Royals (New) 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository - Page 162

duncan_idaho · 08-15-2013, 08:13 AM

New thread, this time with more burst.

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?

**DeezNutz** · 11-21-2013, 03:45 PM

Correct, this is more a PR gaffe than anything.

duncan_idaho · 11-21-2013, 03:47 PM

If 1 WAR is worth $4 million/year on the open market, as projected following last season's FA period, the Royals have paid exactly what Vargas is worth (if reports of 4 years, $32 million are true). He's basically a 2-WAR pitcher. A lefthanded version of Jeremy Guthrie.

If this is the FIRST move of a couple to improve the rotation, I'm OK with it.

If they've decided to split the spending between a SP like Vargas and a bat, I'm OK with it.

If you look at this from an innings pitched perspective, the Royals now can pencil in three guys and feel confident they will get 600 IP from them, collectively. That is an important factor, especially if they plan to to go with a riskier option in the other two spots.

I'm not nuts about 4 years for contract length, but will wait to see final details on that (maybe year 4 is team option, as Dayton likes to do?).

Ultimate analysis on this signing relies on what else is done. If this is the final move for the rotation and the rest of the focus is on improving the offense, that works.

If this is the final rotation move and they sit pat on offense, not enough.

Best-case would be Vargas is the second-best SP they sign this offseason, but I won't hold my breath on that one.

seaofred · 11-21-2013, 03:47 PM

This makes it hard to be a Royals fan...

**ChiTown** · 11-21-2013, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Yeah, there is a little bit of upside here, but man, 4 years. If this were 2/16 or 3/24 I think I'd be fine with it.

You don't give Vargas more than 2 yrs. PERIOD!

BlackHelicopters · 11-21-2013, 03:52 PM

Once again would like to thank my father for the Kansas City sports gene. Dad, I love you, but why?

**alnorth** · 11-21-2013, 03:52 PM

According to DM, we targetted 4 SP's: Hudson, Johnson, Hughes, and Vargas, with Hudson and Johnson being our first 2 choices. We didn't move on to Vargas until we lost out on both of them.

Not sure if this means that we thought Hughes was also leaning away from the Royals, or if DM preferred Vargas.

Sure-Oz · 11-21-2013, 03:56 PM

Would've rather signed hughes....major announcement my ass

Prison Bitch · 11-21-2013, 03:58 PM

Maybe DM's targets told him they didn't want to come here.

KCUnited · 11-21-2013, 03:59 PM

So its confirmed that Vargas is the major announcement? After I got over the reminder that we're operating on a half dozen levels below everyone else, I don't really mind this.

duncan_idaho · 11-21-2013, 04:00 PM

Something about the state of Missouri just makes PR a disaster. Royals, Mizzou both awful at it.

This signing is OK, but trumpeting it as a "major signing" is out of line.

ChiefsCountry · 11-21-2013, 04:03 PM

Well it is essentially a major player announcement. It does effect the 25 man roster and the rotation. I'm sure its more normal PR talk that just got took out of hand.

C3HIEF3S · 11-21-2013, 04:04 PM

http://wapc.mlb.com/kc/play/?topic_i...nt_id=31233645

press conference live

BlackHelicopters · 11-21-2013, 04:11 PM

Never realized how nice GMDM's hair was. Wow.

**SAUTO** · 11-21-2013, 04:12 PM

stupid "MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT"

could have just sent everyone a text.

duncan_idaho · 11-21-2013, 04:12 PM

Good god, Karen Kornacki...

08-15-2013, 08:13 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1480308	(New) 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository New thread, this time with more burst. 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?
Posts: 21,147

11-21-2013, 03:47 PM	#2417
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1480308	If 1 WAR is worth $4 million/year on the open market, as projected following last season's FA period, the Royals have paid exactly what Vargas is worth (if reports of 4 years, $32 million are true). He's basically a 2-WAR pitcher. A lefthanded version of Jeremy Guthrie. If this is the FIRST move of a couple to improve the rotation, I'm OK with it. If they've decided to split the spending between a SP like Vargas and a bat, I'm OK with it. If you look at this from an innings pitched perspective, the Royals now can pencil in three guys and feel confident they will get 600 IP from them, collectively. That is an important factor, especially if they plan to to go with a riskier option in the other two spots. I'm not nuts about 4 years for contract length, but will wait to see final details on that (maybe year 4 is team option, as Dayton likes to do?). Ultimate analysis on this signing relies on what else is done. If this is the final move for the rotation and the rest of the focus is on improving the offense, that works. If this is the final rotation move and they sit pat on offense, not enough. Best-case would be Vargas is the second-best SP they sign this offseason, but I won't hold my breath on that one. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,147

11-21-2013, 03:47 PM	#2418
seaofred Wish I had something clever... Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Trout fishing capital USA Casino cash: $4605333	This makes it hard to be a Royals fan... __________________
Posts: 1,658

11-21-2013, 03:52 PM	#2420
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2460588	Once again would like to thank my father for the Kansas City sports gene. Dad, I love you, but why? __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
Posts: 31,719

11-21-2013, 03:52 PM	#2421
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57166239	According to DM, we targetted 4 SP's: Hudson, Johnson, Hughes, and Vargas, with Hudson and Johnson being our first 2 choices. We didn't move on to Vargas until we lost out on both of them. Not sure if this means that we thought Hughes was also leaning away from the Royals, or if DM preferred Vargas. __________________ 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

11-21-2013, 03:58 PM	#2423
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	Maybe DM's targets told him they didn't want to come here.
Posts: 87,025

11-21-2013, 03:59 PM	#2424
KCUnited Cheat Death Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Land of Drincoln Casino cash: $2018244	So its confirmed that Vargas is the major announcement? After I got over the reminder that we're operating on a half dozen levels below everyone else, I don't really mind this.
Posts: 34,068

11-21-2013, 04:00 PM	#2425
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1480308	Something about the state of Missouri just makes PR a disaster. Royals, Mizzou both awful at it. This signing is OK, but trumpeting it as a "major signing" is out of line. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,147

11-21-2013, 04:03 PM	#2426
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2048752	Well it is essentially a major player announcement. It does effect the 25 man roster and the rotation. I'm sure its more normal PR talk that just got took out of hand.
Posts: 49,755

11-21-2013, 04:04 PM	#2427
C3HIEF3S Let's Get Weird Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Austin Casino cash: $9990098	http://wapc.mlb.com/kc/play/?topic_i...nt_id=31233645 press conference live
Posts: 15,229

11-21-2013, 04:11 PM	#2428
BlackHelicopters Spiraling down the Drain Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Dante's Ninth Circle Casino cash: $2460588	Never realized how nice GMDM's hair was. Wow. __________________ "We're both part of the same hypocrisy, Senator, but never think it applies to my family." "Fredo. You are my brother, and I love you. But never take sides against the Family again. Ever." 2019 Adopt a Chief - Travis Kelce #87
Posts: 31,719

11-21-2013, 04:12 PM	#2429
SAUTO Shit Join Date: Jun 2008 Casino cash: $10039067	stupid "MAJOR ANNOUNCEMENT" could have just sent everyone a text.
Posts: 55,715

11-21-2013, 04:12 PM	#2430
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1480308	Good god, Karen Kornacki... __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,147