I got to hear Dayton Moore speak today at the Tiger Club of KC over lunch. I wouldn't necessarily say I'm a DM fan, but I was pleasantly surprised at his candor. I thought he was a very good speaker. Anyway, I thought some might like a recap, so I will do my best. Sorry if this is all Q.
1. Rays wanted Yordano Ventura instead of of Odorizzi and Montgomery. Says Ventura is considered by most to be a better prospect than both.
2. In order to get Shields, had to part with One of: Moose, Hosmer, Perez, Escobar or Myers. Said he didn't want to part with two great players in the middle of the defense, and didn't want to give up known commodities in Hosmer and Moose, so Myers was the only choice.
3. Explained how high he was on Cain and how important and talented he is. Said hes seeing doctors, nutritionists, etc., to hopefully minimize his injury issues.
4. Not earth shattering, but i found it interesting. He talked a little bit Gordon's swing and how, due to him being right-handed naturally, but hitting left-handed (and because he's right eye dominant -I might have that backwards), results in a swing that loops down into the zone and cause him to strikeout more. Said he also releases his right hand early, which also contributes to strikeouts (that's probably common knowledge, but I don't much about the details of baseball).
5. More on Gordon: he said that Gordon attributes his recent success to Seitzer, but that Gordon has it figured out and should be fine with new hitting coach.
6. Some guy asked about Hochevar and his contract. DM said he wasn't sure he'd make the club out of spring training.
He also said that if we didn't sign him, there would be 29 other clubs who would, and that he would be considered the "dumbest GM in baseball." Contract is not guaranteed.
7. He talked a little but about their process in scouting and signing Latin American players. Said they are getting a good reputation for taking care of and developing kids from those areas. He also said he is one of only two GMs who actually travel to the country and sit down and with the prospect and his family and discuss the Royals' plan for them.
8. When he first arrived, they had three players in farm system who they thought was worth anything. Butler, Gordon and Greinke, and Greinke quit before spring training. said we have come a long way since then. And the farm system isn't as good as 2010, but still very good (what else is he going to say?).
9. He mentioned that KC and other small markets have to learn how to compete in an unfair system. They aren't making excuses, they just have to learn how to do it.
10. He was asked about finding a new right fielder and second baseman, and he said we are going with what we got. Said Getz and Francoeur come to work with great attitudes, they work hard, and the players love them (and Hochevar FWIW). Said that Getz keeps Escobar and Hosmer focused, whatever that means.
11. He said that Starling and Mondesi have the potential to be game changers.
12. He talked quite a bit about winning now, and not waiting until next year. Said we have to learn how to win with our young players....
13. Crow staying in bullpen. He is dominant there, but maybe only a #5 starter in the rotation.
14. Some guy who was about 97 years old I think asked DM if ever considered getting Alex Gordon's eyes checked.
I think it must have been the years of ineptitude building up inside him, because he was talking to Dayton like he was an idiot. It was pretty funny. Dayton answered it well, said yes they have had his eyes checked, and everybody gets their vision checked constantly throughout the season. He said many players have 20/15 vision. He also said Billy Butler had maybe worst vision on the team, but he got it corrected.
I know that's not really much new information, but I thought a few might be interested.