Royals mailbag

by loyal2sdad on Jul 21, 2008 5:45 PM EDT

Anybody read the Royals mailbag today?

Hillman sorta making overtures that he is at least entertaining the idea of sitting Gordon or Teahen in favor of German.

You all know I am a big German fan, but I'm not sure how this can be a positive for the future. Bell did a good job protecting Gordon against lefties last year, and when asked to play full-time against them this year, Gordon has really had a rough time (look at his splits, but do so without a full stomach). Teahen, on the other hand, has had much more time to develop against the lefties, and while he is certainly better than Gordon against them, IMHO his platoon differential is unacceptable high for a full time player as well.

If this team was contending this season, I would have been calling for a straight platoon of somebody with Gordon from the beginning - but we are supposed to be rebuilding, right? So which is it Trey? Should we accept the growing pains of Gordon trying to hit lefties, or should we screw with him in an effort to increase our win total this year from 74 to 76?

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We don't know what Hillman is really doing

Is he really considering platooning Gordon and German? Maybe. Is he trying to motivate Gordon? Perhaps. Hard to say.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 21, 2008 5:50 PM EDT 0 recs

But this report

combined with Hillman having Guillen pinch hit for Gordon yesterday would seem to indicate that at the very least, Smirky is in Hillman’s doghouse for something.

The only other possibility I can think of (besides the ones you named) is that this represents a last-ditch effort to shop German before the trade deadline.

by DarthYoshi on Jul 21, 2008 7:29 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ol' Smirky

curenlty has a higher EQA that “make ‘em think about me” Guillen or whatever Hillman said. That’s not even counting the platoon split. (Which Trey has a tenuous grasp of apparently, from this and his Gobble usage).

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jul 21, 2008 7:34 PM EDT up 0 recs

Ugh

If they are trying to motivate him, its a stupid way to try to motivate him. If he really thinks German is a better bat than Gordon, well….I don’t know what to tell him.

I guess I should be well accustomed to the Royals mishandling young players with potential.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 22, 2008 12:00 AM EDT up 0 recs

Maybe we should wait until Gordon is actually benched before we call this mishandling

So far we’ve got some vague statement about German playing some third…maybe. And that’s all. Can’t we wait to overreact until it actually happens?

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 22, 2008 12:07 AM EDT up 0 recs

let the mishandling begin

This space intentionally left blank.

by marbotty on Jul 23, 2008 10:46 AM EDT up 0 recs

Gordon didn't start against one LHP

The sky is falling! The sky is falling!

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 23, 2008 11:30 AM EDT up 0 recs

Still, I haven't heard the reasoning, but it couldn't have been

just to give him a rest, you know, 4 days after 4 days rest.

My mother's basement is better than YOUR mother's basement!!

by Royal Kingdom on Jul 23, 2008 11:40 AM EDT up 0 recs

Or maybe to occasionally sit him against some LH SP's

Would that be mishandling? Of course not.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 23, 2008 3:44 PM EDT up 0 recs

I don't think so, I am just curious to see if there is a change

in his usage pattern moving forward, we will see.

My mother's basement is better than YOUR mother's basement!!

by Royal Kingdom on Jul 24, 2008 12:47 PM EDT up 0 recs

That's true

still, pretty shocking to read in print, wasn’t it?

by loyal2sdad on Jul 21, 2008 5:58 PM EDT 0 recs

If you are looking for a silver lining with Gordon, its that he

walked 4 times in the Sox series. Hopefully, it was a concscious effort to improve his strike zone discipline over the break that will result in him breaking out. He didn’t appear to be chasing the low/outside pitches as much…time will tell.

My mother's basement is better than YOUR mother's basement!!

by Royal Kingdom on Jul 21, 2008 5:59 PM EDT 0 recs

The whole thing about trying to "motivate" Gordon

is interesting.

To me, what I see is different than Trey. I see a player who has made significant strides versus right handers, but has regressed versus the lefties. I have not seen any lack of effort, but then again I am not an intimate part of the club.

If what I see is correct, than what the kid needs is some HELP with his approach to hitting lefties – not to have his confidence shattered by being threatened with a platoon.

If Trey really wants to send a message, than use an option and send him down to Omaha, and tell the manager down there he is to only bat against left handers. THAT would send a message.

by loyal2sdad on Jul 21, 2008 6:01 PM EDT 0 recs

about Teahen

he seems to be striking out more recently. The easy answer is that he is trying too hard, but I am beginning to be concerned about him.

The concept of progress acts as a protective mechanism to shield us from the terrors of the future. - Collected sayings of Muad'Dib

by buddyball on Jul 21, 2008 6:08 PM EDT 0 recs

Also, I'd like to see a comment on the Callaspo situation

His 15 days are up and I haven’t heard anything. Can they just keep him there as long as they want even if there are no physical ailments that would keep him from playing? DOES he have any physical ailments or is it just a “get a grip” thing? If not, could/would the MLBPA file a grievance? (no, because they get an extra man on the active roster?) Does the league have rules governing this? Just curious, they will have to address it at some point.

