Royals veterans losing value

Teams can get burned hanging onto expendable veterans too long. The Royals likely lost David DeJesus for the season with a torn ligament in his thumb when he crashed into the wall at Yankee Stadium on Thursday night, and saw Jose Guillen hurt his value when he cost the Royals a run by not hustling in the same game. The Giants were scouting Guillen when he failed to get across the plate from second before Wilson Betemit was thrown out trying to stretch a single into a double. … Don Mattingly has been considered a manager in waiting by the Dodgers. But if they go another direction after Joe Torre leaves (Bobby Valentine?), Mattingly at least should get an interview with the Cubs. … Triple-A third baseman Brent Morel is likely to be in a big trade if the White Sox make one. The Sox could trade Bobby Jenks for prospects to help facilitate a deal if they decide they have the appetite for Prince Fielder or Adam Dunn. … Cito Gaston is pushing for Don Baylor, now the Rockies’ hitting coach, to get a shot at the upcoming managerial vacancy with the Blue Jays. … The Blue Jays’ Scott Downs might be the most heavily pursued pitcher in the current market. … After a slow start, third baseman Pedro Alvarez is justifying the hype. … The Brewers’ starting pitchers gave up 10-plus runs three times in a span of four games last week, which makes it more likely they will trade away Corey Hart, if not Fielder. … Big doings in Texas last week. The 280-pound Tommy Hunter threw to the allegedly 225-pound Bengie Molina. Their combined 505 pounds made them the second heaviest battery in big-league history, according to Dallas Morning News research. The biggest was Jumbo Brown (295) and Ernie Lombardi (230) of the 1937 Reds. … Outfielder Matt Watson, who has gone to Japan and South Korea to play since last being in the big leagues in 2005, is getting a long look with the A’s, thanks to Ryan Sweeney’s season-ending knee injury. … Johnny Damon (Tigers) and Alex Cora ( Mets) recently showed their leadership skills by calling team meetings. … Proposed trade for next off-season: Carlos Zambrano to the White Sox for Mark Teahen and Scott Linebrink. … Jamie Moyer says this latest elbow injury won’t sideline him for long but there are no minor injuries at age 47.