Kansas City Royals: How to ‘Moneyball’ this winter to remain competitive

OAKLAND, CA – JANUARY 07: (L-R) Oakland Athletics general manager Billy Beane, Jason Giambi and manager Bob Geren pose for a photo during a news conference January 7, 2008 in Oakland, California. After seven years with the New York Yankees, Jason Giambi has returned to the Oakland Athletics, signing a one year deal with a $4 million salary. The A’s will have a $6.5 million option for 2010 with a 1.25 million buyout. (Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

There are many strategies the Kansas City Royals could use to rebuild the team this winter. Here’s a fun look at how a “Moneyball” strategy could work out.

Dayton Moore is going to have to make some tough decisions this offseason regarding his roster. Everyone is aware of the challenges that the Kansas City Royals front office faces, and much has been made about how they should attack this offseason. You may have read my opinions on the site by now. But today, I’m here to offer you a different perspective.

If you’ve ever seen the movie “Moneyball,” you may remember the scene in which Jonah Hill’s character, Pete, is introduced to Billy Beane, portrayed by Brad Pitt, in his front office. Pitt as Beane, who is still part of the Oakland front office, says to his players, essentially, they cannot replace star first basemen Jason Giambi, but they might be able to recreate him in the aggregate.

Beane’s players looked the way a lot of you probably look right now: totally confused. “What? What’s an aggregate? Are we going to try to clone Eric Hosmer? Who’s Jason Giambi?” Relax, I’m here to explain this theory to you.

(DISCLAIMER: This article is, more or less, aimed at having a fun time with the movie “Moneyball” and is in no way a scientific art of filling out the Royals lineup for next season.)

There are many strategies the Kansas City Royals could use to rebuild the team this winter. Here’s a fun look at how a “Moneyball” strategy could work out.

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