KC Royals: Why Cheslor Cuthbert Will Replace Terrance Gore

The KC Royals optioned outfielder and pinch running specialist Terrance Gore to NW Arkansas on Wednesday. I’m predicting Cheslor Cuthbert will get the call to Kansas City.

Fellow FanSided site KC Kingdom posted an excellent rundown of all the possible players the Kansas City Royals could choose to bring to the big club in place of Terrance Gore. Scott Dillon’s 10-part slide show made a similar article I planned to write on Thursday morning simply redundant. So instead, I decided to “call my shot” along with my reasons why I think 23-year-old AAA prospect Cuthbert will get the call.

I want to make clear that I don’t have an “source”, or some other form of inside knowledge, about what the Royals brain trust intends to do. I’m simply applying deduction to make a guess. If you don’t like such a speculative story,  then this piece isn’t for you.

As for me, I like puzzling through situations like this. So, with no further ado, let’s begin:

We’re all presuming, of course, that Gore’s replacement will come from the KC Royals minor-league system. That’s not necessarily the case. Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore could be adding a free-agent such as Alex Rios (which I doubt), or could have agreed to a trade.

While possible, I don’t see either type of move as likely. I agree that Gore’s replacement will come from the system. Trades rarely come this early in the season. And about the only free agent I’d like the KC Royals to sign would be Tim Lincecum, and he’s holding his showcase later today.

I somehow doubt the Kansas City Royals would clear roster space for Lincecum before even seeing him pitch.

Hence we come to my first reason:

Next: Reason No. 1

1.) Cheslor Cuthbert Is On The 40-Man Roster

Certainly, Dayton Moore can juggle his 40-man roster. But, it is easier to call someone up who is already in place for a trip to Kansas City.

A player must be on the 40-man roster before he can be called up to the major-leagues. The minor league players on the 40-man roster pretty much fall into two categories 1) players that could help the big club in case of injury or 2) players the organization wants to protect because they otherwise would have been eligible to leave as a minor-league free agent.

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Thus, adding a player to the 40-man roster could force the club to expose someone to waivers before he can be assigned to a minor-league team. General managers don’t like to do that because they could lose talent.

Moore could move a player on the 40-man roster who does remain under team control (one with less than six years of minor league service). Of course, general managers don’t like to demote someone unless there’s a significant need to do so, because it could always make waves with the player or cause a young guy to lose confidence in himself.  The other way to make room on the 40-man roster is to place someone on the disabled list (which requires a legitimate injury).

So while it’s not impossible that Moore could call up someone not currently on the 40-man roster, it’s more likely he chooses someone who is already on the list.

Next: Reason No. 2

3.) Mike Moustakas Has A Sore Thumb

Moose sat out on both Monday and Tuesday, despite being one of two hitters exceeding expectations on a sputtering KC Royals offense that needs all the help it can get.  On Tuesday, Ned Yost admitted that Moustakas was suffering with a sore thumb and wanted to rest his third baseman. However, Yost was forced to use Moustakas as a pinch hitter at a critical point of Tuesday’s three-run, ninth-inning rally for a walk-off win.

On Wednesday, Yost told the press Moustakas’ thumb was still sore.

With Moose still hurting, one can imagine that Yost would like to give him more rest over the next few weeks. While utility infield Christian Colon can play third base, he’s not hitting so far this season (.200/.273/.250).

Yuck.

Enter Cheslor Cuthbert. He has been primarily a third baseman in his career, who has also filled in at first base. He’d be a better Moustakas substitute than Christian Colon over the long term, since Colon has much more experience as a middle infielder than he does at third base.

In his short trial with the Kansas City Royals last season, Cuthbert showed a strong arm and quick hands around third base. He looked ready for a big-league job at age 22 last season. He’s showed even more polish in the opening month of play at Omaha.

The last thing Ned Yost wants to do is play Moustakas into a season-long nagging injury when you’ve got a third-sacker who can help waiting for an opportunity in the big leagues.

Next: Reason No. 4

4.) Cuthbert Is Raking At Omaha

The Kansas City Royals really need some offense. Cheslor Cuthbert is smashing Omaha with a .322/.388/.589 triple slash along with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 6 home runs, and 27 RBIs in 90 at bats. Cutbert is very much playing up to the expectations the KC Royals organization had when they signed him as a high-priced international prospect at age 16.

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Cheslor Cuthbert started at the Arizona Rookie League at age 17, and continued to get pushed up the ladder rather quickly. Thus, Cuthbert has posted only moderate numbers throughout his minor league career with a .262/.327/396 career triple slash for an .723 OPS.

Cuthbert is dominating at a level for the first time in his career.

Really, KC Royals fans. This isn’t rocket science. The Kansas City Royals need help on offense, and Cheslor Cutbert is the best hitter on the team’s top minor-league team. Who else really makes sense under the circumstances?

Let’s not overthink this.

Not only could Cuthbert help prevent too much wear and tear on Mike Moustakas, he could also spell Eric Hosmer at first base. Conveniently, Cuthbert is a right-handed batter. That makes him a good platoon partner for both Moose and Hoz if they need rest. Yost can insert Cuthbert into the lineup against a tough lefty and get a platoon advantage to offset the offensive loss.

Cuthbert could also give designated hitter Kendrys Morales a mental break. Morales is wallowing at the plate and could use an off-day to get some respite from frustrating results.

Next: An Early Evaluation Of The Royals Starting Rotation

Add it all up, and I believe Cheslor Cuthbert is the clear choice to take Terrance Gore’s spot. Just watch Ned prove me wrong a few hours from now when the team announces its roster move.