Yeah, I think we've seen enough of Wang. Problems now are what they were when he bounced out of the league:

He gives up too much contact, period, and too much hard contact to boot.

This team is in a malaise, there's no doubt. Gordon and Cain have shown enough life of late for me to hope the return of Moustakas can solidify the lineup and get the offense producing again, even if Morales continues to make weak contact.

Side note on Morales' deal: Even if he's this bad all year, it was worth it considering what he did a season ago. Flags fly Forever.

They're two games under .500 36 games into the season. Win today to win this series, win the next series, and you're at 20-20 at the 1/4 mark of the season. That's position you can strike from... one really hot stretch gets you right back to the top of the league standings (even if it doesn't quite catch the White Sox).

In news that will surely thrill the ChiefsPlanet faithful, I heard last night that they'll consider Cuthbert at 2B if he continues to hit, and take a small hit defensively for his bat.

Defensively, I'm not convinced he would have less range at 2B than Infante does in his current state, and because he has the big-time arm, Cuthbert could play a step or two deeper than Infante and make up for it with his arm (Jon Schoop in Baltimore is a good example, I think, of a big 2B who plays a little deeper and makes up for it with his cannon arm). If he can get the footwork down, Cuthbert should be an improvement on the turn.

All will depend on how he hits this week. If he sticks at 2B, I could see a .270/.300/.425 or so line, with 12-15 HR. That would play pretty nicely at that spot.

Cuthbert seems to finally be putting together all the tools that made him such a big-time prospect for so long. Perhaps getting that taste of the World Series/playoff run last year gave him the extra focus/motivation needed to put them together.

Oh, and here's my hypothetical lineup, if Cuthbert sticks at 2B:

Gordon (don't care that it won't happen. His on-base ability is strong even when he doesn't hit)
Cain (really starting to heat up now and return to being the bat he was a year ago)
Moustakas (Hopefully comes back from the broken thumb with no lingering trouble, need to get him more ABs with men on base, which hitting Gordon and Cain in front of him accomplishes)
Hosmer (Yeah, lefty-lefty, but Moustakas and Hosmer both have very respectable OPS marks against lefties since the start of the 2014 season)
Morales (I am starting to worry that his bat is a little dead - wonder if perhaps he got a little lazy in the offseason and isn't in great shape... but he can stay here for a little while longer)
Cuthbert (I appreciate his ability to take a good at-bat in almost all situations in this spot... think he would be a reliable producer here)
Perez (He's really idealized in this spot. Guys with good power but poor OBP skills are good fits in this spot)
Dyson (Not sure how long he can stick in RF... of course, I finally come around on the idea of him playing every day, and he proceeds to show why I was always leery of it in the past)
Escobar (this is where he really belongs in the order... his empty average and speed can still be an asset here when he does hit, and you're not killed by his lack of OBP)

What the lineup actually would be:

Escobar
Moustakas
Cain
Hosmer
Morales
Gordon
Perez
Cuthbert (which I think is about the worst spot in the order for a guy with good plate discipline like Cuthbert, but whatever)
Dyson

And Moustakas continues to get a lot of hits and XBH with the bases empty.

Minor league happenings of note:

1) Pedro Fernandez was promoted to Northwest Arkansas, which makes that rotation Strahm, Mills, Fernandez, Mike Minor, and one of Eric Skoglund or Jake Junis. Pretty interesting group that should be fun to watch. He hasn't pitched since his promotion... last start was May 7 for AA NWA.

2) Mike Minor should be on the bump either today or tomorrow. He was sharp through 2 innings in his first rehab start and ran out of gas in the third inning. He has 25 days left on his rehab stint, and probably will need most of it to get to 90-100 pitches.

At what point does Eibner or Bonifacio get a shot at RF? Orlando and Dyson are fine 4th OF's, but neither are more than that (and Fuentes is probably in the same boat). Eibner especially is hitting with power, controlling the strike zone (20 BB, 29 K) and is solid defensively. And that's coming off a very good year last season.

Put Cheslor at 2B, Eibner in right and Colon as your backup in the infield. Sprinkle in a couple of the younger guys and hope that youth and enthusiasm jump starts things.

I'm having more fun watching the trivia questions, guests, and even the car ads which are the only ads I watch. In fact that 99/mo lease on the Kia Optima from Lawrence Kia (where if you bring home 1500 a month your credits approved guaranteed!) looks tantalizing

Maybe bring Rios back? Seemed ok when he wasnt hurt or recovering from being hurt.

This would be ideal. I know Ned is dedicated to "his guys", but Dyson just isn't an everyday RF'er. Neither is Orlando (although I'd switch his and Dyson's roles right now).

I think Eibner has earned a chance to see if he can hold RF down in the bigs.

