Kansas City Royals @ Florida Marlins Game Thread (5/17)

[alnorth]

<table border=3 cellpadding = 4>
<tr>
<td>Final</td> <td> 1 </td> <td> 2 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 4 </td><td> 5 </td><td> 6 </td><td> 7 </td><td> 8 </td><td> 9 </td><td> R </td><td> H </td><td> E </td></tr>
<tr> <td>KC (20-22)</td> <td> 0 </td> <td> 0 </td><td> 2 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 1 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 3 </td><td> 9 </td><td> 1 </td></tr>
<tr> <td>FLA (24-18)</td> <td> 0 </td> <td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 2 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 0 </td><td> 5 </td><td> 0 </td><td> X </td><td> 7 </td><td> 9 </td><td> 0 </td></tr>
</table>

<font size = 1>KC Royals announce 6-year deal reached with Joakim Soria. $8 million over first 3 guaranteed years, followed by 3 team option years. Total value $30 million, and an additional $2 million if he moves into the starting rotation.</font>

<font size = 1>Florida Marlins sign SS Hanley Ramirez to a 6-year $70 million contract.</font>

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/mlb/teams/20080123/80x60/kan.gif

Loss, (4-5) Brian Bannister 6.1IP 6R 6ER 2BB 5K
Ron Mahay 0.2IP 1R 1ER 0BB 2K
Yashuhiko Yabuta 1IP 0R 0ER 0BB 1K

VS.

http://us.i1.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/i/us/sp/v/mlb/teams/20080123/80x60/fla.gif

Scott Olsen 6IP 3R 3ER 5BB 3K
Win, (3-0) Logan Kensing 1IP 0R 0ER 0BB 1K
Matt Lindstrom 1IP 0R 0ER 0BB 0K
Kevin Gregg 1IP 0R 0ER 0BB 0K

Starting Lineups

KC

1. David DeJesus, RF
2. Mark Grudzielanek, 2B
3. Alex Gordon, 3B
4. Jose Guillen, LF
5. Billy Butler, 1B
5. Ross Gload, 1B
6. Miguel Olivo, C
7. Joey Gathright, CF
8. Tony Pena Jr, SS
8. Yashuhiko Yabuta, P
9. Brian Bannister, P
9. Ron Mahay, P
9. Alberto Callaspo, SS

FLA

1. Alfredo Amezaga, CF
2. Jeremy Hermida, RF
3. Hanley Ramirez, SS
4. Mike Jacobs, 1B
4. Matt Lindstrom, P
4. Kevin Gregg, P
5. Dan Uggla, 2B
6. Jorge Cantu, 3B
7. Luis Gonzalez, LF
7. Brett Carroll, pr/LF
8. Mike Rabelo, C
9. Scott Olsen, P
9. Logan Kensing, P
9. Wes Helms, ph/1B

[beach tribe]

Let's get it on. The Marlins are actually sparking my interest in baseball, and that is not easy. Supposedly Miami doesnt support the team all that much, but when I bartend in Ft. Lauderdale, I find that a LOT of people in this area care about the Marlins.

[alnorth]

Top 1st

DeJesus flies out to center
Grudzielanek walks
Gordon singles to right, Grudzielanek to second
Guillen flies out to center, Grudzielanek to third
Butler walks, Gordon to second
Olivo pops out to first

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 1st

Amezaga flies out to left
Hermida pops out to shortstop
Ramirez strikes out (looking)

0 runs, 0 hits

[tk13]

I wonder if this is the first time DeJesus has played RF...

[DeezNutz]

Gordon with a nice swing.

[KCCHIEFS27]

Let's go get another win fellas!

[DeezNutz]

Well hit ball by Guillen. No more Emil Guillen from me; he's an upgrade.

[SPchief]

4 straight balls to butler

[SPchief]

:banghead:

[alnorth]

Top 2nd

Gathright grounds out to pitcher
Pena Jr strikes out (looking)
Bannister flies out to center

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 2nd

Jacobs flies out to center
Uggla grounds out to shortstop
Cantu hits an infield single to third
Gonzalez grounds out to first

0 runs, 1 hit

[alnorth]

The Kansas City Royals have just announced a 6-year contract with Joakim Soria. 3 guaranteed years, then 3 club option years.

