Ryan Shealy Now Leads All K.C. Firstbasemen in Home Runs By a Comfortable Margin
by royalsreview on Sep 17, 2008 2:39 AM EDT
in News
65 comments
Ryan Shealy is evoking ancient memories of Mike Aviles. Or possibly Emil Brown, circa Spring Training 2006.
Home Runs By Dudes Who Are Royals & Were Also Standing Near First-Base When the Other Team is Hitting During The Game When They Hit
- Ryan Shealy- 5 (36 PAs as a 1B)
- Ross Gload- 3 (374 PAs as a 1B)
- Mark Teahen- 2 (54 PAs as a 1B)
- Billy Butler- 2 (120 PAs as a 1B)
I'm happy for Ryan Shealy, even if, on the whole, his September tear doesn't mean much. Us blogger types are prone to cry out for AAAA types to get their shot, and even though a half-hearted September callup doesn't exactly qualify as one, Ryan is making the most of his opportunity. Although, we might add another memory to our list: Calvin Pickering, who hit seven homers in 35 games to close the '04 campaign.
But beyond Shealy, what does stand out is how completely awful the Royals have been at first base all season, which is terrifying considering that it is basically the easiest position to field. Think of a type of person you do not consider to be especially baseball savvy, say, a Greenlandic fisherman. Now imagine that our Greenlandic fisherman has been named the General Manager of a Major League team. Given a crash course in the rules of the game and maybe a week on the job, more than anywhere else on the diamond, they would likely be able to find an OK firstbaseman. Maybe not Albert Pujols or even Dougie Minkiewicz in his prime (if you wanna go in that direction) but a generic dude who can hit a little nonetheless.
Well, Dayton Moore, a baseball lifer and purportedly one of the brightest minds in the game couldn't do that this season. 2007 wasn't exactly a smashing success either.
Maybe it was bad luck, maybe it was simply because he didn't care, maybe it was because he's playing for 2009, or 2010, or 2011. Who knows? The point is, before Ryan Shealy's callup, which was somewhere between a formality and a last-gasp, we're not even totally serious audtion, Royals firstbasemen hit seven home runs in 578 PAs.
That's a good hitter being on fire for a week, or an average hitter after April, or a guy who isn't even good through fifty games. That's a half-way decent 2B at the All-Star Break. But that isn't what your firstbasemen should be giving you.
Meanwhile, our prized off-season acquisition and supposed impact bat (to use a TLR-ism) has a .297 OBP, while Dayton's initial idea of a lead-off man and havoc-wreaker, Joey Gathright, sits at .302. The Royals have by my count, three core guys who get on-base enough to be useful players (DeJesus, Gordon and a soon to decline Aviles). Going forward, we can probably sub-out Aviles and add Butler. So yea! Three guys who aren't out-machines and a few players with shiny home run power, if it was 1968.
Oh, the Royals actually won again tonight. Make that five straight, baby. And boy, Ryan Shealy is hitting the ball. Good things, yet somehow, a bitter post.
This is what the last decade has done to me.
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Yay aderall
Methinks that you might be a little rough on Billy here, but nonetheless this is a little depressing. If Ross Gload is back on this team next year…it won’t be good news. This why a lot of us kept saying…“yeah, shealy sucks but he’d be the better stopgap” over the summer.
A mind without purpose will walk in dark places.
by NHZ on Sep 17, 2008 2:54 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Dan Johnson doesn't seem like such a stupid idea in hindsight, I suppose
By the way, thinking about Kila, if MLEs aren’t supposed to be used to say what the player “would have done” in the major leagues (that’s how I understand it, from what I’ve been told), how should they be used?
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Dan Johnson now
Dan Johnson forever.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Sep 17, 2008 10:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
this guy has taken up a roster spot on one of my fantasy teams for
over two years before I finally dumped him. He cannot stay healthy.
But,…, there is something 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 Sep 17, 2008 4:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The MLEs are best used to adjust generally for league, park, and level competition
to get an idea of how well the minor leaguer performed expressed on a neutral scale. For example, we all know the PCL is an extreme hitter’s league, so we should discount hitting stats (and credit pitching stats), but by how much should we discount or credit those stats? That is what the MLEs try to do. Shealy’s AAA numbers looks good on the surface, but when translated, they are not so good. Kila’s AA and AAA numbers look insane on the surface, but still look impressive when translated. From that, we know that while Shealy did not perform at a very good level this year, Kila had a legitimately great season.