Shit crowd out here todat ****ing win and people will.come out.

Will Myers batting .270 with 7 HRs this year

What's up with Yordano? My theory is he's not throwing heat anymore because he's worried about TJ. (8 of the top 10 velocity guys have had TJ, he's one of the exceptions). His FB is down from 96 to 94 and he's throwing his change 25% of the time now vs 10% his first 2 years.

Without his elite velocity, he may not be much more than a mediocre starter

I think he's just lost control of the fastball right now. He can't put it where he wants it so he relies on his secondaries, and it's costing him. IMO, he needs to be working on finding that location accuracy as much as he can. Surely Eiland recognized this as well. You're point about TJ shouldn't go unheeded, but he shouldn't necessarily be worrying about what "might" happen, either (unless he's got a bit of an ailment we don't know about).

Watching the full 8th inning of the Rangers/Jays game on Roku. Lol at the Rangers announcers when they see the punch in slo-mo for the first time. They're shocked then start laughing. I'm gonna watch the Jays announcers next.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Oh no <a href="https://twitter.com/JoeyBats19">@JoeyBats19</a> <a href="https://t.co/J7zLPPUnX5">https://t.co/J7zLPPUnX5</a></p>&mdash; Sprots Takes (@SPROTSTAKES) <a href="https://twitter.com/SPROTSTAKES/status/731974286840320001">May 15, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Love that it happened to bats.

He's a ****ing bitch.

He got rocked.

33,861?

Awesome.

Here is the full brawl.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kNZGc8IJ2ro" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

If Odor sets up a gofundme account to pay for his fine, I will happily contribute.

Bautista bobblehead day at Rangers stadium.

There were several major graduations across both Kansas and Missouri, the same thing happened during this weekend in 2015.

LMAO He got rocked

Donaldson got rocked too.
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That was a Texas sized ass whipping.

The Rangers did to the Blue Jays what every other team in the AL has wanted to do. Good on them.

I will now be pulling for the Rangers for the rest of the year (unless they're playing the Royals, of course)

Bautista was still wobbly when Beltre let him go --- he let Beltre hold him up because he didn't exactly know where the f he was. Why else would you allow yourself to be easily restrained by the opposing team when there's a melee 10 feet away?

<iframe src="https://vine.co/v/i0qEXVghrzz/embed/simple" width="300" height="300" frameborder="0"></iframe><script src="https://platform.vine.co/static/scripts/embed.js"></script>

He looks like Napoleon.

Royals White Sox this weekend guys!

I've been clamoring for Eibner for a couple of weeks now.

Based on what you're getting out of the RF position (offensively), what's the risk?

Chelsor isn't playing 2b... It's not gonna happen.

It's possible. Depends on how well he hits between now and Moustakas' return.

I was pretty surprised to hear it, but the team is considering it, nonetheless.

They are considering it? Missed that. I know they tried him at 2b a little last season in Omaha. Still find it hard to believe.

Yeah, that's what I heard on Saturday. I was surprised, but if his bat can carry him...

I think the team is starting to realize that Infante's defense has really slipped. His glove has become less sure, and he has a popgun arm, even for a 2B.

If Cuthbert can hit .270/.325/.400, it's probably enough offense to make him a short-term fit at 2B (and late inning defensive replacement, when they have the lead).

Dyson is better as a 4th OFer. Give eibner a chance

I think if some of our players start hitting towards their normal averages like say Morales. You are going to see some very good stretches coming.

Do you think they are considering releasing Infante and eating his salary?

Yes, he's been working on his middle infield drills before games. They showed a shot this weekend doing a drill where he is making the back-handed flip as a secondbaseman to the SS.

Not bothered NOmar sucks balls now, that's the expected outcome of any FA deal esp for a guy in his 30s. What I am bothered about is that his first 2 years - which are expected to be decent if not good - were pure shit

He was enough of an upgrade at 2B to get them into the playoffs in 2014 and with home field in the WC game, so I'll never hate the contract. Would be fine with him going away at this point, though.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A little more on Wade Davis FB velo decline <a href="https://t.co/jkFzZykhZr">pic.twitter.com/jkFzZykhZr</a></p>&mdash; Shaun Newkirk (@Shauncore) <a href="https://twitter.com/Shauncore/status/732264681730015232">May 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Given the state of their bullpen, I assume the Royals will want to call the game tonight if they are given even the slightest excuse. Both teams have the day off on the 19th, and could make it up then.

Ventura pitches nine innings tonight. Not an issue.

Or... PLAYING IN THE 2016 ALL-STAR GAME!!!

Honestly, that kid needs a game like that. He had a pretty good outing in NY. Would be wonderful to see him follow that up with a 8 inning performance tonight.

