That's three jerseys in two seasons for utility man, Emilio Bonifacio. As Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports reports, the Toronto Blue Jays traded Bonifacio to the Kansas City Royals for either a player to be named later or cash. How could Bonifacio help the Royals?
First off, with Miguel Tejada on the disabled list, Bonifacio simply adds depth at second base of the Royals. Elliot Johnson has played 56 games to lead the team. However, he struggled in 2013, hitting just .205 with two home runs and nine RBI. Chris Getz has been the everyday second base for the Royals, but he is coming off a DL stint and is slowly easing his way back into the lineup.
Bonifacio would provide a glove on the infield. He can play second base, giving the Royals a switch-hitting infielder. Bonifacio can also play the outfield, starting 21 games, most of them in center field. However, in 2013, he saw most of his playing time at second base. In 59 games, Bonifacio committed seven errors. Ironically, his fielding has been perfect from the outfield, not committing an error in 32 games played.
The Royals are in the middle of the A.L. Central hunt, believe it or not. They are 6.5 games behind the Detroit Tigers and currently holding on to third place in the division with a 62-55 record, just half a game behind the Indians. This is a key year for the Royals, who traded their top prospect Wil Myers as they decided to focus on their pitching. They have the 10th best hitting average as a team, .260, but they could use a little more versatility in regards to on-base percentage (16) and runs scored (17th).
Bonifacio's numbers don't look impressing: three home runs, 20 RBI with a .218 batting average and .258 OBP, but he has 12 stolen bases, 33 runs scored and at least has a track record for having been productive in the past.
Can Bonifacio give the Royals a lift? We will have to find out.
