Royals 2010 Kansas City Royals Repository thread - Page 13

SPchief · 04:22 PM

All Royals All The Time!

After consultation with others who peruse the game threads we decided to create this as a repository for all things Royals. Minor league news, AL (ahem) Central (thanks Vonne) news and anything Royals can be found here.

alnorth, me and atleast 5 others will continue the game threads as usual. But if you locate something of interest.. ANYTHING.. deals on apparel, best ways in/out of the stadium, giveaways, great stories from this season or from seasons gone by, rumors, trades, anything.... feel free to post it here.

If a big story breaks, you can still start a thread about it. There is merely an all inclusive thread that will make a easy for us all to keep up with all things Royals.

Welcome! "Grab a Brew... don't cost nuthin"...[spills beer on feet]

**doomy3** · 01-21-2010, 11:36 PM

I don't mind the Ankiel signing at all. At least he has shown SOME production. If he can be anything like he was in 07-08, he immediately upgrades the middle of out lineup.

I hope we still are making a play for Erik Bedard too, as that is the same sort of thing.

Sure-Oz · 01-22-2010, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Probably the best signing for the ML club all off-season. But it wouldn't take a whole lot to earn this distinction...(perhaps Thompson, actually, but whatever)

Is he going to be '07/'08 Ankiel? If so, this has potential.

If he's '09 Ankiel, he'll be just another anchor. Meh, worth the risk.

I like the 1 year roll, why not, see what happens.

I hope we try to get bedard

Sure-Oz · 01-22-2010, 12:37 AM

Anyone think Guillen isn't going to be a Royal after this move? or that more moves are ahead? perhaps callaspo or dejesus?

KC_Connection · 01-22-2010, 12:37 AM

Dayton Moore sure loves his low OBP hitters coming off terrible years.

**doomy3** · 01-22-2010, 12:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

Anyone think Guillen isn't going to be a Royal after this move?

That was my first thought as well. Outfield is now kind of crowded with DDJ, Podsednik and Ankiel. I heard Dayton the other day say something to the effect that if Guillen couldn't get his stamina up enough to be an outfielder that they would DH him, but that they would also like to look at Callaspo at DH because they want his bat in there too.

Sure-Oz · 01-22-2010, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomy3

That was my first thought as well. Outfield is now kind of crowded with DDJ, Podsednik and Ankiel. I heard Dayton the other day say something to the effect that if Guillen couldn't get his stamina up enough to be an outfielder that they would DH him, but that they would also like to look at Callaspo at DH because they want his bat in there too.

Maybe Ankiel is insurance after Trey blows out Meche's arm?

seriously though i think guillen has to be next to go, he isn't healthy

BWillie · 01-22-2010, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Dayton Moore sure loves his low OBP hitters coming off terrible years.

What the hell? Is this a joke? That circus midget (I mean that literally) honest to god signed Ankiel?

**BigRedChief** · 01-22-2010, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doomy3

I don't mind the Ankiel signing at all. At least he has shown SOME production. If he can be anything like he was in 07-08, he immediately upgrades the middle of out lineup.

I hope we still are making a play for Erik Bedard too, as that is the same sort of thing.

You are wrong old wise one. The only time Ankiel hits home runs is on pitchers mistakes. The "book" on him is solid. Breaking balls in and off speed stuff low and away with heaters up in the strike zone. You hit those spots you will get a strikeout every time.

The Ankiel of 2007 is gone. Maybe he will learn to lay off those pitches with the Royals but even a benching in St. Louis didn't make him change his approach at the plate.

But one year $3.2 mil you didn't break the bank and if he gets it together has an upside.

Royal Fanatic · 01-22-2010, 08:29 AM

I have to agree that there's no guarantee that Ankiel will hit worth a damn for the Royals.

But I like the signing for a couple of reasons. First of all, anything that increases the chances that Jose Freaking Guillen will be gone is a good move. I also think Rick Ankiel's story is inspirational because he was such a talented young pitcher who melted down and then overcame some prettty big odds to return to the majors as a power-hitting center fielder.

I don't know if Rick Ankiel will do ANYTHING for the Royals, or if he will even crack the starting lineup, but at least they picked up a player I can root for, and they signed him for a single year for a reasonable amount of money. I can't root for assholes like Jose Guillen. And if there's any chance that Ankiel can come close to the numbers he put up in 2007 and 2008, then this will be a good move by Dayton Moore. Of course, since Dayton Moore doesn't make very good moves, it's hard to be optimistic that this will work out any better than most of his free agent signings.

I just hope he and Zach stay away from each other. Remember when Zach announced that he used to cry himself to sleep holding a baseball bat because he wanted to be an everyday hitter so bad? It's easy to imagine Zach watching Rick Ankiel hit a few home runs and then yearning to be an everyday hitter again. That's the LAST thing this team needs.

oldandslow · 01-22-2010, 08:36 AM

I wish Rick all the luck in the world. I hope he hits 290, 35 hrs, and 110 RBI's for you guys...

