Quote:
Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S
What do you guys think Cheslor Cuthbert's role is on the 2017 squad? From what I can see there isn't a role for him whatsoever if Moose's knee is back to 100%. The Royals have little need for him this year and, IMO, I think he should be on the trade block for a pitcher. He's young with plenty of upside, and I think that the Royals would get the most value of him by trading him for a starter.
Has anyone heard if he has been able to pick up second base? If he hasn't, then I believe we should utilize our current surplus in third basemen and fill a need in our rotation. Cuthbert was worth 0.2 fWAR last year, I think his development would benefit heavily from being able to sustain success over a full 162 (slumped hard last couple months, IIRC), and he's going to be riding a lot of bench next year if he's in KC. There isn't even much room for him to DH now with Moss. If the Royals utilized a platoon, Moss would take RHP, Soler could rotate in every now and then with LHP. Not sure where Cuthbert would fit in... anywhere.
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I think Cuthbert's role is as a reserve who gets a decent amount of playing time.
He should probably get a start a week at 3B, just to rest Moustakas's knee. That's 20-25 games.
Figure he gets 5 games subbing for Hosmer.
If Moss is the primary DH vs RHP, that still leaves 40-50 starts vs lefties at that spot. Cuthbert figures to be part of that solution as well. And he also is insurance if Moss, who is not the most durable guy out there, misses some time.
I haven't heard anything about him as a 2B option/solution. I know the team was planning to go that way before Moustakas's injury last year, but I am skeptical he can stick there. If he does, obviously you run with that and give him 120+ starts there.
Otherwise, I think he's a 75-90 game piece for you in 2017, who provides nice insurance at 3B and DH while also giving you a platoon option for Moustakas and Moss.