Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 138

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?

CaliforniaChief · 03-28-2013, 07:02 PM

I'd bat Giancarlo Stanton 4th...

tk13 · 03-28-2013, 07:03 PM

I would concede though if I was putting the order together... and say you put two power guys at 2/3. I'd probably put the faster guy at 2. Not to avoid clogging the bases but the faster guy is more likely to score from first on a double. Plus Gordon had 50+ doubles last year. He does that, he either drives the leadoff guy in/is in position to score if Butler singles.

**alnorth** · 03-28-2013, 07:05 PM

I hate to get too optimistic, I've been a beaten-down Royals fan for.... God, at least 8 or 9 years now?

As long as I've been paying attention, they have never looked better than this spring. NEVER. This team looks really, really good. They have beaten up everyone in the Cactus league this year. The Royals have crushed almost every pitcher this spring, and their revamped brand-new rotation looks decent. If they lose this season, it'll be bitterly disappointing.

Hootie · 03-28-2013, 07:15 PM

well lets put it this way

for the Royals to win with their pitching rotation, a decent rotation but not anything super special...

they'll need an offense comparable to those Yankee teams earlier this decade...or the Rangers the past few years...

can Butler and Gordon give us that production?

Can Moose hit .270 with 30 bombs? Can Hosmer get back to .300? Can Cain stay healthy? Can Perez put up a Napoli season of 2011?

Can Escobar replicate his 2012?

If all, and I mean all, of these guys play like they can we can have a Rangers-esque lineup of the past two years...and I'd compare our starting rotation to the 2011 Rangers.

Hootie · 03-28-2013, 07:17 PM

Shields = C.J. Wilson
Santana = Colby Lewis
Guthrie = Derek Holland

we need Wade Davis to be our surprise guy like Ogando was for the Rangers in 2011...

and if we are TRULY contending come trade deadline time...

will we have the balls to go for it and get a Cliff Lee for a year?

Cephalic Trauma · 03-28-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I hate to get too optimistic, I've been a beaten-down Royals fan for.... God, at least 8 or 9 years now?

As long as I've been paying attention, they have never looked better than this spring. NEVER. This team looks really, really good. They have beaten up everyone in the Cactus league this year. The Royals have crushed almost every pitcher this spring, and their revamped brand-new rotation looks decent. If they lose this season, it'll be bitterly disappointing.

Agree.

If they don't make the playoffs, I will never watch another spring game. Ever. This team looks really good. I think everyone can agree that they won't keep this up, but damn, they look ****ing good.

Hootie · 03-28-2013, 07:19 PM

because that is our best shot at winning...

selling out and trading away a stud prospect like a Bubba Starling around trade deadline for a 1 year Cliff Lee type staff ace with playoff experience

I'd be comfortable with a playoff rotation of:

1) Trade Deadline Ace
2) Shields
3) Santana/Guthrie

and I don't see a reason why we'd need a 4 man playoff rotation...

SPATCH · 03-28-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

because that is our best shot at winning...

selling out and trading away a stud prospect like a Bubba Starling around trade deadline for a 1 year Cliff Lee type staff ace with playoff experience

I'd be comfortable with a playoff rotation of:

1) Trade Deadline Ace
2) Shields
3) Santana/Guthrie

and I don't see a reason why we'd need a 4 man playoff rotation...

Starting to look like Starling might not be enough of a prospect to easily land a big name.

Hootie · 03-28-2013, 07:31 PM

so what you're saying is...in 5 years the Chiefs #1 pick at QB will be Bubba Starling? Nice.

**DeezNutz** · 03-28-2013, 07:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

I'd rather have traded Hosmer than Myers for the record...I think Dayton said the Rays would have taken Hosmer which I would have parted with before I parted with Myers...but what's the point of even talking about that anymore really.

Yep. Hosmer's swing has enough concerning flaws that I would have made the trade and not thought twice. Furthermore, his defense (at a highly replaceable position) is incredibly overrated.

**DeezNutz** · 03-28-2013, 07:48 PM

We need Ventura to come up quickly and be lights ****ing out. Blow that little SOB out Timmy style.

