Return Trip?

Before Ronel Blanco threw his first four-seam fastball at 1:10 PM this Sunday at Minute Maid Park, Raul Ibáñez had been the last hitter at least 40 years old to line up for the Kansas City Royals in the Majors.

That was 10 years and exactly one month ago, on the evening of August 1, 2014 when the Royals faced the Oakland Athletics at O.co Coliseum. Ibáñez hit a home run off Sonny Gray that night and the Royals won 1-0.

Before Ibáñez, the legendary George Brett had been the last hitter 40 years old or older to line up for the Royals. Brett hit two home runs on the evening of September 26, 1993 against the California Angels. The second was a walk-off homer that gave the Royals a 9-8 victory in the bottom of the 10th inning at Kauffman Stadium.

As of Saturday night, 70% of the Royals' players (30 of 43) were 30 years old or younger. The oldest player was 34-year-old Venezuelan catcher Salvador Perez. For decades, the Royals have been one of the youngest franchises in baseball, and I don't think that philosophy will change. So it seemed unlikely to see another 40-year-old player on such a young team—at least this year.

However, on Saturday the team announced some absolutely surprising news, when it made official the signing of 40-year-old Cuban Yuli Gurriel. The move quickly drew a lot of attention, and it was not precisely because of the Royals' situation. The sudden injuries to first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino* (fractured right thumb) and outfielder Hunter Renfroe (hamstring strain) have created a slight imbalance in the Royals' lineup.

*Pasquantino had started 103 games as the Royals' first baseman this year. He was looking for his first season of at least 20 homers and 100 RBIs. He had 19 homers and 97 RBIs in 554 plate appearances when he went on the disabled list following the Royals' 6-3 loss last Thursday in Houston.

For that very reason, club moves were expected for this final month of the regular season. But, to be honest, I was surprised like many that Yuli Gurriel was chosen to try to keep the offensive and defensive balance in the lineup. Now, of course, the question here is how much immediate contribution Gurriel could offer, and whether this acquisition will really be worth it for the Royals.