"There's irony for the Royals as the nonwaiver trading deadline, which occurred Sunday, retreats in the distance. They could be far more active this month in reshaping their roster than at anytime during the July countdown.

For example: General manager Dayton Moore admits the organization's "goal" is for second baseman Johnny Giavotella, a top prospect, to get "100 to 150 at-bats in the major leagues" before the end of the season.

That suggests a summons is likely to occur by mid-August at the latest.

Giavotella, 24, appears to have little left to prove offensively in the minors. He was batting .341 through Sunday at Class AAA Omaha in 106 games, including a .391 mark in 60 games since June 1.

The Royals want to promote Giavotella, in part, because he must be placed on the 40-man roster over the winter to avoid exposing him to the Rule 5 draft. There is no benefit therefore, in terms of roster flexibility, in keeping him in the minors until next season.

Whenever Giavotella arrives, he will be on what manager Ned Yost terms the Eric Hosmer/Mike Moustakas plan. That means regular duty; Giavotella won't be a reserve or a platoon player.

The trade Saturday that sent Mike Aviles to Boston for utilityman Yamaico Navarro and minor-league pitcher Kendal Volz was, in a sense, a preemptive move in an anticipated Giavotella promotion.

Navarro has two options remaining after this year.

But Giavotella's arrival also puts Chris Getz's future in doubt. Getz is a solid defensive second baseman, but his ability to shift to a utility role is suspect. Scouts say he lacks the range to play shortstop and the arm strength to play third for any extended period.

Getz does have options remaining, though he should qualify this season for arbitration. Keeping him in the minors in future years will come at a cost.

Calling up Giavotella would also, at this point, fill the only vacancy on the Royals' 40-man roster. That suggests other moves are coming because club officials want to take a look at other prospects before the end of the year.

That's easy enough to do with first baseman/DH Clint Robinson, 26, and outfielders Lorenzo Cain, 25, and David Lough, 25, because all three are already on the 40-man roster. The Royals need only wait until September when the big-league rosters expand."