Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 143

duncan_idaho · 10:01 AM

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?

WhawhaWhat · 03-29-2013, 11:56 AM

http://deadspin.com/2013-payrolls-an...team-462765594

14 teams in MLB have payrolls above $100 million. Royals are still in the bottom third. Don't know if this was already posted, sorry if re-post.

**alnorth** · 03-29-2013, 12:04 PM

I can see paying a young superstar position player, but signing any pitcher, no matter who he is, to a massive 8 year contract is ludicrous.

**alnorth** · 03-29-2013, 12:13 PM

So, about that over/under on the Astros. It is 59.5, everyone has it at 59.5.

The reaction from pundits has been to laugh and yell "My God thats easy, take the under". I know the Astros are going to be bad, but to windmill-slam the under 59.5 for any team seems.... aggressive.

Are they really that bad?

duncan_idaho · 03-29-2013, 12:15 PM

Verlander deal is INSANE. I realize it only adds 5 guaranteed years, with a 6th option year, but good lord that's a lot of money to tie to a guy for years 33-37.

I think this comes back to bite the Tigers down the road, unless he maintains dominance well into his late 30s and salaries explode (which, I guess, is possible and probably considering all the TV money explosion going on).

WhawhaWhat · 03-29-2013, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

I can see paying a young superstar position player, but signing any pitcher, no matter who he is, to a massive 8 year contract is ludicrous.

Mets owe johan santana $31 million despite not pitching again.

Halfcan · 03-29-2013, 12:16 PM

Alex Gordon- wow- he has been the best player in baseball. 7 Homers and just knocking pitches all over the place.

Kind of wondering why Hoch choker is still on this team. I am not sure what they are seeing in him?? They put him in the bull pin and he gives up 5 runs and pisses the game away to back ups? I think they just resigned him too?? I don't get it?

duncan_idaho · 03-29-2013, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

So, about that over/under on the Astros. It is 59.5, everyone has it at 59.5.

The reaction from pundits has been to laugh and yell "My God thats easy, take the under". I know the Astros are going to be bad, but to windmill-slam the under 59.5 for any team seems.... aggressive.

Are they really that bad?

Rick Ankiel is likely their starting right fielder...

Worst lineup in baseball + worst rotation in baseball are a bad combo.

Halfcan · 03-29-2013, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

http://deadspin.com/2013-payrolls-an...team-462765594

14 teams in MLB have payrolls above $100 million. Royals are still in the bottom third. Don't know if this was already posted, sorry if re-post.

Yep there has been a Lot of articles on how cheap Glass has been with this team. His investment has went from 96 mil to over 400 mil without doing much of nothing. He has made another 50 to 100 mil in profit- but Hey that is the Walmart way-lol

duncan_idaho · 03-29-2013, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

Alex Gordon- wow- he has been the best player in baseball. 7 Homers and just knocking pitches all over the place.

Kind of wondering why Hoch choker is still on this team. I am not sure what they are seeing in him?? They put him in the bull pin and he gives up 5 runs and pisses the game away to back ups? I think they just resigned him too?? I don't get it?

No else who pays attention to baseball really gets it, either.

I call it "Kyle Davies eyes." Dayton Moore and co. see something in Hochevar that no one else sees, but they're convinced everyone wants him.

Halfcan · 03-29-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Mets owe johan santana $31 million despite not pitching again.

I think they have a few more contracts like that as well.

Yankees are worse than that. I think they have about 50 mil or more on the DL right now-lol

duncan_idaho · 03-29-2013, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

I think they have a few more contracts like that as well.

Yankees are worse than that. I think they have about 50 mil or more on the DL right now-lol

Jason Bay. Bobby Bonilla (I think they owe Bonilla money until he dies).

**gblowfish** · 03-29-2013, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

I'm tired of it. After pages and pages of good discussion, you get a post like that.

Halfcan · 03-29-2013, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

No else who pays attention to baseball really gets it, either.

I call it "Kyle Davies eyes." Dayton Moore and co. see something in Hochevar that no one else sees, but they're convinced everyone wants him.

Kyle davies eyes. Isn't that a song? lol

So if we can't even get one good inning out of him against minor players- what can we expect against a team like the Angels with Trout, Pujols, Hamilton and Trumbo?

It won't be pretty.

**alnorth** · 03-29-2013, 12:29 PM

Here are the over/under's, from Bovada.