**SAUTO** · 03-28-2013, 07:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Yep. Hosmer's swing has enough concerning flaws that I would have made the trade and not thought twice. Furthermore, his defense (at a highly replaceable position) is incredibly overrated.

I'm with you guys too. I think hosmer its going to be petty good.

Myers is going to be great
Posted via Mobile Device

Demonpenz · 03-28-2013, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Lineup I like...

Alex Gordon
Alcides Escobar
Billy Butler
Mike Moustakas
Salvador Perez
Eric Hosmer
Lorenzo Cain
Jeff Francouer
Chris Getz

looks good to me.

Cephalic Trauma · 03-28-2013, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Lineup I like...

Alex Gordon
Alcides Escobar
Billy Butler
Mike Moustakas
Salvador Perez
Eric Hosmer
Lorenzo Cain
Jeff Francouer
Chris Getz

I just don't get why alcides is considered a better #2 than LoCain.

Anyone?

**gblowfish** · 03-28-2013, 08:36 PM

Now that we've dominated the Cactus League, winning the AL Central would be anti-climatic!

I can't wait for next February when we dominate our league again.
Cactus League Champs!
Cactus League Champs!
I wanna DVD and a T-Shirt!!!

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

03-28-2013, 07:02 PM	#2056
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10705899	I'd bat Giancarlo Stanton 4th...
Posts: 17,443

03-28-2013, 07:03 PM	#2057
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $-1667500	I would concede though if I was putting the order together... and say you put two power guys at 2/3. I'd probably put the faster guy at 2. Not to avoid clogging the bases but the faster guy is more likely to score from first on a double. Plus Gordon had 50+ doubles last year. He does that, he either drives the leadoff guy in/is in position to score if Butler singles.
Posts: 56,594

03-28-2013, 07:05 PM	#2058
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57156239	I hate to get too optimistic, I've been a beaten-down Royals fan for.... God, at least 8 or 9 years now? As long as I've been paying attention, they have never looked better than this spring. NEVER. This team looks really, really good. They have beaten up everyone in the Cactus league this year. The Royals have crushed almost every pitcher this spring, and their revamped brand-new rotation looks decent. If they lose this season, it'll be bitterly disappointing. __________________ 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

03-28-2013, 07:15 PM	#2059
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	well lets put it this way for the Royals to win with their pitching rotation, a decent rotation but not anything super special... they'll need an offense comparable to those Yankee teams earlier this decade...or the Rangers the past few years... can Butler and Gordon give us that production? Can Moose hit .270 with 30 bombs? Can Hosmer get back to .300? Can Cain stay healthy? Can Perez put up a Napoli season of 2011? Can Escobar replicate his 2012? If all, and I mean all, of these guys play like they can we can have a Rangers-esque lineup of the past two years...and I'd compare our starting rotation to the 2011 Rangers.
Posts: 56,356

03-28-2013, 07:17 PM	#2060
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Shields = C.J. Wilson Santana = Colby Lewis Guthrie = Derek Holland we need Wade Davis to be our surprise guy like Ogando was for the Rangers in 2011... and if we are TRULY contending come trade deadline time... will we have the balls to go for it and get a Cliff Lee for a year?
Posts: 56,356

03-28-2013, 07:19 PM	#2062
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	because that is our best shot at winning... selling out and trading away a stud prospect like a Bubba Starling around trade deadline for a 1 year Cliff Lee type staff ace with playoff experience I'd be comfortable with a playoff rotation of: 1) Trade Deadline Ace 2) Shields 3) Santana/Guthrie and I don't see a reason why we'd need a 4 man playoff rotation...
Posts: 56,356

03-28-2013, 07:31 PM	#2064
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	so what you're saying is...in 5 years the Chiefs #1 pick at QB will be Bubba Starling? Nice.
Posts: 56,356

03-28-2013, 08:36 PM	#2070
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $16896178 VARSITY	Now that we've dominated the Cactus League, winning the AL Central would be anti-climatic! I can't wait for next February when we dominate our league again. Cactus League Champs! Cactus League Champs! I wanna DVD and a T-Shirt!!!
Posts: 41,011