Getting the entire bullpen a day of rest through a rain-out would be as much of a win as an actual win LMAO

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Mike Moustakas is taking BP in the inside cages. Good sign <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Royals?src=hash">#Royals</a></p>&mdash; Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) <a href="https://twitter.com/FlannyMLB/status/732308762736926721">May 16, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Lincecum to the Angels it appears.


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Game canceled. DH Wednesday

Looking at the radar, they could have easily gotten the game in if they wanted to, but they obviously need to rest their bullpen, and since its the Royals decision until the game starts, it was an easy call.

Yeah, when I looked at radar earlier, I thought it was a no-brainer that it could be played, but if that's how it is, then great.

Meh. It's ~1mph and velocity traditionally picks up that amount as weather warms

I agree.

He also has dialed it up to 96-97 plenty of times.

It's not pure fastball heat that makes him uber-effective, anyway. It's the fastball/cutter/curve combination.

That "rally" yesterday was as weak as it gets anyway

On an LOL side note, since there's no Royals today lets see how the Tigers are doing? Up 8-0 after 1 against the Twins with Jordan Zinmerman(who I've been told is an ace). Easy win. Oh wait....4th inning 8-7. Hahahahha. Tigers are a pathetic joke

That one idiot who came on here and said the Royals were lucky the last two years. Then said yesterday the Braves series win doesn't matter. I swore he called into 810 this night. Same stupid rant across the board.

It's not Gary from Illinois is it?

It sounded like this:
http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=330

Glad the Royals get a day off, and in KC. I think this improves our chances against the Red Sox, at least.

Haha, I remember that post from yesterday. Nah, that's not Gary. He's completely negative, on Chiefs and Royals, in a different way.

We need Scott Alexander to be fresh for tomorrow!

You know, all I wanted in my sports-life was to be around people who had a common interest in Kansas City sports with me. Never been around a group or even another person who I can physically talk and debate Royals baseball with. Moving to Kansas from Illinois in three weeks and you know, I am not sure whether to look forward anymore to dealing with other Royals fans on a daily-basis after reading and hearing about the stupid shit some people have to say LMAO.

So what about Justin Upton's 60k/8bb so far? He has an opt out after 2 years but at this rate he will lock them in for all 6 years/140M. Old man up there in Det won't have to see that albatross deal thru, at least. His brother fell off the cliff suddenly at 28, where Justin is now. Could this be a great development for a division foe

I didn't want Upton at all. Was so glad he didn't wana go to the Sox. Enjoy the suckage in Detroit, Mr. Upton.

He is beyond awful. I think he's actually worse than his brother somehow. Do you know how bad you have to be to make the Dbacks actually look good for getting rid of you? The Dbacks are famous for getting screwed in trades and They look downright genius for bailing on this chump a few years ago

I look at that trade the same as St. Louis trading Colby Rasmus... It made sense to trade him, but the return was not what it should have been, in part because the organization ran the guy down in the media before trading him.

Arizona got Martin Prado as the primary piece back, which was a joke, and Vizcaino, who is an OK bullpen piece. And nada.

I feel for DBacks fans. Their owners have really ****ed over that franchise with bad trades in recent years.

Yordano is the only starter with more BB than K. None of the 100 qualified starters last year managed that

Oh yeah. Both the past two front offices have really sucked. But, to be fair, starting SS Nick Ahmed(who can't hit at all but is a great fielder)and Brandon Drury who is having a solid start to his first full season, came over in the Upton trade(although I agree that at the time they did not get value)

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">RHP Kyle Zimmer has been transferred to <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NWANaturals?src=hash">#NWANaturals</a> &amp; is scheduled to start tonight! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NaturalPastime?src=hash">#NaturalPastime</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CrowntoCrown?src=hash">#CrowntoCrown</a> <a href="https://t.co/pBMSQsA57e">pic.twitter.com/pBMSQsA57e</a></p>&mdash; NW Arkansas Naturals (@nwanaturals) <a href="https://twitter.com/nwanaturals/status/732616495667154944">May 17, 2016</a></blockquote>
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Good. We need this kid to progress quickly.

Who?

I knew it!

My advice - just talk hard core baseball talk on here. Casual baseball talk with the the outside world.

Radar looks clear for tonight

Sounds like there's a lot of Red Sox fans at The K tonight.

Someone make the GDT. I don't want to take the loss.

Someone make the thread.

KC Connection?

Came across a "Royals" fan whose favorite play in baseball is when a pitcher like Kelvin Herrera hits the batter with a 95mph+ fastball.

Boys....

The Royals got their swagger back today. I am prepared to watch the march to reclaim the division.

The march to 3 million continues:

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