But because the MLEs make adjustments on a macro level, they are not really designed to take micro level considerations into account for projecting what a specific player would do given his own unique position, age, skills, tools, and past performance (especially areas in which the player would be expected to regress). That is left for projection systems like PECOTA and ZIPs. And while we wait months for the PECOTA supercomputer to start spitting out forecasts for next season, we at least have the quick and dirty MLEs to help guide player analysis in the interim.
by Gopherballs on Sep 17, 2008 12:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok, but take out the first two months when Shealy was injured, and...
His numbers are about par with Kila. I know he is older, but right now he is about at Kila’s level. He hit a consistant .970 or better for 41/2 months now, that is not just a hot streak, that is not just blah even in the PCL! He looks like he will do better then that in his trial period the majors. He has really improved. If Kila projects as a leauge average first baseman, then so does Shealy, at least until his skills start to decline.
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Sep 17, 2008 2:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Go back and actually look up Shealy's numbers
Shealy did not come close to hitting “a consistant .970 or better for 41/2 months now.”
Shealy 1st Half: 292/373/510 883 OPS
Shealy 2nd Half: 265/381/490 871 OPS
Kaaihue AA: 313/464/627 1.086 OPS
Kaaihue AAA: 316/439/640 1.079 OPS
And that is before adjusting for age.
by Gopherballs on Sep 17, 2008 4:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok this is what I mean, Shealy was injured last of April/May/eary June (hammy)
April .218 BA .835 OPs
May .233 BA .581 ops (only 30 AB)
June .302 BA .841 ops
July .347 BA .977 ops
August .263 BA .921 ops
Sept (so far) ~ 1.20 ops
If you combine the part of april, June, July, August and his Sept ops, right around .950 ops
I was a little off because I didn’t see he had only 30 ab in May, but still, not too shabby.
there is no way his second half ops is .871? that doesn’t make sense, how could his average for a hlaf be below all his month splits?
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Sep 17, 2008 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Instead of guessing, look up his actual numbers
there is no way his second half ops is .871? that doesn’t make sense, how could his average for a hlaf be below all his month splits?
His second half OPS was .871. It takes a bit of critical thinking, but you can figure this out. Think of it as a story problem from math class.
His OPS for June, July, and August was not around .950 either.
by Gopherballs on Sep 17, 2008 5:11 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
BabyBlues
Long story short, take the OPS you expect Shealy to have next year and subtract 150 points. You’ll be right on.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 5:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
ok, then would make him 100-150 points higher ops then Gload,
with about 10 times the homeruns
and…
not the same bat as Gload.
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Sep 18, 2008 12:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Good lord
Have you looked at Shealy and Gload’s professional track records? I know most fans only think about what happened this year, but that is not the only data point that is relevant. I’m not saying Gload is good. He isn’t. But there is little reason to believe that Shealy will be good either.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 18, 2008 12:26 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
that is with september so far with the .950
I guess he must have been on fire in early July and bad after the break before August, I guess that could work on the second half, but it makes the .871 second half pretty deceptive.
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Sep 18, 2008 12:05 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Thanks, GB
that’s what I was looking for. Would it be fair to say (as a partial summary) that MLEs are a tool for comparing different minor league players across leagues and levels, rather than to compare minor league and major league players?
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 4:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
That's fair
I would have more confidence in comparing players between minor leagues and levels than with major leaguers. I think you can still use MLEs as a factor (but not the only factor) to compare performances by major and minor league players.
by Gopherballs on Sep 17, 2008 4:51 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Mark Teahen
The guy shouldn’t be starting, long term, but what are the chances of him even returning to 2007 levels? His four seasons in the big leagues are so very different. Well, I guess the two most similar are this season and his disastrous rookie year. I would guess that 2007 might be a good ‘in-between’ season, but that seems to be relatively lucky, BABIP-wise… But, hell, if he could hit like he did in 2007, he’d a relative asset — at least he’d be near league average, and could get on base at a decent rate (.353).
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 9:22 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Do you think
Dayton does not think OBA is much of a useful statistic.
Or he thinks its a useful statistic, but has been unable to acquire high OBA players.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Sep 17, 2008 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I imagine he thinks it's useful
just not as useful as others, in this order:
Defense —> Batting Average —> GRIT —> Power —> OBP
For a large part of the season, we were treated to the Dayton acquisitions of Guillen, Olivo, Gload, Pena and (to a slightly lesser extent) Gathright in the everyday lineup. 4 (possibly 5) guys who are all allergic to taking pitches.
by Top Ramen on Sep 17, 2008 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I dunno... he may talk about it being valuable and even think so
but he doesn’t have a good track record in terms of doing
by royalsreview on Sep 17, 2008 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
he has also mentioned the word "platoon", but doesn't seem to either use it or
understand the concept
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 Sep 17, 2008 4:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
One way in which Shealy's small sample size production is somewhat significant
How many other Royals have proven that they could hit 5 HR in their most torrid conceivable two-week big-league hot streak?
