Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 333

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?

ChiefsCountry · 05-30-2013, 08:39 AM

Essentially the Royals need to find the MLB version of Carl Peterson and Marty circa 1989.
Posted via Mobile Device

DJ's left nut · 05-30-2013, 08:47 AM

The Royals are also victims of bad timing here...well, a little.

Yost probably didn't deserve to get fired in the off-season; his young players had progressed somewhat and guys like Escobar, Cain and Perez looked ready to take the leap (even Moose).

But Terry Francona's a great manager and would've brought instant legitimacy to this team. He'd have been a great hire.

And I still have to wonder how Clint Hurdle wasn't considered. A lifetime Royal that really did a nice job with the Rockies for a long time. He's really helped develop the young talent in Pittsburgh and I don't see any way you get him out of there now. He'd have certainly taken the job and he's just the kind of fire you'd love to see in this team right now.

Hurdle would've been an outstanding pickup, but I'm not sure Yost had been given enough of an opportunity at that time.

Really, the pickin's for an 'established' manager right now are really slim. Jim Fregosi? Really? That guy wasn't good in his prime. I guess Jim Tracy has a decent track record, but he's another soft-spoken guy like Yost and I don't think that's what you guys really need right now.

The answer if I'm the Royals - Jim Riggleman. And really, I don't see a close 2nd. If they're looking for a manager with a track record, experience with developing young players and some upside, I think Riggleman's the clear candidate.

If not, then you have guys like Sanburg, McEwing, Cora and Alomar Jr as pretty attractive options.

**gblowfish** · 05-30-2013, 08:57 AM

LaRussa is pushing 70 years old and retired from baseball because the life demands on a major league manager were wearing him down and affecting his health. And that was with a World Series contending team. Imagine how tough it would be on you with this collective sack of amphibian shit.

Same for Jim Fergosi. He's like 71 years old.

I think you whack Ned just because he's a loser and a dumb ass. Ned is basically Buddy Bell Ver 2.0.

Either find a bright young mind in a winning organization and give them a shot, or just promote someone from Omaha or NW Arkansas until a real manager can be found.

This season is toast. Those of you who say "this is just a bad patch" are just delusional. Teams that win divisions, teams that win wild cards, don't play .420 ball. They just don't.

**gblowfish** · 05-30-2013, 09:26 AM

Cardinals beat writer feels sorry for Royals fans. Thanks, Bernie. We're sorry to be Royals fans too....

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colum...4f771a91e.html

Mama Hip Rockets · 05-30-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Simply Red

Guys - the season is young - the streaks will happen to most all teams - like the Chiefs - I understand your frustration. Really I do. But the Royals will get past it - they're just cold right now - they're WAY better than they've shown these last few weeks.

I have way more faith in the Royals - vs the Chiefs.

But I'd still go to the Berbiglia and stock up on Scotch if I were you.

8-game losing streaks (while scoring only 16 runs TOTAL) and losing 18-out-of-22 do NOT happen to most all teams. Only to really, really crappy ones.

Strongside · 05-30-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gblowfish

Cardinals beat writer feels sorry for Royals fans. Thanks, Bernie. We're sorry to be Royals fans too....

http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colum...4f771a91e.html

Good read. Thanks for sharing.

**ChiTown** · 05-30-2013, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Essentially the Royals need to find the MLB version of Carl Peterson and Marty circa 1989.
Posted via Mobile Device

No, what they need is an owner like Ewing Kaufman that actually gave a flying **** about his team, and a Manager like Whitey Herzog, who wouldn't settle for losing.

CaliforniaChief · 05-30-2013, 10:07 AM

Alright, I'll dive in with a GM hire.

You ready?

Ready to laugh?

Rany Jazayerli.

I know of nobody who has both the PASSION to see the Royals win AND the mind to make it happen. The guy is a baseball savant. He has a clear vision of what an organization needs to do from top to bottom. He's absolutely dialed in at all levels, and well, why the hell not?

**ChiTown** · 05-30-2013, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

No, what they need is an owner like Ewing Kaufman that actually gave a flying **** about his team, and a Manager like Whitey Herzog, who wouldn't settle for losing.

BTW, here's Whitey's Rules:

1. Be on time.
2. Bust your butt.
3. Play smart.
4. Have some laughs while you're at it.

And I love this quote:
"I'm not buddy-buddy with the players. If they need a buddy, let them buy a dog."

Simple, no nonsense baseball approach, and the players respected him for it. Yost......****ing pussy, and always protecting his boys from getting hurt.

**ChiTown** · 05-30-2013, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Alright, I'll dive in with a GM hire.

You ready?

Ready to laugh?

Rany Jazayerli.

I know of nobody who has both the PASSION to see the Royals win AND the mind to make it happen. The guy is a baseball savant. He has a clear vision of what an organization needs to do from top to bottom. He's absolutely dialed in at all levels, and well, why the hell not?

siberian khatru · 05-30-2013, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Alright, I'll dive in with a GM hire.