[SPchief]

Good job Dayton

[SPchief]

Banny just got robbed of a hit

[chubychecker]

The Kansas City Royals have just announced a 6-year contract with Joakim Soria. 3 guaranteed years, then 3 club option years.

This is very encouraging.

[chubychecker]

Banny is looking good today.

[alnorth]

I'm pretty surprised they apparently (announced on radio, cant find on rotoworld yet) got a 6-year deal done loaded with club years. I wonder what the money looks like in that deal.

[alnorth]

Top 3rd

DeJesus strikes out (swinging)
Grudzielanek singles to right
Gordon walks, Grudzielanek to second
Guillen doubles to left, Gordon and Grudzielanek scores
Butler grounds out to third
Olivo intentionally walked
Gathright flies out to center

2 runs, 2 hits

Bottom 3rd

Rabelo lines out to third
Olsen flies out to center
Amezaga strikes out (swinging)

0 runs, 0 hits

[SPchief]

Guillen now has a 9 game hitting streak and 26 RBI's

[BigRock]

JOSE
JOSE JOSE JOSE
JOOOOOOOOOSE
JOOOOOOOOOSE

[alnorth]

we are going to get into this bullpen early today.

[alnorth]

KC Star is reporting that the first 3 guaranteed years in Soria's contract is a total of $8 million. No word on how much the 3 club option years are, but I presume they would be for more money.

[alnorth]

Top 4th

Pena Jr bunts an infield single to pitcher
Bannister sacrifices (bunt) to pitcher 1-4, Pena Jr to second
DeJesus lines into a 4-6 double play, Pena Jr out at second

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 4th

Hermida grounds out to second
Ramirez walks
Jacobs triples to center, Ramirez scores
Uggla fouls out to catcher
Cantu singles to left, Jacobs scores
Cantu to second on a Wild Pitch
Gonzalez grounds out to shortstop

2 runs, 2 hits

[SPchief]

ouch

[SPchief]

Either one of them could have cought that.

[banyon]

I'm pretty surprised they apparently (announced on radio, cant find on rotoworld yet) got a 6-year deal done loaded with club years. I wonder what the money looks like in that deal.

Great signing. Soria reminds me so much of Rivera with his mound demeanor and his cutter/change.

I'm sure Boston, NY, and the other money hoaring teams were already coveting him. Good work Dayton! :thumb:

[SPchief]

gah

[alnorth]

Top 5th

Grudzielanek doubles to left
Gordon strikes out (swinging)
Guillen flies out to left
Butler doubles to right, Grudzielanek scores
Olivo intentionally walked
Gathright flies out to left

1 run, 2 hits

Bottom 5th

Rabelo strikes out (swinging)
Olsen strikes out (looking)
Amezaga pops out to pitcher

0 runs, 0 hits

[SPchief]

oh billy billy billy billy

[alnorth]

Olsen might be done. He's coming up in the batting order and not impressing anyone.

[alnorth]

Olsen might be done. He's coming up in the batting order and not impressing anyone.

Or maybe not. guess he can probably pitch to the bottom of our order.

[alnorth]

Top 6th

Pena Jr pops out to second
Bannister singles to right
DeJesus reaches on a 3-6 fielder's choice, Bannister out at second
DeJesus caught stealing 1-3-6, out at second

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 6th

Hermida reaches on an Error by SS
Ramirez strikes out (looking)
Jacobs flies out to right
Uggla singles to left, Hermida to second
Cantu flies out to right

0 runs, 1 hit, 1 error

[alnorth]

cool, Bannister trying to give himself a bigger lead to work with.

[SCTrojan]

If TPJ can't make that play, then there's no reason to have him out there. He might have more errors than hits this series.

[alnorth]

Financial numbers on Soria's contract are out. First 3 years are guaranteed $8 million. The total contract is $30 million if he stays all 6 years as a reliever. There is a $2 million accelerator clause if he becomes a starter.

