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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 2013
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Honestly, I didn't feel like I deserved it."
— Gil Meche after retiring
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
FACT OF THE DAY
Gil Meche retired in 2011 before the final year of his contract.
nbcbayarea.com
TRIVIA OF THE DAY
Q: Which two players share the largest contract in Royals history?
A: SP Gil Meche, 5 years, $55 million in 2006; IB Make Sweeny, 5 years, $55 million in 2002
THE MORNING BREW
Royals signing Beltran would be disastrous
Nostalgia is a powerful thing. The Kansas City Royals are reportedly front-runners for free-agent
Only front-minders for free ages Carlos Beltran. The Royals are considered the "mystery team" that offered the 36-year-old outfielder three years for $48 million, according to Buster Olney of ESPN.com.
Signing Beltran to that contract would be a grave mistake—even if Royals fans are clamoring for his return. The signing might fill seats at Kauffmann, and there's no doubting his talent, but Royals management and fans will regret signing the 16-year veteran for $16 million per year.
The signing will hamstring the Royals from improving its team with the playoffs within reach.
The signing looks great at a glance: an old fan favorite who hit a combined 56 home runs and 181 RBIs his last two years in St. Louis. He would upgrade the weak right field for the Royals.
Unfortunately, age is a cruel mistress to any athlete. Beltran will be 37 shortly after opening day and has logged more than 2,000 games in his career. It wouldn't be wise to
By Nick Chadbourne
nchadbourne@kansan.com
rely on Beltran to start in right field for three years.
He had knee surgery three years ago and although he's been healthy since, the Royals are gambling big money that he will remain that way as he ages.
The Royals already have a DH in Billy Butler. Butler is nine years younger than Beltran and is scheduled to make $6 million less this season than Beltran's reported yearly offer.
Beltran would need to platoon time between right field and designated hitter. He'll certainly see increasing time at DH throughout the contract as he approaches 40-years-old.
Signing Beltran would incline the Royals to trade Butler for salary reasons, according to various outlets. At best, this leaves them with an aging, expensive DH who can play outfield a few times a week.
The Royals cannot afford to lose an expensive gamble in a critical time. The playoffs
are within reach and they're a few pieces away from doing so. If Beltran doesn't produce, his contract will disrupt the Royals' future free agency opportunities.
If the Royals are intent on spending big to upgrade their right field, there are comparable options in this free agent class with better numbers.
Free agent Curtis Granderson
Also available for a similar price is right fielder Nelson Cruz. He was suspended 50 games last year for his involvement in the Biogenesis scandal, but still finished the
Free agent Carr could fetch a similar contract to the Royals offer to Beltran, according to HardBallTalk.com. Granardson is 33 years old and has spent increasing time in the corner outfield positions. He hit more than 40 home runs and more than 100 RBI in 2011 and 2012. The Royals would have an elite power hitter—if Granardon can rebound from an injury-riddled 2013 season. He's never played less than 130 games in a full season until last season, when he played 61 games.
year with 27 home runs and 76 RBI. His career .294/.356/.556 batting line is slightly better than Beltran's career .283/.359/.496 line. He's also three years younger than Beltran.
As in life, sometimes nostalgia should remain just that—a memory. Beltran was electrifying while playing for the Royals in the early
2000s. Watching Beltran's combination of power and speed was the only reason to buy tickets to Kauffmann Stadium in those days.
Almost 10 years later, he's too old to rely on every day in the outfield. The Royals can sign an everyday right fielder with better potential at roughly the same cost and years as their offer to Beltran.
Royals fans, it's time to move on. There's a brighter future ahead without Belran.
Edited by Hannah Barling
This week in athletics
Thursday
Women's Swimming USA Winter Nationals All day Knoxville, Tenn.
Friday
Women's Swimming
USA Winter Nationals
All day
Knoxville, Tenn.
Saturday
Women's Swimming USA Winter Nationals All day Knoxville, Tenn.
Men's Basketball Colorado 2:15 p.m. Boulder, Colo.
NCAA FOOTBALL
Track
Bob Timmons Challenge
4 p.m.
Lawrence
Prosecutor: Sex investigation of FSU QB over
Sunday
Women's Swimming William Jewell 2 p.m. Lawrence
State quarterback Jameis Winston said Wednesday that it is completed.
State Attorney Willie Meggs has scheduled a news conference at 2 p.m.
Thursday in his office to announce his findings. Meggs said investigators have learned as much as they can about the December 2012 incident.
"We think we have exhausted
Women's Basketball Texas Southern 2 p.m. Lawrence
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The prosecutor overseeing the investigation of sexual assault allegations against Florida
Monday
tigative tools," he said.
No Events
Men's Basketball
Florida
6 p.m.
Gainesville, Fla.
Tuesday
Winston has led the Seminoles to the No.1 ranking, and they will play for a conference title Saturday, with a shot at the national crown.
The quarterback also is the leading candidate for the Heisman, and many voters are waiting to see whether Winston will be charged with a crime before
casting their ballots. The deadline for Heisman ballots to be turned in is Dec. 9.
No Events
Wednesday
ESPN has previously reported that DNA belonging to Winston was found in the underwear of the accuser. A lawyer for Winston has suggested that the star quarterback and the accuser had consensual sex. But the family of the
victim has accused the 19-year-old of rape.
Meggs has said he wanted to make sure prosecutors completed a thorough investigation before making a final decision. He has also said several times that it's up to prosecutors to determine whether there is a "reasonable" chance of conviction.
The fact that Meggs has scheduled a news conference — as opposed to getting a warrant for Winston's arrest — could be seen as a sign that he will not file charges.
KANSANCLASSIFIEDS
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