You ready?

Ready to laugh?

Rany Jazayerli.

I know of nobody who has both the PASSION to see the Royals win AND the mind to make it happen. The guy is a baseball savant. He has a clear vision of what an organization needs to do from top to bottom. He's absolutely dialed in at all levels, and well, why the hell not?

His dermatology practice is booming.

He might make a good consultant on the side, though.

duncan_idaho · 05-30-2013, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

No, what they need is an owner like Ewing Kaufman that actually gave a flying **** about his team, and a Manager like Whitey Herzog, who wouldn't settle for losing.

You mean like Robb Heineman, Neal Patterson and Cliff Illig?

It's worse that the answer is staring everybody in the face, and Glass just sits there. Sucking.

SPATCH · 05-30-2013, 10:21 AM

Who's controlling the @SaveOurKCRoyals Twitter account? Doing a very nice job thus far.

FringeNC · 05-30-2013, 10:22 AM

Is there a reason Paul DePodesta hasn't been given another shot at GM? After Dayton Moore, I could sure stand a GM who understands numbers.

mr. tegu · 05-30-2013, 10:25 AM

So how long until the next rebuild produces results?

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: 22,322

05-30-2013, 08:39 AM	#4981
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1361248	Essentially the Royals need to find the MLB version of Carl Peterson and Marty circa 1989. Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 51,990

05-30-2013, 08:47 AM	#4982
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $-630901	The Royals are also victims of bad timing here...well, a little. Yost probably didn't deserve to get fired in the off-season; his young players had progressed somewhat and guys like Escobar, Cain and Perez looked ready to take the leap (even Moose). But Terry Francona's a great manager and would've brought instant legitimacy to this team. He'd have been a great hire. And I still have to wonder how Clint Hurdle wasn't considered. A lifetime Royal that really did a nice job with the Rockies for a long time. He's really helped develop the young talent in Pittsburgh and I don't see any way you get him out of there now. He'd have certainly taken the job and he's just the kind of fire you'd love to see in this team right now. Hurdle would've been an outstanding pickup, but I'm not sure Yost had been given enough of an opportunity at that time. Really, the pickin's for an 'established' manager right now are really slim. Jim Fregosi? Really? That guy wasn't good in his prime. I guess Jim Tracy has a decent track record, but he's another soft-spoken guy like Yost and I don't think that's what you guys really need right now. The answer if I'm the Royals - Jim Riggleman. And really, I don't see a close 2nd. If they're looking for a manager with a track record, experience with developing young players and some upside, I think Riggleman's the clear candidate. If not, then you have guys like Sanburg, McEwing, Cora and Alomar Jr as pretty attractive options. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
Posts: 66,705

05-30-2013, 08:57 AM	#4983
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16896178 VARSITY	LaRussa is pushing 70 years old and retired from baseball because the life demands on a major league manager were wearing him down and affecting his health. And that was with a World Series contending team. Imagine how tough it would be on you with this collective sack of amphibian shit. Same for Jim Fergosi. He's like 71 years old. I think you whack Ned just because he's a loser and a dumb ass. Ned is basically Buddy Bell Ver 2.0. Either find a bright young mind in a winning organization and give them a shot, or just promote someone from Omaha or NW Arkansas until a real manager can be found. This season is toast. Those of you who say "this is just a bad patch" are just delusional. Teams that win divisions, teams that win wild cards, don't play .420 ball. They just don't.
Posts: 41,011

05-30-2013, 09:26 AM	#4984
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16896178 VARSITY	Cardinals beat writer feels sorry for Royals fans. Thanks, Bernie. We're sorry to be Royals fans too.... http://www.stltoday.com/sports/colum...4f771a91e.html
Posts: 41,011

05-30-2013, 10:07 AM	#4988
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10705899	Alright, I'll dive in with a GM hire. You ready? Ready to laugh? Rany Jazayerli. I know of nobody who has both the PASSION to see the Royals win AND the mind to make it happen. The guy is a baseball savant. He has a clear vision of what an organization needs to do from top to bottom. He's absolutely dialed in at all levels, and well, why the hell not?
Posts: 17,443

05-30-2013, 10:21 AM	#4993
SPATCH birth of spatch Join Date: May 2008 Casino cash: $10006207	Who's controlling the @SaveOurKCRoyals Twitter account? Doing a very nice job thus far.
Posts: 4,569

05-30-2013, 10:22 AM	#4994
FringeNC MVP Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: NC Casino cash: $-1583986	Is there a reason Paul DePodesta hasn't been given another shot at GM? After Dayton Moore, I could sure stand a GM who understands numbers.
Posts: 10,234

05-30-2013, 10:25 AM	#4995
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $-1668700	So how long until the next rebuild produces results?
Posts: 26,458