Little inside info...he and Colby Rasmus couldn't stand each other - very personal - and that was one of the reasons the Cards didn't resign him. Colby is the golden boy.

Anyway, I am not a Royals fan, but I wish him well.

**ChiTown** · 01-22-2010, 08:41 AM

Demonpenz · 01-22-2010, 08:54 AM

Rany and his statics (uzi) suggest this signing will cost the royals 1.5 games next year

DJ's left nut · 01-22-2010, 09:09 AM

As a Cardinals fan -- Good, I don't want him around anymore. Ankiel's a good kid and a hard worker, but the Cardinals have invested 10 years and tens of millions into him. They've gotten all of 1 good season as a SPer and 1 solid season as an OFer...and countless distractions.

From the 'back alley' bullpen sessions to his surgeries to his conversion to OF (and more surgeries), there's just a constant din surrounding the guy. He's entirely too erratic and I just don't care to deal with it anymore.

From a Royals perspective - good luck. Ankiel was a guaranteed K in clutch situations. If you had a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs, he was going to hack wildly at whatever breaking ball in the dirt or fastball above the letters you threw him. His plate discipline is some of the worst I've ever seen and his swing is simply waaaaaay too long to let him get away with it. Even in 2008 he was a guy that I didn't trust a bit up there. With 400 ABs and 25 HRs he STILL only managed 71 RBI hitting from RBI slots for most of the season (over 300 of his ABs came from 4/5/6 in the order) He'd hit a bunch of HRs that didn't really matter, then swing through a cockshot fastball with runners on in the late innings.

His defense was passable in the OF. He takes poor routes to the ball but he's fearless and incredibly athletic so he'll often be able to dive or otherwise make a miraculous adjustment to catch a ball that should've been a far easier play to make. Ultimately he gets the job done, he's just a bit of an adventure out there. His throwing arm is one of the best I've ever seen, but that goes without saying.

His upside is that he'll occasionally get absolutely red-hot. During those stretches he's still not going to hit a good pitch, but he'll fight it off. Rather than hacking over top of a slider in the dirt, he'll just nick it and stay alive. He'll do that for 5 or 6 pitches until the pitcher hangs a breaker or gets a little too much plate with a fastball. He's a valuable guy to have hitting 6th for you when he gets in that groove. Unfortunately for him and KC, I think those will be less and less frequent because pitchers simply don't throw him strikes anymore and he doesn't make them. We'll see if he's willing to alter his approach a bit.

I think he's a worthwhile risk for 1 yr. He certainly fits Moore's trend of not giving a rip about OBP. But he's a great guy and a tireless worker. He'll fit well in KC but he probably won't be nearly as productive as you would hope. I wish him nothing but the best, but I'm happy that he's gone.

CoMoChief · 01-22-2010, 09:19 AM

Tony Pena Jr to the Bullpen!!!!!

I ****ing wish. It's about all the value he has to this team anymore. He can't field, he can't hit. Might as well try to sharpen his pitching skills.

DJ's left nut · 01-22-2010, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoMoChief

Tony Pena Jr to the Bullpen!!!!!

I ****ing wish. It's about all the value he has to this team anymore. He can't field, he can't hit. Might as well try to sharpen his pitching skills.

Well, besides the fact that TPJ is a Giant now, I'd say you're right.

You really don't ever get anything right, do you?

01-06-2010, 01:51 AM
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $-1727095	2010 Kansas City Royals Repository thread All Royals All The Time! After consultation with others who peruse the game threads we decided to create this as a repository for all things Royals. Minor league news, AL (ahem) Central (thanks Vonne) news and anything Royals can be found here. alnorth, me and atleast 5 others will continue the game threads as usual. But if you locate something of interest.. ANYTHING.. deals on apparel, best ways in/out of the stadium, giveaways, great stories from this season or from seasons gone by, rumors, trades, anything.... feel free to post it here. If a big story breaks, you can still start a thread about it. There is merely an all inclusive thread that will make a easy for us all to keep up with all things Royals. Welcome! "Grab a Brew... don't cost nuthin"...[spills beer on feet] Last edited by SPchief; 01-06-2010 at 04:22 PM..
Posts: 36,178

01-21-2010, 11:36 PM	#181
doomy3 Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $3323539	I don't mind the Ankiel signing at all. At least he has shown SOME production. If he can be anything like he was in 07-08, he immediately upgrades the middle of out lineup. I hope we still are making a play for Erik Bedard too, as that is the same sort of thing.
Posts: 12,878

01-22-2010, 12:37 AM	#184
KC_Connection Perpetual Mediocrity Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $1732783	Dayton Moore sure loves his low OBP hitters coming off terrible years.
Posts: 57,655