[alnorth]

Top 7th

Logan Kensing relieves Olsen

Grudzielanek flies out to center
Gordon doubles to right
Guillen grounds out to third
Butler strikes out (swinging)

0 runs, 1 hit

Bottom 7th

Ross Gload replaces Butler at 1B

Gonzalez singles to center
Rabelo walks, Gonzalez to second

Wes Helms bats for Kensing

Helms homers to left, Rabelo and Gonzalez scores
Amezaga flies out to left
Hermida singles to center

Ron Mahay relieves Bannister

Ramirez strikes out (swinging)
Jacobs homers to center, Hermida scores
Uggla strikes out (looking)

5 runs, 4 hits

[beavis]

Financial numbers on Soria's contract are out. First 3 years are guaranteed $8 million. The total contract is $30 million if he stays all 6 years as a reliever. There is a $2 million accelerator clause if he becomes a starter.

Flippin' sweet. Buys out a year of free agency too. Now they need to lock up Zach. :thumb:

[alnorth]

One pleasant surprise in the contract is that the Royals are apparently seriously thinking about converting Soria into a starter.

[beavis]

Flippin' sweet. Buys out a year of free agency too. Now they need to lock up Zach. :thumb:

Actually, I guess it starts after this year, so it's two years of free agency... even better.

[SCTrojan]

Financial numbers on Soria's contract are out. First 3 years are guaranteed $8 million. The total contract is $30 million if he stays all 6 years as a reliever. There is a $2 million accelerator clause if he becomes a starter.

Great stuff - good indication that the Royals are thinking long term and getting the pieces in place.

[Frazod]

One pleasant surprise in the contract is that the Royals are apparently seriously thinking about converting Soria into a starter.

Why would you want to f#ck up the best closer in baseball right now?

[beavis]

Why would you want to f#ck up the best closer in baseball right now?

There's no need to do it now with as solid as the rotation has been this year, but I definately think we'd be better served in the long run having him in the rotation.

[Frazod]

There's no need to do it now with as solid as the rotation has been this year, but I definately think we'd be better served in the long run having him in the rotation.

Having watched the Cardinals closers piss away game after game lately, I strenuously disagree.

The value of a solid, nails, F#CK YOU SIT DOWN GAME OVER closer cannot be understated.

[beavis]

Having watched the Cardinals closers piss away game after game lately, I strenuously disagree.

The value of a solid, nails, F#CK YOU SIT DOWN GAME OVER closer cannot be understated.

Neither can having your best pitcher in the game for 200 innings a year as opposed to 60.

[kcchiefsus]

And Bannister loses the game for us. Great job Banny.

[beavis]

Ack. I hate to jump all over Trey, but he obviously has left Bannister out there too long. Now he's also yanked Butler for Gload when we need to score again. :banghead:

[beavis]

And Bannister loses the game for us. Great job Banny.

Yeah, Bannister is definately what's wrong with this team. :rolleyes:

[SithCeNtZ]

And Bannister loses the game for us. Great job Banny.

It's not his fault he is left in there over 100 pitches and obviously losing control in the walk to Rabelo. Hillman needs to stop being a ****ing retard and trying to get all of our pitchers to throw 155 pitches a game.

[beavis]

It's not his fault he is left in there over 100 pitches and obviously losing control in the walk to Rabelo. Hillman needs to stop being a ****ing retard and trying to get all of our pitchers to throw 155 pitches a game.

QFT

[SCTrojan]

Ack. I hate to jump all over Trey, but he obviously has left Bannister out there too long. Now he's also yanked Butler for Gload when we need to score again. :banghead:

Don't understand bringing in Mahay to face the right-handed Ramirez. Would seem he is one batter too late.

[alnorth]

Having watched the Cardinals closers piss away game after game lately, I strenuously disagree.

The value of a solid, nails, F#CK YOU SIT DOWN GAME OVER closer cannot be understated.

because even a moderately above-average starter is more valuable than an elite closer. Generally closers are pitchers who have failed as starters.

[beavis]

I wish MLB would implement some kind of uniform restrictions. I hate it when guys where their pants over their shoes like Ramirez.

[ChiTown]

It's not his fault he is left in there over 100 pitches and obviously losing control in the walk to Rabelo. Hillman needs to stop being a ****ing retard and trying to get all of our pitchers to throw 155 pitches a game.

:clap:

For all the good things I like about Trey, that is not one of them..............and now, it's 7-3. ****!

