stop screwing around, just loop that curve in there

edit: there we go

Mexicution Complete. Time of death: 9:45 PM Pacific.

They're in a better place.

I'll notify the family.

Great update from Rany on the Greinke situation.

Pulled this paragraph because it suggests an approach I have advocated. Not all of our prospects will succeed, so we need to identify those with the lowest upside or greatest risk of failure and move them to maximize value:

"Hell, if you really want to speed up the rebuilding process, and prove to Greinke that you’re serious about winning, you can go the other way and trade prospects for an established young player. The Royals have so much talent that they could afford to part with some excess. Imagine if the Royals packaged, I don’t know, Chris Dwyer, Johnny Giavotella, and Tyler Sample. Could they go to, say, the Orioles, and offer that package for Nick Markakis? Markakis is 26 years old and under contract through at least 2014. He’s making $11 million on his current contract, but the Royals could easily afford that given this roster, and afford the prospects too."

THIS. unless of course david cone part 2 happens. but this might be the way to keep zack happy. unless you trade zack for someone's entire interior infield.

I definitely wouldn't mind that, not sure it would happen.

Kila with a .300 ops dayton was right!11111111

Yeah, they just discussed the Greinke thing on Baseball Tonight briefly. One guy said the thing about Greinke is he's the face of the franchise and he sells tickets, implied that it would be tough to lose that. Buster Olney said if they were going to trade him it'd probably have to be this winter or at the deadline next year. Also said that if you talk to executives around the league, they describe the Royals farm system as "incredible" and where the Rays were in about 2006.

Traveling today, and been thinking about offseason options and the like...

I thin Ryan Ludwick might be a good FA target. I know he's q perceived tier below Dunn or Werth, but I think he and Werth really are close. Ludwick also plays RF and is a GG caliber guy out there.

He's also an experienced guy who was a delayed prospect, so he might be a good influence as they bring up so many young guys.

As far as trades, I think swapping a few prospects for a starting player is a good idea. I could see something like Duffy and Sample and Giavatella for a 2b or Of. Wouldn't really want Markakis (already expensive and not really developing as expected), but he certainly has the pedigree.

Agreed with Ludwick. This would be a very sensible target.

He's 32, however, so I wouldn't want to offer anything more than a 3-year deal.

If I remember correctly, he's only 10 months older than Werth. Both are risks on a five-year deal. Difference is, Werth likely demands a five-year deal. Ludwick can be had for three.

He'd be a win in many areas: he's a good addition as a hitter and fielder. He plays hard and is "gritty" and has experience on a winner, so he's a good "vet leader" sort. And he's a sign to Greinke they care about winning.

All that, and a .275/25/90 hitter, attainable at like $9-10 million per.

Man...I kind of think that's wishful thinking for KC. He's going to get that kind of offer from a "real" team.

I'm betting it would take something closer to 3 for 45 to get him. But we're going to have to overpay anyone, and I'm very skeptical about Werth, maybe even unfairly so.

Mixed bag for pitching prospects today. Lamb was mediocre, and I'm slightly concerned that he went five innings with no strikeouts. Sample got lit up pretty good. Crow was solid, but he ought to be considering who he is and his age at the level. Finally, Crawford Simmons was outstanding, going 7 innings and giving up no runs, 2 hits, 2 walks and 4 Ks.

I'm not concerned by Lamb's start. I mean, I was surprised when I saw he had 0 strikeouts but I know that that isn't going to happen again. Some nights you just don't have your good stuff... and Lamb still walked away from one of those nights with only 2 ER given up.

It's just weird that a guy that's been as dominant as he has not get any strikeouts. When I say "slightly concerned", I'm sure he's fine, but there's always that gnawing concern in the back of my brain whispering TINSTAAPP.

Ludwick interests me as well. I've noticed with the Nationals in town that Dunn's been at first base. Is he still able to play the outfield at an acceptable level?