Behind Brian Bannister, Royals Steal a Win Against Rays

by royalsreview on Aug 2, 2009 5:37 PM EDT in News Comment 67 comments

More photos » by Steve Nesius - AP

Well, at least Bob McClure can appreciate Brian Bannister's start today: he got a mythical pitcher win, thanks to a fluky four run "outburst" from the Royals offense, which was mostly fueled by errors and infield hits.

Bannister delivered another strong start -- 7 IP, 5 Hs, 0 BBs, 7 Ks, 0 Rs -- and now owns a 3.59 ERA. Last season, Bannister managed to post a 3.46 ERA... in Omaha. After another week of great quotes, Bannister remains (seemingly) the most self-aware guy in the organization, as well as one of the smartest. He's made adjustments, taken criticism, investigated issues on his own, the whole package. Instead of "trusting the process" and telling everyone how great he is and how much people liked him in the past, he made changes, and may be even better than he once was.

And after another two-inning save from the once a week closer, maybe Trey Hillman's even growing a bit as well. Two guys outta three ain't bad.

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We won?

Against the Rays? Why can’t Grienke do that?

All aside, I’m really glad we didn’t trade him at the deadline. I’ve always liked Banni and thought he’d get it figured out. He seems to have figured it out and we can use his out of the box thinking.

Coffee. The NEW Performance Enhancing drug for Sport's Writers. Just ask Ken Rosenthal.

by 306008 on Aug 2, 2009 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bannister is incredible

Last year i hated him like i hate Mike Jacobs. This year I love him. I totally see what Joe Poz was saying in the beginning of the year about him rooting for Banny.

The only positives on this season is Banny and Hochevar have arrived

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 5:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

last two years... i was kinda going back and forth on banny

but yea, after this latest comeback of sorts, gotta love the guy

by royalsreview on Aug 2, 2009 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

And as far as Luke and Bannister in the back end of the rotation

It would make sense for us to go out and grab a veteran starter on some level. Lets use the savings from jettisoning Buck, Olivo, Jacobs, Crisp, Bale, Mahay and grab someone like Doug Davis. Lets throw Davies in the pen as a setup man – he would be good as a reliever. Besides a half a year of success last year he’s been terrible throughout his career. Its not like we’re risking much anyway. I dont know about Mike Gonzalez; he will probably get big money and Lenny Dinardo could fill a Loogy role

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

You are crazy.

Why can’t Davies be the 5th man? He’s actually been pretty good in Omaha. Maybe he comes back just as good. Maybe Banny can teach him a thing or two. Seriously, this pitching staff has the makings of being the best in MLB. Too bad the lineup is the worst.

by AxDxMx on Aug 2, 2009 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

How is anything I said "crazy"

Davies has always been good in Omaha…he was good in Omaha last year too. If the term AAAA applied to anyone it would be Kyle Davies. He’s not a young kid anymore he’ll be 26 in a month do you really think he can improve dramatically and be a mid rotation guy?? I think he can get better with his control but it’s sad when Bruce Chen is pitching as well as you. I just think could be a great reliever. Look at Phil Hughes

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

It's crazy because of the money involved

Why would we pay someone to come in at #5, when Kyle Davies can fill that role? Davis’s FIP this year is 4.56, league average. He’ll also be 34 in a month. Davies has a 5.68 FIP, and is 26 in a month. Who do you think will improve, and who will be lucky to remain where he is at? If Davies is ever to become the pitcher we think he might be, he’s gonna need to start. Oh, and Davies is league minimum or at arbitration for salary (I don’t know next year), and Davis is making 8.75M this year, and likely won’t take a huge paycut from the Royals.

I’ll agree Davies could be good out of the pen, but he’s a cheaper option as a starter than Davis.

by AxDxMx on Aug 2, 2009 9:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If those players I mentioned are sent packing/not resigned

5-6 million dollars on a one year deal isn’t the end of the world. We don’t really have a veteran starter. Meche was too inconsistent as a Mariner and although he’s been better as a Royal his control is still at times all over the place.

A guy like Doug Davis or even Randy Wolf would be a steady, albeit unspectacular, influence on our young star, our blossoming first pick, our F/x pitch chart geek of a pitcher and even Meche.

