The usually perpetually optimistic Joe Posnanski wrote that the Royals “will get some production out of this deal” but “there are no potential stars in the group,” adding “someone like Cain could emerge as a star, but it would be a surprise.” The winter, the Royals acquired him in a blockbuster deal that was met with a tepid response in Kansas City. The Brewers took him in the 17th round of the 2004 draft, and by 2010 he was in the big leagues. He learned to chase down balls in the outfield and before long he was attracting scouts. He worked hard to catch himself up to speed on the game. The baseball team needed bodies and he volunteered despite being so clueless about the game he wore his glove on the wrong hand. He was cut from the high school basketball team and was forbidden by his mother from playing football, but he was too good of an athlete to sit on the sidelines. Lorenzo Cain grew up in Madison County, Florida, near the Georgia border, having never played baseball as a kid. And that’s just what they did when they acquired outfielder Lorenzo Cain, shortstop Alcides Escobar, and pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress for Greinke and shortstop Yuneisky Betancourt on December 19, 2010. The Royals had a chance to make a fill their needs and make a franchise-altering deal. An opportunity arose in 2010 when star pitcher Zack Greinke requested a trade to a contender. Melky Cabrera played well but was a temporary stop gap. Joey Gathright, Coco Crisp, Rick Ankiel - all were unable to fit the bill.

When Dayton Moore took over in 2006, he sought for years for his ballhawk that would patrol centerfield at the K. A Royals centerfielder needs great speed of course, but the best have also had a certain grace in movement - a seeming effortlessness in running. Centerfield in Kauffman Stadium requires being able to cover a spacious outfield and deep alleys. The Royals franchise has a proud tradition in centerfield, with greats like Amos Otis, Willie Wilson, and Carlos Beltrán patrolling the position over the years.

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