Royals (New) 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository - Page 269

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** · 12-19-2013, 08:14 AM

Tanaka is not going to be posted. That probably makes it more likely that someone else signs Santana.

**alnorth** · 12-19-2013, 08:21 AM

I'm having some difficulty figuring out how the Royals can carry 12 pitchers now. Unless someone sucks or gets hurt, it looks like we're going to go 14/11.

Here's our bench:

OF: Dyson, Maxwell

IF: Valencia, Bonifacio

C: Obligatory 2nd catcher who must make the team.

None of those 4 named guys have options. If Moose looks really bad in spring maybe he goes down to make room for pitcher #12, but thats just about it.

Prison Bitch · 12-19-2013, 08:23 AM

So if it's true that Dayton and his brass think it's impossible to consistently hit HR at Kauffman (despite our opponents being able to), it's very odd he's keeping Moose around. Moose is the one guy on the team who is a pure power bat with no line drive ability or speed on the bases. Even Butler who is also slow is a line drive, gap hitter. Of course you can't get rid of Moose's glove over there.

I just find it odd why Dayton likes Moose so much and why his leash has always been so long. This signing seems to be the first crack in the foundation.

**Dartgod** · 12-19-2013, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Looks like "Joe Average Fan" is going to hate this move, if Facebook is any barometer.

Not surprising, but still disappointing. Be prepared for that conversation, folks.

My wife was pissed when she saw this on the news last night. I tried to explain, but she was having none of it.

"Why do we always trade away out good players?", she says...

**alnorth** · 12-19-2013, 08:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

My wife was pissed when she saw this on the news last night. I tried to explain, but she was having none of it.

"Why do we always trade away out good players?", she says...

I'm seeing the same sort of reaction from Joe average fan, too. I'm mystified, I don't think many other fanbases would be doing this, but we've been conditioned to cherish young players.

Lough is not THAT good, and he was probably not going to make it out of spring training.

SPATCH · 12-19-2013, 08:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I'm seeing the same sort of reaction from Joe average fan, too. I'm mystified, I don't think many other fanbases would be doing this, but we've been conditioned to cherish young players.

Lough is not THAT good, and he was probably not going to make it out of spring training.

He's also not THAT young. Turns 28 next month.

**Dartgod** · 12-19-2013, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I'm seeing the same sort of reaction from Joe average fan, too. I'm mystified, I don't think many other fanbases would be doing this, but we've been conditioned to cherish young players.

Lough is not THAT good, and he was probably not going to make it out of spring training.

She was mad that we released Chris Getz too. I explained that he couldn't hit and her reaction was, "But I liked him."

Strongside · 12-19-2013, 08:46 AM

Yeah I don't get the Lough fascination either. People are outraged. GTFO.

mr. tegu · 12-19-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

She was mad that we released Chris Getz too. I explained that he couldn't hit and her reaction was, "But I liked him."

I think the problem is with you then for not training her well enough on baseball.

My wife hated Chris Getz and always got upset when he was hitting at the top of the lineup. It was great to hear.

Fansy the Famous Bard · 12-19-2013, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I'm having some difficulty figuring out how the Royals can carry 12 pitchers now. Unless someone sucks or gets hurt, it looks like we're going to go 14/11.

Here's our bench:

OF: Dyson, Maxwell

IF: Valencia, Bonifacio

C: Obligatory 2nd catcher who must make the team.

None of those 4 named guys have options. If Moose looks really bad in spring maybe he goes down to make room for pitcher #12, but thats just about it.

The one thing that DM has been very good at in his tenure is utilizing the DL to carry more people than the typical 25. You can only do that for so long, but it at least gives him the opportunity to get extended looks at guys before making a decision

CaliforniaChief · 12-19-2013, 09:03 AM

These are probably the same people who loved David Howard, Mike Kingery, Terry Shumpert, and Dennis Thurman.

It's a good baseball move...and this offseason has really seen a lot of those from GMDM.

Mama Hip Rockets · 12-19-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Looks like "Joe Average Fan" is going to hate this move, if Facebook is any barometer.

Not surprising, but still disappointing. Be prepared for that conversation, folks.

People on facebook were pissed when they cut Francouer, too. People on facebook, in general, are very dumb.

WhawhaWhat · 12-19-2013, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

These are probably the same people who loved David Howard, Mike Kingery, Terry Shumpert, and Dennis Thurman.

It's a good baseball move...and this offseason has really seen a lot of those from GMDM.

Aaron Guiel.

Three7s · 12-19-2013, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongside

Yeah I don't get the Lough fascination either. People are outraged. GTFO.

My dad was furious when he found out, as well. I told him I'm not even gonna bother explaining it, you won't understand.

1moreTRich · 12-19-2013, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strongside

Yeah I don't get the Lough fascination either. People are outraged. GTFO.

I would say my initial knee jerk was that he seemed to really be coming around (making really good plays in the outfield) and was a stud hitting in the clutch (I think he was batting around .400+ in 2 out runners on situations for a good period of time). I completely understand the move with the log jam we had in the outfield and use you guys as a barometer of the level of player we are getting back. I just think the average fan remembers a lot of those good plays and has no idea who Aoki is or the player we are getting for Lough. He will be forgotten soon enough.

08-15-2013, 08:13 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1490308	(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: 21,146

12-19-2013, 08:14 AM	#4021
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57166239	Tanaka is not going to be posted. That probably makes it more likely that someone else signs Santana. __________________ 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

12-19-2013, 08:21 AM	#4022
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57166239	I'm having some difficulty figuring out how the Royals can carry 12 pitchers now. Unless someone sucks or gets hurt, it looks like we're going to go 14/11. Here's our bench: OF: Dyson, Maxwell IF: Valencia, Bonifacio C: Obligatory 2nd catcher who must make the team. None of those 4 named guys have options. If Moose looks really bad in spring maybe he goes down to make room for pitcher #12, but thats just about it. __________________ 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

12-19-2013, 08:23 AM	#4023
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	So if it's true that Dayton and his brass think it's impossible to consistently hit HR at Kauffman (despite our opponents being able to), it's very odd he's keeping Moose around. Moose is the one guy on the team who is a pure power bat with no line drive ability or speed on the bases. Even Butler who is also slow is a line drive, gap hitter. Of course you can't get rid of Moose's glove over there. I just find it odd why Dayton likes Moose so much and why his leash has always been so long. This signing seems to be the first crack in the foundation.
Posts: 87,025

12-19-2013, 08:46 AM	#4028
Strongside Mahomes or GTFO Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: KC Casino cash: $5884282	Yeah I don't get the Lough fascination either. People are outraged. GTFO. __________________
Posts: 13,201

12-19-2013, 09:03 AM	#4031
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12332899	These are probably the same people who loved David Howard, Mike Kingery, Terry Shumpert, and Dennis Thurman. It's a good baseball move...and this offseason has really seen a lot of those from GMDM.
Posts: 17,323