Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 206

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?

duncan_idaho · 04-22-2013, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Defense say "hi." If we are going to not get hitting we might as well have a really good defensive infield. And I completely agree with Duncan's assessment of Hosmer. Hopefully in the next few weeks he can pick it up by batting higher in the order. Moose has had his chance in the four hole and it hasn't worked. As I posted earlier, Hosmer has actually done really well higher in the lineup. Granted, it is a small sample size.

Hosmer to the 2-hole. I'm telling you guys...

Yost will never do it, because he's a baseball philistine and wants a contact/sacrifice/speed guy there, but I really think taking the Tony La Russa approach would help in this case.

**alnorth** · 04-22-2013, 10:29 AM

Will Smith was sent back down to Omaha today.

duncan_idaho · 04-22-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Will Smith was sent back down to Omaha today.

He was up for the double-header? I missed that.

siberian khatru · 04-22-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Archie F. Swin

While I'm no expert in player development (I'm much more like a casual baseball fan), we need to remind ourselves that Moose and Hos are very young major league players. I'm confident that at least one of the two will live up to their prospect hype within the next 1-3 seasons.

I just hope to gawd they "figure it out" quicker than Gordon did.

I think Gordon was figuring it out in his second season before injuries stunted his growth. He had a so-so rookie year, and made significant improvement in year 2 -- his 2008 is not far off his 2012.

But even then, people were calling him a bust because he wasn't matching the hype coming out of the gate. But he was an above-average player in Year 2, an ascending player, at least with the bat. He was not as bad as Hosmer and Moose have been the last year and three weeks.

Then he had hip and thumb injuries. Being healthy and moving to LF helped him get back on track (I think Seitzer tinkered with his swing, too).

AndChiefs · 04-22-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

He was up for the double-header? I missed that.

Yeah just because we could have 26 on the roster for yesterday.

**Dartgod** · 04-22-2013, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

They need to absolutely sit his worthless ass vs LH. He looks like a clown vs them. Complete clown. I just FF the dvr whenever he's up and there's a LH pitcher. Pointless to watch. You definitely want both of them getting as many AB as they can against live pitching. I just want it to be in Omaha and Okie City, not Kansas City and Dallas.

Archie F. Swin · 04-22-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dartgod

last I checked OKC was the Astros' AAA team....been a while since I checked though

Codered · 04-22-2013, 11:34 AM

Hosmer has had some terrible at bats this season too. However, he is finding ways to get on base. So I feel a little better about him figuring things out. Moose on the other hand just comes across lost when he steps up to the plate.

It's just maddening.

mr. tegu · 04-22-2013, 11:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Codered

Hosmer has had some terrible at bats this season too. However, he is finding ways to get on base. So I feel a little better about him figuring things out. Moose on the other hand just comes across lost when he steps up to the plate.

It's just maddening.

What is wrong with his approach? /Frenchy

Prison Bitch · 04-22-2013, 11:40 AM

[QUOTE=duncan_idaho;9613939]Yes, I disagree that ancient Miguel Tejada and utility guy Elliott Johnson could even do what Hosmer currently is if playing every day.

Plus, if one of those guys is replacing Hosmer in the lineup, you're likely playing Butler every day at 1B, which is a BIG defensive downgrade. QUOTE]

I'm not sure it's possible to go much lower tahn Hos 600 OPS. I have to think Clint Robinson (may he RIP) would've done that if not better. ZIPS projections probably suggest David Lough could do that if he played there for a month. It's not that high a hurdle to clear. You could even put Frenchy there and have Dyson play OF. That would lead to more RC than Hos chopping into double plays.

The key here is getting on these guy's butts. They're prancing around lke they're stars. They suck. And they need to be told ABs are precious at this level. Either you start taking it seriously or you're gone. It might be the best thing that ever happened to them. Sweeney, Dye, Gordon Butler, etc etc went to AAA. Greinke went to AA. What makes this duo so damn untouchable?

TLO · 04-22-2013, 11:54 AM

If we send anyone down right now it should be Mike. We get worse on defense at 3B but maybe Miggy can provide SOMETHING offensively. He can't do much worse than Mike at this point.

Cephalic Trauma · 04-22-2013, 12:00 PM

[QUOTE=Prison Bitch;9614122]

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Yes, I disagree that ancient Miguel Tejada and utility guy Elliott Johnson could even do what Hosmer currently is if playing every day.

Plus, if one of those guys is replacing Hosmer in the lineup, you're likely playing Butler every day at 1B, which is a BIG defensive downgrade. QUOTE]

I'm not sure it's possible to go much lower tahn Hos 600 OPS. I have to think Clint Robinson (may he RIP) would've done that if not better. ZIPS projections probably suggest David Lough could do that if he played there for a month. It's not that high a hurdle to clear. You could even put Frenchy there and have Dyson play OF. That would lead to more RC than Hos chopping into double plays.

The key here is getting on these guy's butts. They're prancing around lke they're stars. They suck. And they need to be told ABs are precious at this level. Either you start taking it seriously or you're gone. It might be the best thing that ever happened to them. Sweeney, Dye, Gordon Butler, etc etc went to AAA. Greinke went to AA. What makes this duo so damn untouchable?

This is just ridiculous.

duncan_idaho · 04-22-2013, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I'm not sure it's possible to go much lower tahn Hos 600 OPS. I have to think Clint Robinson (may he RIP) would've done that if not better. ZIPS projections probably suggest David Lough could do that if he played there for a month. It's not that high a hurdle to clear. You could even put Frenchy there and have Dyson play OF. That would lead to more RC than Hos chopping into double plays.

The key here is getting on these guy's butts. They're prancing around lke they're stars. They suck. And they need to be told ABs are precious at this level. Either you start taking it seriously or you're gone. It might be the best thing that ever happened to them. Sweeney, Dye, Gordon Butler, etc etc went to AAA. Greinke went to AA. What makes this duo so damn untouchable?

If Hosmer goes down, Billy Butler is playing first base every day. That's it. Francoeur hasn't played 1B in the major leagues and they certainly would slide him there. Same with David Lough. If Hosmer is in Omaha, Butler is playing 1B and the Royals are rotating Francoeur/Tejada/David Lough through the DH spot.

Big downgrade defensively with little upgrade offensively.

I don't know where this "prancing around like they're stars" thing is coming from. They're both playing hard and have good reputations as hard workers who are plus guys in the clubhouse.

I think Hosmer is getting the Alex Gordon treatment right now. No, he hasn't turned into what we hoped he could be and what it looked like he could be after his rookie campaign. But he also isn't as bad as many here are making him out to be.

ChiefsCountry · 04-22-2013, 12:04 PM

I'm glad some of you don't run professional sports teams.

Codered · 04-22-2013, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

I'm glad some of you don't run professional sports teams.

Oh brother ... I always love when somebody says this. Yes, because fans can't discuss sports related things.

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: 22,314

04-22-2013, 10:29 AM	#3077
alnorth . Join Date: Dec 2002 Casino cash: $57156239	Will Smith was sent back down to Omaha today. __________________ how many emo kids does it take to change a lightbulb? HOW MANY?! none they just sit in the dark and cry
Posts: 36,130

04-22-2013, 11:34 AM	#3083
Codered Starter Join Date: Dec 2003 Casino cash: $8878190	Hosmer has had some terrible at bats this season too. However, he is finding ways to get on base. So I feel a little better about him figuring things out. Moose on the other hand just comes across lost when he steps up to the plate. It's just maddening.
Posts: 761

04-22-2013, 11:40 AM	#3085
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	[QUOTE=duncan_idaho;9613939]Yes, I disagree that ancient Miguel Tejada and utility guy Elliott Johnson could even do what Hosmer currently is if playing every day. Plus, if one of those guys is replacing Hosmer in the lineup, you're likely playing Butler every day at 1B, which is a BIG defensive downgrade. QUOTE] I'm not sure it's possible to go much lower tahn Hos 600 OPS. I have to think Clint Robinson (may he RIP) would've done that if not better. ZIPS projections probably suggest David Lough could do that if he played there for a month. It's not that high a hurdle to clear. You could even put Frenchy there and have Dyson play OF. That would lead to more RC than Hos chopping into double plays. The key here is getting on these guy's butts. They're prancing around lke they're stars. They suck. And they need to be told ABs are precious at this level. Either you start taking it seriously or you're gone. It might be the best thing that ever happened to them. Sweeney, Dye, Gordon Butler, etc etc went to AAA. Greinke went to AA. What makes this duo so damn untouchable?
Posts: 87,025

04-22-2013, 11:54 AM	#3086
TLO Life is changing.. Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Missouri Casino cash: $-2350000	If we send anyone down right now it should be Mike. We get worse on defense at 3B but maybe Miggy can provide SOMETHING offensively. He can't do much worse than Mike at this point.
Posts: 43,030

04-22-2013, 12:04 PM	#3089
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $-1351248	I'm glad some of you don't run professional sports teams.
Posts: 51,984