How Many Plate Appearances for Yuniesky Betancourt in 2012?
by Freneau on Dec 22, 2011 8:01 AM EST
in Kansas City Royals News
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PrintMuch of the debate around Yuni revolves around the matter of how much playing time he will receive. So... how much time is that actually going to be? (In, that is, our ill-informed guesses.)
Natureless in ecstasies.
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Christian Colon
I voted 100-175, but I think the key is whether Colon is ready to step up if Johnny G fails.
by Royals-Gooner on Dec 22, 2011 8:27 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
From what I've read, any hopes counting on Colon this year aren't good ones.
Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk
Am I missing something?
I keep hearing about Colon, and then I remember that he flat out failed to hit in a friendly park and league at AA last year.
How is he possibly on the radar?
Edgar knows best.
I'm hoping Colon will ever be a decent Major Leaguer
I think the chances that he makes it to the majors this year are about 1%.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
I wouldn't go quite that low.
He may get a cup of coffee in September. I’d go 25%, but not at all because I believe in him at this point. It’s simply because I think he’ll spend most of the season in AAA, which is simply too close to negate all chance at making it to The Show™.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 11:50 AM EST up reply actions
The problem with giving him a cup of coffee in September "just because"
…is that he’d have to be added to the 40-man roster. And given that the Royals actually have some talent now, and prospects have been promoted, the 40-man has gotten tight.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 11:56 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah,
I just figure that once the AAA playoffs are over (sorry, getting ahead of myself there), there will be a player or two that they can shift from the 15-Day to the 60-Day DL.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 12:34 PM EST up reply actions
Especially if they value all of his intangibles.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 12:35 PM EST up reply actions
And I don't know if he'll even be in AAA
I know Moore probably doesn’t care about actual performance that can be counted with numbers, but Colon looked barely AA-ready in 2011. I don’t think there’s any reason to believe he’s AAA-ready now. Doesn’t seem like the tools-based evaluations of Colon from prospect evaluators were in love with him. I guess this won’t necessarily keep Moore from very aggressively promoting Colon. Hey, it worked for Monty!
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 12:45 PM EST up reply actions
I'm definitely not basing the fact that I think he'll be in Omaha most of the season
on whether or not I think he’s ready for it.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 1:13 PM EST up reply actions
i saw Colon play several times this summer for NWA.
he look extremely overmatched at the plate everytime. his defense was average to slightly above average.
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 22, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
I saw him once,
and I’d agree. I actually liked Rey Navarro more when I saw him, but it was only one game.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 2:37 PM EST up reply actions
totally agree. Navarro looked much more ready to be promoted.
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 22, 2011 2:39 PM EST up reply actions
Agreed, and I saw him within two weeks of reaching AA.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 2:43 PM EST up reply actions
I believe Rany said the opposite, which I found highly questionable.
I think too many people are relying on Colon’s status as a high first round pick to make their evaluation.
by hawkinscm87 on Dec 22, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I could see it.
I’m hardly making a strong statement here. Navarro has basically had a nice three or four months. To be fair, there probably is a very real tools-based reason to value Colon over Navarro, but as I’ve said before I am not a scout.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 4:29 PM EST up reply actions
I understand the tools-based reasons that might exist normally.
But I don’t know if Colon has any tools. He supposedly has a hit tool and a field tool, but when you put him at 2B to allow his fielding tool to get better, his hit tool is automatically even worse.
by hawkinscm87 on Dec 24, 2011 12:44 AM EST up reply actions
they'd still be using a spot without him being ready....
and have to keep him there for probably almost a year before its needed
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 9:52 PM EST up reply actions
And Getz will be out of options at without a home.
These things do tend to work themselves out as players prove themselves unworthy of continuing on with the team.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 23, 2011 2:04 AM EST up reply actions
Ditto. Maybe more.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 11:48 AM EST up reply actions
I would be pleasantly surprised if Yost shows restraint in Yuni's usage.
Tragically I see him getting about 400 at-bats this year. That is just how the Royals play the game.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
Yost doesn't use his bench very much
If Yuni gets 400 at-bats this year I will eat all of my socks
BFIB
by tiquanunderwear on Dec 22, 2011 9:27 AM EST up reply actions
If Gia gets off to a slow start, you're gonna see Yuni everyday.
I would stew the socks, that’ll be the best way to get them down.
If I see Yuni everyday
I’m ending my life
BFIB
by tiquanunderwear on Dec 22, 2011 10:02 AM EST up reply actions
just don't forget about eating your socks first
maybe that alone will kill you…..two birds
by Bronzillo on Dec 22, 2011 10:26 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
You really think that?
Yost steadfastly (and stubbornly) stuck with Escobar through his slump and only benched Moose a bit when his slump reached extended and horrendous levels. Why would he put Yuni in?
I do.
I’m just going on what I perceive as the FO’s attitude towards Gia. That, and they obviously love Yuni, having acquired him twice.
why do you perceive that?
they’ve promoted him quickly, they drafted him, he’s gritty and white…what more do you need? this seems like just assuming the worst with no reasoning behind it
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
Escobar was clearly the guy for the long-term. He had the prospect pedigree and the great tools. And he was consistently playing great defense. And there was no one to replace him with.
Gia is a Major League maybe at best. He’s never been a top prospect. No one loves his tools. His defense is poor by all accounts, so it’s not like his D will be there to fall back on. And now there is Yuni there to replace him.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:26 PM EST up reply actions
I honestly hope you do not have to eat those socks
But I think there are better than even odds you will eat those socks.
Crap players simply need to be kept off the Royals roster. Year in and year out we see the Royals playing crap players every day, even when there are better and younger options available. I think the starting line-up is more determined by the buddy system than on actual ability.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
who were the crap players last year that took ABs away from better long term options?
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 10:00 PM EST up reply actions
Getz, Treanor, Davies
I could probably throw Francoeur on that pile, but that would be questionable.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Dec 22, 2011 11:35 PM EST up reply actions
treanor was good last year...
pena isnt better or a long term option….gia was called up after he performed in AAA so getz doesnt really fit the criteria and davies…well, which long term option was he blocking last year? SOS?
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 11:44 PM EST up reply actions
Perez was always better than Treanor. Treanor was never good. Treanor should have never played a single game on an MLB roster last year.
Giavotella, Navarro and Aviles were always better than Getz. Getz played in 118 games last year! He didn’t hold down the job by roster default. Getz should have never played a game on an MLB roster last year.
Most of the AAA pitcher staff was always better than Davies.
If you don’t want to see the pattern that is your choice.
www.rockchalktalk.com for pretty good KU baseball coverage
by James Quinn on Dec 22, 2011 11:55 PM EST up reply actions
sal perez who had 0 fucking ABs above a-ball?
getz was better than aviles last year….gia was not nearly as ‘good’ as getz in his major league time….that was one of the most absurd posts ive seen on this site
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 11:58 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I would love to hear Yost's take on Yuni
Have there been any Yost quotes? I think that Yost can really temper Moore’s Yuni-love if Yost sees the lacking defense that is apparently invisible to Moore. Of course, Yost could fall in love with him too.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Dec 22, 2011 1:41 PM EST up reply actions
I would imagine all of his public comments would be very positive, regardless of whether he thought he was a great player or an awful player.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
Since all of them wasn't an option...
I picked the largest number available
Your 2010 Royals Review Fantasy Football Keeper League Champion
Since 2005: Royals win% = .4100, Chiefs win% = .4095
by averagegatsby on Dec 22, 2011 9:32 AM EST via Android app reply actions 1 recs
I see him getting 100-175 AB
being used against left handlers only by the Nedster
"Things could always be worse." - Buddy Bell
Nice piece by Dutton today
http://royalsblog.kansascity.com/?q=node/964
The clincher:
But it got us thinking. What if he could be more honest? For instance: If we were Moore, maybe we’d put it like this:
Well, we just signed Yuniesky Betancourt to be our utility infielder. And before you say anything… yes, we know he’s a below-average defender. We did watch him up close for a whole year and a half, you know. And, yes, we know he doesn’t walk. And we know he doesn’t run particularly well. But what do you want? Yea, Jamey Carroll was available, but he signed with the Twins for $6.5 million over two years. And he’s almost 38! There were some other options. But to be honest, most players aren’t wild about getting 100 to 150 at-bats for the Royals. We knew Yuni, so we could convince him. Some of those other veterans? It’s not that easy. And we promise we’ll try to save him for left-handers. You know he’s a .275/.308/.421 hitter against lefties. That’s not too bad.