My mother's basement is better than YOUR mother's basement!!

by Royal Kingdom on Jul 21, 2008 6:35 PM EDT 0 recs

I think the standard treatment for his ailment takes about 28 Days

by Gopherballs on Jul 21, 2008 6:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

Hillman does realize that he pinch-hit Guillen for Gordon against a RIGHTY, doesn't he?

Add that to refusing to use Gobble as a LOOGY, and I guess that in Japan they don’t believe in platoon splits.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jul 21, 2008 7:02 PM EDT 0 recs

I think it shows

that Gordon is being held accountable to the team for his performance, as he should be. Look, we can talk all we want about stats, which will show you whatever you want to see. I see a spoiled brat who thinks he’s got it all figured out and isn’t willing to do what it really takes to fulfill his potential.

Rany’s positive post re: Gordon aside, I would put the chances of Gordon ever making an all-star team at about 5%, becoming an above average 3B at about 20%. Gordon sucks, plain and simple, and the sooner that they realize that and start trying to find some real hitters to fill out the lineup around him and Billy the Kid, the better.

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 21, 2008 10:57 PM EDT 0 recs

What exactly

is the evidence that he is a spoiled brat who thinks he’s got it all figured out?

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jul 21, 2008 11:59 PM EDT up 0 recs

Your post "sucks"

What evidence have you ever seen that Gordon is a “spoiled brat?” Nothing could be further from the truth.
And since he “sucks” so bad how come he leads the team in runs scored, walks, pitches seen, games played and is second to Guillen in Xbase hits, doubles and home runs. Oh yeah, he strikes out too much. He must suck.

by RaulDuke on Jul 22, 2008 12:08 AM EDT up 0 recs

If Gordon "sucks," what does that make the rest of the position players

the majority of which are hitting worse than Gordon?

Or do you magically intuit that they are grinders who are getting the most out of their talent?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jul 22, 2008 12:10 AM EDT up 0 recs

You don't get it

The Royals suck and they are all losers. Tony gets it.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 22, 2008 12:18 AM EDT up 0 recs

Is this your "I resign as an Alex Gordon fan" post?

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Jul 22, 2008 12:12 AM EDT up 2 recs

Apparently Gordon is a

LOSER LOSER LOSER LOSER LOSER LOSER LOSER LOSER, etc.

Apparently Tony is jumping off the Royals bandwagon one player at a time now. Scheduled for later this week: Luke Hochevar. Next week: Billy Butler. Tony, you’re going to have to slow down our you’ll be out of Royals by September.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 22, 2008 12:17 AM EDT up 0 recs

It's like a reality game! I know there have been "Royals Survivor" jokes before, but this is truly special?

I’m thinking DDJ and Jose Guillen will be the final two.

DDJ will seem to be ahead, but in a final act of betrayal, Justin Huber will make a shocking return (no doubt at the urging of FOX executives) to make the final decision, and will turn the tied Hoagie’s way, because (talking to DDJ) “after all those great times we shared, mate, you never called me, or even texted me a single damn time! Bro, do you realize how much Banny has texted that chubby sportswriter? I thought we were tight. But I guess I was wrong. My final rose goes to a real man. Hoagie Manwich, Team Baby Inspector, you are Tony Cogan Survivor.”

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jul 22, 2008 12:26 AM EDT up 0 recs

Guillen would be gone much sooner than that

Of the position players, DDJ would definitely be last. Hard to say who second to last would be. Many Royals fans have given up on every other Royals position player (why wait when you can beat the late-summer rush?). Of the pitchers, Soria and Greinke would be last. Tony might vote them all off the island in one fell swoop.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 22, 2008 12:34 AM EDT up 0 recs

Aviles.

Sarcasm™. It's the new gravy.

by jonfmorse on Jul 22, 2008 12:36 AM EDT up 0 recs

Undoubtedly that is true

Probably for most fans he’s elevated himself to long-term building block status.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 22, 2008 12:40 AM EDT up 0 recs

Like I said,

We can try to spin it anyway we want, but the facts are what they are. I’m not going to deny I’m somewhat cynical when it comes to these things, but I’m sorry, the guy isn’t getting better, he’s getting worse.

And, on top of it, I don’t see any indications that he’s trying to change. I don’t see any change in approach with two strikes, any change in approach against lefties.

I’ve been pretty consistent on Gordon, I don’t remember any other players other than he and Butler that I’ve been critical of. If you see posts that indicate otherwise, please point out.

Believe me, I hope I’m wrong about both of them, but I just don’t see it. If Gordon was going to be really good, he’d have done it by now. The difference between Gordon and Aviles, DeJesus, Teahen, German, etc. etc. is that they don’t have nearly the talent as Gordon. Please, someone tell me who has underachieved more this year as a Royal? Billy the Kid, maybe? TPJ? Whom else?

Like I said, we can spin it anyway we want, but the fact is that he has been a disappointment this year, as has Butler.

