Royals (New) 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository - Page 249

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?

tmw4h5 · 12-12-2013, 11:49 PM

I think Dutton is right about the Royals having zero desire to sign Billy to an extension after the current deal. I think the Royals should go ahead and try to get what they can for Billy while they can. The guy is obviously a fan favorite, but if we end up winning without him, he will be forgotten quickly.
As for Marcum -- I just don't see where he fits in the rotation unless you give up Ventura or Duffy.

Nightfyre · 12-12-2013, 11:52 PM

Lawrie would give us a pretty spectacular infield. Especially if moose pans out. But moose is sucking even in winter ball right now, so I don't hold out hope. Also we should get a catcher with a bat so we can rotate him and salvy at dh and keep them both healthy.

Mr. Laz · 12-12-2013, 11:58 PM

I just hope we have a quality plan and aren't throwing shit at the wall.

tk13 · 12-13-2013, 12:03 AM

Are we sure that source wasn't someone from this board? Sounds like us... an obsession with making the DH spot a rotating position. There are plenty of teams who've had success with an everyday DH. If they want to give Perez a day off just do it. No need to create another hole in the offense.

Sannyasi · 12-13-2013, 12:52 AM

I'm skeptical that there's going to be a deal out there for Butler that could immediately improve this team, and it doesn't make sense to trade Butler for anyone that doesn't help the club compete in 2014. We have a lot invested into this short window of contention and the Royals should be looking to put out the best team possible next year.

If that means we have to let Butler walk next year without getting anything for him, so be it. Unless Moore is admitting that this run was farcical and the Myers trade is going to be treated as a sunk cost at this point.

ChiefsCountry · 12-13-2013, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

Are we sure that source wasn't someone from this board? Sounds like us... an obsession with making the DH spot a rotating position. There are plenty of teams who've had success with an everyday DH. If they want to give Perez a day off just do it. No need to create another hole in the offense.

Like the team that won the World Series this year.

siberian khatru · 12-13-2013, 07:35 AM

Would love to have Shaun Marcum ... if he's healthy.

Prison Bitch · 12-13-2013, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Lawrie would give us a pretty spectacular infield. Especially if moose pans out. But moose is sucking even in winter ball right now, so I don't hold out hope. Also we should get a catcher with a bat so we can rotate him and salvy at dh and keep them both healthy.

Don't worry about it, Duncan says nothing to worry about with Moose. He's hhitting off his back foot now. Or front foot. I can't remember

Ceej · 12-13-2013, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Don't worry about it, Duncan says nothing to worry about with Moose. He's hhitting off his back foot now. Or front foot. I can't remember

It's funny how often you bring up old shit. Get over it.

duncan_idaho · 12-13-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ceej

It's funny how often you bring up old shit. Get over it.

Also funny how often he misrepresents it.

He was advocating for sending Moustakas down just a few weeks into the season. I and many others said the sample size was too small and he should get more time before being demoted, especially considering how poor the alternative options were.

Then he got really hot for about 2 weeks or so before falling off the cliff again. Most were pretty honest about him from that point on.

**Anyong Bluth** · 12-13-2013, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Lawrie would give us a pretty spectacular infield. Especially if moose pans out. But moose is sucking even in winter ball right now, so I don't hold out hope. Also we should get a catcher with a bat so we can rotate him and salvy at dh and keep them both healthy.

Sadly, I have little left in the tank for believing Moose will turn it around. This is only speculation on my part, but he doesn't seem as mature or committed to his game as say Hosmer. I'm not sure he understands the dedication and effort, time, or commitment required to turn it around at this point in his career (youth) as say Hosmer or even Gordon previously.
Just reading his body language at times during his slumps - he seemed to sulk and maybe is a guy that hasn't faced adversity. Before he could get by on superior natural talent and that let him skate, but did not prepare him for how to train or working to get better. Nothing in media or that I've heard him say has indicated to me that he's determined or driven to change things - most times it seems like he's just annoyed with having to answer questions and giving canned responses.
He's sort of the antithesis of Danny Duffy- a guy I love and hope kicks ass after all the injury downtime because I think he's a great locker room guy who could be a tremendous leader for the ballclub as well as showing young guys the ropes, what's expected, and how to go about things down the road.

DJ's left nut · 12-13-2013, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Lawrie would give us a pretty spectacular infield. Especially if moose pans out. But moose is sucking even in winter ball right now, so I don't hold out hope. Also we should get a catcher with a bat so we can rotate him and salvy at dh and keep them both healthy.

Lawrie would also give you the fallback you're looking for if Moustakas does continue to flounder.

Lawrie's an elite defender wherever he is on the diamond and he has loads of tools.

If the Jays would send him for Butler, the Royals should do it before they change their minds. Lawrie's exactly the kind of buy low guy the Royals should be targeting.

**Reaper16** · 12-13-2013, 04:55 PM

Buster Olney says the Royals agreed to terms with Infante. 4 years, $30 million.

AndChiefs · 12-13-2013, 05:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Reaper16

Buster Olney says the Royals agreed to terms with Infante. 4 years, $30 million.

7.5 a year isn't too bad.

penbrook · 12-13-2013, 05:02 PM

Joel Sherman said its 4/40

08-15-2013, 08:13 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1200308	(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: 21,201

12-12-2013, 11:49 PM	#3721
tmw4h5 Starter Join Date: Sep 2011 Casino cash: $10015349	I think Dutton is right about the Royals having zero desire to sign Billy to an extension after the current deal. I think the Royals should go ahead and try to get what they can for Billy while they can. The guy is obviously a fan favorite, but if we end up winning without him, he will be forgotten quickly. As for Marcum -- I just don't see where he fits in the rotation unless you give up Ventura or Duffy. __________________ Something funny, though.
Posts: 454

12-12-2013, 11:52 PM	#3722
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Helena, MT Casino cash: $3258849	Lawrie would give us a pretty spectacular infield. Especially if moose pans out. But moose is sucking even in winter ball right now, so I don't hold out hope. Also we should get a catcher with a bat so we can rotate him and salvy at dh and keep them both healthy.
Posts: 18,571

12-12-2013, 11:58 PM	#3723
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	I just hope we have a quality plan and aren't throwing shit at the wall. __________________
Posts: 95,626

12-13-2013, 12:03 AM	#3724
tk13 ... Join Date: Nov 2001 Casino cash: $1442500	Are we sure that source wasn't someone from this board? Sounds like us... an obsession with making the DH spot a rotating position. There are plenty of teams who've had success with an everyday DH. If they want to give Perez a day off just do it. No need to create another hole in the offense.
Posts: 55,071

12-13-2013, 12:52 AM	#3725
Sannyasi Veteran Join Date: Jan 2010 Casino cash: $9963714	I'm skeptical that there's going to be a deal out there for Butler that could immediately improve this team, and it doesn't make sense to trade Butler for anyone that doesn't help the club compete in 2014. We have a lot invested into this short window of contention and the Royals should be looking to put out the best team possible next year. If that means we have to let Butler walk next year without getting anything for him, so be it. Unless Moore is admitting that this run was farcical and the Myers trade is going to be treated as a sunk cost at this point.
Posts: 2,615

12-13-2013, 07:35 AM	#3727
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $1984950	Would love to have Shaun Marcum ... if he's healthy.
Posts: 69,374

12-13-2013, 05:02 PM	#3735
penbrook LEGEND! Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $10033840	Joel Sherman said its 4/40
Posts: 16,409