Doubting Thomas, the patron saint of sabermetrics
Cool of Dutton to throw the RR bone
…also, Im not a big Smellinger fan but thought his take on Yuni-tard was reasonable. Most here won’t I think.
Is it strange that I only like his work when he shares my opinion? In my own defense, I liked Joe Poz’ work whether I agreed with it or not….I digress.
by Bronzillo on Dec 22, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Interesting all those utility infielders on contenders
Were freely available talent except for Ramon Santiago who was developed by the Tigers, then re-signed for Yuni money.
Eduardo Nunez – developed
Andres Blanco – minor league FA
Reid Brignac – developed
Elliot Johnson – developed
In the NL:
Wilson Valdez – minor league FA
Michael Martinez – Rule 5 pick
Willie Bloomquist – FA
Craig Counsell – FA
Daniel Delasco – developed
Nick Punto – FA
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Dec 22, 2011 10:00 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I thought it was fair
Its not that I think Yuni is bad. He actually does have some good traits. He has some pop, and he can hit lefties. And besides, I expect the utility infielder to be sorta crappy. Most utility infielders are.
Its that they paid $2 million for him. Ugh, what a waste of money. And when Scott added up the money that he is paid + Broxton +Chen, ugh, that’s money that could have gone towards a GOOD player.
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Dec 22, 2011 10:01 AM EST up reply actions
I kinda took the article as:
I can’t say what I really want to because I have to deal with the players and brass for 162 games. Here are some links for fans that are really pissed off (just like I am) and I will go out on the edge with my own rendition of Dayton’s press conference.
Doubting Thomas, the patron saint of sabermetrics
by Jeff Zimmerman on Dec 22, 2011 10:12 AM EST up reply actions 5 recs
He Hits LHP
OK for a MIF, but sadly, he will probably be our main PH, too.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Dec 22, 2011 1:18 PM EST up reply actions
another take on the $2 million given to Yuni...
if KC realeases Getz now, they save about $750k-$1 million of arbitration money on Getz. that would make the Yuni contract worth about $1-1.25 million out of pocket. Is Yuni as a UI worth $1,25 million.
plus it save us having to suffer through 100-150 C Getz plate appreances this year.
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 22, 2011 2:42 PM EST up reply actions
Independent moves
Because if you brought in a UI just as good as Yuni for $1M, then if they released Getz, he’d be playing for free by that rationale.
in the overall team payroll picture, that is absolutely correct
people were upset saying the $2 million spent on Yuni cold have gone to sign a top level FA, or give Gordon an extension.
However in the overall picture of total payroll, if (and this is still an if) this move leads to KC releasing Gatz, then with Yuni on the roster, the team only has $1million less to use on Grodons extension instead of $2 million less. So in the realm of these arguments, Yuni might end up only costing the team $1 million in “lost” payroll.
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 22, 2011 3:57 PM EST up reply actions
And if the Royals had signed a better, cheaper UI
Then the net payroll cost for the UI would probably have been $0 or even negative dollars.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 23, 2011 7:58 AM EST up reply actions
True. but Yost wanted a RH-PH with a little pop in his bat. i don't think KC could
have found too many players to sign on as a UI-PH for less than ~$1 million net salary. i think Yunis defense was next to a non-factor in this signing. fact is they wanted a UI that could hit with power from the right side of the plate. whether he is a good defender or not was immaterial.
FInding a UI-PH with pop, who would accept a backup role in KC and signing him for net negative on the payroll would have been a TampaBay-esque move and i don’t think DM has those kind of GM skills.
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 23, 2011 8:44 AM EST up reply actions
If signing Yuni was about getting a RH pinch hitter and they didn’t care about his defense, then they are even more incompetent than I thought. He’s an awful hitter. He isn’t even any good against LHP. He stinks.
FInding a UI-PH with pop, who would accept a backup role in KC and signing him for net negative on the payroll would have been a TampaBay-esque move and i don’t think DM has those kind of GM skills.
He may well not have those skills, but it’s not like it would have been difficult. Wilson Betemit fits that profile and signed for $1M last year after a good year. He’d cost less than that this year and in your scenario, he’d be payroll-negative.
But your scenario above assumes that the Royals will release Getz before his contract becomes fully guaranteed. While that is possible, we can’t assume it will happen. They could easily keep him and option him to Omaha.
So maybe the net payroll effect will be smaller than $2M. But it could have been even smaller, and even a negative number if Moore had signed someone better than Yuni, which would have been very easy, as there are many such options.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 23, 2011 11:06 AM EST up reply actions
You are right
I saw all of Dutton’s crap on the right of the article and assumed he wrote it.
Doubting Thomas, the patron saint of sabermetrics
by Jeff Zimmerman on Dec 22, 2011 10:30 AM EST up reply actions
Even more forcing of the envelope
The kid’s going to end his career before he really gets started.
by Sweep_the_Leg on Dec 22, 2011 11:44 AM EST up reply actions
.
But to be honest, most players aren’t wild about getting 100 to 150 at-bats for the Royals.
If only there were some sort of draft where the Royals could take a player who is at least semi-ML ready but on another team and then force him to play for them, no matter how few ABs he gets. Maybe we could create a “Rule” and then name this draft after which number the Rule is – I think 5 would have a nice ring to it, but there’s already a Rule with that number. Oh well.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Dec 22, 2011 1:48 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
My favorite part:
The Royals, despite all their improvements, are still a club that must sign marginal players from time to time. Sometimes for financial reasons. And sometimes because players aren’t exactly clamoring to come to Kansas City — especially when it’s a part-time role.
This is never considered, but is relevant.
The notion that Yuni is the best UI they could have gotten for $2M or less is nonsensical
They weren’t forced to sign Yuni. There were many, many other options that were as good as him or better for that amount of money or (in most cases) less.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
Why do I think that Johnny G is gonna get the Kila treatment?
I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.
by mitchfreakingmaier! on Dec 22, 2011 10:11 AM EST reply actions
Because he probably isn't very good and the Royals FO doesn't like his tools
If he confirms their suspicions (that he isn’t very good) by starting out slow, I don’t think they’re going to allow him to have months of failure.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
BUT HE IS THE NEXT DUSTIN PEDROIA!
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Dec 22, 2011 10:25 AM EST up reply actions
I don't think there's much to support that argument, honestly
When did the Royals FO not like his tools? What makes you think they don’t?
When I look at what Yost did last year and how the Royals handled Moose and Escobar, I don’t see them doing anything different with Gio. Only when Moose’s performance reached sustained atrociousness did they bench him for any length of time. Yost didn’t even take Escobar out for pinch hitting. It makes sense that Yost treats Gio the same way, especiallly if Getz is out of the picture.
When I look at what Yost did last year and how the Royals handled Moose and Escobar, I don’t see them doing anything different with Gio.
Do you really think they look at Gio the way they look at Moose and Escobar? I think they look at him more like how looked at Kila.
When’s the last time Moore alllowed a young player to start at a season all year even though he was failing? Escobar doesn’t count because while he hit horribly, his defense was consistently great.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:34 PM EST up reply actions
I'll reply to this one and your previous one here
Now, “no one to replace him with” is no viable defense. Remember, the Royals went out and got Yuni in 2009—in the middle of the season. There’s no reason why they couldn’t have traded a minor leaguer or two for some second-rate shortstop to tag-team it with Escobar.
Also I’m not sure your assumption that the Royals view Yuni as a good 2B is correct. He’s never played 2B at any length, and the Royals know that, even if they think he has the skills to play everyday 2B at a decent level (being the Devil’s advocate here, what if Yuni is good at 2B? Does that make everything better?)
Starting a young player all year is unnecessary. If the Royals believe Gio would benefit from a week or two off, is that really the end of the world? Now, I think the Kila comp may be a better comp individually, but the situation is entirely different. There’s no Eric Top-Prospect Hosmer hitting .420 in AAA breathing down Gio’s neck. I think the Royals would have given Kila a longer chance if Hosmer had a slower start. There’s no reason to expect otherwise; Hosmer just forced their hand.