AL West

LAA 91.5
TEX 86.5
OAK 84.5
SEA 77.5
HOU 59.5

AL Central

DET 92.5
CWS 81.5
KC 78.5
CLE 78.5
MIN 68.5

AL East

TOR 88.5
TB 87.5
NYY 84.5
BOS 82.5
BAL 78.5

NL West

LAD 90.5
SF 87.5
ARI 81.5
SD 74.5
COL 71.5

NL Central

CIN 91.5
STL 86.5
MIL 80.5
PIT 77.5
CHC 73.5

NL East

WAS 92.5
ATL 87.5
PHI 84.5
NYM 74.5
MIA 63.5

Lets say you had to bet your rent money or mortgage payment over or under for one of those teams. To make it interesting, lets take STL, KC, and Houston off the table. What would you choose?

Do any of those lines really stick out as being off aside from maybe Houston and (we hope) KC?

edit: I think I'd bet the under on the Yankees.

**gblowfish** · 03-29-2013, 12:30 PM

Poor Houston. $25 mill payroll, A-Rod alone will make $29 mill. This is why baseball is so screwed up:
http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/91...ombined-salary

12-11-2012, 09:59 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1790308	2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread 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? Last edited by duncan_idaho; 07-15-2013 at 10:01 AM..
Posts: 21,077

03-29-2013, 11:56 AM	#2131
WhawhaWhat MVP Join Date: Feb 2013 Casino cash: $1621116	http://deadspin.com/2013-payrolls-an...team-462765594 14 teams in MLB have payrolls above $100 million. Royals are still in the bottom third. Don't know if this was already posted, sorry if re-post.
Posts: 17,194

03-29-2013, 12:04 PM	#2132
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57176239	I can see paying a young superstar position player, but signing any pitcher, no matter who he is, to a massive 8 year contract is ludicrous. __________________ 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

03-29-2013, 12:13 PM	#2133
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57176239	So, about that over/under on the Astros. It is 59.5, everyone has it at 59.5. The reaction from pundits has been to laugh and yell "My God thats easy, take the under". I know the Astros are going to be bad, but to windmill-slam the under 59.5 for any team seems.... aggressive. Are they really that bad? __________________ 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

03-29-2013, 12:15 PM	#2134
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1790308	Verlander deal is INSANE. I realize it only adds 5 guaranteed years, with a 6th option year, but good lord that's a lot of money to tie to a guy for years 33-37. I think this comes back to bite the Tigers down the road, unless he maintains dominance well into his late 30s and salaries explode (which, I guess, is possible and probably considering all the TV money explosion going on). __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,077

03-29-2013, 12:16 PM	#2136
Halfcan In Search of a Life Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $7327995	Alex Gordon- wow- he has been the best player in baseball. 7 Homers and just knocking pitches all over the place. Kind of wondering why Hoch choker is still on this team. I am not sure what they are seeing in him?? They put him in the bull pin and he gives up 5 runs and pisses the game away to back ups? I think they just resigned him too?? I don't get it?
Posts: 43,200

03-29-2013, 12:29 PM	#2144
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57176239	Here are the over/under's, from Bovada. AL West LAA 91.5 TEX 86.5 OAK 84.5 SEA 77.5 HOU 59.5 AL Central DET 92.5 CWS 81.5 KC 78.5 CLE 78.5 MIN 68.5 AL East TOR 88.5 TB 87.5 NYY 84.5 BOS 82.5 BAL 78.5 NL West LAD 90.5 SF 87.5 ARI 81.5 SD 74.5 COL 71.5 NL Central CIN 91.5 STL 86.5 MIL 80.5 PIT 77.5 CHC 73.5 NL East WAS 92.5 ATL 87.5 PHI 84.5 NYM 74.5 MIA 63.5 Lets say you had to bet your rent money or mortgage payment over or under for one of those teams. To make it interesting, lets take STL, KC, and Houston off the table. What would you choose? Do any of those lines really stick out as being off aside from maybe Houston and (we hope) KC? edit: I think I'd bet the under on the Yankees. __________________ 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

03-29-2013, 12:30 PM	#2145
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17686178 VARSITY	Poor Houston. $25 mill payroll, A-Rod alone will make $29 mill. This is why baseball is so screwed up: http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/91...ombined-salary
Posts: 40,830