Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 27

duncan_idaho · 10:01 AM

Proposed 2013 Slogan: Tigers: They're what's for dinner
Actual 2013 Slogan: Come to Play
A better, more accurate, or alternative slogan: All in, no panic, we promise.

Dayton Moore has pushed all his chips in and is riding on King/Jack suited, hoping it comes together, he gets some good luck, and he hits the nuts by the river card. There's potential, oh yes, there's potential. There's also risk.

At the midway point, Dayton is left counting on the river card. The flop and turn didn't help him, and he's looking at the Tigers holding a pair of Queens and the Indians holding a pair of 9s. His 2013 plan hasn't failed - yet - but the odds are not in his favor.

Burning questions updates below.

Burning Questions for 2013:

1) Will the improve rotation be improved enough? Does James Shields pitch like a fringe No. 1 away from Tampa Bay? Does Ervin Santana pitch to his highest upside in his walk year? Can Jeremy Guthrie build on his strong performance as a Royal in 2012? Can Wade Davis bring his new mentality- and velocity - back to the rotation?

Midseason check-in: Yes, the rotation is certainly improved enough. Shields has pitched like a fringe No. 1 and Santana is having his best season. Guthrie has horrible peripherals but has continued to perform well at his home park and eat innings on the road. Davis brought neither his kick-ass mentality or improved velocity back to the rotation and is in Luke Hochevar/Hiram Davies territory.

2) When will Luke Hochevar be shown the door?
Midseason check-in: It appears, never, at this point. Hochevar has been solid in non-leverage situations, though pretty much every time he has been used with men on base in an inning, it has been a disaster.

3) Does Hosmer bounce back?
Midseason check-in: It took some time, but Hosmer's performance from June 1 on is probably the most encouraging thing about the 2013 season so far.
4) Can Moustakas hit for a whole season like he did in the first half of 2012?
Midseason check-in: Nope. Moustakas was god-awful, then great for about 3 weeks, then god-awful again. He has been better since he started working with Brett and Grafol but still has a long way to go.
5) Who regresses?
Midseason check-in: Welp, Alicides Escobar is not a surprising name here (though Yost's stubborn insistence on hitting him second is ridiculous). Billy Butler is a surprise. He isn't having a terrible year - still contributing a lot to the offense - but he's not hitting for the average or power he has displayed over the past several years.
6) Who plays 2B?
Midseason check-in: A whole bunch of people, and not that great. Gio is at least getting a shot, though he once again is not doing much with it.
7) Can Jeff Francoeur be at least replacement level, rather than epic horrible level?
Midseason check-in: Hahahahahahahahahahaha
8) Will Dayton Moore survive to see 2014?
Midseason check-in: Outlook uncertain. Probably still around, unless the team completely tanks in the second half and he does something foolish. My guess - he sacrifices Ned Yost this offseason and gets one more shot with a new manager in 2014.
9) Will Danny Duffy come back healthy? And if he does, is he the same, better or worse?
Midseason check-in: Yes. Velocity looks the same, and it looks likely he is the same guy as before.
10) And the big one: Has KC added enough to run down the big-money Detroit Tigers?
Midseason check-in: Doesn't look like it, does it?

Cephalic Trauma · 12-14-2012, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I keep hoping that we might make a move for some of the available talent in RF, but it's obvious that DM is madly in love with Frenchy and nothing's changing.

It's like bringing Brady Quinn in as "competition" for Cassel. (Yeah, rf in baseball isn't even close to comparable to qb in football, but you get the idea.)

ChiefsCountry · 12-14-2012, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I'd love to but I think he's out until June or so.

That is what I figured he was out until, which wouldn't be that bad for us.

**Saul Good** · 12-14-2012, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

That is what I figured he was out until, which wouldn't be that bad for us.

By then, he can fill in for Cain who will be out with a broken dick.

duncan_idaho · 12-14-2012, 10:25 AM

I don't think Young or Soriano are very good options (or realistic).

Young IS Jeff Francoeur. Terrible plate discipline, swings at everything, sometimes gets red-hot and rakes. He also is atrocious defensively. He was too bad defensively to play the OF for the Tigers. A team that is fine with committing long-term to Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder at the corners, with the RANGY Jhonny Peralta at shortstop.

