Dumb bastards should have went after Rios last year like I suggested.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Alex Gordon has his bags packed. He&#39;s headed to Omaha.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/484434886560739328">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I assume it's because the Royals have a day off and his family is in Omaha?

Nah, he went 0/4 with a walk today. We can't put up with that kind of uselessness.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>(to spend the Fourth of July with his family)</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/484435160931135488">July 2, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Does that mean Ibanez will be playing left field Friday evening?

HIDE YO KIDS, HIDE YO WIFE

He's a streaky player, two weeks ago he was the hottest player on the team. I bet in 2 weeks he will be again.

This exact point has to be made multiple times each year since people don't understand how payrolls work.

Cole Manbeck ‏@Cole_Manbeck 1m
Billy Butler has a .338 slugging % over his last 425 at bats. Only 2 qualified hitters in the American League had a lower slugging % in 2013

Yikes

With country fat-ass OPSing under .700 it's time to consider a platoon at DH with Raul. While fattys split is identical this year, it's .903 vs .780 career so clearly he hits LH better. Raul is .826 vs .730 so it makes all the sense in the world.

Of course he would throw a tantrum so management may be too afraid to make a move on him. Our inmates do run our asylum, however even Moose finally had to face reality.

Billy's last year as a Royal?

I'd say probably, given the GM tried to trade him each of the past 2 years.

Because he knows he has zero power.

Billy Butler would have to go through a legendary tear for the ages over the last 3 months for the Royals to pick up that huge option.

edit: and I predict that a bunch of dumb casual fans who aren't paying attention will howl in protest and say we're being cheap after the Royals cut him.

Duncan insinuated that Dozier might make it to KC next year. If that's the case, they'd be replacing a left handed bat (Moose) with a right handed bat (Dozier). To offset that, they would replace a right handed bat (Butler) with a left handed bat (Ibanez). That whole lefty/righty thing would even out.

This is all assuming Dozier makes it to KC and Ibanez can still play at 42/43. He would still be faster on the bases than Butler and can play the OF and 1st.

See below

No doubt on all points. He'd need to hit 20 HR in the second half to even have a CHANCE to have it picked up, and even then I don't know that I'd trust him to keep it going.


I doubt Ibanez is in their long-term plans at DH, and I doubt they plan to bring in another full-time DH. I'd expect that position/that cash to be used to rest players and perhaps bring in a RF that would break the bank.

Someone like Marlon Byrd would be a great, low-cost option to slide between DH and RF.

Sal Perez gets 45-50 games as the DH next year. The 110 would be up for grabs. Someone like Byrd could grab about 1/2 of the remaining DH starts, with the rest being used for every day players.

Dozier fits in if Moustakas continues to suck. I could see him being a June call-up if Moustakas is again terrible.

If Moustakas starts hitting, I imagine the plan would be to use Moustakas at DH some once Dozier makes the big club.

I'd rather not have a full-time DH. Sure, maybe we can have a good bat off the bench who DH's a lot, but we should be embracing this new trend in the AL, where you use that spot to give guys a half-day off. It would also let us bat Salvy a lot of games.

A full-time DH only makes sense when you have an intimidating beast of a hitter who can't play the field. A few years ago we thought Butler might become that, but he didn't.

The big debate today on the other board is whether or not the Royals should fly a flag if they get a wild card but don't win the ALCS. Uhhh... yeah, lets get there first. I'm not even sure if we're making the playoffs at all yet.

(for the record, the correct answer is no. Flags are for Division, League, or World Championships)

Where's Hal MCrae when you need him?

A "Wild Card 2014" flag would be the saddest sight.

Totally different topic; Jarrod Dyson. Does he have trade value for a team that needs a CF. He's batting near .300 (we know it's against RHP), he can steal 2nd when everyone in the stadium knows he's going to steal 2nd, and he's made ESPN highlights a couple of times playing CF. We all know he can't hit LHP and he has no power. What's he worth?

Putting up a playoffs appearance flag is pathetic. It's the pennant equivalent of doing the wave.

Why would we trade him though?

In my opinion, he's not an everyday player because he can't hit LHP and he has no power. The Royals have an everyday CF (Cain) that can hit LHP and RHP. Eventually, he will become arbitration eligible. With his AVG being near .300 and with his speed, now might be the time to get as much as you can for him.

