2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread

[duncan_idaho]

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?

[SPchief]

Originally Posted by silver5liter

Well.... that's where the Omaha storm chasers are playing so I would hope so.

Dyson is out of options. They have 10 minor league games to bring him up or they have to DFA him or bring him up. They'll wait that long offering Frenchy up for trade and then Frenchy will be DFA. Lough has force their hands on Frenchy.

[Coach]

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by Big Smoke

I miss the "next 5 games" in your sig. But since you've stopped listing them we've been on fire. Might be best not to mess with the good mojo

Haha! I have thought the exact same thing which is why I haven't changed it at all.

[-King-]

Only 1 game out of .500. Didn't think I'd say that this soon after the losing streak.

[Sure-Oz]

I would think if the Royals can be within spitting distance close to the trade deadline they have to make a move to get a bat, probably at RF most likely and 2b

[cabletech94]

it might be too early to say this, but, i can honestly say that i am on pins and needles with this team.

IN MID JUNE!!!!!

let's go royals!!!!!

[Raiderhater]

Originally Posted by -King-

Only 1 game out of .500. Didn't think I'd say that this soon after the losing streak.

They've come roaring back with a vengeance, haven't they?

[siberian khatru]

And we said a month ago if they can just avoid those typically deep slumps ... And what did they do? Go 4-20.

If they'd just go 10-14, or 9-15 ... that's bad, but it's not crippling bad. Why can't they make that curve shallower? Why does it always have to be so steep?

This pitching WILL suffer some regression. I hope the bats can improve enough to prevent another deep trough.

[Sure-Oz]

The Royals didn't trade for Shields to just be a .500 team this year, if they are close they need to make moves happen

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

And we said a month ago if they can just avoid those typically deep slumps ... And what did they do? Go 4-20.

If they'd just go 10-14, or 9-15 ... that's bad, but it's not crippling bad. Why can't they make that curve shallower? Why does it always have to be so steep?

This pitching WILL suffer some regression. I hope the bats can improve enough to prevent another deep trough.

People have been saying this since early April. I'm not so sure anymore.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by thurman merman

People have been saying this since early April. I'm not so sure anymore.

Guthrie has been lucky as hell...if he continues to not strikeout anyone with his HR rate and get runners on they will score more. He's been nails though getting guys out lately with runners on.

[GloryDayz]

Originally Posted by Coach

I like that kid already!

[Saul Good]

The chewing chick in the background cracks me up.

[Nightfyre]

The guy on the right: "That's my boy." as he gets left hanging.

[Prison Bitch]

Mendoza is the bomb.