Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 296

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?

**gblowfish** · 05-20-2013, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Three7s

As for Hosmer, Brett explained it pretty well this morning on .610. He's hitting EVERYTHING up the middle and opposite field. Teams started keying on this last year and positioned themselves defensively up the middle. That's why it seemed like Hosmer was really unlucky. He needs to learn how to trust his eyes and start turning on those inside pitches.

I'm not sending Hosmer down. He's still squaring it up for the most part, he just has a lot of trouble with inside pitches and will continue to until he starts recognizing what to do with them.

I'm sure Hosmer will figure out his stroke and start killing the ball, right about the time he signs with the Yanks as a free agent. Thanks Scott Boras!

CaliforniaChief · 05-20-2013, 09:14 AM

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/201...-ant.html#more

Joe Posnanski lays the hammer down on the myth of Frenchy.

**gblowfish** · 05-20-2013, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/201...-ant.html#more

Joe Posnanski lays the hammer down on the myth of Frenchy.

This.

Jo Poz may have been a schmuck to follow Paterno for a year, but damn, this man can write baseball.

siberian khatru · 05-20-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/201...-ant.html#more

Joe Posnanski lays the hammer down on the myth of Frenchy.

"The Royals have no power at all -- as a team, they only have 12 more home runs than Justin Upton -- and so must rely on a parade of good at-bats to score runs. Unfortunately, they are probably dead last in baseball in good at-bats."

That's a very good way of putting it.

Strongside · 05-20-2013, 09:58 AM

'Hamas' Jenkins · 05-20-2013, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

What a weird, weird approach Myers is taking.

Also, further proof that the Royals hitting system has some serious flaws. Guys really struggle to make adjustments (which is the hardest part of hitting).

Also, not sure if anyone saw it or it was mentioned in the threads this weekend, but Starling had LASIK over the weekend.

This will be interesting to follow. It sounds like he had astigmatism, hitting at night would have been a real problem for him, especially picking up the spin of breaking pitches (at least that was my experience with it and trying to hit during night baseball).

Could use some good news on him. Hopefully this is a catalyst for him to take off.

I've got astigmatism as well. My eye docs have always told me that LASIK was an imperfect fix for that particular condition.

duncan_idaho · 05-20-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

I've got astigmatism as well. My eye docs have always told me that LASIK was an imperfect fix for that particular condition.

I don't know anything about laser surgery, and to be honest, I'm not sure if Starling had astigmatism or a regular stigmatism. I think those are a little different.

I do know the astigmatism (which is what I had) can be corrected quite effectively with contact lenses.

If he had that, laser surgery to cleanup and contact lenses to correct the astigmatism might be what he's looking at.

duncan_idaho · 05-20-2013, 10:14 AM

Oh, and a bit of fun to pick the thread mood up a bit... here's Alex Gordon's projected line based on what he's done so far:

.343 BA
24 HR
44 2B
8 3B
116 RBI
.535 SLG
142 OPS+
6.4 WAR

Patience has definitely paid off with Gordon. Maybe if they send Moose down, they should try to convert him to a different position and see if that makes the light switch come on. (Kidding)

**gblowfish** · 05-20-2013, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Patience has definitely paid off with Gordon. Maybe if they send Moose down, they should try to convert him to a different position and see if that makes the light switch come on.

Moose would make a really good bat boy.

**Nzoner** · 05-20-2013, 10:23 AM

I'm still pissed this morning that Tejada didn't get to pinch hit for moose.

CaliforniaChief · 05-20-2013, 10:23 AM

Yeah, it's time to make some moves.

Failcouer just needs to be DFA'd. He has no place on a major league roster. None. I have no problem playing Lough/Dyson everyday (even against LHP) until we can find a suitable replacement in RF.

We need to find a 2B. I'm still of the opinion that we should go bold and go after Howie Kendrick NOW. The Angels need pitching.

And yeah, Moose probably needs a vacation.

mr. tegu · 05-20-2013, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Oh, and a bit of fun to pick the thread mood up a bit... here's Alex Gordon's projected line based on what he's done so far:

.343 BA
24 HR
44 2B
8 3B
116 RBI
.535 SLG
142 OPS+
7.4 WAR

Patience has definitely paid off with Gordon. Maybe if they send Moose down, they should try to convert him to a different position and see if that makes the light switch come on. (Kidding)

Miguel Cabrera had a 7.3 WAR last season while winning the triple crown.

duncan_idaho · 05-20-2013, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Miguel Cabrera had a 7.3 WAR last season while winning the triple crown.

