Kansas City Royals: DH Rotation Needed

The Kansas City Royals are in another slump. The offense looks like it’s asleep. Kendrys Morales has become a liability at the plate. Could a DH rotation help awaken the offense? What are the benefits for a DH rotation?

Some kind of a “fix” is needed at the designated hitter (DH) position. Kendrys Morales has slashed .191/.257/.320 this year. Morales is dragging the team down. He’s a slow runner and he can’t find fair green grass anymore. It’s time to shake up the lineup.

A temporary “fix” could be a rotation of designated hitters (DH). A few candidates to put in the rotation are Lorenzo Cain, Salvador Perez, Eric Hosmer or anyone less that needs a half a game off. The DH spot can be used to rest guys if Ned Yost and his staff can’t afford to have the hitters offense on the bench for all or most of the game.

Lorenzo Cain turned 30-years-old, April 30th. He’s getting up there in age but not past his prime. The Royals need to manage Cain’s playing time more efficiently.

Cain’s got hit by a few balls already this season. He’s fouled a ball into his knee as well. The guys knees are being abused on defense and sometimes at the plate.

More from Kansas City Royals

• This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
• The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
• DraftKings + FanDuel Kansas Promos: INSTANT $150 Bonus Plus Two Chances to Win!
• 3 Royals Players Who Won’t Be on the Roster Next Year
• LAST CHANCE to Claim $250 GUARANTEED Bonus With FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!

The DH spot will give him a half day off. This will keep him fresher longer. Hopefully he will continue to swing the bat well since he will not as tired from everyday defensive duties.

Cain has slashed .292/.346/.439 this season. He’s accumulated eight homer, seven doubles on 62 hits. He’s walked 17 times and drove in 34 runs batted in (RBI’s) through June 6th. Unfortunately, he hasn’t got an extra base hit since May 31st against the Rays. That game he went 2-4 with a solo home run, a single and a walk. With the half days off, Cain should produce more efficiently on offense.

Salvador Perez is the best candidate for the DH spot rotation. Recently Perez has dealt with a bruised left thigh. He missed a week of playing time due to the injury, it could have been much worse. To avoid these kinds of things and to give him rest, start him as a DH. Ned Yost has already done this a few times. Yost has started Perez at DH three times so far this season.

Perez has a slash line of .273/.306/.483. He’s being more selective at the plate. He’s got nine walks already with more than half of the season to be played. He’s hit seven home runs, 12 doubles and two triples.

Rest should only help Perez continue to be great at defense when he catches and productive on offense. Rest does a body good, especially for catchers.

Eric Hosmer is an interesting person to add to the DH rotation. Unfortunately, Hosmer can’t start every game at first. The major league season is too long to do that. The Royals pulled Hosmer in a blow out loss to Cleveland over the weekend. That’s the smart play. No reason to risk a potential superstar in an almost guaranteed loss.

More from KC Kingdom

• Win $650 GUARANTEED Plus $100 Off NFL Sunday Ticket With Caesars, FanDuel and DraftKings Kansas Promos!
• This Plus-Money Bobby Witt Jr. Prop Bet is on Fire (Hit in 15/21 Games)!
• How to Bet on the Chiefs vs. Cardinals in NFL Preseason Week 2
• The Royals Need to Extend Bobby Witt Jr. Immediately
• The 3 Most Intriguing Games on the Chiefs’ Schedule

The problem with Hosmer being a DH is that his defense won’t be available. That’s a risk the Kansas City Royals might have to take once a month or so to make sure Hosmer stays healthy. For example, if the Royals play 14 games in a row, one of those days Hosmer should be a DH at least.

Probably the best game to rest Hosmer, is a day game following a night game. The only issue with that is Salvador Perez possibly needing that day off as well and this offense will not survive with both of those players missing from the starting lineup. Conceding one win might be the best long term option for the team.

Hosmer is the Royals best hitter so far this season. His slash line is .319/.373/.523. With those numbers the Royals have to find a way to keep Hosmer’s bat in the lineup as much as possible. The DH spot will keep his bat in the lineup while allowing his body to rest most of the game.

Next: Kansas City Royals All-Time Leaders In Home Runs

Resting players will help this team in the long run. It’s time to utilize the DH spot as a “half day rest spot”. Rest will help their bodies recover from injury and/or prevent an injury from occurring. The DH spot gives the players rest and keeps the bats in the lineup. That’s a double win.