We need to fix the bullpen and we can’t afford to pay for it. Rosa and Hughes won’t both be given chances, and the best one should make it out of spring training and I’m not sure they are ready anyway. Wright/Bale/Mahay/Colon will all be gone.

Soria
Tejeda
Davies
Cruz
Farny
Hughes/Rosa
Dinardo/Chen

this would be an acceptable bullpen

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

WOW!!!

I just clicked on the “where is Farnsy” post by Minda and went to the “Farnsy has setback” link in the last post

And the first comment was by a poster talking about the Royals goign out and getting Randy Wolf:

Lotsawaffles wrote:
If the 2-year-olds who run the Royals organization would make just 1 right move (Wolf maybe?) Then we may have a chance next year. We keepbuying useless fast guys. (Freel, Bentancourt, Anderson, Bloomquist, Maier) So far only Bloomquist has helped and I think only Maier may have some potential in a few years, But I’m just wondering about Kila. Why not sell Buck or Jacobs or throw in some cash for a bullpen pitcher. We can send Cruz down to bring Kila up to the 40 man. Everyone rags on Maier, give him some slack, he’s young and plays hard. I like him, If he can fix a few bat problems, he could be great. B Pena is also a good investment.
8/1/2009 8:53:21 PM

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 10:43 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not much going on there...

sometimes people are dumb.

I've got crazy flipper fingers!

by labbadabba on Aug 2, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah the part about Maier ever being great should omitted

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 3, 2009 3:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't realize you had quoted that from somewhere,

I had to reread it because I thought you supporting Maier. That threw me for a loop.

He can get 4, NOT 5.

by Warden11 on Aug 4, 2009 10:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I just think that's a waste of money in the rotation

It needs to be spent on upgrading our hitters.

I say we throw 5 years/$60M-70M at Matt Holliday (would that even be enough?) and retool with league minimum guys in the bullpen and throw what we have with our starters.

by AxDxMx on Aug 3, 2009 4:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

What!

Throw that much money at a 30-34 year old Matt Holiday with an .832 OPS in the AL would be a serious mistake.

How can we give big money and a 5 year deal to anyone 30 or over because hitters start declining at 32 (the magical year)???

The only players in consideration should be Carl Crawford, Rocco Baldelli and Hank Blalock.

5 year 45 million would be ok for Crawford. Baldelli and Blalock should be offerred no more than 5 year 25 million.

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 3, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baldelli shouldn't get offered jack squat

He has a mitochondrial disease that keeps him fatigued. He’s lucky to be a bench player in the league right now. As for Crawford, the Rays have an option for $10M or a buyout for $2M, so they really have to ask themselves if he’s worth the extra $8 to play for them next year, and their answer should be yes. Hank Blalock is not a fit for this team. He plays 1st and 3rd. How many guys do we have that can do that already? I honestly don’t think anything will happen. We’re going to war next year with the guys we brought this year.

by AxDxMx on Aug 5, 2009 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Blalock can DH so of course Kila should get a shot but if not???

and Baldelli has his disease under control? He’s still young and could play 120-130 games a year without a problem. He was productive in the playoffs for the Rays too. Whats the problem with giving him 4-5 million on a long term deal with a provision to void it if his disease becomes career threatening?

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 5, 2009 8:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Baldelli has played the equvialent of just 23 full games this year in the field

And he has 118 PAs over 43 games. That does not sound like a full time player to me. If he does have it under control however, I would be all for it, but I’m pretty sure I read that there was really no way to combat the fatigue and it would be there the rest of his life. I like him as a player, but he really can’t be what the Royals need unless you want a 4th outfielder.

by AxDxMx on Aug 5, 2009 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

kinda forgetting Greinke as a positive, aren't ya?

Or has McClure’s quote on wins being the best way to rate a pitcher got to you?

In all seriousness, I’d put Butler as a positive as well. Still isn’t really a true no. 3 hitter, but considering the improvement we’ve seen this year in driving the ball (is he still on pace for 50 doubles?) and that he’s still only 23, I’m really excited about him.

by RoyalsFanInBillings on Aug 2, 2009 6:02 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hahah, not quite - It's not really a positve to me because it was expected

I think most of us thought he was one of the most talented starters in baseball (top 10) and he’s performed as such.

I didn’t think Bannister would be this good and I though Hochevar would have ups and downs but improve over last year which he has

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 6:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I have

A Joe Po stye crush on Banny. Even more after this week.

by kcbottom9th on Aug 2, 2009 5:46 PM EDT via mobile reply actions 0 recs

it's really hard

not to like the guy

by KC Masterpiece on Aug 2, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

unless you hate math

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Aug 2, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

or excuses

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Aug 3, 2009 6:03 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm just wondering who Brian McClure is? :)

by Rob5KC on Aug 2, 2009 6:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

thank you

too many brians out there

by royalsreview on Aug 2, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hi, My name is BRIAN McClure......

You may remember me from such visits to the mound as the 8th inning, the 9th inning, and patting you on the butt during the post game victory conga line fist bump-tacular. What the fuck is FIP?

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Aug 2, 2009 10:03 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

Rec +1

Oh yeah!

by sterlingice on Aug 2, 2009 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he works with Royals catcher Travis Buck

Graduate with a B.S. from the Dayton Moore School of Stats Analysis

by BHWick on Aug 2, 2009 10:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Can we as an internet community

do our best to make a big deal out of Hillman using Soria for a 6-out save? This was a great move, and even better, it was an unconventional move. I seen signs of Hillman making adjustments seemingly based on public response when he’s made indefensible moves in the past. I could see this going one of 3 ways—(1) the move is widely praised for what it is, a good move, (2) the move is criticized by the loudest voices for clearly contradicting past quotes from Hillman on bullpen roles, or (3) the move gets ignored. Needless to say, I’d like to see moves like this become much more frequent, so I hope the public response is closest to option (1).

by kcdc1 on Aug 2, 2009 6:24 PM EDT reply actions 2 recs

Praise doesn't make sense

Hillman is learning…not sure that deserves much praise.

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 6:33 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Past bullpen handling

only serve to make this move look even better by comparison. So far, the unconventional move has been rewarded with a win. I just hope that it is further rewarded with a positive public response, and perhaps more importantly, with a game tomorrow that doesn’t require Soria’s use. If the Royals blow a 2 run lead in the 9th tomorrow, we may never see Soria used for more than 3 outs again.

by kcdc1 on Aug 2, 2009 9:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I like this line of reasoning

Rather than just crapping on the guy, give him some credit for the move he made that was right :)

by sterlingice on Aug 2, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I agree

But at the same time, you’d have to be a pretty damn ignorant Manager to have faith in anybody in that bullpen not named Soria at this point.

BOOM! ROASTED!

by GoBabies!! on Aug 2, 2009 11:20 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I applaud the move

Good post. I applaud the move because it’s progress. I’m completely bummed out about what the Royals have done on the field but I’m even more bummed out about (1) the Bentacourt trade and (2) Hillman’s handling of the team. So, yes, this is progress and it provides some hope. Now, if GMDM hires some statistical dudes and starts makings some player position moves that show that he is using their analysis, then, and only then, will I have any real hope for this regime getting the job done. But yes, the use of Soria for more than 3 outs is something we have all complained vehemently about so it seems hyprocritical if we aren’t happy about the fact that Soria has now been used for two six-out saves. I can feel a Rany post coming on about this topic.

I don't fight extra players.

by paleblueeyes on Aug 2, 2009 11:01 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i think its more of still a "special occasion" thing

like, damn, we have a losing streak… so i’ll use it because this is a super duper special game

=partial credit

by royalsreview on Aug 2, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

To me, it's like this

There are a few movies I’ve seen, invariably on cable, that start out with the expectation of “I thought it would be utter crap but I was pleasantly surprised”. Deuce Bigalow comes to mind off the top of my head (actually, I heard an interview with Rob Schneider about how he got that reaction a lot and wasn’t quite sure what to make of it). There was another I was talking with my wife about earlier this week that’s slipped my memory.

If you’re Robert Zemeckis and you get the script for Forrest Gump with Tom Hanks while he’s in a groove- your job is just not to screw it up. But what if you got a bad script with horrible advertising (hence the low expectations) but still managed to make a passable 2-star movie out of it. The director has to get some sort of credit, right?

Same idea here. Trey could have done what he’s done all season, blow the lead in the 8th, and it’s another day at the ballpark for the Boys in Blue. But he managed to make what should have been an obvious move all season long for the first time all year. So, yeah, he gets at least partial credit for finally getting it right.

by sterlingice on Aug 3, 2009 2:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

enjoy it boys

It will be 100+ loses this year

by Cardnal on Aug 2, 2009 6:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hope you guys figure out how to hit Bud Norris soon

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Aug 2, 2009 6:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

We will buddy

Guess what happens when you lose 100+ games?

Bryce Harper or Stephen Strasburg wear Royal Blue

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 6:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Slip?

This space for rent.

by jonfmorse on Aug 2, 2009 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

N Slide?

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 7:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Now thats

something we have to figure out

by Cardnal on Aug 2, 2009 7:19 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

royals suck

but it’s gonna be tough to lose 100+

by royalsreview on Aug 2, 2009 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

really?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Aug 3, 2009 6:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

what about 22-36 sounds difficult for the royals?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Aug 3, 2009 6:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

totally agree

Hopes fade once again from blue to red. Go New Chiefs!!

by kabrink on Aug 3, 2009 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

yeah that shouldn't be a problem

by Fernando Vina School of Linguistics on Aug 3, 2009 9:18 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Oh to have an anti-rec button that made posts red

Hey? Who let this trash in here ;)

by sterlingice on Aug 2, 2009 10:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yo some American Idol guy is rocking a Royals jersey

Baseball tonight coverage on the Royals – this is awesome!

by GobbleforCyoung on Aug 2, 2009 7:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

That would be the most famous person from Blue Springs

Mr David Cook.

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Aug 2, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

"Welcome to Blue Springs"

“Home of American Idol Winner David Cook”

by kevinf on Aug 2, 2009 8:29 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I hate that sign

by AxDxMx on Aug 2, 2009 9:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

i saw it for the first time last weekend

congratulations blue springs! you are now on the map!

by kevinf on Aug 2, 2009 11:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Beats

“Welcome to Blue Springs: Sorry about the traffic jams around I-70” or

“Welcome to Blue Springs: The gates keep people we don’t like out”

Enough is Enough - Fire Trey Hillman

by BHWick on Aug 2, 2009 9:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I really wish we had those gates sometimes

The cops try to hassle the teens and minorities as best they can by using 2 cars to pull over a speeder.

And the traffic jams around I-70 only occur on 7 Highway. You just have to be smart enough to not use it and go Adams Dairy or take the backroads like 40 Highway.

by AxDxMx on Aug 3, 2009 5:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I didn't get to see the game

I listened to part of it on the radio as I drove north on I-29. They were being no-hit at that point, but I did hear the earth shattering walk of Betancourt. Good thing my daughter was driving or I might have gone off the road.
I listened to 810 before the game. Those guys were raking the Royals brain trust. I think it was Brian MacRae saying that they should DH Bert and play Bloomie at 2B. They did have good things to say about Zack, Banny, and Butler, but little else good to say.
Go Royals, get a split. I suppose Jose going 6 batters means that Zack needs a complete game to get a win tomorrow.

"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell

by buddyball on Aug 2, 2009 8:43 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

i heard 810 as well

but besides being negative they didn’t have anything to add other than clinkscale intimating they needed more black players because they’re athletic. first of all that’s what they’ve been trying to do is get more athletic by drafting that way, and second if i was B-Mac I would have slapped him right there. what an idiot.

Kansas City Royals - rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic since 1994.

by Home Run Tony Cogan on Aug 2, 2009 10:36 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Denny-Clink doesn't know about the Royals Toolsy Outfielder Program

And the first person to name all these guys gets a $1 gift certificate to EnChammas: The Brazilian Restaurant that Paulo Orlando wishes he could eat at

Graduate with a B.S. from the Dayton Moore School of Stats Analysis

by BHWick on Aug 3, 2009 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs