Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 389

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?

mr. tegu · 06-14-2013, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

I swear to God, after the first time you said that some time ago, that's all I see when I see Alex Gordon.

This.

Prison Bitch · 06-14-2013, 04:30 PM

Name the two pitchers who have gone 6 or more innings every start this year in MLB. Hint: one of them has done it 28 straight times.

huskerdooz · 06-14-2013, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Name the two pitchers who have gone 6 or more innings every start this year in MLB. Hint: one of them has done it 28 straight times.

Official Starts - Shields and Santana (of course Santana had the 1 start rained out prior to it becoming an official game)

Hootie · 06-14-2013, 04:57 PM

Santana has played himself into

A) quite the trade chip and
B) a huge contract

stonedstooge · 06-14-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Santana has played himself into

A) quite the trade chip and
B) a huge contract

Isn't there an option for his contract next year?

Chiefspants · 06-14-2013, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unnecessary drama

Santana has played himself into

A) quite the trade chip and
B) a huge contract

It will be interesting to see how Moore handles him come July.

**DeezNutz** · 06-14-2013, 05:08 PM

If we're in the race, which it looks like we well could be, you have to keep him. We'll get draft compensation when he walks.

However, it wouldn't be the dumbest thing in the world to try to extend him. Wouldn't go crazy, but I'd probably offer.

Chiefspants · 06-14-2013, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

If we're in the race, which it looks like we well could be, you have to keep him. We'll get draft compensation when he walks.

However, it wouldn't be the dumbest thing in the world to try to extend him. Wouldn't go crazy, but I'd probably offer.

We would have to make an offer to receive compensation if he leaves, right? (Paging Duncan)

sedated · 06-14-2013, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

We would have to make an offer to receive compensation if he leaves, right? (Paging Duncan)

I thought that was only if they are arbitration eligible (?)

Chiefspants · 06-14-2013, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

I thought that was only if they are arbitration eligible (?)

This is definitely possible, I am unsure about the exact stipulations of the revised MLB rules on this issue.

AussieChiefsFan · 06-14-2013, 08:58 PM

I just noticed our next series is vs the Indians. Very crucial series there.

mr. tegu · 06-14-2013, 10:43 PM

I remember all offseason discussing potential pitchers. I believe Duncan correctly assessed that Santana's fastball being a little low in speed was his problem. I do t recall the why but I am certainly glad it is fixed. If we do play our way into serious contention there is no way we can trade him. The chemistry on the pitching staff is excellent right now.

duncan_idaho · 06-15-2013, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

We would have to make an offer to receive compensation if he leaves, right? (Paging Duncan)

You have to make a "qualifying" offer, which is a contract of at least one year for at least a set amount based on average contracts of other FA pitchers or some such (kind of like the franchise tag).

If you don't make the offer, you don't get compensation for the pitcher. If no one signs the pitcher before the MLB drat, you don't get compensation.

I'd be hesitant to offer Santana a long-term deal because of his age, his tendency to have terrible years, and his heavy reliance on his slider. But he's been damn good for KC and the trade has worked out perfectly.

If they stay in it, you keep him. You will need him down the stretch and would like to line up Shields and Santana 1-2 in a potential playoff series.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

I remember all offseason discussing potential pitchers. I believe Duncan correctly assessed that Santana's fastball being a little low in speed was his problem. I do t recall the why but I am certainly glad it is fixed. If we do play our way into serious contention there is no way we can trade him. The chemistry on the pitching staff is excellent right now.

What's crazy is that Santana's AVG FB velocity is up, but only slightly (0.2 MPH). I think the main difference is that his HR/FB rate was crazily high last year.

He's locating better and playing in front of a tremendous run-prevention defense. He does seem to be working in the change and two-seam fastball more, but not a HUGE change.

TLO · 06-15-2013, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Now that Hosmer is making more consistent contact, I really hope we can see him start to recognize bad pitches sooner and start to turn on them. Hopefully a more relaxed yet aggressive attitude will help him with that. Early in the season he always seemed to be on the defensive.

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

silver5liter · 06-15-2013, 02:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by -King-

Dyson going to Iowa...
Posted via Mobile Device

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

12-11-2012, 09:59 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1800308	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: 21,071

06-14-2013, 04:30 PM	#5822
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	Name the two pitchers who have gone 6 or more innings every start this year in MLB. Hint: one of them has done it 28 straight times.
Posts: 87,025

06-14-2013, 04:57 PM	#5824
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	Santana has played himself into A) quite the trade chip and B) a huge contract
Posts: 56,356

06-14-2013, 08:58 PM	#5831
AussieChiefsFan MVP Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney, Australia Casino cash: $6558501	I just noticed our next series is vs the Indians. Very crucial series there.
Posts: 13,732

06-14-2013, 10:43 PM	#5832
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $2021300	I remember all offseason discussing potential pitchers. I believe Duncan correctly assessed that Santana's fastball being a little low in speed was his problem. I do t recall the why but I am certainly glad it is fixed. If we do play our way into serious contention there is no way we can trade him. The chemistry on the pitching staff is excellent right now.
Posts: 24,043