There was a reason Royals general manager Dayton Moore traded for Franchy Cordero last July. It's the same reason it was difficult for to part ways with the outfielder in dealing him to the Red Sox for Andrew Benintendi.
Appearing on the The Live BP Baseball Show with Rob Bradford and Steve Perrault Saturday, Moore explained how he viewed the 26-year-old, who was dealt to the Red Sox along with Mets' minor-league pitcher Josh Winckowski and a player to be named later.
"Stay healthy," said Moore when asked what was the one thing Cordero needed to do in order to become an everyday presence. "This guy stays healthy, he's going to do really really well. He'll do some things on the field that are going to wow you. He's going to need some time because he hasn't a chance to play a ton over the last couple of years. If he stays healthy and gets a chance to play every day he's going to do really really well. I suspect everybody is going to be really, really happy he's a part of the Boston Red Sox."
Cordero has experienced his share of ailments throughout parts of four big league seasons, struggling with quad, groin, elbow and wrist injuries. His most recent setback came due to a wrist problem, necessitating season-ending surgery in early August.
In the interview Moore elaborated on how he has viewed Cordero, who has seen action in just 25 major league games over the past two seasons.
"I’ve been a big admirer of his for a long time," Moore said. "We’ve tried to trade for him multiple times in the past. I believe in his talent. He has tremendous makeup. He is a wonderful human being. I actually spent a little time with him in the Dominican Republic getting to know him a lot better. Power. Speed. It’s all there. Really, he just hasn’t been able to stay healthy. Some of it is kind of freakish, some of the injuries. But once he puts it together this guy is a very powerful human being who can do a lot of things to help a baseball team win. He just needs to get the right opportunity."