Kansas City Royals: Why is Escobar still in the lineup?

Alcides Escobar recently was told he was going to be splitting time at shortstop with Adalberto Mondesi. Kansas City Royals manager Ned Yost said Escobar will try out multiple positions in order to prep him for his next role.

Alcides Escobar has a very slim chance at a future with the Kansas City Royals. With Adalberto Mondesi seemingly a lock to be his successor in light of the rebuild, 2018 most likely will be his last season with the organization.

Connections

Escobar was a member of the Milwaukee Brewers organization from 2006-2010. Yost was with the Crew from 2003-2008. So, there was an overlap there. It makes sense as to why Yost wants the best for Escobar in the continuation of his career.

But, from a managerial standpoint, he also needs to look out for his team. Continuing to keep Escobar in the lineup, day in and day out means fewer opportunities for other guys.

Switching up positions

Yost plans to give Escobar playing time in the outfield, particularly center field, as well as at second base and third base. The idea behind it is that Alcides Escobar most likely will not find himself in the role of starting shortstop with any other team he ventures to. He likely will have to find playing time as a utility player.

Escobar will still spend some time at short, but the best thing Ned Yost can do for the Kansas City Royals is to give Adalberto Mondesi as many big league innings as he possibly can in the 2018 season. He is the future of the organization. So, the more experience he is given now, the more accustomed he will be to playing in the Majors in the years to come.

Will he continue to play every game?

For Yost to help out a player he has coached for a while is admirable. But, Escobar continuing to play in every single game for the Kansas City Royals is not what is best for the organization long term.

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If the Royals do end up trading away some of their veterans, though, it may be a smart move. He can help lead the younger players once they are moved up. But eventually, Escobar’s streak of games started will have to come to an end for the benefit of the Royals organization.