(New) 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository

[duncan_idaho]

New thread, this time with more burst.

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?

[WilliamTheIrish]

That play.... It just might carry over. I'm loving life in Jon Voit's car right now.

[Great Expectations]

I read an article a few days ago on either espn or cbs (having a hard time finding it via my phone) that said Gordon, Cain, and Perez should win this year and that Escobar is in the top 3 along with Hosmer despite poor saber metrics for Hos, but those metrics aren't great for 1st basemen yet.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/0...s-in-playoffs/

DETROIT – If you're a fan of an American League contender, please consider this unsolicited advice.

Root against the Kansas City Royals.

Root very, very hard.

The Royals are alive in the AL wild card race, thanks to Saturday's 1-0 victory over Detroit in one of the most riveting baseball games I've witnessed this year. They are 3-1/2 games out of a playoff spot and must pass four teams to get it. The odds are not great. But if Ned Yost's charges reach the postseason, there's a high probability that they will ruin your team's year.
The Royals are built for the playoffs, as much as any other AL team. Name a characteristic shared by recent October darlings. They have it.

* Hot at the right time? Check. At 35-21, they have the AL's best record after the All-Star break.

* Lockdown bullpen? Check. They have the AL's lowest bullpen ERA and a closer, Greg Holland, who Tigers manager Jim Leyland said may be the league's best.

* Formidable rotation? Check. James Shields is a true ace, Ervin Santana leads the Kansas City starters with a 3.23 ERA, Jeremy Guthrie is supplying his customary 200 innings, and Danny Duffy has been a revelation (2-0, 1.85 ERA) in five starts since returning to the majors.

* Airtight defense? Check. The Royals have permitted only 3.8 runs per game, the fewest in the AL.

* Athleticism on the bases? Check. Led by the fleet Jarrod Dyson, they lead the majors with 141 stolen bases.

* Charisma? Check. The team's young everyday players - such as Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Sal Perez - came through the minors together, lost in the majors together, and now are relishing their first chance to play meaningful September baseball.

All of those traits were on display Saturday, when the weather (65 degrees at first pitch) and atmosphere (sellout of 41,841) made it seem as if the postseason had arrived already.
The Tigers are closing in on a third straight AL Central title. After advancing to the World Series last year, they will be looked upon as favorites to win the pennant until another team proves otherwise. Detroit's roster is filled with players who know how to perform at this time of year. They proved that Saturday, even as their offense sputtered against Santana. Tigers starter Doug Fister was superb (7 2-3 innings, one earned run) while veteran outfielder Torii Hunter vaporized a scoring threat with a textbook throw to cut down Chris Getz at third base.
But the Royals, playing beyond their years, executed just a little bit better. They scored early, on Hosmer's RBI triple in the first. They were creative, as Hosmer - the No. 3 hitter - dropped a bunt single in front of the hobbling Miguel Cabrera. They were steady in big moments, most notably when Luke Hochevar - former first-round bust, now rejuvenated as a reliever - retired Cabrera with the tying run aboard in the eighth.
And the Royals secured the win on what felt like a season-making play: Omar Infante lofted a double to left with Prince Fielder at first, and the quake of the stands at Comerica Park told you third-base coach Tom Brookens was waving his arm. Fielder is not fast, but, with two out, the Royals needed to be close to perfect. They were. Alex Gordon rifled the ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar, who relayed to Perez, who applied the tag.
Out.
Game over.
Narrative on?
"This was a huge win for us," Yost said. "We had to have this win tonight. We haven't had a ballgame all year where we had to win. Tonight was it. We had to win this ballgame. And in the manner we won it was pretty exciting."
Hosmer called it "the coolest ending I've seen." Perez, already an All-Star at 23, said afterward that he couldn't remember the last time he tagged out a runner at home to end a game. He certainly hadn't done it in the majors. "That was my first time," he said.
Like a lot of his teammates, Perez is thriving in circumstances he's never seen before. Hosmer, who has been with the Royals since 2011, said Saturday's win was the biggest of his big-league career - "hands down." The Royals haven't had a winning season in a decade, while sitting on the longest postseason drought (27 years) in major North American professional sports, according to research through STATS LLC. This is foreign to the Royals, yet they seem at ease.
"I don't think anyone is satisfied with just a winning record," said Hosmer, after the Royals improved to 78-70. "Everyone in this locker room believes we can (make the playoffs). To us, that's all that matters.
"It's a blast. This is why you put in all the work, to be in this position - late in the season, to play meaningful games, to be in a race. This is why you play."
In many respects, the Royals have proven their mettle already. Saturday's win clinched the season series against Detroit (10-8). The Tigers, with arguably the best lineup in the majors, have been shut out 10 times this year; three came against Kansas City.
So, we know the Royals can beat the elite teams in baseball. The question is whether they will have the chance to prove that in October. The process of learning the answer is exhilarating for the Royals' players and gut-wrenching for their manager. Yost is normally stoic but grew animated when asked to describe his emotions during the final, heart-stopping play of Saturday's win.
In fact, he channeled Fred Sanford.
"Elizabeth! I'm coming, honey!" Yost said, gesturing toward his chest. "I'm coming! Get ready for me!"

