Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 198

duncan_idaho · 10:01 AM

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?

Deberg_1990 · 04-15-2013, 07:00 AM

Dont really get why Wednesdays game is so early? Whats the point of that?

mr. tegu · 04-15-2013, 07:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

Can we feel better about the Braves that a big chunk of their wins were against the Marlins and Cubbies?

I like it.

duncan_idaho · 04-15-2013, 07:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

Haven't we already been over the splits of Alex in the leadoff spot? I mean, it was ****ing catastrophic moving him out of that spot.

It was a disaster early in the year, when Yost moved him in a panic as Hosmer started the season slow.

He was much better when moved into that spot later in the year.

Overall, his OPS was about 30 points lower out of the 3 spot than out of the leadoff spot last year.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing them put Cain in the leadoff slot and hitting Gordon 3rd, though it seems like Gordon has still found plenty of RBI opportunities hitting 1st.

I like Cain's approach quite a bit. He sees pitches and walks at least at a league-average rate.

For that matter, Hosmer's approach this year has been much better. He's quieter in the box and still showing good strike zone judgment (Current 17 percent walk rate). We're seeing a lot fewer of the weak swings, waving at a breaking pitch down and away.

Almost makes me wonder if it might be worth it to try Hosmer in the 2 hole, in front of Gordon and Butler.

Cain
Hosmer
Gordon
Butler
Perez
Moustakas
Francoeur
Getz
Escobar

That would put 4 guys who see a lot of pitches at the top of the lineup. Not-traditional - especially in L/R spacing - but I like it.

I'm much more of a Tony La Russa disciple when it comes to the batting order... would prefer having a guy with some thump hitting in the two spot, rather than a slap hitter trying to punch the ball to the right side.

BigCatDaddy · 04-15-2013, 07:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

It was a disaster early in the year, when Yost moved him in a panic as Hosmer started the season slow.

He was much better when moved into that spot later in the year.

Overall, his OPS was about 30 points lower out of the 3 spot than out of the leadoff spot last year.

I actually wouldn't mind seeing them put Cain in the leadoff slot and hitting Gordon 3rd, though it seems like Gordon has still found plenty of RBI opportunities hitting 1st.

I like Cain's approach quite a bit. He sees pitches and walks at least at a league-average rate.

For that matter, Hosmer's approach this year has been much better. He's quieter in the box and still showing good strike zone judgment (Current 17 percent walk rate). We're seeing a lot fewer of the weak swings, waving at a breaking pitch down and away.

Almost makes me wonder if it might be worth it to try Hosmer in the 2 hole, in front of Gordon and Butler.

Cain
Hosmer
Gordon
Butler
Perez
Moustakas
Francoeur
Getz
Escobar

That would put 4 guys who see a lot of pitches at the top of the lineup. Not-traditional - especially in L/R spacing - but I like it.

I'm much more of a Tony La Russa disciple when it comes to the batting order... would prefer having a guy with some thump hitting in the two spot, rather than a slap hitter trying to punch the ball to the right side.

I know you are wanting to use Escobar to be on for the top of the order, but I'd rather see him batting ahead of Frenchy and Moose at this point. He might drive in some more runs then those guys.

BigCatDaddy · 04-15-2013, 07:29 AM

Cain
Hosmer
Gordon
Butler
Perez
Escobar
Moose
Getz
Dyson

I think right now I would prefer this lineup.

AussieChiefsFan · 04-15-2013, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

Can we feel better about the Braves that a big chunk of their wins were against the Marlins and Cubbies?

I like the way you think....

Hootie · 04-15-2013, 08:18 AM

mr. tegu · 04-15-2013, 08:44 AM

Gordon was the third batter in an inning 4 times yesterday.

mr. tegu · 04-15-2013, 08:46 AM

I would prefer to see more Dyson/Cain than Cain/Frenchy. Maybe platoon that combination half way and if doing an uneven platoon, I would definitely prefer to see Dyson more than Frenchy. Dyson and Cain make that outfield look much smaller than it is.

duncan_idaho · 04-15-2013, 10:07 AM

Oh, and I'd still leave it as is for at least a few more weeks. If Perez and/or Moustakas starts hitting, I leave Gordon right where he is.

Should have mentioned that in my previous post but got carried away.

Hosmer hitting in front of Butler is a good thing. Hosmer hitting in front of Butler when Alex Gordon is already on base is even better.

Sassy Squatch · 04-15-2013, 10:12 AM

Just glad to be able to watch the team put on watchable baseball. Those years where they lost 100+ really shook my interest.

CaliforniaChief · 04-15-2013, 10:20 AM

With the obvious early nature of things, it's probably an overstatement. But these next 8 games will tell us what kind of moxie this team has.

Atlanta, Boston, Detroit all on the road. 8 games against above-average opponents.

If somehow we can win 4 of those games, you'd have to consider that pretty good at this point. As much attention as Atlanta is getting right now, if we can find a way to take both of those games, heads shall turn.

siberian khatru · 04-15-2013, 10:28 AM

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 10m

Diamondbacks, Royals RT @bumbacobrandon: @Ken_Rosenthal potential dark horses in AL/NL ? #bingit”

BWillie · 04-15-2013, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peyton's Princess

and I know that you're a n00b that doesn't really know anything but these repository threads cycle themselves pretty frequently...one week we'll talk about Gordon hitting 3rd, the next week about firing Ned, the next week about how great someone is, so on and so forth

so the only thing you're trying to do right now is get a reaction and I'll gladly give you one...

it helps me pass time on boring work days where I have no work to do other than being here

Where do I apply?

Jenson71 · 04-15-2013, 11:34 AM

Off-day baseball trivia:

What is Hall of Fame shortstop Joe Sewell (active 1920-33) best known for?

12-11-2012, 09:59 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-1889692	2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread 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? Last edited by duncan_idaho; 07-15-2013 at 10:01 AM..
Posts: 22,318

04-15-2013, 07:00 AM	#2956
Deberg_1990 In Search of a Life Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: San Antonio Tx. Casino cash: $344454	Dont really get why Wednesdays game is so early? Whats the point of that? __________________ Originally Posted by Cassel's Reckoning: Matt once made a very nice play in Seattle where he spun away from a pass rusher and hit Bowe off his back foot for a first down. One of the best plays Matt has ever made.
Posts: 68,402

04-15-2013, 07:29 AM	#2960
BigCatDaddy The Beast Inside Your Head Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Parts Unknown Casino cash: $-1560878	Cain Hosmer Gordon Butler Perez Escobar Moose Getz Dyson I think right now I would prefer this lineup.
Posts: 26,245

04-15-2013, 08:18 AM	#2962
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900
Posts: 56,356

04-15-2013, 08:44 AM	#2963
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $-1658700	Gordon was the third batter in an inning 4 times yesterday.
Posts: 26,457

04-15-2013, 08:46 AM	#2964
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $-1658700	I would prefer to see more Dyson/Cain than Cain/Frenchy. Maybe platoon that combination half way and if doing an uneven platoon, I would definitely prefer to see Dyson more than Frenchy. Dyson and Cain make that outfield look much smaller than it is.
Posts: 26,457

04-15-2013, 10:07 AM	#2965
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $-1889692	Oh, and I'd still leave it as is for at least a few more weeks. If Perez and/or Moustakas starts hitting, I leave Gordon right where he is. Should have mentioned that in my previous post but got carried away. Hosmer hitting in front of Butler is a good thing. Hosmer hitting in front of Butler when Alex Gordon is already on base is even better. __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 22,318

04-15-2013, 10:12 AM	#2966
Sassy Squatch The man you could post like. Join Date: Oct 2010 Casino cash: $-1210345	Just glad to be able to watch the team put on watchable baseball. Those years where they lost 100+ really shook my interest.
Posts: 42,049

04-15-2013, 10:20 AM	#2967
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $10715899	With the obvious early nature of things, it's probably an overstatement. But these next 8 games will tell us what kind of moxie this team has. Atlanta, Boston, Detroit all on the road. 8 games against above-average opponents. If somehow we can win 4 of those games, you'd have to consider that pretty good at this point. As much attention as Atlanta is getting right now, if we can find a way to take both of those games, heads shall turn.
Posts: 17,443

04-15-2013, 10:28 AM	#2968
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $-1125050	Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 10m Diamondbacks, Royals RT @bumbacobrandon: @Ken_Rosenthal potential dark horses in AL/NL ? #bingit”
Posts: 71,823

04-15-2013, 11:34 AM	#2970
Jenson71 fides quaerens intellectum Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: United States Casino cash: $8330900	Off-day baseball trivia: What is Hall of Fame shortstop Joe Sewell (active 1920-33) best known for?
Posts: 15,986