Royals *** Official 2015 Royals Repository *** - Page 113

duncan_idaho · 04-04-2015, 09:25 AM

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer

I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses.

Detroit Tigers:
Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier.
Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible.

Cleveland Indians:
Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup.
Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him.

Chicago White Sox:
Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too.
Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

Let's get this started!

duncan_idaho · 04-27-2015, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

I think it will be Finnegin that makes the spot start. Haven't they been stretching him out in a starter's role in the minors? Why make Young start when he is already adjusted to long relief?

We'll see if Finnegan stays for the long haul.

I could see a scenario where they're bringing him up to cover long relief while they deal with the missed starts for Volquez and Ventura, then sending him back down to continue to work as a SP.

I don't think Finnegan is ready to try to work through a lineup 2-3 times in a game. Young can.

**SAUTO** · 04-27-2015, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Edinson Volquez dropped his appeal and accepted his five-game suspension. Eligible to return May 2.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) April 27, 2015

So Chris Young could start in Volquez's place on Friday against the Tigers.
— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) April 27, 2015

Honestly that's ****ing awesome. Now instead of Vargas or gutz we probably get volquez Saturday night

**alnorth** · 04-27-2015, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

Not really arguing that point. Just curious why Finny was called up, throwing off his prep to become an MLB starter, that's all.

I don't know why Finnegan was called up. That decision was dumb as hell, and is screwing with his development as a starter. We probably won't even use him very much.

ROYC75 · 04-27-2015, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

We'll see if Finnegan stays for the long haul.

I could see a scenario where they're bringing him up to cover long relief while they deal with the missed starts for Volquez and Ventura, then sending him back down to continue to work as a SP.

I don't think Finnegan is ready to try to work through a lineup 2-3 times in a game. Young can.

Agree with all of this, he's just not ready for SP in the majors.

ROYC75 · 04-27-2015, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I don't know why Finnegan was called up. That decision was dumb as hell, and is screwing with his development as a starter. We probably won't even use him very much.

I too agree, it has set him back farther on getting to the majors as a SP. Now he will return in the fall again for relief duties..

kcfanXIII · 04-28-2015, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

I too agree, it has set him back farther on getting to the majors as a SP. Now he will return in the fall again for relief duties..

I really don't have a problem with a September call up to add him to the pen at that time. I just think right now it was a mistake to bring him up if he isn't going to continue to start. I understand everyone's point about him not really being ready to start in the show, but if that's the case he shouldn't have been called up. Just my .02.

duncan_idaho · 04-28-2015, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I don't know why Finnegan was called up. That decision was dumb as hell, and is screwing with his development as a starter. We probably won't even use him very much.

I think the smart thing to do is reserve judgment until we see how long they actually keep him up.

If he goes back down as soon as the suspensions for Ventura and Volquez have been dealth with, then his call up was a brief thing and only served to cover for this issue.

ROYC75 · 04-28-2015, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

I really don't have a problem with a September call up to add him to the pen at that time. I just think right now it was a mistake to bring him up if he isn't going to continue to start. I understand everyone's point about him not really being ready to start in the show, but if that's the case he shouldn't have been called up. Just my .02.

Couldn't agree more.

nychief · 04-28-2015, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcfanXIII

I really don't have a problem with a September call up to add him to the pen at that time. I just think right now it was a mistake to bring him up if he isn't going to continue to start. I understand everyone's point about him not really being ready to start in the show, but if that's the case he shouldn't have been called up. Just my .02.

we are in the midst of a long 11 game royal rumble with the AL Central... he'll get used.

Fairplay · 04-28-2015, 09:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I don't know why Finnegan was called up. That decision was dumb as hell, and is screwing with his development as a starter. We probably won't even use him very much.

Even if he isn't used the bullpen crew can give him insight to what's going on in game situations and pitches to throw batters. How they would handle a situation with runners on base etc. all kinds of valuable experience.

Dave Eiland can ask HDH and company to help him along in his career from the big league point of view, I'll wager he could grow more as a player like this then in the minors. Even if he is brought up for only a few weeks.

Hootie · 04-28-2015, 10:03 AM

It's not like Finnegan can't pitch simulated games while he's up with the team if they want to keep him on a schedule.

Hootie · 04-28-2015, 10:06 AM

Hell, Chris Young is probably better than Guthrie and Vargas. I bet Young has a great outing in his spot start.

Hootie · 04-28-2015, 10:06 AM

and our bullpen (with our defense) of Morales / Frasor / Madsen would probably still be one of the better 'number' bullpens in baseball

**alnorth** · 04-28-2015, 10:34 AM

How good is the Royals defense? The team BABIP is .253.
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) April 28, 2015

Damn

Hootie · 04-28-2015, 10:37 AM

I was watching the Gordon play at Bellagio Sportsbook and everyone who saw it went nuts ... and it wasn't even his most impressive play in that game.

Gordon and Cain get such unbelievable jumps on the ball ... and they never waste a step.

We have two Jim Edmonds' in the OF and one of them has 4.4 speed.

There is no wonder why Gordon is often the 2nd highest WAR player in the AL ... I used to think LF was a place where you could just stick your Manny's and get over it ... but man, having ELITE ELITE ELITE defense out there is just ... wow.

Hell, that Raburn ball in the 1st inning yesterday is a bases clearing double against almost every other team in baseball and Gordon made it look easy.

04-04-2015, 09:25 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1240308	* Official 2015 Royals Repository * In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions. Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses. Detroit Tigers: Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier. Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible. Cleveland Indians: Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup. Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him. Chicago White Sox: Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too. Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs. The Royals will be a division winner IF ... 1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work 2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts 3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland 4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy 5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form Let's get this started!
Posts: 21,195

04-28-2015, 10:03 AM	#1691
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	It's not like Finnegan can't pitch simulated games while he's up with the team if they want to keep him on a schedule.
Posts: 56,356

04-28-2015, 10:06 AM	#1692
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Hell, Chris Young is probably better than Guthrie and Vargas. I bet Young has a great outing in his spot start.
Posts: 56,356

04-28-2015, 10:06 AM	#1693
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	and our bullpen (with our defense) of Morales / Frasor / Madsen would probably still be one of the better 'number' bullpens in baseball
Posts: 56,356

04-28-2015, 10:34 AM	#1694
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57166239	How good is the Royals defense? The team BABIP is .253. — Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) April 28, 2015 Damn __________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry
Posts: 36,130

04-28-2015, 10:37 AM	#1695
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I was watching the Gordon play at Bellagio Sportsbook and everyone who saw it went nuts ... and it wasn't even his most impressive play in that game. Gordon and Cain get such unbelievable jumps on the ball ... and they never waste a step. We have two Jim Edmonds' in the OF and one of them has 4.4 speed. There is no wonder why Gordon is often the 2nd highest WAR player in the AL ... I used to think LF was a place where you could just stick your Manny's and get over it ... but man, having ELITE ELITE ELITE defense out there is just ... wow. Hell, that Raburn ball in the 1st inning yesterday is a bases clearing double against almost every other team in baseball and Gordon made it look easy.
Posts: 56,356