Will Butler retire or actually try to get in shape in the offseason to prolong his career (with a new team, obviously)?

He might bring back JP Howell :D

I doubt he'd bring back much more than a reliever or some ho hum pitching prospects. I think he has more value on team.

I'm seriously debating pulling the trigger on picking up one of these...

http://cdn2.bigcommerce.com/server40...0.1280.jpg?c=2

http://i60.tinypic.com/11aec5t.jpg

http://i57.tinypic.com/335d45x.jpg

He's only 28 so of course he'll keep playing. What's his alternative career anyway - pediatrician? He went straight from HS to pro baseball. What's really galling to him is that he only had to get through ONE MORE YEAR to get his free agent contract and now he shat that away. He was looking at something like a 4/45 deal and now he'll likely get a 1/7 deal. He threw away tens of millions with his dreadful season.

Dyson right now is MUCH better than Aoki. Both offense and defense. There's absolutely no reason to get rid of him. Hell, he's more valuable than Billy Butler.

I've got a Bo Jackson jersey similar to those. Should I post pics? :)

The Greatest Pitcher of This Era
by Tony Blengino - July 3, 2014

It is said that a single draft selection can fundamentally change a franchise, and this was never more true than the first round of the 2006 draft. The Dodgers picked seventh overall from a class that has turned out to be less than stellar. Of the six clubs picking ahead of the them, only the Rays, who tabbed Evan Longoria in the three hole, can refrain from thinking what could have been when surveying the outcome of that early first round. The Royals selected Luke Hochevar first, the Rockies followed with Greg Reynolds, and then the Pirates, Mariners and Tigers followed up with Brad Lincoln, Brandon Morrow and Andrew Miller, respectively, with the three selections immediately preceding Kershaw.

It didn’t take long for the Dodgers – and every other organization in baseball, for that matter – to see exactly what they had in the lean 6’3″ lefty from Highland Park HS in Texas. He steamrolled the rookie level Gulf Coast League to the tune of a 54/5 K/BB ratio in 37 innings immediately after signing, and then toiled less than two years – and 210 innings, featuring 261 strikeouts – in the minors before making his major league debut in late May 2008. To say the least, he hit the ground running....
http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-g...r-of-this-era/

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ucMKG0VOJ2...uicide+gun.gif

By all means

Raul Ibanez: 28 HR in his 20s . . . now 43 HR in his 40s. Amazing. Who's had a career path like this guy?

Barry Bonds?

Evidently you view his year as an aberration rather than a trend. From .882 OPS in 2012 to .787 last year to .669 this year, I don't see why a team would give him even a 1/7 deal. If he wasn't in such poor condition, I'd be more likely to chalk it up to a slump, but he really appears to be done.

He has in the past done one thing quite well - hit. Close to a .900 OPS is really valuable no matter what, but a sub .700 OPS guy who can't play the field and can't run is worthless. If he showed some motivation, and got into shape, I think teams would be much more willing to take a chance on him, but the way he is now, I dunno. Obviously, a strong second half could change his fortunes.

Do it. Trust me, you only live once. And sometimes by the grace of God, or the curse of Satan, you live twice...

Can I ask where you are looking at buying that? Sweet jersey.

Would buy/10.

The draft DM wouldn't participate in because he was drafting for the Braves.

Oh, if we'd have drafted Kershaw I'm sure Dayton would've claimed credit.

If we drafted Kershaw he would have been lucky to make it out of AA :)

Oh I think he sucks balls too. Just that he wouldn't retire at 28. Who knows, he could bounce back. I know we aren't resigning him.

You think Belly got scared and stopped using PEDs?

Wasn't his 29 HR year the same year Melky and Frenchy had career changing years? I'd say more than likely the 2011 and 2012 Royals had a few guys not all natural. Billy possibly included.

No that was the year after where Frenchy sucked and Melky got busted.

Butler probably isn't back but i'm sure Seattle or some other team that loves dh's will take him.

He doesn't look that out of shape besides being big boned his whole career imo...

Having an off year completely and he's done now? He's still hitting but not for any power, which is concerning

He holds little value as a singles hitter because he's slow and a liability on the base paths.

