Royals 2013 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread - Page 596

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?

Prison Bitch · 08-06-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

I would love Dan Haren on a 1 year deal, assuming he's 100%.

He's not. He's likely finished. Velocity is kaput.

Fansy the Famous Bard · 08-06-2013, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cephalic Trauma

Only snag with Beltran is the cards might offer a QO.

I like the idea of Vargas. Having a good season, and he's only 30. Depends on the price, obviously.

I guess the question is, would you rather have Lough+Kelly Johnson+Vargas/Baker/Haren, or Beltran (without QO)+Tejada+Paulino/Duffy/Ventura/Zimmer+Lough as 4th OFer.

I wouldn't mind Vargas... would be a much better end of the rotation guy that Davies.

BigCatDaddy · 08-06-2013, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rageeumr

Duffy story getting legs

Hearing LHP Danny Duffy heading to Kansas City, presumably to start Wednesday vs. Twins in place Wade Davis. No confirmation yet from club.
— Bob Dutton (@Royals_Report) August 6, 2013

Any chance they might keep him up and put him in the pen for now if Davis can keep it going?

**ptlyon** · 08-06-2013, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Any chance they might keep him up and put him in the pen for now if Davis can keep it going?

He can keep going to FA for all I'm concerned

CaliforniaChief · 08-06-2013, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

Any chance they might keep him up and put him in the pen for now if Davis can keep it going?

I hope not. He's a starter. Either he's starting here (which I prefer) or in Omaha.

BigCatDaddy · 08-06-2013, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

I hope not. He's a starter. Either he's starting here (which I prefer) or in Omaha.

I just think if you are a contending and don't want to pull Davis than Duffy might be a nice 8th inning type of guy. Herrera still scares me.

Cephalic Trauma · 08-06-2013, 02:25 PM

Joel Goldberg ‏@goldbergkc 26m

#royals vs LHP Albers: Cain 8 Hosmer 3 Butler DH Gordon 7 Maxwell 9 Moose 5 Tejada 4 Kottaras 2 Escobar 6 Shields 1

duncan_idaho · 08-06-2013, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

He's not. He's likely finished. Velocity is kaput.

Fangraphs actually shows his velocity up across the board from a season ago, slightly, and pretty much in line with where his velo was in 2011, when he was awesome.

I'm not saying you give him a big deal, but it would be worth kicking the tires.

As for Beltran, if you can limit him to about 130 games, you're going to get pretty great production from him. .300/25/80/.340 OBP/.500 SLG

With Lough and Dyson, that shouldn't be an issue at all. I like the idea from the standpoint of improving the offense. If Zimmer or Duffy or Ventura sparkles down the stretch, I'd be more open to that.

As it is, I'd rather stick with a Dyson/Maxwell platoon in RF and focus on adding another SP and a 2B.

mr. tegu · 08-06-2013, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

I just think if you are a contending and don't want to pull Davis than Duffy might be a nice 8th inning type of guy. Herrera still scares me.

Don't let Davis' last few starts fool you. The White Sox and Mets are bad. Minnesota had swept the Astros before coming here and were probably feeling pretty good about themselves as well.

BigCatDaddy · 08-06-2013, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Don't let Davis' last few starts fool you. The White Sox and Mets are bad. Minnesota had swept the Astros before coming here and were probably feeling pretty good about themselves as well.

That's fine to. I just think the team is better with Duffy up in some role.

duncan_idaho · 08-06-2013, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy

That's fine to. I just think the team is better with Duffy up in some role.

I think Duffy is pretty damn close to being ready to start again in MLB. He has been very sharp of late in Omaha.

**Saul Good** · 08-06-2013, 02:43 PM

Hopefully Shields can go 7+ tonight and leave us with a fresh pen.

Infidel Goat · 08-06-2013, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If that doesn't preclude them from signing a SP in the FA market, I'd be all for it, assuming he's interested. Would give them a LOT of flex in the lineup.

I think they need to nab at least on SP on the open market, or even bring Chen back on another 1-year deal. I'd prefer the guy have more upside than Chen (Haren, Baker, Jason Vargas), but you need the insurance, IMO.

Whatever money we spend first, I hope the initial dollars are used to extend Shields.

duncan_idaho · 08-06-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Infidel Goat

Whatever money we spend first, I hope the initial dollars are used to extend Shields.

I wouldn't complain. Would love to see Shields extended 2-3 years beyond next year. Not sure that's in the cards, but fastball/changeup guys DO tend to age better than guys that rely on wipeout breaking pitches.

Prison Bitch · 08-06-2013, 02:51 PM

WWBD? (What would Beane do?) Would he extend James Shields or not. Just ask yourself that. WWAFD? (What would Andrew Friedman do?) Extend Shields?

That should answer the question.

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: 22,310

08-06-2013, 02:25 PM	#8932
Cephalic Trauma Permitted Join Date: Jul 2011 Casino cash: $10004900	Joel Goldberg ‏@goldbergkc 26m #royals vs LHP Albers: Cain 8 Hosmer 3 Butler DH Gordon 7 Maxwell 9 Moose 5 Tejada 4 Kottaras 2 Escobar 6 Shields 1
Posts: 4,095

08-06-2013, 02:43 PM	#8937
Saul Good Quit your bullshit Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bored of winning Casino cash: $10052799	Hopefully Shields can go 7+ tonight and leave us with a fresh pen. __________________ Today is not a good day to be a pussy.
Posts: 41,870

08-06-2013, 02:51 PM	#8940
Prison Bitch Rabbi Goldmann Join Date: Nov 2012 Casino cash: $5450159	WWBD? (What would Beane do?) Would he extend James Shields or not. Just ask yourself that. WWAFD? (What would Andrew Friedman do?) Extend Shields? That should answer the question.
Posts: 87,025