Royce Clayton

54-Year-Old ShortstopSS
 Free Agent  
2024 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Royce Clayton in 2024. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Blue Jays in November 2006. Released in August of 2007. Signed a minor-league deal with the Red Sox in August of 2007.
SSBoston Red Sox  
October 31, 2007
The Red Sox designated Clayton for assignment on Tuesday.
ANALYSIS
Clayton will have to ply his good (but fading) glove, no-hit wares elsewhere next season.
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Clayton finished the 2007 season in the Boston organization, making a couple of token appearances for the World Series champs in a September callup. At 38, Clayton's "best" years are behind him and he's likely to retire.
It was a fairly laughable notion that Clayton could somehow replace Felipe Lopez's bat in the lineup, and he wasn't even much of an improvement defensively. The Reds' offense dropped off dramatically following the trade, and Clayton's .235/.290/.329 line while with them played a decent role. Naturally, hitting coach Chris Chambliss was made the scapegoat instead. Clayton is now Toronto's problem -- he'll begin the year starting ahead of John McDonald, with Russ Adams back in the minors.
Clayton posted an abysmal .671 OPS last season, registered a range factor that was slightly below average for NL shortstops - but hey, for those few balls he got to, he looked really slick - and turned 36 in January. The only teams that'll give any thought to signing him are those that look only to his batting average for the last two years (no better home parks in the NL) and remember the occasional web gems. Unless Clayton winds up in a great hitter's park, stay away.
Clayton's 2004 campaign, including a career-high 160 hits, is proof that the thin air and roomy outfield in Colorado can salvage anyone's career. Expect a big decline as the starter in Arizona and we're not sure he can keep the job all season.
Clayton did not play well in 2003, hitting .228 with a .333 SLG. He'll provide solid defense, but he won't provide any offense - even if he makes the Colorado roster.
Clayton has consistently performed better at the plate over the second half of the season than the first half, but the net result still ranks him among the lower tier shortstops in the league.
More Fantasy News
SSBoston Red Sox  
September 1, 2007
The Red Sox called up Clayton from Triple-A Pawtucket.
ANALYSIS
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SSBoston Red Sox  
August 23, 2007
The Red Sox have signed Clayton to a minor league contract, the Boston Globe reports.
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SSFree Agent  
August 7, 2007
Clayton was released by the Blue Jays on Tuesday.
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SSToronto Blue Jays  
August 2, 2007
The Blue Jays designated Clayton for assignment Thursday, the Associated Press reports.
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Royce Clayton: Loses Playing Time
SSToronto Blue Jays  
June 25, 2007
Clayton has been in the starting lineup just four times in the past 14 games, including none in the last five as he's sat in favor of John McDonald according to the team's web site.
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