[Three7s]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

So...

all my worst thoughts and fears about this team and May becoming real so far.

General thoughts:

1) Yost is clueless, but I don't expect him to get fired any time soon. I doubt Dayton Moore is allowed to hire a third manager.

Moore has handicapped him, but he continues to exacerbate the issues by refusing to deal in reality and his lineup construction has been particularly awful.

2) One of the reasons the Royals don't walk is that teams are not scared of them. It's not coincidence that guys with big power have an easier time drawing walks. Because opposing pitchers pitch them carefully and attempt to be more fine. Why in the world would a pitcher EVER be scared to throw a fastball to Chris Getz, Jeff Francoeur, Elliott Johnson when down in the count?

The Royals hitters are also too impatient and swing at too many pitches out of the zone. That depresses walks. But I don't know that it depresses them as much as pitchers being fine with challenging the Royals in hitters counts.

3) Alex Gordon and Billy Butler both must have "good" years for them (perform at established levels) for this offense to even come close to producing at an average level. Right now, one of them isn't.

4) The way Hosmer and Moustakas are being treated clearly isn't working, but it seems like a lot of people in the organization are plugging their ears and ignoring that. It's fine to give them time on April 21. A month later - hell, two weeks later - it's time to ask some more detailed questions.

5) The starting pitching has been tremendous, and I still enjoying watching Shields, Santana, even Guthrie and Mendoza pitch.

This weekend's start aside, Wade Davis has been disastrous. Worse than when he was a starter in Tampa (where he was at least a league average guy). Incredibly worrisome. If they don't get at least No. 4 production out of Davis...

I'll leave with my current lineup thought, since I criticized its setup earlier.

9 - Lough (I'll leave him there until Dyson is back in a few games)
3 - Hosmer (if he's going to be a slap hitter who walks at a league-average rate, at least put him somewhere that holds some value)
7 - Gordon (L-L-L is not ideal, but Gordon and Hosmer both have good platoon splits against lefties)
DH - Butler (it appears he didn't approach this season with the necessary vigor, but still the best option here)
8 - Cain
1 - Perez
5 - Someone not named Moustakas (he needs time in Omaha at this point)
4 - Elliott Johnson. (Has earned the job unless they call up Gio or Colon)
6 - Escobar (Fits him much better than the 2-hole, where his lack of OBP ability hurts greatly unless he's hitting .300)

You forgot to mention the release of Getz and Francouer.