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Game 48 Open Thread - Royals (21-26) at Jays (24-25)

Royalsreview_tiny by royalsreview on in Events

Kansas City @ Toronto


So... we've got two bad offenses (last and second to last in the league) going up against two good pitchers, Greinke (2.18 ERA) and Halladay (3.37 ERA).

Does anyone else feel like this is going to be one of those that's baseball games, where the score is 7-5 after three innings?

Pregame Links

- Bluebird Banter, Drunk Jays Fans, and the Batter's Box are all strong Blue Jay blogs. Batter's Box even has the cool .ca web address, and this lengthy preview post on the Royals-Jays series.

-The Hardball Times reports on the Pitch f/x summit.

-I wish Paul DePodesta worked for the Royals. Unfortunately, this organization has hitched her sails to a completely different line of thinking.

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go expos

"So whattya say, should we clean this place up?" - Tom Cruise

by DyeFan187 on May 23, 2008 6:22 PM EDT   0 recs

Did you hear that the Royals signed Horacio Ramirez!!!!!!

That idiot Moore. I don’t know how we’re going to overcome this one. Culture of losing!

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:23 PM EDT   0 recs

There's no downside

Every MLB team has multiple veteran project players in their system. They are ultra-low-risk, very low cost projects with essentially no downside. So what reason is there to disapprove of the move? Because he’s now blocking Jeff Fulchino. What am I missing here, Will?

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:41 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

well i agree its a minor minor move

but that doesn’t change the fact that Ho-Ram sucks. he was one of the worst pitchers in baseball last year.

and the opportunity cost is greater than Fulchino, but also whomever else he might want to sign and send to Omaha

by royalsreview on May 23, 2008 6:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Lots and lots of minor league pitchers suck

Ramirez sucks. Wasdin sucks. Fulchino sucks. So you’re saying that there’s no reason for any MLB team to sign any failed vet to a minor league contract? Are you really saying that?

Ramirez won’t be blocking anyone. There is lots and lots of roster flexibility in Omaha. If the Royals want to move anyone to Omaha, there are several crappy older players who can be sent down or released like Fulchino and Buchanan to name but two.

This is what minor league contracts are for. You take spend pennies to see if you can re-work the guy into something. If it doesn’t work, you release him and you end up paying about what it costs to buy a new set of tires for the Burlington team bus.

Again, what is the downside to this signing. Can anyone tell me? Anyone?

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:47 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

isn't the downside that at some point he appears in a Royals game?

and that wasn’t possible before yesterday’s move

i just don’t think the odds of it working out are very good, and I would have rather just had the possibility remain stillborn

by royalsreview on May 23, 2008 6:52 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If that happens, then the organization is worthy of criticism (unless he pitches really, really well in Omaha)

So basically you’re saying don’t sign him because you know that he’ll never, ever been any good in the majors. Aren’t there many pitchers in AAA who we’re pretty sure will never been any good in the majors. I would argue that Ramirez has a better chance of contributing in the majors than Fulchino or some others.

There really is no support for the contention that a team should never sign a failed vet to a minor league deal.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:59 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I get your point

but every response just adds fuel to the fire.

by Gopherballs on May 23, 2008 7:11 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Buster Posey, Tim Beckham, Pedro Alvarez, Justin Smoak, or Aaron Crow

Hypothetically if they are all available who do you take?

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 6:27 PM EDT   0 recs

I go with Alvarez or Smoak

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 6:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

What's wrong with

Gordon Beckham, SS from Georgia? I don’t know anything about him just saw the numbers. He is a college player so would be ready quicker than the other Beckham. Are they related?

by I need more Esteban on May 23, 2008 6:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Tim Beckham has a chance to be an elite talent

Gordon Beckham is more likely to be an average MLB SS. Gordon Beckham is closer to major league ready, but he’s probably not worthy of the #3 overall pick.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:34 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

not related....one's white and ones black

i want beckham, alvarez, hosmer in that order

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on May 23, 2008 6:39 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

for some reason, this reminded me of the old SNL Ebony and Ivory spoof

Stevie Wonder: “I am dark, and you are light.”
Frank Sinatra: “You are blind as a bat, and I have sight!

by Gopherballs on May 23, 2008 6:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Eric Hosmer

Seriously, outside of Alvarez, I don’t see Ladnier and Moore taking a college player – it doesn’t fit our M.O. at this juncture. Moore comes from the “raise your own kids” school of thought on the draft and player development.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 23, 2008 6:38 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I wonder if he was down with the Hochevar pick… which technically he didn’t handle on draft day, but…

by royalsreview on May 23, 2008 6:40 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Forgot to add that I would be shocked if our pick isn’t one of Alvarez, Tim Beckham, Hosmer, or Skipworth.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 23, 2008 6:42 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

skipworth?...really?

is that the HS catcher?

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on May 23, 2008 6:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Skipworth would be an awful choice at #3

he’s not worthy

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

I wouldn't say awful

He’s the best prep catcher since Mauer and is flying up draft boards.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 23, 2008 6:44 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He's no #3

And he won’t go in the top 5. I’d bet a lot on that.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:48 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No one had Moose in the top 3

until the last few days. A lot can change in two weeks, and he is definitely in that 2nd tier with Smoak, Crow, Matusz, and Gordon Beckham.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 23, 2008 6:50 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Not true

He was on the short list for the top 3 for months.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 6:51 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Huh?

