Royals Not everyone impressed with Dayton Moore - Page 2

shaneo69 · 01-09-2009, 08:13 PM

A Royal Dump
by Dave Cameron - January 9, 2009

Man, I feel bad for Royals fans. Today, they announced a two year contract for Willie Bloomquist, worth a total of $3 million. That gives us this unholy quarter of transactions:

Kyle Farnsworth - 2 years, $9 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.1 wins above replacement
Mike Jacobs - 1 year, $3.5 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.7 wins above replacement
Horacio Ramirez - 1 year, $1.9 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.2 wins above replacement
Willie Bloomquist - 2 years, $3 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.3 wins above replacement

Those Win Value totals are not per year, but three year totals. Over the last three seasons, that foursome has been worth 1.3 wins combined. That’s 12 player-seasons to accumulate just over one marginal win. If you were trying to scrape up examples of major league players who represent replacement level performance, you couldn’t do much better than this group.

That those four will earn a collective $11.4 million in 2009 is pretty staggering. $11.4 million for four guys who, if everything goes right, will add something like one win to the Royals roster next year. $11.4 million for one win. I guess it’s better than the $12 million they spent to get 0.2 wins from Jose Guillen last winter, but that’s in the same way that getting stabbed is better than getting shot.

Dayton Moore came from Atlanta with a strong record of player development. He’s going to have be a Hall of Fame caliber GM at cultivating talent from within his own organization to overcome what can only be described as a devastatingly poor ability to evaluate major league players.

Really, in a market that could only be described as the best buyer’s market we’ve seen in a long time, Dayton Moore has still managed to squander money on unproductive players who do nothing to help his team win. That’s amazing.

http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/a-royal-dump/

**DeezNutz** · 01-09-2009, 09:00 PM

This thread is going to end quickly b/c there's going to be too much agreement.

**DeezNutz** · 01-09-2009, 09:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MIAdragon

IMO it takes WAY more than 5 years.

I'm guessing keg means to the point of respectability, not a championship level.

keg in kc · 01-09-2009, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

I'm guessing keg means to the point of respectability, not a championship level.

Yep. And I really mean just in terms of rebuilding the minor leagues until it has a solid impact on the major league team. We were horrible drafting and horrible in player development. In all tiers of the organization from Rookie on up. That takes a lot of work and a lot of time to fix.

None of which is any sort of judgement on Moore, positive or negative. It's just an acknowledgement of how long I think it takes, and how long I think he should have before any sort of thumbs-up or thumbs-down is really justifiable.

KCCHIEFS27 · 01-09-2009, 09:48 PM

This "wins above replacement" is probably one of the most irrelevant figures I've seen used as basis for downplaying off-season acquisitions. AND he says it's a buyers market. Yeah it sure is, only if you have 200 million dollars to pay these hot commodities. I know it's been stated that Moore has an increased budget, but I didn't believe it then and I sure as hell don't believe it now. The guy is somehow making progress with a chain and ball wrapped around both feet. A round of applause from me to Dayton Moore for what he's been able to show me so far.

KC_Connection · 01-09-2009, 10:07 PM

Why would anybody sign Willie ****ing Bloomquist to a 2 year deal?

Heck, why would anybody sign him at all?

Thig Lyfe · 01-09-2009, 10:12 PM

Shoulda signed Sabathia.

Sam Hall · 01-09-2009, 10:21 PM

They wanted a backup shortstop, and the other options were similar to Bloomquist. It might take a season like Tampa Bay had to get the big free agents to come here. They need to show people they can win. I'm hoping they finish .500 this season. The guys they already have need to improve.

KC_Connection · 01-09-2009, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

They wanted a backup shortstop, and the other options were similar to Bloomquist. It might take a season like Tampa Bay had to get the big free agents to come here. They need to show people they can win. I'm hoping they finish .500 this season. The guys they already have need to improve.

You don't sign a backup shortstop for 2 years. Especially not one as shitty as Bloomquist. It just doesn't make any sense.

Sam Hall · 01-09-2009, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

You don't sign a backup shortstop for 2 years. Especially not one as shitty as Bloomquist. It just doesn't make any sense.

David Eckstein wouldn't have been much better. He probably would've taken away at-bats from a younger player. I don't think two years and $3 million is a big commitment.

Demonpenz · 01-09-2009, 10:53 PM

Mike Jacobs is going to win a couple of mike sweeney leadership awards i'll bet. It will be interesting to see how the royals awards shake down at the overland park convention center dinner coming up.

KC_Connection · 01-09-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sam Hall

David Eckstein wouldn't have been much better. He probably would've taken away at-bats from a younger player. I don't think two years and $3 million is a big commitment.

Not having roster flexibility because you used it on one of the worst players in the league is a stupid move. If a team wants to sign Bloomquist (before today, I didn't really see why anybody would), go from year-to-year with him, it makes far more sense than what the Royals have done.

Sam Hall · 01-09-2009, 11:34 PM

One good thing is Bloomquist may push Tony Pena Jr. off the roster. Gathright is gone, and people like Pena and Gload won't get as many at-bats.

**doomy3** · 01-10-2009, 12:06 AM

The thing that pisses me off is the signings of Farnsworth and the trade for Crisp. We could have saved money, kept Ramirez, and signed Burrell for $9Mill and had an outfield with Burrell, DeJesus, and Guillen. That looks a lot better IMO than Crisp out there. Plus our bullpen would be better, and it would still be cheaper.

