Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 595

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?

Cephalic Trauma · 08-06-2013, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

The offseason and approach heading into 2014 will be very interesting.

I could see them making a push to re-sign Santana, but I just can't shake the feeling that some team is going to offer him 5 years, $80 million. An offer KC could match - if Glass were willing - but extremely risky for a team that likely will run $80-100 million payrolls under the new revenue sharing plan.

If they can't re-sign Santana, I'd like to see KC pick up another veteran in FA, someone who can help Guthrie and Shields stabilize the rotation and eat innings. There will be several guys that fit that bill in the FA market.

The last two spots, in my opinion, end up as a competition between Wade Davis, Danny Duffy, Kyle Zimmer, Will Smith and Yordano Ventura. I could SEE Mendoza and Paulino (if they are able to bring him back) being part of the conversation, too.

They'll let Chen walk and I imagine either trade or non-tender Hochevar (you can't pay a non-closer relief pitcher $6 million+).

Trading Hochevar in the offseason should bring a strong return. His numbers ARE eye-popping (even if they're low-leverage).

As for payroll for next year, here's what comes off the books:

Francoeur: $7.5 million
Bruce Chen: $4.5 million
Hochevar: $4.56 million
Santana: $12 million
Getz: $1.05 million
Tejada: $1.1 million

It adds up to about $30 million that will come off the books. However, a lot of salaries will escalate:

Guthrie: +$6 million
Gordon: +$1 million
Perez: $ 0.5 million
Holland: ARB
Hosmer: ARB
Moustakas: ARB
Crow: ARB
Collins: ARB

I'd imagine the net payroll gain is somewhere around $10 million when all is said and done.

Which is enough to buy a FA pitcher flyer (just a solid innings eater, nothing special) and a decent 2B (not a star, but someone who can more capably fill that role than Chris fecking Getz).

Now, of course, the MLB TV deal should add a considerable amount of cash to the pool. As should increased attendance and revenue this year and anticipated increased attendance and revenue next year.

What about Beltran on a contract similar to what he has now, 2 for 26? Solves RF, adds pop, bring Miggy back on a 1 yr deal, and fill starting pitching with in house options.

Ceej · 08-06-2013, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Who's starting the game thread today?

Tonight would be a great night for it.

Big game James v. ML Debut.

rageeumr · 08-06-2013, 01:27 PM

Duffy story getting legs

Hearing LHP Danny Duffy heading to Kansas City, presumably to start Wednesday vs. Twins in place Wade Davis. No confirmation yet from club.
— Bob Dutton (@Royals_Report) August 6, 2013

Cephalic Trauma · 08-06-2013, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dlphg9

Duffy starting tomorrow

Bob, is that you?

PunkinDrublic · 08-06-2013, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fairplay

Too fat.

/Omaha

Hey she's a solid Des Moines 8.

PunkinDrublic · 08-06-2013, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

kinda hawt?

Of course, now that she's been in that fountain water, she surely has a terminal disease.

If she's hooking up with me she better be more worried about what I'm going to give her!

**Saul Good** · 08-06-2013, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PunkinDrublic

Hey she's a solid Des Moines 8.

She looked pretty good in the "before" pics.

duncan_idaho · 08-06-2013, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

What about Beltran on a contract similar to what he has now, 2 for 26? Solves RF, adds pop, bring Miggy back on a 1 yr deal, and fill starting pitching with in house options.

If that doesn't preclude them from signing a SP in the FA market, I'd be all for it, assuming he's interested. Would give them a LOT of flex in the lineup.

I think they need to nab at least on SP on the open market, or even bring Chen back on another 1-year deal. I'd prefer the guy have more upside than Chen (Haren, Baker, Jason Vargas), but you need the insurance, IMO.

Pitt Gorilla · 08-06-2013, 01:48 PM

Beltran right now would be awesome.

**Saul Good** · 08-06-2013, 01:54 PM

I'm not convinced we need another starting pitcher. At some point, don't you have to see what you have in the system?

Nightfyre · 08-06-2013, 01:57 PM

Shields/Jguts/Duffy/Paulino/Smith...

It could work.

WhawhaWhat · 08-06-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If that doesn't preclude them from signing a SP in the FA market, I'd be all for it, assuming he's interested. Would give them a LOT of flex in the lineup.

I think they need to nab at least on SP on the open market, or even bring Chen back on another 1-year deal. I'd prefer the guy have more upside than Chen (Haren, Baker, Jason Vargas), but you need the insurance, IMO.

I would love Dan Haren on a 1 year deal, assuming he's 100%.

Prison Bitch · 08-06-2013, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Beltran right now would be awesome.

Uh, no. His defense is terrible and he'll be a statue out there in Kauffman.

Cephalic Trauma · 08-06-2013, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If that doesn't preclude them from signing a SP in the FA market, I'd be all for it, assuming he's interested. Would give them a LOT of flex in the lineup.

I think they need to nab at least on SP on the open market, or even bring Chen back on another 1-year deal. I'd prefer the guy have more upside than Chen (Haren, Baker, Jason Vargas), but you need the insurance, IMO.

Only snag with Beltran is the cards might offer a QO.

I like the idea of Vargas. Having a good season, and he's only 30. Depends on the price, obviously.

I guess the question is, would you rather have Lough+Kelly Johnson+Vargas/Baker/Haren, or Beltran (without QO)+Tejada+Paulino/Duffy/Ventura/Zimmer+Lough as 4th OFer.

Cephalic Trauma · 08-06-2013, 02:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Shields/Jguts/Duffy/Paulino/Smith...

It could work.

Mr. Beltran, welcome back!

12-11-2012, 09:59 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1740308	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: 21,088

08-06-2013, 01:27 PM	#8913
rageeumr Veteran Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: St. Louis :( Casino cash: $9989900	Duffy story getting legs Hearing LHP Danny Duffy heading to Kansas City, presumably to start Wednesday vs. Twins in place Wade Davis. No confirmation yet from club. — Bob Dutton (@Royals_Report) August 6, 2013
Posts: 2,313

08-06-2013, 01:48 PM	#8919
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2940194	Beltran right now would be awesome. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,031

08-06-2013, 01:54 PM	#8920
Saul Good Quit your bullshit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bored of winning Casino cash: $10052799	I'm not convinced we need another starting pitcher. At some point, don't you have to see what you have in the system? __________________ Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870

08-06-2013, 01:57 PM	#8921
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Helena, MT Casino cash: $3628849	Shields/Jguts/Duffy/Paulino/Smith... It could work.
Posts: 18,552