I guess if we had a 30+ HR hitter behind him it would be ok......but we don't.

Billy won't be back here next year unless it's at a bargain bin cost to the Royals. Some team might give him a 3 mil contract, but it won't be us. When a guy hits in literally two times as many double plays as he does home runs in a career, it's an issue for him seeking a new contract, especially when all he does is hit.

With the exception of the one year where he hit 29 homers, Billy Butler has ALWAYS been a one tool player.

29 homers was an aberration.

Much of this year Bill has been a zero tool player.

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAwWDU2MA...fT!~~60_12.JPG

http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/NTAwWDU3MA...Dc!~~60_12.JPG

Now we're talking..

Still odd things happened in that two year window. Butler hit 19 and 29 Hrs those two years. I'd say something was up with those 3. Obviously Melky was.

Why do ppl think Butlers baseball hitting ability has anything to do with him being in shape. Hes really never been in shape, hes always had a huge propensity to hit into double plays. Was he in shape two years ago when he hit 29 home runs? Hell no.

@McCulloughStar: In America Lineup: Cain 8, Hosmer 3, Butler DH, Gordon 7, Perez 2, Ibanez 9, Infante 4, Moustakas 5, Escobar 6, Ventura, 1. #royals

If Bill ever used PEDs, then he got the placebo batch

I really didn't think Ibanez would play this much. Maybe we get lucky and catch lightning in a bottle for several months.

He's been on PEDs his whole career. prolonged eating dinners

You can be fat and still use PEDs.

True, but Hes not even fat and strong like Prince Fielder or something. Hes just fat, pudgy, doesn't look like he lifts more than 5 times a year.

How about keeping Dyson in the field and just giving Butler a day off and making Ibanez the DH? I'd much rather have that.

Agree. Im still floored they are using Ibanez in the OF. There is a reason hes never been a high WAR player even though he hits close to 30 jacks a year in his prime, hes not a good defensive OF.

5 stars. Would read again. I laffed out lowds

I just dont how he goes from 29HRs in a year to 2 in half a seaaon. Hes not old or hurt. It just doesnt make sense.

It started last year. He's had 3 home runs the past 115 games.

Might as well have Dyson DH, he has 3 homers to. Thats what no power do

outside of 2012, Buter has averaged 14 HRs a year. and this year hes on pace for like 5 or 6? So something is obviously wrong.

His doubles are up to normal or acceptable levels this year though.

Cano was right to keep his weak ass off the All-Star Homerun Derby.

I'm still going to boo him, though. It still cracks me up.

I bet he ends up with 10-12 which isn't too far from the average then but that makes the 29 really puzzling still.

YOU SHUT YOUR WHORE MOUTH!

Never side with Yankmee scum.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Ned Yost plans to start Jarrod Dyson against the LHP on Saturday. He is also contemplating using Raul Ibanez at DH on Sunday.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/485171655799365632">July 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Haha, what is there to contemplate? Just do it Ned. Its not rocket science.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Infante is dealing with tightness in his lower back. Colon gets the first start of his career.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/485179977344638977">July 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Someone starting a game thread? I hope Colon plays well.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A reminder: The Royals game tomorrow night will be blacked out.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/485203747937607680">July 4, 2014</a></blockquote>
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I don't believe either team, Indians or Royals, is broadcasting the game tomorrow. The same thing happened last season in Cleveland. If you have MLB.tv, you will still be able to view, however.

Or maybe it has something to do with Fox, not sure.

Dang, I don't have it. Any way to know if it's the free game of the night on mlb.com?

Other than the fact Dyson can't hit LHP. At least Butler hits LHP just as well (or bad) as RHP.

Dyson can play the field and he's one of the best players on the bases.

Dyson is a much valuable player than Butler on any given day.

Ya, I have the link saved on my work computer, so I'll post it next chance I have the opportunity.

I hear what you're saying. Dyson is a great defensive player. But, Dyson's offensive stats look good because the Royals seldom play him against LHP. He's had five times more at bats against RHP than LHP. He's batting .238 against LHP. Butler is batting .267 against LHP. I would probably wait to bench Butler against a RHP since Dyson is batting .311 against RHP.