*** Official 2015 Royals Repository ***

[duncan_idaho]

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer

I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses.

Detroit Tigers:
Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier.
Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible.

Cleveland Indians:
Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup.
Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him.

Chicago White Sox:
Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too.
Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

Let's get this started!

[suzzer99]

Originally Posted by alnorth

If there's a 2-hour rain delay in the 6th, then that could be a problem. Maybe you should take it upon yourself to stop at that point.

If you weigh 180 and have say 3 beers in the parking lot and a couple of tall boys during the game (which we all know damn well is low for a TON of people) that's 6 drinks over about 3 hours until the 8th inning. Which puts you at about .10 at the end of the 7th, which leaves you at .085 an hour later.

Cutting it very close at best. And we all know a lot of people drink much more than 3 beers while tailgating and 2 tall boys during the game.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

If you weigh 180 and have say 3 beers in the parking lot and a couple of tall boys during the game (which we all know damn well is low for a TON of people) that's 6 drinks over about 3 hours until the 8th inning. Which puts you at about .10 at the end of the 7th, which leaves you at .085 an hour later.

Cutting it very close at best. And we all know a lot of people drink much more than 3 beers while tailgating and 2 tall boys during the game.

And as I said, if someone loads up pregame without a DD, then they are a degenerate, and I have no sympathy for them.

It would be stupid to build a downtown stadium, giving up tailgating and convenient parking, just on behalf of those folks.

[suzzer99]

Has anyone, ever actually had a DD at a baseball game? Really? I have my doubts. I mean 3+ hours of your buddy's getting hammered during a long, slow baseball game. What could be more fun?

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Has anyone, ever actually had a DD at a baseball game? Really? I have my doubts. I mean 3+ hours of your buddy's getting hammered during a long, slow baseball game. What could be more fun?

If you don't have one, then don't drink before the game, you'll be fine. If you must be drunk to sit through the first inning of a baseball game, then its not your sport, go fishing or something.

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by alnorth

And as I said, if someone loads up pregame without a DD, then they are a degenerate, and I have no sympathy for them.

It would be stupid to build a downtown stadium, giving up tailgating and convenient parking, just on behalf of those folks.

For the city, it's stupid that they didn't build downtown when they had a chance but stupidity is kind of what the KC gov't is known for. As a fan, I love the tailgating for Royals games in the parking lot.

[alnorth]

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

For the city, it's stupid that they didn't build downtown when they had a chance but stupidity is kind of what the KC gov't is known for. As a fan, I love the tailgating for Royals games in the parking lot.

Its not the city's call. The owners know what their (mostly suburban and out of town) fans want.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

and our bullpen (with our defense) of Morales / Frasor / Madsen would probably still be one of the better 'number' bullpens in baseball

Originally Posted by alnorth

And as I said, if someone loads up pregame without a DD, then they are a degenerate, and I have no sympathy for them.

It would be stupid to build a downtown stadium, giving up tailgating and convenient parking, just on behalf of those folks.

I'm all for improving:

1) Ease of access to the ballpark; 2) Entertainment options around the ballpark.

I'm still somewhat shocked that a development company has not seized upon the collapse of Raytown and Independence and used that to buy up some cheaper-than-it-should-be real estate, to develop at least some hotels and more attractive bar options.

The benefits of a downtown ballpark shoot up, for me, with the intro of light rail in town... because I'm a forever-midtown resident (If I ever live south of 75th or North of 42nd, shoot me) and it would be cool to be able to hop on public transit and get to the game.

[Discuss Thrower]

If going to Westport / P&L was crucial to fans choosing to go to the Royals games then someone would have made a niche providing shuttle services from these spots to the TSC.

[Pitt Gorilla]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I'm all for improving:

1) Ease of access to the ballpark; 2) Entertainment options around the ballpark.

I'm still somewhat shocked that a development company has not seized upon the collapse of Raytown and Independence and used that to buy up some cheaper-than-it-should-be real estate, to develop at least some hotels and more attractive bar options.

The benefits of a downtown ballpark shoot up, for me, with the intro of light rail in town... because I'm a forever-midtown resident (If I ever live south of 75th or North of 42nd, shoot me) and it would be cool to be able to hop on public transit and get to the game.

I've always wondered why the land around the stadiums hasn't been better developed.

[Raiderhater]

Originally Posted by alnorth

I'm glad the powers that be in KC ignored all that downtown stadium nonsense. "A stadium would revitalize downtown!" OK, well first of all thats not guaranteed, but second, so? Why should I care? It would not be worth the hassle and inconvenience of fighting traffic, parking, and mostly losing the ability to tailgate.

Every word of this.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

I've always wondered why the land around the stadiums hasn't been better developed.

well, it's not exactly the best part of town. The best days for customers would be the days of home games, which are also the worst days for traffic. So it's a catch 22 unless you have something that eveyone needs when they head to the stadium.

[Al Bundy]

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...e19825569.html
Royals kicking tires on Saltalamacchia

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by Al Bundy

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt...e19825569.html
Royals kicking tires on Saltalamacchia

Should clear waivers...hope they get him. Need salvy to rest more

[Discuss Thrower]

Question to duncan, alnorth and anyone else who deems themselves knowledgeable about the great game of baseball:


Is there an attainable player or specific positional role that you think could be acquired within 96 hours that immediately improves the team?

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Discuss Thrower

Question to duncan, alnorth and anyone else who deems themselves knowledgeable about the great game of baseball:


Is there an attainable player or specific positional role that you think could be acquired within 96 hours that immediately improves the team?

Someone to play second that can hit consistently and has a little power