1) Guillen
2) 2006 Mark Teahen
3) …
He’s definitely joined the short list of Royals players who’ve demonstrated actual MLB power at some point. It might not be sustainable, but at least it’s encouraging, and currently more tangible than the existent yet nebulous power potential of players like Butler and Gordon.
by andrewmiller on Sep 17, 2008 10:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
i would add Gordon — i seem to remember him getting hot for a couple weeks in april/may this year, though i’m not 100% sure he hit 5+ HRs.
by benfunke on Sep 17, 2008 1:13 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Career Isolated Power (unadjusted)
Ryan Shealy .156
Alex Gordon .164
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 10:58 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs
Yeah, in career numbers, Shealy doesn't look so hot: 2007's .308 SLG will do that
But, he was hurt last year! Also, he’s turned the corner and made exciting adjustments! (Optimism.)
I’m definitely encouraged by Gordon’s progress, but I think at this point Shealy might be a bigger HR threat.
by andrewmiller on Sep 17, 2008 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
This point meaning this September?
I mean, maybe. Keep in mind that, other than Kaufman, the park in which Shealy has the most plate appearances is Coors field…
Shealy could be a good platoon guy next year, and, who knows? Maybe he could OPS .780 if he played full-time.
I’m guessing Gordon has a higher ISO than Shealy next year. It was up around .2 when he got hurt, and is at .192 at the moment. His struggles against lefties are the main culprit — he’s at .208 against RHP.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 11:42 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Gordon has legitimate power upside
Shealy does not. Shealy has some power, but it is limited, as is his future. Projecting Shealy as a better HR hitter in the future than Gordon seems pretty bizarre.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 11:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
for 2008
Shealy probably would have out-homered Gordon, had he been with the royals all season
but i don’t know about going forward
by royalsreview on Sep 17, 2008 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
+1
But Shealy stunk so bad last year at the ML level, how can you project? Well, you have to revert to all minor league numbers. I’m sure that Shealy and Gordon look about the same powerwise when minor league averages numbers are accounted for. – TL
by timlacy on Sep 17, 2008 1:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Shealy was still recovering, it seems, in April and May
didn’t exactly rake in AAA this year.
I think one also has to account for the weeks Gordon was out — right in the middle of a hot streak. Granted, he wasn’t hitting homers that much, but his plate approach during the second half has been conducive to such hitting — his iso is up significantly in the second half.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 2:05 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Playing ourselves out of the top five
draft selections for ‘09. I love how we do that. Just like like we won the last few games of a horrifying season in 06 and lost David Price. Not saying you should ever lose intentionally. Why couldn’t these guys have won games like this in, say, July?
I follow the Tao of Steve (Balboni)
by jackie ballgame on Sep 17, 2008 12:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
BamBam's talking about working out in the offseason
if he can move some of that guy up the torso then he could turn into a HR machine.
Or he could turn into the white less powerful version of Prince Fielder
It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.
by kcscoliny on Sep 17, 2008 1:14 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
He is wanting to play outfield :)
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Sep 17, 2008 1:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Billy is going to work out until he is a olympic level sprinter!!!
Go Royals!
by BabyBlues on Sep 17, 2008 2:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
being skinny (relatively) doesn't
automatically mean you can play outfield. but then again, it doesn’t take much to improve on Josey, German, and Gload.
i imagine his biggest impediment will be his glove, not his lack of footspeed since mitch and DDJ can make up for some of his lack of range.
by benfunke on Sep 17, 2008 5:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
i got bored so i read the official story about billy's plan for an offseason workout
some excerpts:
“I’ve got a personal trainer back home, I’ve got a nutritionist back home” — based on what i’ve seen, maybe he should get new ones.
“I’ve overcome a lot of stuff. I’ve learned a lot this year as a person and as a player,” Butler said. “I’ve come a 360 turn.” — so many potential jokes, but i’ll start with reminding Bill just what a 360-degree turn gets you.
by benfunke on Sep 17, 2008 6:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
A year or two ago in the Star, they printed his wife's recipe for a "breakfast casserole"
Lots of pork, lots of starch, lots of cheese. I think his wife and his nutritionist need to have a talk.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 6:25 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
RR, I think you can add Callaspo
to your list of good OBP dudes going forward. I know we have only seen a couple hundred PAs, but I really like what I see. The walks are OK (actually good, for a Royal), and the strikeouts are so damn low that, assuming he has an avg to above avg LD% (and I believe he does), he can’t help but amass a 350+ OBP. Granted, there will only be occasional gap power to go with that (think 375 SLG), but I think those skill combined are more than good enough to provide avg or maybe even slightly above avg production at 2B.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 17, 2008 1:51 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Just about average over the last three years
maybe a bit below.