Mis-typed that. It was 6.4, not 7.4.

Still... damn good offensive season.

Side note: Defensive metrics are so wacky. Gordon is rated as having negative dWAR by Baseball Reference now. My only thought is that they are rating assists too highly now. Because Gordon's range has saved a LOT of runs on balls in play out there.

Something in those metrics should give defenders credit when a guy DOESN'T try to take the extra base. That's actually MORE valuable, IMO, than a guy with a great arm who gets a lot of assists. Less to go wrong...

Prison Bitch · 05-20-2013, 10:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

I'm sure Hosmer will figure out his stroke and start killing the ball, right about the time he signs with the Yanks as a free agent. Thanks Scott Boras!

That's what happened to Gordon. Finally got good in the years he became expensive. Sucks but that's probably what happens to the Cold Corner. Then AlNorth and Duncan and all the rest will say "SEE I TOLD YOU THEY WERE BOTH GOOD WHEN YOU ALL DOUBTED!" Seen this act thousands of times before.

Mr. Laz · 05-20-2013, 10:57 AM

Yost starting to cry

OTC: Ned Yost Calls Out Royals’ Fans While He’s Lost Looking For Trees
Posted on May 20, 2013 by Greg Hall

“Maybe when we get home, I can go to the third base tree and pick another third baseman. … Obviously, third basemen who can hit and hit with power, they must grow on trees. They’ve got to. Like relief pitchers. And starting pitchers. Right fielders. Left fielders. First basemen. All of these guys must grow on trees, and you must be able to just go get another good one. A ripe one. Make sure it’s ripe.”
Ned Yost, in Saturday’s Kansas City Star

GH: What’s ripe is Ned Yost’s act – ripe to the point of starting to stink. Read on.

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: 22,321

05-20-2013, 09:14 AM	#4427
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10705899	http://joeposnanski.blogspot.com/201...-ant.html#more Joe Posnanski lays the hammer down on the myth of Frenchy.
Posts: 17,443

05-20-2013, 09:58 AM	#4430
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $4364282	__________________
Posts: 13,237

05-20-2013, 10:14 AM	#4433
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-1899692	Oh, and a bit of fun to pick the thread mood up a bit... here's Alex Gordon's projected line based on what he's done so far: .343 BA 24 HR 44 2B 8 3B 116 RBI .535 SLG 142 OPS+ 6.4 WAR Patience has definitely paid off with Gordon. Maybe if they send Moose down, they should try to convert him to a different position and see if that makes the light switch come on. (Kidding) __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra Last edited by duncan_idaho; 05-20-2013 at 10:30 AM..
Posts: 22,321

05-20-2013, 10:23 AM	#4435
Nzoner a haw haw haw Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: MIZZOU Casino cash: $26365802	I'm still pissed this morning that Tejada didn't get to pinch hit for moose. __________________ *Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.*
Posts: 27,111

05-20-2013, 10:23 AM	#4436
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10705899	Yeah, it's time to make some moves. Failcouer just needs to be DFA'd. He has no place on a major league roster. None. I have no problem playing Lough/Dyson everyday (even against LHP) until we can find a suitable replacement in RF. We need to find a 2B. I'm still of the opinion that we should go bold and go after Howie Kendrick NOW. The Angels need pitching. And yeah, Moose probably needs a vacation.
Posts: 17,443

05-20-2013, 10:57 AM	#4440
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Yost starting to cry OTC: Ned Yost Calls Out Royals’ Fans While He’s Lost Looking For Trees Posted on May 20, 2013 by Greg Hall “Maybe when we get home, I can go to the third base tree and pick another third baseman. … Obviously, third basemen who can hit and hit with power, they must grow on trees. They’ve got to. Like relief pitchers. And starting pitchers. Right fielders. Left fielders. First basemen. All of these guys must grow on trees, and you must be able to just go get another good one. A ripe one. Make sure it’s ripe.” Ned Yost, in Saturday’s Kansas City Star GH: What’s ripe is Ned Yost’s act – ripe to the point of starting to stink. Read on. __________________
Posts: 95,626