Yost smiled. He can't say it, but he must know that he's managing the team no one wants to play.

Awesome.

[Sure-Oz]

I hope SOMEHOW they can retain Santana. Doubtful.

Regardless for next year if they can have near the SP and BP they will contend as long as they add a 2b and RF'er. I like bono as a util guy.

Also...gotta consider trading Holland if there is an excellent offer. Hochevar pitched in a high leverage situation and it didn't phase him. Hope he is brought back (cant believe i said that) but he's found his nitch.

Been a fun year, c'mon Royals

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

I hope SOMEHOW they can retain Santana. Doubtful.

Regardless for next year if they can have near the SP and BP they will contend as long as they add a 2b and RF'er. I like bono as a util guy.

Also...gotta consider trading Holland if there is an excellent offer. Hochevar pitched in a high leverage situation and it didn't phase him. Hope he is brought back (cant believe i said that) but he's found his nitch.

Been a fun year, c'mon Royals

I would like to see them retain Santana if the deal is short enough and reasonable enough' but I'm not holding my breath.

Will be happy if they add ONE of 2B and RF. And I think Hochevar is a much more likely trade target' as he is more expensive and has just one year of control remaining. Time to do what Tampa did with Wade Davis and find some team convinced he can start again ... Or some team that needs a closer and thinks Hochevar is their answer.

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

http://www.foxnews.com/sports/2013/0...s-in-playoffs/

DETROIT – If you're a fan of an American League contender, please consider this unsolicited advice.

Root against the Kansas City Royals.

Root very, very hard.

The Royals are alive in the AL wild card race, thanks to Saturday's 1-0 victory over Detroit in one of the most riveting baseball games I've witnessed this year. They are 3-1/2 games out of a playoff spot and must pass four teams to get it. The odds are not great. But if Ned Yost's charges reach the postseason, there's a high probability that they will ruin your team's year.
The Royals are built for the playoffs, as much as any other AL team. Name a characteristic shared by recent October darlings. They have it.

* Hot at the right time? Check. At 35-21, they have the AL's best record after the All-Star break.

* Lockdown bullpen? Check. They have the AL's lowest bullpen ERA and a closer, Greg Holland, who Tigers manager Jim Leyland said may be the league's best.

* Formidable rotation? Check. James Shields is a true ace, Ervin Santana leads the Kansas City starters with a 3.23 ERA, Jeremy Guthrie is supplying his customary 200 innings, and Danny Duffy has been a revelation (2-0, 1.85 ERA) in five starts since returning to the majors.

* Airtight defense? Check. The Royals have permitted only 3.8 runs per game, the fewest in the AL.

* Athleticism on the bases? Check. Led by the fleet Jarrod Dyson, they lead the majors with 141 stolen bases.

* Charisma? Check. The team's young everyday players - such as Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Sal Perez - came through the minors together, lost in the majors together, and now are relishing their first chance to play meaningful September baseball.