Hopefully, the pitchers won’t realize they can challenge the guy with relative impunity…
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 2:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Your analysis of Callaspo nails it
Callaspo has walked at an average 8% rate, but if he had enough plate appearances, he would be one of the league leaders in strikeout rate at 7% . Both rates are in line with his career to date. Not surprisingly, he also would lead in the league in contact rate at 93% and be among league leaders in swing percentage on balls outside the strike zone at 21% . His 27% LD% also would lead the league, but given a greater sample size, it should regress into the 20 %-25 % range.
As loyal2sdad noted, however, Callaspo only has gap power, at best, so his slugging percentage will most likely remain well below average. He also lacks speed to make up for the modest power. His defense at 2B has been about league average (and has been below average but not horrible at SS). Going forward, he projects as an average 2B, or an excellent utility infielder if the Royals acquire a new starting middle infielder this offseason. Callaspo’s skills (high OBP, switch-hitter who hits RHP well) especially complement Aviles (more power, right-handed hitter who crushes LHP), so a situation in which both play regularly (even if short of a strict platoon) could be very productive.
by Gopherballs on Sep 17, 2008 2:40 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
To comment on 1B
I guess what frustrates me the most is their inexplicable defense of Gload. I’ve alternatively heard the GM, the manager, and the PREVIOUS manager all extole the virtues of Gload’s defense, and how that is vital to a team, blah, blah, blah.
And yes, NYRoyal, I realize most of that is GM-speak and manager-speak designed to keep the positive vibes going for all concerned. It still frustrates me, because until I know a little more about the people involved, I’m gonna wonder if they are merely engaging in GM-speak, or if they truly do not understand a basic sabermetric principal such as the defensive spectrum.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 17, 2008 1:56 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
The problem
The problem is that the GM-speak and manager-speak with regard to Gload has been coupled with more meaningful actions (like a 2-year contract and regular playing time). It is the actions that show that there is a problem.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 1:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The contract isn't a killer,
but the playing time is.
Like many of us, I would love to have Gload as a bench player, assuming the manager limits him to 200 or so PAs, and assuming he doesn’t get in the way of Butler’s development, or Kila’s development in the future.
Now, considering the last two managers have made the same mistake (and, yes, I realize there may not have been viable alternatives – that’s the GM’s fault), then perhaps the contract was the mistake in the first place. After all, filling out your bench with viable backups should only be a priority of you have, you know, ML avg starters in the first place.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 17, 2008 4:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
The contract
Moore’s share of the blame doesn’t just come from the 2-year contract. It is also the fact that he didn’t bring in any other 1B or DFA Gload at any time this season. DFA’ing Gload was a no-risk proposition which would have either rid the Royals of his contract or allowed them to stash him in AAA. Instead, Moore — like Hillman — has stuck with Gload.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 4:07 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I don't disagree with you
I just think Gload could serve a useful role on a big league roster, if used properly, like the White Sox used him. I think he gets overexposed when asked to play every day.
Of course, he is several years older now than when he served that useful role, so now he may not be good enough to be a backup OF/1B either.
Regardless, filling this type of role should have been FAR down the list of things to do for a team in the Royal’s position.
And, yes, halfway thru this season, when it was more than apparent that Gload was going to be below replacement level, Moore should have explored other options. Perhaps he did, and nothing made sense. Even so, that might have been the time to start taking one final look at Shealy, even if he was skeptical about him.
Sometimes I think Moore is a bit impatient, wanting to win and rebuild at the same time. Perhaps this is the result of coming from an organization that successfully pulled that off for a decade and a half – and thus he doesn’t fully realize how difficult it can be to pull off without a strong minor league system in place.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Not that it's a big disagreement
Gload probably would have a bench role on some club that had a terrible defensive 1B and didn’t already have a need for a more versatile 25th man — an NL club, for example.
But even in that case you don’t give that player a multi-year contract at the rate Gload’s been getting it. A one-year contract at a not much more than league minimum makes more sense.