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 22, 2008 10:20 AM EDT 0 recs

OK, he's been disappointing

I’m not sure there’s any Royals fans out there who didn’t hope for and expect more from Gordon so far. I did. But read Rany’s recent article on Gordon (and NHZ’s)—there’s reasons to hope. He’s only 24, and only had one full season in the minors. Do you realize he’s hitting righties better than anyone on the team other than Guillen? That platoon splits like his aren’t uncommon for young lefites like Gordon? Look, maybe he’ll never get better, but the odds are he will. How much better is the question. If he ends up “only” being a .275/.350/.500 20-25 HR player will you still thing he “sucks?” He’s hitting righties like that right now. If he can make that his overall line by next year (which isn’t crazy), I’d say that’s pretty good. Unless you think that he’s worhtless if he’s not as good as David Wright or Evan Longoria.

I guess the really inflammatory part of your post is the suggestion that he isn’t working hard enough, or is “spoiled” somehow. Do you have any evidence for this? It is one thing to give objective reasons (right or wrong, that’s something we can argue about) why you think a player isn’t good, or not as good as he should be. And I’m not going to say who can and can’t post what sort of stuff. It isn’t my place. Hey, fandom is at bottom non-rational. It’s cool to express frustration, elation, irrtation. But you seem to be confusing that with an analysis of a player. Why so personal? Do you actually have reasons other than the guy looking calm? Would throwing his bat around, pouting publicly, and destroying coolers on the bench be an indication of greater effort (not to mention “maturity”) that would satisfy you?

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jul 22, 2008 12:18 PM EDT up 0 recs

D'oh, two corrections

I love my typing skillz.: “I’m not sure there’s” ‘I’m not sure there are”

And Gordon’s hitting righties better than anyone besides DDJ, not Guillen. In fact, vs. righties he’s been far better than Guillen.

OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG

by devil_fingers on Jul 22, 2008 1:57 PM EDT up 0 recs

Fair enough...

I’m not trying to be inflammatory. My thought process is as follows:

1. He’s one of the most talented players to come out of the draft in recent years, so he obviously has loads of talent;
2. He has regressed significantly against LHP (.686 OPS in 2007, .488 in 2008);
3. If we accept the assertion that he is uber-talented, then he should be able to do better against LHP;
4. His (to my eyes) lack of adjustments in his swing and body language give me the impression (not by any means a fact) that he isn’t trying or isn’t willing to mak the adjustments.

All that being said, no one (at least not me) is saying to trade him, we wouldn’t get fair value (based on his pedigree, not production to date) in a trade at this point. My assertion is that I don’t think it’s out of the realm of possibility that he be sent to the minors for a while to figure out what the problem is and/or send a message that his performance is substandard, OR come to the realization that he most likely (again, just my opinion) is what he is, and that DM has more work to do than previously thought to get the offense to an acceptable level.

Nothing personal against Gordon at all, but I do have a big problem with underachievers in general. I hate seeing people not live up to their potential, either in sports or life. So far, he’s had everything go his way; now there’s some adversity and I don’t see him handling it too well. I see deteriorating performance on offense and defense, which COULD indicate a certain lack of heart and/or character.

I would disagree with NY Royal’s post below that he’s improved; some stats are better, but some are worse.

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 22, 2008 2:25 PM EDT up 0 recs

The facts

“the facts are what they are.” Your analysis is poor. Gordon has improved. He’s not the star yet that we all want him to be. You’re giving up on him way too soon and without good support for your argument. Those are the facts.

This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.

by NYRoyal on Jul 22, 2008 1:26 PM EDT up 0 recs

I see changes

Gordon’s plate discipline has become better in the past couple of weeks. He took several walks in the Chisox series. He took a walk last night. He’s also starting to hit the ball where it is pitched to opposite way instead of trying to pull everything (and grounding out to second). He hit two balls last night that in most other stadiums would have been off the wall or home runs.

by RaulDuke on Jul 22, 2008 1:48 PM EDT up 0 recs

BTW,

congratulations NY Royal on getting married. Hopefully it makes you as happy as my marriage has made me. Good luck,

One man with courage makes a majority - Andrew Jackson

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Jul 22, 2008 11:00 AM EDT 0 recs

On Gordon's splits

don’t forget, Bell sorta protected him against lefties last year, by often sitting him against them, and letting him play against perhaps the “less talented” lefty pitchers.

That being said, one could argue that the expected OPS dropoff this year, now that he has been thrown to the wolves against any and all lefties, is a bit more severe than one would expect.

To me this does not mean he won’t eventually figure lefties out – just that it may take him a lot longer than any of us thought/hoped for.

I know what I’ve said here is real hard to quantify with stats – but I’m trying to be honest with my memory of how Bell used him, and how Trey has used him. I follow the AL fairly close, and I can count on one hand the number of Royals games I do not either work, listen to, or watch in an entire season, so I’m pretty confident my perception is accurate.

This all reminds me of DDJ as a young player. He was coddled against lefties for a year or two before finally being allowed to play against all pitchers. He too, started his career slowly against lefties, but he eventually got his splits where they needed to be. I think we all expected Gordon to achieve this faster, because he was much more heralded than DDJ, and he was able to reach the majors at a significantly younger age.

I may just look up DDJ’s splits for comparison. Maybe that will give us some renewed hope.

by loyal2sdad on Jul 22, 2008 6:20 PM EDT 0 recs