That says a lot about Young's defense (or lack thereof). I don't think he'd be an upgrade over Francoeur in any way but salary.

Soriano is intriguing at $5 million/per, but he's old and isn't good defensively in LF. Hard to imagine him being studly in RF (though I think his arm is good enough for it).

Signing a guy or two like Nady as depth is probably the best bet at this point.

duncan_idaho · 12-14-2012, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

By then, he can fill in for Cain who will be out with a broken dick.

I keep seeing people refer to Cain like he's incredibly injury prone. I realize most of that is the impression from this season, but the guy is pretty durable. He's not Cal Ripken, but some Royals fans act like the guy is J.D. Drew or something (Not Saul - just in general).

Games played by Cain, career, by year:

2005: 56 (rookie ball - short season)
2006: 132
2007: 126
2008: 126
2009: 60 (Hamstring injury)
2010: 127
2011: 134
2012: 75 (hip flexor injury)

He's been a pro for 8 seasons. He has had serious injury time missed in just two of them. Not a crazy ratio at all for someone who plays CF.

**Saul Good** · 12-14-2012, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I keep seeing people refer to Cain like he's incredibly injury prone. I realize most of that is the impression from this season, but the guy is pretty durable. He's not Cal Ripken, but some Royals fans act like the guy is J.D. Drew or something (Not Saul - just in general).

Games played by Cain, career, by year:

2005: 56 (rookie ball - short season)
2006: 132
2007: 126
2008: 126
2009: 60 (Hamstring injury)
2010: 127
2011: 134
2012: 75 (hip flexor injury)

He's been a pro for 8 seasons. He has had serious injury time missed in just two of them. Not a crazy ratio at all for someone who plays CF.

Someone offers you a bet on whether Cain misses 20 or more games due to injuries this year...which side are you taking?

siberian khatru · 12-14-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Signing a guy or two like Nady as depth is probably the best bet at this point.

If you can't flat-out replace Frenchy, at least platoon him. He's always hit LHP better than RHP (although last year the difference was marginal, which shows just how awful he was). Hell, give Lough a shot at the beginning of the season.

Thing is, I don't think Yost likes to platoon.

duncan_idaho · 12-14-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Someone offers you a bet on whether Cain misses 20 or more games due to injuries this year...which side are you taking?

Him staying healthy and making no more than one 15-day DL stint? I'd take that bet.

siberian khatru · 12-14-2012, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Him staying healthy and making no more than one 15-day DL stint? I'd take that bet.

Ditto.

stevenidol · 12-14-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I keep hoping that we might make a move for some of the available talent in RF, but it's obvious that DM is madly in love with Frenchy and nothing's changing.

Bob Dutton is on twitter right now basically saying "Hey morons, Franceour is starting and isn't going anywhere." He is basically giving a general reply to every fan questioning about Bourne, Bourjos, Ibanez, etc. It's kind of funny.

duncan_idaho · 12-14-2012, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

If you can't flat-out replace Frenchy, at least platoon him. He's always hit LHP better than RHP (although last year the difference was marginal, which shows just how awful he was). Hell, give Lough a shot at the beginning of the season.

Thing is, I don't think Yost likes to platoon.

It's hard to pinpoint what Ned likes to do. Since he's all over the place.

I want us to hit more HR (but gives away outs on sac bunts like crazy in early innings).

I want to let young guys get at-bats in tough spots, so they've been there before (But only some of the young guys).

etc, etc.

BlackHelicopters · 12-14-2012, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Someone offers you a bet on whether Cain misses 20 or more games due to injuries this year...which side are you taking?

Take the over.

BlackHelicopters · 12-14-2012, 01:03 PM

Royals sign Nady to minor league deal, KC Star reporting.

**Saul Good** · 12-14-2012, 01:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Him staying healthy and making no more than one 15-day DL stint? I'd take that bet.

You're changing the question. Do you think he will miss fewer than 20 games?