Hell, if Esteban German had gotten 99% of Gload’s playing time and ABs, it would be reallly obvious (since he’d actually get regular time to work into rhythm) how useless Gload is, since German can actually get on base.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 4:23 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Yes, he can be a useful bench player, but Moore didn't treat him that way
He should have never gotten that 2-year deal. Now that he has it, I’m sure it is even harder for them to justify letting him go. Yes, he was overexposed but there were other options. He could have been DFA’d and then outrighted to Omaha. Shealy could have been called up. Given how awful Gload was playing, Shealy was worth a shot.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 5:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I've Been Suggesting
German at 1B since last year. He’s not what you’d pick if you had your druthers, but we’re so far from druther territory at 1B I can’t see why not to get his bat into the lineup and get Gload on the bench.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Sep 17, 2008 6:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
When did they decide
That Gload should play OF about as often as Billy is allowed to play 1B? Seems like it’s been 1B or Bust over the month+ for Gload.
Not that he has much value anyway, but taking away the OF part of a backup 1B/OF, completely destroys any usefulness he might have as a versatile backup.
If Gload isn’t trusted in the OF anymore, it should mean that it’s time to dump Gload and let Teahen have his role in the offseason.
by Top Ramen on Sep 17, 2008 2:12 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
Adding to the Shealy post
RR, do you realize his hot 36 ABs are enough to vault him to SIXTH on the Royals VORP list already?
I think this is probably more an indictment on the rest of the team than anything else – but it is what it is.
Aviles +30.7 (within <1 run of Longoria now)
DDJ +22.6
Gordon +15.3
Grud +12.0
Olivo +7.9
Shealy +7.2
And, FWIW, Gload is at -8.2, so in only 37 PA from Shealy, he has already been worth 15.4 more runs than Gload was for the entire season.
That’s just sad. This is sorta reminisent of Aviles/Pena, except of course, Pena was SO bad, that move screamed out to be made, while Gload merely bled wins from the team slowly.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 17, 2008 3:56 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs
loyal2sdad = very nice, generous man
I’d say that if Pena was a scream, Gload was at least a mournful, weeping moan that chilled us all to the depths of our souls.
But that’s just me.
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions 1 recs
Pena was at -25 VORP
in less PAs than Gload.
It’s not that I don’t think Gload sucked this year (he did), it’s just that it would take THREE Gloads playing full time all year to match the damage Pena did just by himself.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 17, 2008 4:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
Oh, we're in agreement
Mine was more an existential point…
If there were a million TPJs on a million ballclubs playing a million seasons, would one eventually reach replacement level?
OMG Banny. FWIW I am only crdtng u w/3 runs allwd bc of DDJ OMFG
by devil_fingers on Sep 17, 2008 4:24 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
it is possible that none of them would have taken a walk
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 Sep 17, 2008 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
I'm shivering still
Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
by BrRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 8:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs
We are dancing around something here
We’ve discussed it before – the easiest way to improve a significantly below avg team is to get rid of the poor players first. Much easier to find replacement level players than to find superstars at the top of the VORP list.
Unfortunately, the Royals have done a poor job of this, for the most part, for the last couple of decades. There is always 1 or 2 starting position players that drag down the team VORP, and 1 or 2 starters who do the same. Often, the team identifies and replaces these guys – but usually not before the damage can’t be undone.
I’m feeling too lazy to do any research on this, but suffice to say this blogging community can think of these examples for nearly every season without having to look it up.
by loyal2sdad on Sep 17, 2008 4:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
I think we are underplaying how tough it is to do two things.
Acquire FA in KC and hit for power consistently in the ballpark. If a player is a replacement level FA like Hinske and his options this summer are to play as a replacement in KC or say CIN/TEX for the same figure on a one year deal, where would you go? The place that is gonna allow you to put up the best figures so you get a decent deal the next year.
I was listening to Teahen talking about Kila and how he said he was swinging so much harder because the ball doesn’t seem to take off the same way at the K. Teahen talked about how the ball does take off in April and it effects his swing in other parks because that is the way he was swinging at home.
GMDM made a bad decision signing Gload but maybe his options were limited. Gload was around a 100 OPS guy prior to this season. I don’t think we as fans can have it both ways (great contracts and winning) until the pitching develops the way we think it will. I think to get a true hitter to come to the K and play KC is gonna have to overpay or offer too many years.
It takes 46 muscles to frown but only 4 to flip 'em the bird.
by kcscoliny on Sep 17, 2008 5:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
GMDM made a bad decision signing Gload but maybe his options were limited
I don’t have a problem with him re-signing him for this year. But having limited options did not require him to give Gload a two-year deal. In fact, there is no good argument for giving him a two-year deal. It was a stupid decision period. It was also stupid to not DFA him and try Shealy. He isn’t a great option, but he has some upside and certainly more than Gload.
This is just my opinion. I could easily be wrong.
by NYRoyal on Sep 17, 2008 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs
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