Royals (New) 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository - Page 49

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?

KCUnited · 09-12-2013, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Imagine being Ned Yost, and you've got this terrible franchise 2 back of the playoff spot with 2 weeks to go, and your own fans are calling for you to be fired. Think of how you'd feel. (I assume either irritated, or a lotta laughter)

I assume compelled to bunt.

**ChiTown** · 09-12-2013, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Imagine being Ned Yost, and you've got this terrible franchise 2 back of the playoff spot with 2 weeks to go, and your own fans are calling for you to be fired. Think of how you'd feel. (I assume either irritated, or a lotta laughter)

Imagine you are a fan base that has been treated to some of the WORST baseball any franchise has seen in ~ 2.5 decades. There are 2+ weeks to go in the season, and we are only 2 games back from a WC spot. Everything looks great, but then, you realize that your Manager is Ned Yost. As a fan, think of how you'd feel. (I don't have to assume, I am scared shitless he will help **** this up, and pull my hair out each time he randomly calls for a bunt or makes mistakes with pinch-hitting late in the game)

AussieChiefsFan · 09-12-2013, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Absolutely cheering for the following teams tonight (in order of importance):

1. Baltimore over the Yanks. I'm very concerned with Yanks, given their remaining schedule, and the fact that Soriano is playing huge for them right now. He's knocked in 15 HR's since they picked him up from the Cubs on July 26th. Those 15 HR's alone would be good enough for #3 on the Royals. Great pick up

2. White Sox over the Injuns. CLE still has a pud remaining schedule. If they pull their heads out of their asses, they could cruise to the WC spot. Their problem right now is that their bats are slumping. Not to mention, their pen looks tired. Not a great combo for them, but their schedule could help that out.

3. Boston over Tampa. Tampa is fading fast, and their remaining schedule looks tough. I just think these guys ran out of gas 3 weeks ago.

The Royals look fresh and ready to go. If they can do these 3 things, they have a great chance to position themselves for a WC spot:

A. Keep playing each game like we are in a one game playoff scenario. I love the intensity of this team. Their youth could be beneficial for the needed energy down the stretch. Don't give any games away. We need them all

B. Manage the pen - don't let the pen manage you. The one thing I think Ned has done extremely well this year is managing the arms in our pen. For the most part, they have been effective when called upon. Ned, please don't over-think this, and just keep playing it like we have all year.

C. Time for the key players to be special (Gordon, Hos, Butler and Moose). If ever there was a time for these guys to hit their stride together with Power and Production, now would be great. We have had times where 2 of the 4 have played great together in stretches, but never all 4. If we have all 4 clicking, we can be as dangerous as ANY team in the AL.

#luvyablue #reerunedwithexcitement #can'tgetanyworkdone #****YEAH!

All these are evening games. With all these match-ups as well as Thursday Night Football, it should be an interesting morning (my time).

Fansy the Famous Bard · 09-12-2013, 08:54 AM

Imagine coming to this thread and not having to see this littering it.

Quote:

This message is hidden because Prison Bitch is on your ignore list.

And then not having to see everyone quote the bum in their posts.

Would be great, wouldn't it?

Prison Bitch · 09-12-2013, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Imagine you are a fan base that has been treated to some of the WORST baseball any franchise has seen in ~ 2.5 decades. There are 2+ weeks to go in the season, and we are only 2 games back from a WC spot. Everything looks great, but then, you realize that your Manager is Ned Yost. As a fan, think of how you'd feel. (I don't have to assume, I am scared shitless he will help **** this up, and pull my hair out each time he randomly calls for a bunt or makes mistakes with pinch-hitting late in the game)

Managers don't make much difference. All the contenders right now are clustered a game above or below (or at) their run differential. The 2 outliers are Detroit (-6) and Yankees (+5). So the argument there would be every manager is getting the record he deserves except Leyland who is failing badly and Girardi who isn't.

Archie F. Swin · 09-12-2013, 09:23 AM

The dark cloud is, we kick off three consecutive series against winning teams tomorrow. All those teams hit the ball better than we do. The silver lining is, should we somehow win those series (esp DET & TEX) we might have the best current roster for the post season.

defense wins championships.

Nightfyre · 09-12-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Managers don't make much difference. All the contenders right now are clustered a game above or below (or at) their run differential. The 2 outliers are Detroit (-6) and Yankees (+5). So the argument there would be every manager is getting the record he deserves except Leyland who is failing badly and Girardi who isn't.

You don't think managers affect the run differential?

Prison Bitch · 09-12-2013, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

You don't think managers affect the run differential?

No, do you? I don't think Ned Yost turned our run differential from -70 to +39 in one year. I suspect it was the players.

Fansy the Famous Bard · 09-12-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

You don't think managers affect the run differential?

There is really no way to quantify it except through opinion.

Raiderhater · 09-12-2013, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Imagine you are a fan base that has been treated to some of the WORST baseball any franchise has seen in ~ 2.5 decades. There are 2+ weeks to go in the season, and we are only 2 games back from a WC spot. Everything looks great, but then, you realize that your Manager is Ned Yost. As a fan, think of how you'd feel. (I don't have to assume, I am scared shitless he will help **** this up, and pull my hair out each time he randomly calls for a bunt or makes mistakes with pinch-hitting late in the game)

Don't forget his assanine batting orders.

SPATCH · 09-12-2013, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raiderhader

Don't forget his assanine batting orders.

THAT is what has been killing me all season

**RockChalk** · 09-12-2013, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the_spatula

THAT is what has been killing me all season

He's been pretty consistent the past 10 games or so. I'll give him credit for that.

He seems content to roll with Gordo, Boni, Hoz, Butler, Perez, Moose, Lough/Max, Cain/Dyson, and Esky

**alnorth** · 09-12-2013, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tytanium

Hypothetical: Let's say the Royals do make the wildcard game, and play at home. Ned Yost again bumbles his way through and loses a close game due to awful tactical decisionmaking, much like Monday night. Fired or not?

There is not a chance in hell that he gets fired. He's in the last year of his contract, but the only way he's not managing in 2014 is if he decides to retire or move back into the front office.

**alnorth** · 09-12-2013, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Imagine you are a fan base that has been treated to some of the WORST baseball any franchise has seen in ~ 2.5 decades. There are 2+ weeks to go in the season, and we are only 2 games back from a WC spot. Everything looks great, but then, you realize that your Manager is Ned Yost. As a fan, think of how you'd feel. (I don't have to assume, I am scared shitless he will help **** this up, and pull my hair out each time he randomly calls for a bunt or makes mistakes with pinch-hitting late in the game)

I've said this before, but Ned Yost has been our best manager in a long, long, long time. You might say that is only because our prior managers were all terrible idiots (and they were), but given our track record of hiring managers, I'm scared of who his replacement might be.

Chiefspants · 09-12-2013, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I've said this before, but Ned Yost has been our best manager in a long, long, long time. You might say that is only because our prior managers were all terrible idiots (and they were), but given our track record of hiring managers, I'm scared of who his replacement might be.

What would be your thoughts on Charlie Manuel?

08-15-2013, 08:13 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1460308	(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: 21,148

09-12-2013, 09:23 AM	#726
Archie F. Swin This is the way Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Wichita Falls, Texas Casino cash: $9975673	The dark cloud is, we kick off three consecutive series against winning teams tomorrow. All those teams hit the ball better than we do. The silver lining is, should we somehow win those series (esp DET & TEX) we might have the best current roster for the post season. defense wins championships. __________________ "No Two People Will Do It The Same, You got It Down...When You Appear to Be In Pain!"
Posts: 11,800