**noa** · 12-14-2012, 01:17 PM

Let's not forget that Cain got injured making a great play last year. Sure he may have injury issues, but I have a hard time knocking the guy for making that play. If he starts ramming himself into the wall regularly, maybe I'd be concerned.
Posted via Mobile Device

12-11-2012, 09:59 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-1899692	2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread Proposed 2013 Slogan: Tigers: They're what's for dinner Actual 2013 Slogan: Come to Play A better, more accurate, or alternative slogan: All in, no panic, we promise. Dayton Moore has pushed all his chips in and is riding on King/Jack suited, hoping it comes together, he gets some good luck, and he hits the nuts by the river card. There's potential, oh yes, there's potential. There's also risk. At the midway point, Dayton is left counting on the river card. The flop and turn didn't help him, and he's looking at the Tigers holding a pair of Queens and the Indians holding a pair of 9s. His 2013 plan hasn't failed - yet - but the odds are not in his favor. Burning questions updates below. Burning Questions for 2013: 1) Will the improve rotation be improved enough? Does James Shields pitch like a fringe No. 1 away from Tampa Bay? Does Ervin Santana pitch to his highest upside in his walk year? Can Jeremy Guthrie build on his strong performance as a Royal in 2012? Can Wade Davis bring his new mentality- and velocity - back to the rotation? Midseason check-in: Yes, the rotation is certainly improved enough. Shields has pitched like a fringe No. 1 and Santana is having his best season. Guthrie has horrible peripherals but has continued to perform well at his home park and eat innings on the road. Davis brought neither his kick-ass mentality or improved velocity back to the rotation and is in Luke Hochevar/Hiram Davies territory. 2) When will Luke Hochevar be shown the door? Midseason check-in: It appears, never, at this point. Hochevar has been solid in non-leverage situations, though pretty much every time he has been used with men on base in an inning, it has been a disaster. 3) Does Hosmer bounce back? Midseason check-in: It took some time, but Hosmer's performance from June 1 on is probably the most encouraging thing about the 2013 season so far. 4) Can Moustakas hit for a whole season like he did in the first half of 2012? Midseason check-in: Nope. Moustakas was god-awful, then great for about 3 weeks, then god-awful again. He has been better since he started working with Brett and Grafol but still has a long way to go. 5) Who regresses? Midseason check-in: Welp, Alicides Escobar is not a surprising name here (though Yost's stubborn insistence on hitting him second is ridiculous). Billy Butler is a surprise. He isn't having a terrible year - still contributing a lot to the offense - but he's not hitting for the average or power he has displayed over the past several years. 6) Who plays 2B? Midseason check-in: A whole bunch of people, and not that great. Gio is at least getting a shot, though he once again is not doing much with it. 7) Can Jeff Francoeur be at least replacement level, rather than epic horrible level? Midseason check-in: Hahahahahahahahahahaha 8) Will Dayton Moore survive to see 2014? Midseason check-in: Outlook uncertain. Probably still around, unless the team completely tanks in the second half and he does something foolish. My guess - he sacrifices Ned Yost this offseason and gets one more shot with a new manager in 2014. 9) Will Danny Duffy come back healthy? And if he does, is he the same, better or worse? Midseason check-in: Yes. Velocity looks the same, and it looks likely he is the same guy as before. 10) And the big one: Has KC added enough to run down the big-money Detroit Tigers? Midseason check-in: Doesn't look like it, does it? Last edited by duncan_idaho; 07-15-2013 at 10:01 AM..
Posts: 22,325

12-14-2012, 10:25 AM	#394
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-1899692	I don't think Young or Soriano are very good options (or realistic). Young IS Jeff Francoeur. Terrible plate discipline, swings at everything, sometimes gets red-hot and rakes. He also is atrocious defensively. He was too bad defensively to play the OF for the Tigers. A team that is fine with committing long-term to Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder at the corners, with the RANGY Jhonny Peralta at shortstop. That says a lot about Young's defense (or lack thereof). I don't think he'd be an upgrade over Francoeur in any way but salary. Soriano is intriguing at $5 million/per, but he's old and isn't good defensively in LF. Hard to imagine him being studly in RF (though I think his arm is good enough for it). Signing a guy or two like Nady as depth is probably the best bet at this point. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 22,325

12-14-2012, 01:03 PM	#403
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $-679412	Royals sign Nady to minor league deal, KC Star reporting. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
Posts: 33,277

12-14-2012, 01:17 PM	#405
noa Band Join Date: Sep 2005 Casino cash: $-474547	Let's not forget that Cain got injured making a great play last year. Sure he may have injury issues, but I have a hard time knocking the guy for making that play. If he starts ramming himself into the wall regularly, maybe I'd be concerned. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 8,302