Royals - Acquired Keppinger, de la Rosa

Kansas City Royals - Acquired 2B Jeff Keppinger from the New York Mets for 2B Ruben Gotay; acquired P Jorge de la Rosa from the Brewers for IF Tony Graffanino; acquired P Odalis Perez, P Blake Johnson and P Julio Pimentel from the Los Angeles Dodgers for P Elmer Dessens.

I was initially unhappy with Moore based on the Gathright trade, but he’s put in some nice ones since then

Keppinger’s been the forgotten man with the Mets, generally becoming injured whenever he has a clear opportunity to fight for the 2B job.  I like this trade from the Royals’ perspective mainly because based on his time in the majors, Gotay’s not going to field well enough to play 2B in the majors and a .726 OPS in the PCL isn’t all that special.

Moore’s done a great job picking up some upside arms, adding de la Rosa, Johnson, and Pimentel for two players that aren’t part of the rebuilding process and, in addition, taking a flyer on Perez.  Odalis has been wretched this season, but with the Dodgers paying a huge chunk of the contract, why not take a chance?  Anyone seen the Royals rotation lately? (Probably not - the FCC would probably fine a station for showing Royals pitching during family viewing hours).  With Weeks out, Graf and the strangely acquired David Bell will fill-in.