He wasn’t even on BA’s first draft tracker before the season started. I have the link if you need it.

The highest he was predicted to go for awhile was to the Brewers at 7, then he crept up the last week or so.

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 23, 2008 6:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

No, not at all

I’d really like to see anything that had him top 3 for months.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on May 23, 2008 6:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

If he doesn't got top 5

He’ll probably go #6. The Marlins love him.

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on May 23, 2008 6:54 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

They can have him

Yet another HS catcher who is very likely to fail.

I probably disagree with you.

by NYRoyal on May 23, 2008 7:00 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

yes that's him

Founder of the Rowdy Hardy Fan Club

by eazyb81 on May 23, 2008 6:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

id be SHOCKED if he didnt have the final say on at least that pick...

with the other ones, there couldve been a conflict of interest, not so much with 1:1

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on May 23, 2008 6:41 PM EDT   0 recs

More Gator, Not

Enough cowbell.

D. DeJesus rf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .285
M. Grudzielanek 2b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .301
A. Gordon 3b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .295
J. Guillen lf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .251
M. Teahen 1b 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .252
B. Butler dh 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .267
M. Olivo c 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .289
T. Pena Jr. ss 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .162
J. Gathright cf 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .259
Totals 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 What does it take to get enough cowbell, anyway?

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on May 23, 2008 6:42 PM EDT   0 recs

Why do they start at 7:07 in Toronto, eh??

Is that metric for 7:10?

I have many leather bound books...

by juano on May 23, 2008 7:03 PM EDT   0 recs

may be a local deal or something… the white sox always start at 7:11

by royalsreview on May 23, 2008 7:05 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Halladay is going to pwn us

I hope Zack brought his curveball

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:09 PM EDT   0 recs

If Toronto can wear blue pants at home

Then we have no excuse.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:13 PM EDT   0 recs

Yep

blue jersey, blue pants, blue hat with white center-panel

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

The uniforms are amazing

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:17 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

they do it every friday home game

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

love it…

i love all variations of the old blue jay uniform

love the old hat, love the weird futuristic font they used, all of it

by royalsreview on May 23, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Good to see Jose getting hot again

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Hooray Good Jose!!!!!!

Hooray runs!!!!!!

I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.

by philofthenorth on May 23, 2008 7:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

1-0

my opposite day style prediction is holding up so far

by royalsreview on May 23, 2008 7:17 PM EDT   0 recs

Why the hell is Teahen still batting 5th

He’s been godawful this season

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:18 PM EDT   0 recs

hillman is a robot that runs on cliches

by royalsreview on May 23, 2008 7:18 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Quickly

which Royals have a higher OBP than Teahen this season in relatively full playing time?

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:19 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Didn't say he didnt deserve to be in the line up

But he doesn’t belong in the 5 slot.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:20 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You DID, however

say “he’s been godawful”. No, he’s just not hitting the ball far.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

no.. he has been god awful just because he walks doesnt make him good.. his average is like less than .250

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 7:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Wrong again.

His average is exactly .250 right now.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

He has a .344 OBP

That’ snot exactly tearing it up. Factor in him hitting .250 and SLUGGING .350, and yeah, he’s sucked.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:22 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And he's still getting on base

more than anyone except Gordon and Grudz.

Yes, even DDJ and Butler.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:23 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

And yet, David is still outslugging him by 40 points and still batting leadoff

I dont understand why teahen isn’t batting leadoff and Dejesus isn’t batting 5th. Might as well, right…

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:26 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

That, I agree with.

And I agree Mark could be doing a hell of a lot better than this. I just disagree with constantly throwing him under the bus, as if he’s the problem. The way the lineup is constructed is the problem.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:27 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

mark teahen sucks.. get over it jonny

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 7:28 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Do you think Butler sucks?

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:31 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Butler is 22.. his first full year in the bigs.. no i dont..

ignorant question

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 7:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Yeah, okay

“Gordon, DeJesus, Butler”.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:35 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

?

You should have your own segment called “Morse Code with Jon Morse” it would be comical

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 7:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

You're impenetrable sometimes.

Look, I’m not saying Teahen is an immovable object whose name we should speak in reverent tones like Amos Otis.

If he was batting leadoff or second, he’d be well-suited. But since he’s in the middle of the order, his lack of punch is killing us.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:43 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Butler hasn't had 1000 AB's in the ML to prove his suckyness

Not that I’m saying Teahen isn’t a ML player, I’m just not convinced he’s an everyday ML player.

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:32 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Valid

However…

Butler in ~500 AB: .760 OPS
Teahen in ~1500 AB: .761 OPS

I mean, it’s like they’re the same guy, only one can run and field.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:37 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

i do not think teahen sucks...i think he's horribly suited for where he bats on this team.

and butler is in his first full season and has shown consistent power in the past…teahen has not

TPJ...you're dead to me

by billybeingbilly on May 23, 2008 7:33 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

Gordon? Dejesus? Butler?

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

One right, two wrong.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on May 23, 2008 7:21 PM EDT to parent up   0 recs

TPJ gets a hit off Halladay.. ha.

Yasuhiko Yabuta is to Major League Baseball as Drew Carey is to The Price is Right

by focs on May 23, 2008 7:28 PM EDT   0 recs

That just seems wrong

winning records follow good bullpens

by slayor on May 23, 2008 7:29 PM EDT to parent up