Rany: Bannister is ok and the Royals don't need to acquire pitching

On Bannister: "I don’t think Bannister will ever be as good a pitcher as he appeared to be last season, a legitimate #2 starter. But I think he can be as good a pitcher as he really was in 2007: a league-average pitcher, a guy who can give you 200 innings with an ERA in the mid-4s."

On the Royals not needing to acquire pitching: "The most important point regarding the rotation is that in addition to having two true studs, the Royals don’t have any enormous holes to fill. They have two pitchers who represent a gamble for different reasons, and they have the usual mélange of somewhat unsavory options that every team has for their #5 starter. But they don’t have to go outside the organization for help. Not only that, but they have a number of young pitchers who are nearly ready to step into a rotation role."

I still don't get why so many people think the Royals need to go out and get a SP this offseason.

9 months ago NYRoyal Comment 9 comments 0 recs |

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eh... not sure I buy this

especially since the royals are supposedly trying to win with pitching

by royalsreview on Sep 14, 2008 12:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

It seems pretty simple to me

If you’ve got pretty good pitching with a lot of pitching depth, and you’ve got a really bad offense with next to no depth, shouldn’t all efforts go towards improving the offense? And I don’t think the Royals are trying to win with pitching and only with pitching. In order to win, the Royals need good pitching and good hitting. They are pretty well along on the first and near square one on the second.

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

by NYRoyal on Sep 14, 2008 2:36 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What, specifically?

If you’re talking about being skeptical of a significant Bannister bounceback, I’m with you there. However, I do agree that the Royals pitching depth should prevent them for overspending for someone like AJ Burnett.

A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.

by NHZ on Sep 15, 2008 2:31 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

He Royals shouldn’t enter the Burnett store, he’ll get way more than he’s worth.

Having said, that, looking at pitching stats yesterday, I was really shocked at how good he’s been this year overall, especially given his crappy first half or so.

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

by devil_fingers on Sep 15, 2008 9:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

With Bale, Tejeda, Davies, Banny, Rosa, Duckworth, Soria

looks like Royals can fill the last two spots and have enough depth if they don’t work or we get injuries. Cortes maybe as well in the last half of the season if needed.

Go Royals!

by BabyBlues on Sep 14, 2008 7:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Royals starters - 4.85 ERA

I think we can expect Banny and Hooch to improve considerably, but the other three – Davies, Meche and Greinke will probably either repeat or slightly regress (possibly greatly regress for Davies).

I think adding depth would be prudent. I just think the offense screams at you as a bigger priority.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Sep 15, 2008 1:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

FIP

Greinke – 3.64
Meche – 3.70

I don’t see why they would regress at all barring injury.

Now this…

Hochevar – 4.41

I think we’d all be happy if that happened…

Rowdy Hardy Fan Club member.

by doublestix on Sep 15, 2008 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Right

Moreover, while both have higher xFIP than FIP, booth their xFIP and FIP were lower than the ERAs.

Hoch’s FIP-ERA is -1.03.

Here’a another interesting thing I mentioned elsewhere:

Dice-K xFIP: 4.89
Banny xFIP: 4.91

Banny’s worth almost $100 million!

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

by devil_fingers on Sep 15, 2008 3:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I don't see Greinke as just "regressing or repeating"

I think both the stat guys and the scouts see him improving. When you’ve got his stuff and control and have done what he’s done at age 24, you’re looking at an ace in the very near future. There’s no reason to believe he won’t improve.

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

by NYRoyal on Sep 15, 2008 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs