Bert Blyleven thinks the Royals are this year's Rays

Also, amidst a somewhat generic (but higher profile) write-up, some not very nice things to say about Hoagie...

Discuss.

almost 3 years ago DarthYoshi 20 comments 0 recs |

Comments

chances are... there will be no "this year's rays"

even if the royals won the world series, I don’t know if it would be equivalent to the turnaround the rays had last season

by Freneau on Mar 26, 2009 10:33 PM EDT reply actions

The only thing to say about "this year's rays"

is there a team that all the stats guys (it wasn’t just PECOTA/Silver, but CHONE/Smith predicated a similar improvement to Silver/Prospectus) think is better, but who all the usual suspect will be “surprised” about. Is there a team with a lot of cheap young talent that might make a leap (note: 27 is not “young” in this sense)?

A few weeks back, when others were talking about the Royals as next years rats, I was thinking of doing a article on why the (small) similarities and (substantial) differences between the 2009 Royals and the 2008 Rays, but I’m trying to avoid too much Royals-specific content on Driveline. Also, I think it’s harder to write objectively by one’s own team…

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by Matt Klaassen on Mar 26, 2009 11:13 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope

we are not next rats next year

I keed I keed :)

Marriage is a great institution, for those that like being in institutions.

by fats on Mar 26, 2009 11:17 PM EDT up reply actions

seems like some team should have "rats" for the mascot

I seem to want to cheer them on in some weird, subliminal level

im a master typist

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by Matt Klaassen on Mar 26, 2009 11:19 PM EDT up reply actions

The promotional possibilities are endless

For the first 20,000 fans, free mousetraps!!!!!!!!!!!

Marriage is a great institution, for those that like being in institutions.

by fats on Mar 27, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, projections last year were pegging the Rays in high 80s, low 90s for wins

This year the Royals are pegged for 75ish wins — not quite the same deal

by Top Ramen on Mar 27, 2009 12:04 PM EDT up reply actions

Oakland?

That wouldn’t be that surprising though. Maybe Seattle or Texas if their young players get good in a hurry. San Fran could be a decent candidate to turn things around quickly.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Mar 27, 2009 2:34 PM EDT up reply actions

That was just not well written at all

Marriage is a great institution, for those that like being in institutions.

by fats on Mar 26, 2009 11:19 PM EDT reply actions

Bert is (or was) clearly...

a much better pitcher than he is a writer. Well, he’s probably STILL a better pitcher than he is a writer.

"Now…put that in your [BLEEP]ing pipe and smoke it." -Hal McRae

by Sweep_the_Leg on Mar 26, 2009 11:22 PM EDT up reply actions

No doubt

Marriage is a great institution, for those that like being in institutions.

by fats on Mar 27, 2009 11:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Note to all sportswriters

you see the silly piece? The one by a former ballplayer who, while a Hall of Fame level pitcher, is not known for being terribly bright? Yeah, it’s bad. But it’s actually about as informed a season preview as 90% of you will write. Maybe that should tell you something.

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by Matt Klaassen on Mar 26, 2009 11:23 PM EDT reply actions

although I doubt he wrote it

it wasn’t that bad, just boring… each paragraph was a slog

by Freneau on Mar 27, 2009 12:27 AM EDT up reply actions

If He Thinks

Waechter is a key part of the bullpen, he hasn’t done any research at all.

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

by philofthenorth on Mar 27, 2009 12:41 AM EDT up reply actions

"The top candidates in the mix for starting spots are Brian Bannister, Kyle Davies, Luke Hochevar, Horacio Ramirez, and Heath Phillips."

Wait, what?

by raefzilla on Mar 27, 2009 12:56 AM EDT reply actions

Is it good we're getting attention?

Over the past couple of weeks we’ve been getting some love from Harold Reynolds, Buster Olney, and now Bert Blylevin.
Does it mean anything? does it matter?

by Royal from Queens on Mar 27, 2009 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

From those three guys?

If those three guys all are giving the Royals a shot, it makes me think the Royals should stat planning for 2010 right now.

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by Matt Klaassen on Mar 27, 2009 9:22 PM EDT up reply actions

I know I wish other guys would say things

but I guess the point i"m trying to make is these guys can pour their venom into the public and recognize us.

by Royal from Queens on Mar 27, 2009 9:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I think it means that the Royals are a nearly .500 team which has been around the basement for a long time

…and people like picking historically poor teams who are mediocre as out-of-nowhere breakout candidates.

The immoderate moderator

by Scott McKinney on Mar 28, 2009 5:27 AM EDT up reply actions

This should terrify you all.

I was half-watching the BBTN Fantasy Preview thing, and I Swear To God, every single time I looked up and saw Olney talking, he was touting a Royal. I’m not exaggerating one iota. He mentioned Soria during the Closers segment, he mentioned Zack, and in the “bargain basement deals” piece he mentioned both Gordon and Davies.

Frankly, I’m terrified. It’s like the kiss of death.

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on Mar 28, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions