Royals (New) 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository - Page 164

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?

**alnorth** · 11-21-2013, 04:34 PM

OK, just learned that P.J. Walters signed a minor league deal. He's going straight to Omaha to try to resurrect his career. That is much, much better. We won't be wasting a 40-man spot on him.

ChiefsCountry · 11-21-2013, 04:34 PM

We still have an open spot in the bullpen, I'm sure that would be a lefty. Walters to me looks like an AAAA signing for Omaha. Somebody we can call up if injury but spends most of the year in Nebraska.

duncan_idaho · 11-21-2013, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Is this what the pitching situation looks like right now?

Starters
Shields
Guthrie
Vargas
Duffy
Ventura

Relief Pitchers
Davis
Timmy
Crow
Herrera
Coleman

Closer
Holland

I'd flip Vargas and Guthrie. They're the same guy, basically, but Vargas is a little better/more effective because he's lefthanded.

Also would imagine Hochevar is in that bullpen picture unless they trade him (like they should).

eazyb81 · 11-21-2013, 04:38 PM

Don't get the freaking out over the Vargas move. Over the last four years, Vargas has averaged 190 IP and ~2 WAR. Getting that production for $8MM annually for the next four years is not a bad move.

Don't think he has much upside though so he's not very exciting.

duncan_idaho · 11-21-2013, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Don't get the freaking out over the Vargas move. Over the last four years, Vargas has averaged 190 IP and ~2 WAR. Getting that production for $8MM annually for the next four years is not a bad move.

Don't think he has much upside though so he's not very exciting.

Agree. He's fine.

Hopefully, this ends up like signing Jeremy Guthrie last year, and the Vargas signing is NOT the biggest acquisition of the offseason.

C3HIEF3S · 11-21-2013, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Don't get the freaking out over the Vargas move. Over the last four years, Vargas has averaged 190 IP and ~2 WAR. Getting that production for $8MM annually for the next four years is not a bad move.

Don't think he has much upside though so he's not very exciting.

The freaking out is mainly because of the Royals and their "MAJOR BASEBALL-RELATED ANNOUNCEMENT". I don't think many people have that big of a problem with the acquisition itself, but the Royals getting our hopes up for maybe a Beltran or something on that level.

Nightfyre · 11-21-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eazyb81

Don't get the freaking out over the Vargas move. Over the last four years, Vargas has averaged 190 IP and ~2 WAR. Getting that production for $8MM annually for the next four years is not a bad move.

Don't think he has much upside though so he's not very exciting.

I think the collective fanbase has a conditioned involuntary puke feeling everytime DM makes an announcement. That said, it's pretty well earned after all the ball kickings we have endured.

Sure-Oz · 11-21-2013, 04:53 PM

The signing seems decent but the PR gaffe pissed me off

Deberg_1990 · 11-21-2013, 05:02 PM

Heh, same ole Royals. Hopefully Dayton is gone if they miss the playoffs in 2014.

I feel 8 years should be enough leeway.

duncan_idaho · 11-21-2013, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Heh, same ole Royals. Hopefully Dayton is gone if they miss the playoffs in 2014.

I feel 8 years should be enough leeway.

PR? Sure.

The signing itself? This is a signing the same old Royals don't make.

SPchief · 11-21-2013, 05:19 PM

Listened to GMDM get interviewed on the way home and they thru out a rotation of Shields, Vargas, Guthrie, Duffy, and Ventura. He certainly did like that idea. Means that it's a good chance that Davis doesn't see the starting spot. Maybe GMDM is realizing that.

Mr. Laz · 11-21-2013, 05:19 PM

can you put 9 pitchers out there at once?

**Bowser** · 11-21-2013, 06:12 PM

We might not have gotten Kinsler, but we got Justin Vargas. In your face, Detroit.

ChiefsCountry · 11-21-2013, 06:19 PM

Deal details
7 million first year
8.5 million the next two
8 million final year
Posted via Mobile Device

TLO · 11-21-2013, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Well... this.

08-15-2013, 08:13 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1210308	(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: 21,199

11-21-2013, 04:34 PM	#2446
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57156239	OK, just learned that P.J. Walters signed a minor league deal. He's going straight to Omaha to try to resurrect his career. That is much, much better. We won't be wasting a 40-man spot on him. __________________ 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, 04:34 PM	#2447
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $1768752	We still have an open spot in the bullpen, I'm sure that would be a lefty. Walters to me looks like an AAAA signing for Omaha. Somebody we can call up if injury but spends most of the year in Nebraska.
Posts: 49,899

11-21-2013, 04:38 PM	#2449
eazyb81 The Illuminati Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: the road less traveled Casino cash: $10004900	Don't get the freaking out over the Vargas move. Over the last four years, Vargas has averaged 190 IP and ~2 WAR. Getting that production for $8MM annually for the next four years is not a bad move. Don't think he has much upside though so he's not very exciting.
Posts: 12,033

11-21-2013, 05:02 PM	#2454
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $3464454	Heh, same ole Royals. Hopefully Dayton is gone if they miss the playoffs in 2014. I feel 8 years should be enough leeway. __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 66,914

11-21-2013, 05:19 PM	#2456
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1402905	Listened to GMDM get interviewed on the way home and they thru out a rotation of Shields, Vargas, Guthrie, Duffy, and Ventura. He certainly did like that idea. Means that it's a good chance that Davis doesn't see the starting spot. Maybe GMDM is realizing that. __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
Posts: 36,007

11-21-2013, 05:19 PM	#2457
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	can you put 9 pitchers out there at once? __________________
Posts: 95,626

11-21-2013, 06:12 PM	#2458
Bowser sorta mod-ish Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: KC North Casino cash: $2971616	We might not have gotten Kinsler, but we got Justin Vargas. In your face, Detroit.
Posts: 101,393

11-21-2013, 06:19 PM	#2459
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $1768752	Deal details 7 million first year 8.5 million the next two 8 million final year Posted via Mobile Device
Posts: 49,899