01-22-2010, 08:29 AM	#189
Royal Fanatic Banned Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Kansas Casino cash: $10004925	I have to agree that there's no guarantee that Ankiel will hit worth a damn for the Royals. But I like the signing for a couple of reasons. First of all, anything that increases the chances that Jose Freaking Guillen will be gone is a good move. I also think Rick Ankiel's story is inspirational because he was such a talented young pitcher who melted down and then overcame some prettty big odds to return to the majors as a power-hitting center fielder. I don't know if Rick Ankiel will do ANYTHING for the Royals, or if he will even crack the starting lineup, but at least they picked up a player I can root for, and they signed him for a single year for a reasonable amount of money. I can't root for assholes like Jose Guillen. And if there's any chance that Ankiel can come close to the numbers he put up in 2007 and 2008, then this will be a good move by Dayton Moore. Of course, since Dayton Moore doesn't make very good moves, it's hard to be optimistic that this will work out any better than most of his free agent signings. I just hope he and Zach stay away from each other. Remember when Zach announced that he used to cry himself to sleep holding a baseball bat because he wanted to be an everyday hitter so bad? It's easy to imagine Zach watching Rick Ankiel hit a few home runs and then yearning to be an everyday hitter again. That's the LAST thing this team needs.
Posts: 877

01-22-2010, 08:36 AM	#190
oldandslow Veteran Join Date: Apr 2004 Casino cash: $3783149	I wish Rick all the luck in the world. I hope he hits 290, 35 hrs, and 110 RBI's for you guys... Little inside info...he and Colby Rasmus couldn't stand each other - very personal - and that was one of the reasons the Cards didn't resign him. Colby is the golden boy. Anyway, I am not a Royals fan, but I wish him well.
Posts: 4,621

01-22-2010, 08:41 AM	#191
ChiTown Stroking to the SB Champs! Join Date: Aug 2000 Location: Flatlands of Kansas Casino cash: $-351038
Posts: 40,903

01-22-2010, 08:54 AM	#192
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $-213864	Rany and his statics (uzi) suggest this signing will cost the royals 1.5 games next year __________________
Posts: 54,943

01-22-2010, 09:09 AM	#193
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $-650901	As a Cardinals fan -- Good, I don't want him around anymore. Ankiel's a good kid and a hard worker, but the Cardinals have invested 10 years and tens of millions into him. They've gotten all of 1 good season as a SPer and 1 solid season as an OFer...and countless distractions. From the 'back alley' bullpen sessions to his surgeries to his conversion to OF (and more surgeries), there's just a constant din surrounding the guy. He's entirely too erratic and I just don't care to deal with it anymore. From a Royals perspective - good luck. Ankiel was a guaranteed K in clutch situations. If you had a runner on 3rd and less than 2 outs, he was going to hack wildly at whatever breaking ball in the dirt or fastball above the letters you threw him. His plate discipline is some of the worst I've ever seen and his swing is simply waaaaaay too long to let him get away with it. Even in 2008 he was a guy that I didn't trust a bit up there. With 400 ABs and 25 HRs he STILL only managed 71 RBI hitting from RBI slots for most of the season (over 300 of his ABs came from 4/5/6 in the order) He'd hit a bunch of HRs that didn't really matter, then swing through a cockshot fastball with runners on in the late innings. His defense was passable in the OF. He takes poor routes to the ball but he's fearless and incredibly athletic so he'll often be able to dive or otherwise make a miraculous adjustment to catch a ball that should've been a far easier play to make. Ultimately he gets the job done, he's just a bit of an adventure out there. His throwing arm is one of the best I've ever seen, but that goes without saying. His upside is that he'll occasionally get absolutely red-hot. During those stretches he's still not going to hit a good pitch, but he'll fight it off. Rather than hacking over top of a slider in the dirt, he'll just nick it and stay alive. He'll do that for 5 or 6 pitches until the pitcher hangs a breaker or gets a little too much plate with a fastball. He's a valuable guy to have hitting 6th for you when he gets in that groove. Unfortunately for him and KC, I think those will be less and less frequent because pitchers simply don't throw him strikes anymore and he doesn't make them. We'll see if he's willing to alter his approach a bit. I think he's a worthwhile risk for 1 yr. He certainly fits Moore's trend of not giving a rip about OBP. But he's a great guy and a tireless worker. He'll fit well in KC but he probably won't be nearly as productive as you would hope. I wish him nothing but the best, but I'm happy that he's gone. __________________ "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: 66,733

01-22-2010, 09:19 AM	#194
CoMoChief Mahomes Dynasty Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $7702254	Tony Pena Jr to the Bullpen!!!!! I ****ing wish. It's about all the value he has to this team anymore. He can't field, he can't hit. Might as well try to sharpen his pitching skills.
Posts: 39,242