With the July 31st trade deadline quickly approaching, it’s time to kick off our “what’s his trade market” series. From now until the July 31st trading deadline, we will look at players who could potentially be traded and what their trade value—or lack there of— really is.
Let’s start this series off with a player who has been a mainstay in the Kansas City Royals’ outfield since 2003, David DeJesus.
DeJesus could be traded this summer
Pros
DeJesus has been a consistent player on a team that has been consistently bad in his eight years in the majors. You can pretty much pencil in DeJesus for a .285 average with 10 home runs, nine triples, and a .360 OBP every year. This year through 63 games, DeJesus is enjoying career highs in avg (.314), OBP (.392), and SLG (.871).
Defensively, while DeJesus is no longer a center fielder, he has become one of the better defensive corner OF’s in the game. Last year playing LF, DeJesus posted in 15.3 UZR, which ranked second in all of baseball.
This year, DeJesus has spent the majority of his time in right field where he has posted a 2.5 UZR. His 2.5 UZR ranks 11th among all right fielders in baseball.
For a team that needs a really good defensive corner OF, who hits .290 with mediocre power, DeJesus is your guy. The New Jersey native also has a pretty friendly contract as well.
DeJesus will earn $4.7 million in 2010, and has a club option for $6 million in 2010. Considering DeJesus’ value to the Royals has been around $10 million a year, I would say the team that acquires him would be getting a pretty good deal.
Cons
DeJesus always struck me as a guy who could bat second or third for the Royals, but would bat seventh or eighth for a really good NL or AL team. He is sort of the jack of all trades, but master of none.
DeJesus could be a nice complimentary piece to a championship team, but the team acquiring him shouldn’t think they are getting a centerpiece player.
Injuries are a concern when acquiring DeJesus as well. In his seven full seasons in the major leagues, he has played in 140 plus games only once (he played in 144 games last year). However, despite being consistently hurt, he has only made one trip to the 15-day DL in his career.
Now that we have looked at the pros and cons of DeJesus, lets take a look at what teams might be interested in the former Rutgers Scarlet Knight.
Boston Red Sox: The Red Sox could certainly use an extra OF with Jeremy Hermida and Jacoby Ellsbury being hurt. Mike Cameron also spent time on the DL as well this year, so DeJesus could be a nice safety net for the Sox.
Atlanta Braves: While FOXSports.com’s Ken Rosenthal mentioned the Braves could be interested in right-handed OF bat, DeJesus could be a nice alternative. And let’s face it, DeJesus would be a huge upgrade over the useless Melky Cabrera in left.
Cincinnati Reds: While Jonny Gomes is having a career year in Cincinnati, he is also one of the worst defensive left fielders in the game. DeJesus hits righties very well (.333 this year), so the Reds could go with a platoon in left.
In the games that Gomes does start, DeJesus could come in the game as a defensive replacement.
San Diego Padres: The Kyle Blanks, Scott Hairston, Chris Denorfia combination really hasn’t worked in San Diego this year. The Padres will be buyers at the trade deadline and DeJesus would be a perfect fit in San Diego.
With that spacious ballpark, DeJesus would hit 10 triples easy.
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