[beavis]

This game went in the toilet in a hurry.

[alnorth]

Top 8th

Matt Lindstrom relieves Kensing batting 4th, replacing Jacobs

Helms comes in at 1B

Olivo flies out to center
Gathright grounds out to third
Pena Jr grounds out to second

0 runs, 0 hits

Bottom 8th

Yashuhiko Yabuta relieves Mahay batting 8th, replacing Pena Jr

Alberto Callaspo comes in at SS, batting 9th

Cantu strikes out (swinging)
Gonzalez hits an infield single to first

Brett Carroll runs for Gonzalez

Rabelo pops out to shortstop
Helms grounds out to catcher

0 runs, 1 hit

[beavis]

Top 8th

Olivo
Gathright
Automatic Out

:LOL:

[SPchief]

I go to the gas station to get beer, come back and see we are losing by 4 wtf?

[SithCeNtZ]

Maybe I am the only one, but I just don't get the love for Hillman. So far this season it seems like all he has done is make us a worse baserunning team. He really doesn't have a hand in the good pitching. Grienke was figuring it out before this year, so was Mech, so was Bannister, so was Soria. He has Meche throwing 130 pitches in April in year 2 of a 5 year deal that is huge in determining our success over the next 3 years. Our offense is worse than last year, and while you can't say that is his fault entirely, his baserunning calls have cost us more than a few outs. Overall , I just don't see how he is an upgrade over the other guys we have had in the past. Are we winning more? Absolutely. Do we have more talent now than we did before? Definatly.

[Frazod]

because even a moderately above-average starter is more valuable than an elite closer. Generally closers are pitchers who have failed as starters.

Again, I disagree. Great closers (not just whoever is assigned the task out of necessity) have an intangible quality beyond the mere ability to pitch well. With Soria, you have a guy who WILL save the game. Make him a starter, and slowly that gets ground away. I highly doubt Soria will be able to throw the way he does for an inning or two over the course of an entire game.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

And as far as losing goes, I'd rather get shelled than watch some washed up douchebag like Isringhausen piss away a hard fought win because he can't get three friggin outs. That's demoralizing as hell just from a fan's perspective; it must be horrible for the players.

[BigMeatballDave]

That 5-game win streak was nice while it lasted...

[beavis]

Maybe I am the only one, but I just don't get the love for Hillman. So far this season it seems like all he has done is make us a worse baserunning team. He really doesn't have a hand in the good pitching. Grienke was figuring it out before this year, so was Mech, so was Bannister, so was Soria. He has Meche throwing 130 pitches in April in year 2 of a 5 year deal that is huge in determining our success over the next 3 years. Our offense is worse than last year, and while you can't say that is his fault entirely, his baserunning calls have cost us more than a few outs. Overall , I just don't see how he is an upgrade over the other guys we have had in the past. Are we winning more? Absolutely. Do we have more talent now than we did before? Definatly.

I actually like the fact that he's selectively aggresive. I think he knows that he has to gamble a little bit given our lack of offense. I don't think there is a manager out there that everyone will agree with all of his moves.

Then again, it could be our history of shitty managers, and even a marginal one makes me happy.

[alnorth]

Again, I disagree. Great closers (not just whoever is assigned the task out of necessity) have an intangible quality beyond the mere ability to pitch well. With Soria, you have a guy who WILL save the game. Make him a starter, and slowly that gets ground away. I highly doubt Soria will be able to throw the way he does for an inning or two over the course of an entire game.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

And as far as losing goes, I'd rather get shelled than watch some washed up douchebag like Isringhausen piss away a hard fought win because he can't get three friggin outs. That's demoralizing as hell just from a fan's perspective; it must be horrible for the players.

Any team with a good pitcher can create an elite closer. Move your ace to the bullpen, voila: elite closer.

Soria will obviously not pitch as well as a starter, they never do, but if his ERA moved up only a little, he would be one of the elite starters of the game. The Royals would be absolutely idiotic to not at least experiment and see what he can do.

[beavis]

For f#$!s sake, Yabuta is in. They might score a dozen.

[alnorth]

For f#$!s sake, Yabuta is in. They might score a dozen.

meh, I'm fine with it. If he cant pitch to save the bullpen by eating up innings when we are down 4, then he shouldnt be on the team. His job is to pitch when its over so that better pitchers can go tomorrow.