Sam Hall · 01-10-2009, 12:11 AM

Sounds good, but I doubt Burrell would go from the world champs to KC. It reminds me of what the Nationals are trying. They are throwing money at the big names, but can't sign them.

eazyb81 · 01-10-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC_Connection

Not having roster flexibility because you used it on one of the worst players in the league is a stupid move. If a team wants to sign Bloomquist (before today, I didn't really see why anybody would), go from year-to-year with him, it makes far more sense than what the Royals have done.

Why the fuck does it matter? Will we not need a backup SS next year? Does Bloomquist have a small track record that would make us doubt he'll do what we expect this year and next?

It's amazing that people can even take the time to bitch about signing a backup infielder. Do you not have any hobbies?

01-09-2009, 08:13 PM
shaneo69 Smug Weasel Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Bleachers at Busch Casino cash: $10004900	Not everyone impressed with Dayton Moore A Royal Dump by Dave Cameron - January 9, 2009 Man, I feel bad for Royals fans. Today, they announced a two year contract for Willie Bloomquist, worth a total of $3 million. That gives us this unholy quarter of transactions: Kyle Farnsworth - 2 years, $9 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.1 wins above replacement Mike Jacobs - 1 year, $3.5 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.7 wins above replacement Horacio Ramirez - 1 year, $1.9 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.2 wins above replacement Willie Bloomquist - 2 years, $3 million, 2006 to 2008: 0.3 wins above replacement Those Win Value totals are not per year, but three year totals. Over the last three seasons, that foursome has been worth 1.3 wins combined. That’s 12 player-seasons to accumulate just over one marginal win. If you were trying to scrape up examples of major league players who represent replacement level performance, you couldn’t do much better than this group. That those four will earn a collective $11.4 million in 2009 is pretty staggering. $11.4 million for four guys who, if everything goes right, will add something like one win to the Royals roster next year. $11.4 million for one win. I guess it’s better than the $12 million they spent to get 0.2 wins from Jose Guillen last winter, but that’s in the same way that getting stabbed is better than getting shot. Dayton Moore came from Atlanta with a strong record of player development. He’s going to have be a Hall of Fame caliber GM at cultivating talent from within his own organization to overcome what can only be described as a devastatingly poor ability to evaluate major league players. Really, in a market that could only be described as the best buyer’s market we’ve seen in a long time, Dayton Moore has still managed to squander money on unproductive players who do nothing to help his team win. That’s amazing. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/index.php/a-royal-dump/
Posts: 4,910

01-09-2009, 09:48 PM	#19
KCCHIEFS27 Veteran Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: KS Casino cash: $10019064	This "wins above replacement" is probably one of the most irrelevant figures I've seen used as basis for downplaying off-season acquisitions. AND he says it's a buyers market. Yeah it sure is, only if you have 200 million dollars to pay these hot commodities. I know it's been stated that Moore has an increased budget, but I didn't believe it then and I sure as hell don't believe it now. The guy is somehow making progress with a chain and ball wrapped around both feet. A round of applause from me to Dayton Moore for what he's been able to show me so far. __________________
Posts: 3,088

01-09-2009, 10:07 PM	#20
KC_Connection Perpetual Mediocrity Join Date: Jan 2006 Casino cash: $3952783	Why would anybody sign Willie ****ing Bloomquist to a 2 year deal? Heck, why would anybody sign him at all?
Posts: 50,544

01-09-2009, 10:12 PM	#21
Thig Lyfe Banned Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Thigpen's America Casino cash: $10004900	Shoulda signed Sabathia.
Posts: 25,680

01-09-2009, 10:21 PM	#22
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	They wanted a backup shortstop, and the other options were similar to Bloomquist. It might take a season like Tampa Bay had to get the big free agents to come here. They need to show people they can win. I'm hoping they finish .500 this season. The guys they already have need to improve. __________________
Posts: 8,137

01-09-2009, 10:53 PM	#25
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $1826136	Mike Jacobs is going to win a couple of mike sweeney leadership awards i'll bet. It will be interesting to see how the royals awards shake down at the overland park convention center dinner coming up. __________________
Posts: 54,560

01-09-2009, 11:34 PM	#27
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	One good thing is Bloomquist may push Tony Pena Jr. off the roster. Gathright is gone, and people like Pena and Gload won't get as many at-bats. __________________
Posts: 8,137

01-10-2009, 12:06 AM	#28
doomy3 Supporter Join Date: Aug 2005 Casino cash: $4383539	The thing that pisses me off is the signings of Farnsworth and the trade for Crisp. We could have saved money, kept Ramirez, and signed Burrell for $9Mill and had an outfield with Burrell, DeJesus, and Guillen. That looks a lot better IMO than Crisp out there. Plus our bullpen would be better, and it would still be cheaper.
Posts: 12,864

01-10-2009, 12:11 AM	#29
Sam Hall UNSTOPPABLE Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: KC area Casino cash: $9895185	Sounds good, but I doubt Burrell would go from the world champs to KC. It reminds me of what the Nationals are trying. They are throwing money at the big names, but can't sign them. __________________
Posts: 8,137