I think the difference for Gio vs Kila is that the scouts like Gio's bat, didn't like Kila's
And the scouting report is the top dog. Maybe I’m oversimplifying, b/c it’s not like I was in the room with GMDM for any of this, but that seems to be the way it works.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Dec 22, 2011 1:50 PM EST up reply actions
The scouts certainly don't love Gio's bat
If they did, he might have been a top 100 prospect. He never was, despite good hitting in the minors. And really no one likes his defense. And Moore really does like his “defense up the middle.” When he’s had middle IFers who could hit some, but he didn’t like their defense, he got rid of them: German, Aviles, Callaspo. Getz is still around.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:53 PM EST up reply actions
Royals' scouts, I figure
Although, they did let Gio linger in AAA longer than they had to. Unlike Hos or Perez.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Dec 22, 2011 1:59 PM EST up reply actions
Yes, I think that is telling
Second base was a huge sinkhole with Aviles and Getz competing to see which could be worse. And yet Gio was in Omaha mashing month after month. Hos, Duffy and Moose came up quickly. Gio hit better than Moose (IIRC) and still he languished until July.
He really isn’t a toolsy player. His range and glove are poor. His speed is so-so at best. The batspeed is pretty good, but not spectacular. And the pure power is only ok.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 2:09 PM EST up reply actions
And yet Gio was in Omaha mashing month after month
703
734
1041
1000
not exactly accurate to say he was mashing month after month…he was bad the first two months and then had two good months
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 10:09 PM EST up reply actions
(being the Devil’s advocate here, what if Yuni is good at 2B? Does that make everything better?)
If playing 2B helps him hit a lot better. As far as his overall value at 2B, his better defense there should be negated by the positional adjustment.
Starting a young player all year is unnecessary. If the Royals believe Gio would benefit from a week or two off, is that really the end of the world?
I’m not talking about that. When’s the last time Moore alllowed a young player to start at a position all year even (even accounting for some breaks, like getting a week or two off) though he was failing? Has he done this and I’ve just forgotten it?
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:51 PM EST up reply actions
Hochevar. Greinke.
But as for position players? Not sure. But why would he do that ever? If a position player needs more seasoning in AAA it’s usually advantageous to send him back. What level is ‘fail’ for Gio next year hitting-wise?
But why would he do that ever? If a position player needs more seasoning in AAA it’s usually advantageous to send him back
This is part of my point. I think if Gio performs poorly, he’ll be sent down.
What level is ‘fail’ for Gio next year hitting-wise?
I have no idea what Moore would consider too bad and necessitate a demotion or benching. I think that certainly something similar to his 2011 line, with similar defense would be insufficient to stay in the everyday 2B role. IMO, he definitely wouldn’t make it to Memorial Day hitting like that, and I think his demotion/benching would come earlier than that.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 2:12 PM EST up reply actions
Yost is oftern quoted as saying he "needs a defensive replacement for Gia in late innings"
is Yuni now the ‘defensive’ replacement for Gia. if so Gia must by the worst defensive player in baseball.
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 22, 2011 2:57 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Yost started taking him out directly after that game in Tampa Bay
where Gia had the disastrous error and Sam Fuld walked off with a little league home run. It may have been a slight overreaction to that incident, especially in a lost season.
"There is nothing shrewd about running a red light and later finding out it kept you from being hit by an asteroid." - philofthenorth
by KeepItCopacetic on Dec 22, 2011 4:12 PM EST up reply actions
and kila wouldve gotten more of a shot if he didnt have a super prospect on his heels crushing the ball at AAA
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 10:03 PM EST up reply actions
As for Kila's handling this year...
Doesn’t the Royals FO’s decision to bring up Hosmer when they did validated? Hosmer was crushing the ball in AAA. Kila was flailing at the Major League level. A month into the season they pulled the trigger. This year the Royals did what we clamor for them to do all along—pull a player for a better, longer-term option.
Any criticisms directed at the Royals’ use of Kila should be in past years, not this one.
yeah...and to be fair...i dont hear too much bitching about the quick hook for kila anymore...
its mostly about 2009 and 2010
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 23, 2011 12:11 AM EST up reply actions
I am so sick of your constant negativity
403 PA, you naysayer
Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.
by Matt Klaassen on Dec 22, 2011 10:31 AM EST up reply actions
You're giving him over .40 points between BA and OBP?