[Frazod]

Any team with a good pitcher can create an elite closer. Move your ace to the bullpen, voila: elite closer.

Soria will obviously not pitch as well as a starter, they never do, but if his ERA moved up only a little, he would be one of the elite starters of the game. The Royals would be absolutely idiotic to not at least experiment and see what he can do.

This is the same kind of thinking that turned Dante Hall from the game's best return man into an ineffective receiver and an average return man.

[alanm]

That 5-game win streak was nice while it lasted...
It's nice to have streaks but I'd rather see them string a bunch of winning series together.

[beavis]

This is the same kind of thinking that turned Dante Hall from the game's best return man into an ineffective receiver and an average return man.

Heh, apples and oranges IMO. I get your point on the issue, but I'm with alnorth on this one.

[keg in kc]

It's nice to have streaks but I'd rather see them string a bunch of winning series together.Yep.

Should have a shot with Grienke going tomorrow.

[alnorth]

Top 9th

Carroll comes in at LF

Kevin Gregg relieves Lindstrom

Callaspo grounds out to second
DeJesus flies out to center
Grudzielanek singles to left
Gordon flies out to right

0 runs, 1 hit

Marlins win, 7-3

[beavis]

meh, I'm fine with it. If he cant pitch to save the bullpen by eating up innings when we are down 4, then he shouldnt be on the team. His job is to pitch when its over so that better pitchers can go tomorrow.

Yeah... it's more an expression of my frustrations of the money we're paying him to be a mop up man.

[alnorth]

This is the same kind of thinking that turned Dante Hall from the game's best return man into an ineffective receiver and an average return man.

If Soria would be "ruined" by trying out as a starter to the point where he cant go back to be a great closer, then he is highly overrated and has been a fluke.

[alnorth]

Yeah... it's more an expression of my frustrations of the money we're paying him to be a mop up man.

True. We've got career minor leaguers who could do mop-up duty for minimum wage.

[Hammock Parties]

Rangers going for .500

ONE OUT AWAY!

[Hammock Parties]

Dammit Guardado! 2-out single by HOUSTON.

[Hammock Parties]

THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE A .500 BALL CLUB

[alnorth]

THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE A .500 BALL CLUB

and they are still nothing without A-Rod

[alanm]

I'm watching the Rockies. They just pulled ahead of the Twins 3-2 bottom of the 8th. Twins are starting to fall apart. :thumb:

[Pablo]

THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE A .500 BALL CLUBEverything's bigger...and gheyer in Texas.

[KCUnited]

I don't mind Hillman leaving Bannister in. He wasn't trying to stretch him. He's trying to send a message to his players that he trusts them with the ball in their hands. It just didn't work out tonight. I thought he took the ball out of Hochever's hand too early the other night, but it worked out.

[teedubya]

HOW THE **** did Soria NOT get a signing bonus? Am I reading this correctly?

He signed an extension... and gets paid $1 million next year, 3 mill in 2010 and 4 mill in 2011, with 3 years of options. How did he not get like a fat bonus RIGHT NOW?

[SPchief]

HOW THE **** did Soria NOT get a signing bonus? Am I reading this correctly?

He signed an extension... and gets paid $1 million next year, 3 mill in 2010 and 4 mill in 2011, with 3 years of options. How did he not get like a fat bonus RIGHT NOW?

Are you Sorias agent? This is a good deal for both sides

[teedubya]

yeah, its a good deal, but shit, give me .5 million right now, something, shit.

[tk13]

Yeah, but baseball contracts are guaranteed anyway, so signing bonuses aren't really that important. I'm not sure how many contracts actually have those... which is probably a good thing.

[beavis]

Yeah, but baseball contracts are guaranteed anyway, so signing bonuses aren't really that important. I'm not sure how many contracts actually have those... which is probably a good thing.

Pretty rare from what I've seen. Even if there is one, it's usually relatively small compared to the size of the contract. If anything, they defer some of the money until after the contract expires.

[beavis]

THE TEXAS RANGERS ARE A .500 BALL CLUB

Is it really necessary to post this in a Royals thread? No one cares about Texas.