed.
“These guys are talented enough,” Matheny said. “They’re athletic enough to make that happen. In a perfect world, you could say: This is your spot. Here’s where we really want you to work. But I also think that takes maybe away from some of our strengths.”
Merrifield, the club’s lone All-Star last season (as an outfielder), moved primarily to the outfield after he’d mostly played second base. He shifted in order to pave the way for rookie second baseman Nicky Lopez to play everyday after being called up from Triple-A Omaha in May.
Dozier, who enjoyed his most productive offensive season in the majors in 2019, has played third base, first base the outfield in the majors. He was a finalist to start for the AL in last year’s All-Star Game.
“Once again, a lot of this is going to be determined by how the rest of this winter finishes up and what kind of additions are going to be able to be made,” Matheny said. “At that point, I think we’ll have a better idea to direct the guys in a certain direction.
“But I know it’s hard. It is very hard for those guys to be as sharp as they can be and as good a defenders all over the field than to just focus on one spot.”
Mabry’s role
The exact role former St. Louis Cardinals hitting coach John Mabry will play on the Royals coaching staff remains fairly vague, but Matheny had Mabry on his staff with the Cardinals and has confidence in his ability to contribute in multiple aspects. Mabry’s title was simply announced as “major league coach.”
“I don’t think you very often see a guy who’s played in the infield both corners in the major leagues, be able to play in the outfield, and then has the ability to help out on the hitting side obviously too with his recent experience,” Matheny said. “John’s one of those guys you know and I know firsthand the impact he can have and how he’s driven to just be there to fill whatever role. So he’ll obviously be able to help Terry (Bradshaw) on the hitting side but also jump in kind of wherever.”
Patiently preparing
The Royals aren’t expected to make much noise, if any, while in San Diego aside from potentially picking up a player in Thursday’s Rule 5 draft. However, that doesn’t mean the front office has been on vacation while on the West Coast.
While the Royals most likely won’t be active in free agency until after January 1, general manager Dayton Moore and his staff continue to lay the groundwork for additions later this winter.
“We had a lot of meetings today, actually, since about 6:30 this morning we’ve been going,” Moore said. “There’s going to be a lot of players that are under consideration with a lot of teams. We’re just doing a lot of fact-finding work.”
Chicago’s big addition
Arguably the biggest addition in the American League Central Division this season came courtesy of the Chicago White Sox signing free agent All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73-million contract.
Grandal was in San Diego on Tuesday for the announcement of the All-MLB team. Grandal, a two-time All-Star, earned a spot on the second team (Philadelphia’s J.T. Realmuto was on the first team). Grandal said the young pitching talent on the White Sox roster, led by Lucas Giolito, was a big attraction for him, and he hopes to play a part in the staff’s continued success.
“I’m pretty sure everybody knows what the White Sox have,” Grandal said. “I’ve spoken to people who love their pitching staff just as much as I do. I’ve spoken to people who feel there’s a few guys that can be the key. So hopefully I can be the key to those guys to be who we need them to be.”
This story was originally published December 10, 2019 at 8:52 PM.