His batting average won’t be that bad—but his OBP won’t be much better than what you have. I predict .265/.285/.390
I put my over/under at 350 in another Yuni thread
I am factoring in that I think he will be a full time player for a couple of months, most likely at 2B like several others have said. I had confidence that Gio would get a real shot, but now it is entirely possible that a bad 4-6 weeks could put him into Kila-style exile IMO.
The BallStar piece was pretty good. While I feel the signing is indefensible, it is strangely fascinating.
I think the key question is, "Who will get the second base PA's in 2012"?
I think Gia will be the Opening Day starter, but if he doesn’t perform well, I don’t think they are going to just stick with him through lots of failure. Someone would have to replace him. I think it would be Yuni. I don’t know if Getz will even be a Royal on Opening Day. If Yuni ends up replacing Gia, and I think that’s likely, he’d end up with a high number of PA’s. Certainly in excess of 300, probably more than 400.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 10:27 AM EST reply actions
Where have you gone, Carlos Febles, a nation turns its lonely eyes to you
Woo hoo hoo.
by thelaundry on Dec 22, 2011 10:29 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
If the front office was trying to get all of us to rally around Johnny Giavotella
even people like (I think) Scott, billybeingbilly, and myself, who don’t think he’s very good, well, mission accomplished.
Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.
by Matt Klaassen on Dec 22, 2011 10:33 AM EST reply actions 4 recs
Yuni makes the vast majority of MLB players look very good by comparison
Well played, Dayton. Well played.
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by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
this begs the question....how bad does Johnny Gia need to be to make Yuni look good??
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 22, 2011 11:47 AM EST up reply actions
Unfortunatley, the Royals FO already thinks Yuni looks good
That’s the problem.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 11:57 AM EST up reply actions
i was assuming Yuni would play poor defense at 2B even though we have never seen him play 2B.
Thus ‘begging’ the reader to accept the premise that Yuni is bad at 2B without any actual proof.
let me restate my question:
how bad does Gias play at 2B have to be before if makes Yunis play at 2B look good (assuming it would be bad without proof)?
that just doesn’t sound as good as the original way i stated it, and we all know that on the internet ‘style’ trumps ‘correctness’ (or truthiness for that matter).
by DickHowser4ever on Dec 22, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
well...he accomplished it last year...
so basically repeat 2011
Fire Everyone
by billybeingbilly on Dec 22, 2011 10:14 PM EST up reply actions
thanks
Making watching baseball as fun as doing your taxes.
My Twitter feed.
Before getting tweaked, read up on regression.
by Matt Klaassen on Dec 22, 2011 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
Count me among the vocal Giavotella naysayers.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 1:12 PM EST up reply actions
I See Him
As German 2.0. I think he’ll hit OK for a 2B, but hands of stone.
I used to be an A's fan until they left town and got good.
by philofthenorth on Dec 23, 2011 12:24 AM EST up reply actions
"No Mas"
If women only slept with nice guys...guys would only be nice. And they don't. And we're not.
by setupunchtag on Dec 23, 2011 2:47 PM EST up reply actions
Mitch vs Yuni, who wil have fewer ABs?
Mitch had 95 ABs last yr so no reason to think Yost will play the Yuni bomber anymore extensively, with the exception of giving Moose the more frequent rest vs LHPs….therefore 165 seems about right….
Why won't Ned use Yuni at 2B a lot?
Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com
by RoyalsRetro on Dec 22, 2011 10:55 AM EST up reply actions
Gio must play for KC to know if he is long term answer
Regardless of KCs record, or Giovatellas performance, he will get all the ABs, with exception of injury. Yuni will get more ABs at 3B, then ss, and lastly 2b.
I don't believe for a second that Gia will be a regular all season regardless of performance
Moore is wiling to continue to give him a look, but I don’t think he’s going to give Gia a full season of failure. If Gia plays well, I’m sure he’ll be the starting 2B all season. If not, he’ll get benched or sent down. The only question is how much rope Moore is willing to give him. I don’t think Moore loves Gia. It doesn’t seem like the FO likes his tools so much. Despite the sinkhole of the Royals 2B position last year and despite how well Gia was performing in Omaha, they waited until July to call him up. I really don’t think they are going to stick with Gia unless he proves himself.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 11:11 AM EST up reply actions
He will be given extra days off early on because of the hip.
