Royals Greinke doubts Royals' rebuilding plans.... - Page 4

**petegz28** · 08-05-2010, 10:19 PM

SEATTLE | Zack Greinke isn’t sure he wants to endure the growing pains he knows are coming as the Royals gear up for another youth-based rebuilding plan.

It matters little that growing optimism surrounds numerous prospects currently percolating through the club’s farm system or that raves from outside the organization match in-house assessments for the first time in years.

Greinke greets it with a shrug.

“Every system has something,” he said. “The biggest problem is I have two more years on my contract. Are those guys supposed to make it up by the beginning of next year?”

Tell him, yes, some are projected to reach the majors next year, and Greinke just shakes his head. He seems a resigned skeptic dulled by the hard reality of too many losses over too many years.

“Very rarely,” he argued, “do guys come straight into the big leagues and make an impact, especially hitters. Just look at the top prospects in baseball. Delmon Young was one five years ago, and he’s finally starting to play well.

“Alex Gordon was one four years ago, and he might be starting to play well now. So the problem (with the Royals’ prospects) is that it’s not like as soon as they get here that it’s going to be instant (success). Maybe by 2014.”

Greinke lets that harsh assessment hang in the air for a moment before continuing.

“There’s no reason for me to get real excited about it,” he said, “because the chance of more than one of them making a major impact by the time my contract is up is pretty slim.”

Greinke knows the effect his words will have. While still just 26, he trails only injured outfielder David DeJesus among players on the club’s 40-man roster in continuous service time with the organization.

He knows, too, that as much as he finds it “annoying,” he is the face of the franchise and its most recognizable star. (All-Star closer Joakim Soria, for all his accomplishments, still hears his name mispronounced outside of Kansas City.)

Greinke is a homegrown success story, the American League’s reigning Cy Young Award winner and by 2012, the final year of his contract, will be the highest-paid player in franchise history.

His harsh assessment carries weight, although it’s wrong, he makes clear, to conclude he wants out. Even so, Greinke hedges when asked if he sees himself staying with the Royals beyond 2012.

“It depends more on the team now,” he admitted. “We’ll see. This is at least the third full re-start/rebuilding phase since I’ve been here. And, obviously, none of them have worked. This one hasn’t even really started yet.”

Some of this could be frustration talking, of course.

It’s early August – the onset of baseball’s dog days, when the blues set in on all struggling teams. The Royals find themselves 16 games under .500 at 46-62. Club officials make it clear the final 54 games will be an evaluation period.

And, personally, Greinke is laboring through a disappointing (and perhaps inevitable) drop-off from his Cy Young success. He is 7-10 with a 3.97 ERA entering his start Friday against the Mariners.

“It’s probably more of a grind than any year since 2005,” he said. “This one has been like that one for most of the season.”

Those are sobering words. Greinke came close to a breakdown in 2005. He went 5-17 with a 5.80 ERA and was thoroughly miserable.

The following spring, he quit baseball for a brief period before returning once he was diagnosed and treated for clinical depression and social anxiety. That treatment unlocked his potential and spurred his development into one of the game’s top pitchers.

There’s little reason to suspect a relapse, although the attention surrounding his success likely elevated his stress level. He also got married in the offseason; a life-changing experience under the best of circumstances.

A calmer offseason this winter should help.

What emerges instead from listening to Greinke earlier this week, on a rare occasion when he chose to open up, is that his current discouragement stems, primarily, from the drudgery of losing.

Another roster overhaul might be the Royals’ best chance, perhaps their only chance, to shake the malaise from a lost generation. Greinke doesn’t argue the point. He just views it from a personal perspective.

“It’s not real exciting to have to go through it again,” he said. “It’s been six years with me, and most people (who are Royals fans) have been through a lot more than I have. But for me, it’s the third complete re-start/rebuilding phase.”

Would he be happier elsewhere?

“I like Kansas City,” Greinke said. “It’s a town that fits me pretty well. But I don’t know…at least put a team together that has a fighting chance (to win).”

He means soon. Not 2014.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com. Follow his updates at twitter.com/Royals_Report.

Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/05...#ixzz0vnQdGPqs

**alpha_omega** · 08-06-2010, 08:31 AM

Sounds about right to me. These are definitely not the Royals from my childhood.

CaliforniaChief · 08-06-2010, 08:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pr_capone

I hope so. Gladly give you Chipper and Lowe for Zach.

No deal...but I'll take Gregor Bla...wait.

Heyward?

OmahaChief · 08-06-2010, 08:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

his choice of young hot chicks, shall I go on?

Consdering Zack is married to a smokin hot chick already I don't think that is much for him to care about.

Jerm · 08-06-2010, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

No deal...but I'll take Gregor Bla...wait.

Heyward?

Heyward??? No way...Frank Wren would be lynched if he dealt J-Hey. They've never had any intention of trading him and won't.

The Braves are straight loaded with minor league talent especially pitching...if we wanted to do a Greinke deal I think it could happen.

Demonpenz · 08-06-2010, 09:20 AM

The said thing is once we get the team going it is just enough to compete with the rest of the division. We still probably won't win, we will just be at their level for a year or two. Once we get a lineup set I am willing to be the white sox will still on paper have a better rotation. Twins a better lineup etc tigers a better power hitter.

**gblowfish** · 08-06-2010, 09:22 AM

Here's how the Royals will respond to this:

Greinke pitches here one more year. We lose 90 games.

Greinke traded for three minor leaguers, all in their early 20's.

Royals front office says "Just wait another three years, then, hooo boy...."

Royals PR wanks say "TShirt Tuesday! Disco Retro Nite! College ID Nite! Fireworks Friday! Look, a shiny object! Look another shiny object!"

David Glass says: "Who wants to buy this POS franchise for $400 million?"

Same as it ever was.
Same as it ever was.
Same as it...
Ever....
Was.

**HemiEd** · 08-06-2010, 09:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

and never winning.

The question was, what does he have to be excited about, not what does he have to complain about.

teedubya · 08-06-2010, 09:41 AM

I watched Game 6 of 1985 World Series last night. So, in my imagination, they are winners. I may watch game 7 tonight. Winners, dammit!!

**The Franchise** · 08-06-2010, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kcxiv

I really wish mY Dodgers could scoop him up, but we got the most reeruned, ok 2nd reeruned owner there is. I HATE, ****ing HATE Frank McCourt.

This.

He's ****ing killing the Dodgers right now.

Brock · 08-06-2010, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HemiEd

The question was, what does he have to be excited about, not what does he have to complain about.

He can get the things you spoke of in any MLB city.

**HemiEd** · 08-06-2010, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brock

He can get the things you spoke of in any MLB city.

No doubt about that.

But the question was, "what does he have to be excited about."

****, he could be an unemployed Pontiac factory worker. He should be damned excited about his situation, the fact that it could be better, is something else entirely.

SithCeNtZ · 08-06-2010, 10:49 AM

I don't envy Moore's position in this at all. On one hand, you have the face of the franchise and a big fan favorite. He has a cy young and clearly has good stuff but.........on the other hand, he has really only had one good season ever, you can't be sure that mentally he is stable enough to give him a huge long term deal, and he might not want to stay for many more years.

Sad as it is, I'd vote for trading him in the off season. His potential value in trade is just too good to pass up when you consider that he is probably right, he won't be around for all of our prospects to get good.

08-05-2010, 10:19 PM
petegz28 Supporter Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Olathe, Ks Casino cash: $2254127	Greinke doubts Royals' rebuilding plans.... SEATTLE \| Zack Greinke isn’t sure he wants to endure the growing pains he knows are coming as the Royals gear up for another youth-based rebuilding plan. It matters little that growing optimism surrounds numerous prospects currently percolating through the club’s farm system or that raves from outside the organization match in-house assessments for the first time in years. Greinke greets it with a shrug. “Every system has something,” he said. “The biggest problem is I have two more years on my contract. Are those guys supposed to make it up by the beginning of next year?” Tell him, yes, some are projected to reach the majors next year, and Greinke just shakes his head. He seems a resigned skeptic dulled by the hard reality of too many losses over too many years. “Very rarely,” he argued, “do guys come straight into the big leagues and make an impact, especially hitters. Just look at the top prospects in baseball. Delmon Young was one five years ago, and he’s finally starting to play well. “Alex Gordon was one four years ago, and he might be starting to play well now. So the problem (with the Royals’ prospects) is that it’s not like as soon as they get here that it’s going to be instant (success). Maybe by 2014.” Greinke lets that harsh assessment hang in the air for a moment before continuing. “There’s no reason for me to get real excited about it,” he said, “because the chance of more than one of them making a major impact by the time my contract is up is pretty slim.” Greinke knows the effect his words will have. While still just 26, he trails only injured outfielder David DeJesus among players on the club’s 40-man roster in continuous service time with the organization. He knows, too, that as much as he finds it “annoying,” he is the face of the franchise and its most recognizable star. (All-Star closer Joakim Soria, for all his accomplishments, still hears his name mispronounced outside of Kansas City.) Greinke is a homegrown success story, the American League’s reigning Cy Young Award winner and by 2012, the final year of his contract, will be the highest-paid player in franchise history. His harsh assessment carries weight, although it’s wrong, he makes clear, to conclude he wants out. Even so, Greinke hedges when asked if he sees himself staying with the Royals beyond 2012. “It depends more on the team now,” he admitted. “We’ll see. This is at least the third full re-start/rebuilding phase since I’ve been here. And, obviously, none of them have worked. This one hasn’t even really started yet.” Some of this could be frustration talking, of course. It’s early August – the onset of baseball’s dog days, when the blues set in on all struggling teams. The Royals find themselves 16 games under .500 at 46-62. Club officials make it clear the final 54 games will be an evaluation period. And, personally, Greinke is laboring through a disappointing (and perhaps inevitable) drop-off from his Cy Young success. He is 7-10 with a 3.97 ERA entering his start Friday against the Mariners. “It’s probably more of a grind than any year since 2005,” he said. “This one has been like that one for most of the season.” Those are sobering words. Greinke came close to a breakdown in 2005. He went 5-17 with a 5.80 ERA and was thoroughly miserable. The following spring, he quit baseball for a brief period before returning once he was diagnosed and treated for clinical depression and social anxiety. That treatment unlocked his potential and spurred his development into one of the game’s top pitchers. There’s little reason to suspect a relapse, although the attention surrounding his success likely elevated his stress level. He also got married in the offseason; a life-changing experience under the best of circumstances. A calmer offseason this winter should help. What emerges instead from listening to Greinke earlier this week, on a rare occasion when he chose to open up, is that his current discouragement stems, primarily, from the drudgery of losing. Another roster overhaul might be the Royals’ best chance, perhaps their only chance, to shake the malaise from a lost generation. Greinke doesn’t argue the point. He just views it from a personal perspective. “It’s not real exciting to have to go through it again,” he said. “It’s been six years with me, and most people (who are Royals fans) have been through a lot more than I have. But for me, it’s the third complete re-start/rebuilding phase.” Would he be happier elsewhere? “I like Kansas City,” Greinke said. “It’s a town that fits me pretty well. But I don’t know…at least put a team together that has a fighting chance (to win).” He means soon. Not 2014. To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, send e-mail to bdutton@kcstar.com. Follow his updates at twitter.com/Royals_Report. Read more: http://www.kansascity.com/2010/08/05...#ixzz0vnQdGPqs
Posts: 128,423

08-06-2010, 08:31 AM	#46
alpha_omega Supporter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Liberty Casino cash: $1111251	Sounds about right to me. These are definitely not the Royals from my childhood.
Posts: 16,837

08-06-2010, 09:20 AM	#50
Demonpenz Woman should only make babies Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Apartment "G UNIT!" Casino cash: $2692136	The said thing is once we get the team going it is just enough to compete with the rest of the division. We still probably won't win, we will just be at their level for a year or two. Once we get a lineup set I am willing to be the white sox will still on paper have a better rotation. Twins a better lineup etc tigers a better power hitter. __________________
Posts: 54,356

08-06-2010, 09:22 AM	#51
gblowfish Be Kind To Your Pets Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Glorious Independence, MO Casino cash: $17586178 VARSITY	Here's how the Royals will respond to this: Greinke pitches here one more year. We lose 90 games. Greinke traded for three minor leaguers, all in their early 20's. Royals front office says "Just wait another three years, then, hooo boy...." Royals PR wanks say "TShirt Tuesday! Disco Retro Nite! College ID Nite! Fireworks Friday! Look, a shiny object! Look another shiny object!" David Glass says: "Who wants to buy this POS franchise for $400 million?" Same as it ever was. Same as it ever was. Same as it... Ever.... Was.
Posts: 40,849

08-06-2010, 09:41 AM	#53
teedubya Most Valuable Poster Join Date: Oct 2003 Casino cash: $9460002	I watched Game 6 of 1985 World Series last night. So, in my imagination, they are winners. I may watch game 7 tonight. Winners, dammit!!
Posts: 36,664

08-06-2010, 10:49 AM	#57
SithCeNtZ Starter Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lawrence Casino cash: $2441995	I don't envy Moore's position in this at all. On one hand, you have the face of the franchise and a big fan favorite. He has a cy young and clearly has good stuff but.........on the other hand, he has really only had one good season ever, you can't be sure that mentally he is stable enough to give him a huge long term deal, and he might not want to stay for many more years. Sad as it is, I'd vote for trading him in the off season. His potential value in trade is just too good to pass up when you consider that he is probably right, he won't be around for all of our prospects to get good.
Posts: 956