All of those traits were on display Saturday, when the weather (65 degrees at first pitch) and atmosphere (sellout of 41,841) made it seem as if the postseason had arrived already.
The Tigers are closing in on a third straight AL Central title. After advancing to the World Series last year, they will be looked upon as favorites to win the pennant until another team proves otherwise. Detroit's roster is filled with players who know how to perform at this time of year. They proved that Saturday, even as their offense sputtered against Santana. Tigers starter Doug Fister was superb (7 2-3 innings, one earned run) while veteran outfielder Torii Hunter vaporized a scoring threat with a textbook throw to cut down Chris Getz at third base.
But the Royals, playing beyond their years, executed just a little bit better. They scored early, on Hosmer's RBI triple in the first. They were creative, as Hosmer - the No. 3 hitter - dropped a bunt single in front of the hobbling Miguel Cabrera. They were steady in big moments, most notably when Luke Hochevar - former first-round bust, now rejuvenated as a reliever - retired Cabrera with the tying run aboard in the eighth.
And the Royals secured the win on what felt like a season-making play: Omar Infante lofted a double to left with Prince Fielder at first, and the quake of the stands at Comerica Park told you third-base coach Tom Brookens was waving his arm. Fielder is not fast, but, with two out, the Royals needed to be close to perfect. They were. Alex Gordon rifled the ball to shortstop Alcides Escobar, who relayed to Perez, who applied the tag.
Out.
Game over.
Narrative on?
"This was a huge win for us," Yost said. "We had to have this win tonight. We haven't had a ballgame all year where we had to win. Tonight was it. We had to win this ballgame. And in the manner we won it was pretty exciting."
Hosmer called it "the coolest ending I've seen." Perez, already an All-Star at 23, said afterward that he couldn't remember the last time he tagged out a runner at home to end a game. He certainly hadn't done it in the majors. "That was my first time," he said.
Like a lot of his teammates, Perez is thriving in circumstances he's never seen before. Hosmer, who has been with the Royals since 2011, said Saturday's win was the biggest of his big-league career - "hands down." The Royals haven't had a winning season in a decade, while sitting on the longest postseason drought (27 years) in major North American professional sports, according to research through STATS LLC. This is foreign to the Royals, yet they seem at ease.
"I don't think anyone is satisfied with just a winning record," said Hosmer, after the Royals improved to 78-70. "Everyone in this locker room believes we can (make the playoffs). To us, that's all that matters.
"It's a blast. This is why you put in all the work, to be in this position - late in the season, to play meaningful games, to be in a race. This is why you play."
In many respects, the Royals have proven their mettle already. Saturday's win clinched the season series against Detroit (10-8). The Tigers, with arguably the best lineup in the majors, have been shut out 10 times this year; three came against Kansas City.
So, we know the Royals can beat the elite teams in baseball. The question is whether they will have the chance to prove that in October. The process of learning the answer is exhilarating for the Royals' players and gut-wrenching for their manager. Yost is normally stoic but grew animated when asked to describe his emotions during the final, heart-stopping play of Saturday's win.
In fact, he channeled Fred Sanford.
"Elizabeth! I'm coming, honey!" Yost said, gesturing toward his chest. "I'm coming! Get ready for me!"

Yost smiled. He can't say it, but he must know that he's managing the team no one wants to play.

That's a great piece that really gets my juices flowing, and it echoes what Petro and Rany were discussing Friday about the Royals being perfectly constructed for the playoffs ... if they can just get there.

Damn, guys, if we just play .480 baseball in May we're probably the No. 1 wild card right now.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

That's a great piece that really gets my juices flowing, and it echoes what Petro and Rany were discussing Friday about the Royals being perfectly constructed for the playoffs ... if they can just get there.

Damn, guys, if we just play .480 baseball in May we're probably the No. 1 wild card right now.

Like I said before, May Months and the Royals are a right of passage in Baseball. My bigger beef? After righting the Fanchise ship, we lose 7 of 9 at home, in August, to FLA, the White Sux and the Nationals. Reverse that record and we are the Number 1 WC team right now.

[Cephalic Trauma]

Kind of off-topic, but I hope we retain Hoch. At the very least, he could be trade bait in the offseason that might net us something very nice (2b or RF, preferably).

[alnorth]

Royals playoff odds (4.6%) are now higher than the Orioles on baseball prospectus.

The Rangers dropped a whopping 10% last night, they are now only 69.4%.

[SPchief]

Where's AustinChief with the gamethread?

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Royals playoff odds (4.6%) are now higher than the Orioles on baseball prospectus.

The Rangers dropped a whopping 10% last night, they are now only 69.4%.

I re-looked at the schedule's again, and the Royals almost have to win their next 4 to keep pace.

3.5 GB with 14 to play, and leaping 4 teams = damn near perfection

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by SPchief

Where's AustinChief with the gamethread?

Drunk or asleep.

[Cephalic Trauma]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

I re-looked at the schedule's again, and the Royals almost have to win their next 4 to keep pace.

3.5 GB with 14 to play, and leaping 4 teams = damn near perfection

Add in that some of the other teams play tough schedules too, and it doesn't seem quite as impossible.

[CaliforniaChief]

If the Royals beat Scherzer today, I'll truly start to believe that supernatural forces are finally intervening on our behalf.

And IFFFFFFFF that happens, I'm calling it right now...a 6 game home sweep against the Indians/Rangers.

[Raiderhater]

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Drunk or asleep.

I just sent him a message, we'll see if he responds.