Moore is well aware that he is a slow starter and a 2nd half terror (per ’10, ’11).
I don’t think the Kila analogy applies. One is a late round, old regime guy, the other is a early round, current team pick. The added accountability gives him a longer leash.
I don't see the point in not letting Moustakas face all the lefties he can.
I’d hardly say the Royals should be limiting his exposure as there’s no way to learn other than by doing at a certain point.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 12:31 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But Moore wants to win now!
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by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 12:46 PM EST up reply actions
How could I forget?
[hangs head in shame and slinks out of room]
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 1:10 PM EST up reply actions
I don't mind giving Moose a day off against tough lefties
if he struggles against them, like he did last year (.191/.258/.236).
He needs to face some lefties in 2012 to learn how to hit them at the major league level, but he has a lot to learn and I think he’s too overmatched against the tough lefties to learn much.
I would just rather see him getting the reps in the last likely lost season.
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
You just need one of three players
to go on the DL for any length of time and he will get his ABs easily. You just need one of three really young players to not be able to hit at all or get on the coaches bad side or go down to the minors to work on something and he’ll get his ABs.
2011 Royals Review NCAA Bracket Challenge Winner, by process of attrition
Come on, what the odds that Moose, Esobar or Gia gets injured or doesn’t play well in 2012? You’re coming up with wild scenarios that almost certainly won’t happen!
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by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 11:12 AM EST up reply actions
I'm going with 226-275. I'll say 233.
Going to stubbornly refuse to believe he’ll end up with 400+ PAs, while also realizing he probably won’t be Mitched.
I'm with you. Barring injury to others, I think he plays about 1/4 to 1/3 of the games plus PH'ing,
which gets us to the low 200s.
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Dec 22, 2011 1:54 PM EST up reply actions
The question isn't the number of AB's
how many innings will he spend in the field
by maddirishman on Dec 22, 2011 11:19 AM EST reply actions 1 recs
Guess that player I just wrote a fantasy preview for:
No job, no talent, even Yuniesky Betancourt has more fantasy value.
Doubting Thomas, the patron saint of sabermetrics
by Jeff Zimmerman on Dec 22, 2011 11:37 AM EST reply actions
Angel Berroa?
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by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 11:42 AM EST up reply actions
This has been the closest so far.
He was released recently by another AL Central team
Doubting Thomas, the patron saint of sabermetrics
by Jeff Zimmerman on Dec 22, 2011 12:44 PM EST up reply actions
Yep
Doubting Thomas, the patron saint of sabermetrics
by Jeff Zimmerman on Dec 22, 2011 1:29 PM EST up reply actions
Chris Getz?
Mike Jacobs?
Sporadically musing on the Royals at both Royals Review and Royalscentricity, pop culture at Inconsiderate Prick, SVU at Munch My Benson and on Twitter at Old Man Duggan
by Old Man Duggan on Dec 22, 2011 12:33 PM EST up reply actions
I think it's just wishful thinking
Either that or they plan to attack him with a pipe and force him to the DL.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
...
Either that or they plan to attack him with a pipe and force him to the DL.
Speaking of wishful thinking. (Not really, that’s bad karma. And illegal.)
Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448
by SagehenMacGyver47 on Dec 22, 2011 1:56 PM EST up reply actions
Devil's Advocate
Since Yuni’s only ever ‘played’ SS in his career, we don’t know how well he would translate to 2B or 3B. What if he is actually above average defensively at either of those positions? Not saying that he is likely to. But what if?
Others can answer as well, but I gave my answer above.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 1:55 PM EST up reply actions
His major weakness fielding has always been going to his left. Obviously, this would be a problem for a 3B. This also creates an amazing amount of suck if Hosmer continues to guard the line at first. Other then that, everything is cool.
by Pointed Stick on Dec 22, 2011 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
But given Yuni's strong arm, he could play in short RF
I'm sure that would work well.
You may know me as NYRoyal.
by Scott McKinney on Dec 22, 2011 2:13 PM EST up reply actions
poll results remind me of a dude firing a rocket launcher
also, put me down for 355
batter nine you sucky
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