Translating the Location of the Royals Within the MLB Season

I think:
CF-Cain
LF-Gordon (he’s got a little speed)
DH-Butler (3 hole hitter)
1B-Da Kila
RF-Frenchy (because I don’t think we can trade him)
3B-Moustakas (looked good Saturday, good arm, good reflexes)
C- Treanor (he’s earned some respect, saved two games at the plate, won the third with the bat. Kendall is history, IR, then released)
2B-Getz (defense and timely hitting. Looked sharp Saturday)
SS-Escobar
SP-Monty, Francis, Crow, Duffy, Hoch (Davies to the pen, SOS and Maz sent down, probably Jeffress, who is looking like the Farns)
I expect Melkie to be traded, as well as Aviles, Chen, and maybe Francis. If Hosmer is lighting up lefties in Omaha, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Butler traded for a batch of prospects, especially if Kila performs as expected.

less than 2.4% of the people can figure out what 2.4% of anything is!!!!

I was at the game Saturday and noticed two things; first, that Kila is quicker and a better 1B than butler, and second, that I can probably outrun Butler and I’m 59 years old. He’s a career DH with average to low power, but will one day win a batting title and has a friendly contract, so should bring a good haul of prospects in return, much better than Kila would. With Hosmer and Clint Robinson both at AAA, flipping Butler eases a log jam without hurting the team.

On Getz, I like his glove, like his arm, like his speed, and like his plate discipline and hustle. If he gets replaced at 2nd, I see it being Giavotella doing it and Aviles getting traded, again for a couple of prospects, and Getz kept on the bench. Aviles is old and won’t be part of ’11, so trade him now.

I put Frenchy at the 5 spot just to break up the lefties. If he and Gordon play true to form, I see them platooning in the second half with Cain and maybe Lough in the outfield.

Treanor may not continue to hit, but his defense keeps him over Kendall, who, for all the grit and leadership, would have dropped at least one ball on the plays at the plate and would have had two passed balls Saturday. From what I saw, Treanor is a plus backstop.

“I would prefer that we not bring up Montgomery, Duffy, or Hosmer this season unless they absolutely blow away Triple-A and prove they have no more to learn there.”

I would have brought up Montgomery after Saturday’s game, he is impressive. Steve Carlton comes to mind. My thought on the rotation is that Hoch and Davies are good five inning pitchers, so Hoch to the back of the rotation and Davies trades places with Crow after a month to take advantage of Davies’ abilities one time through the order and to see what Crow has, besides a 97mph heater that made Torii Hunter look like a little leaguer. Hoch is basically a four or five slot starter at this point and moving him back takes the pressure off. I think Chen gets traded and Francis may, unless they are in first place and he has eight wins. Also a possibility that he has shoulder trouble. Hosmer is something else, if he dominates lefties at Omaha I bring him up with Moustakas at the break, maybe bring Giavotella with them if Getz isn’t hitting, and definitely Cain if he is performing. I told some folks that Saturday’s futures game looked like the 2013 Royals having an intrasquad game. The future is starting now, I see a steady transition to 2011 over this year and the August squad looking a lot like opening day, 2011.

Do rookies in the bullpen have an advantage early in the season because no one has seen them? I believe that the bullpen will be much much better this year because it has better pitchers but I’d have to think that it’s an advantage to have half of your bullpen with very thin scouting reports.

“Just like the Greinke deal, you would have to get a couple guys that are capable of or very close to contributing right away.”

Not sure what we will need next year or ‘13. Outfield will be Myers, Cain, Gordon, Eibner, Lough; infield Moustakas, Escobar, Giavotella/Colon, Hosmer/Kila; catcher Pina/ Perez; starting pitching? Pick five of ten. That is why I figure a big haul of A and A+, either that or get a second AAA team. If we are going to get an everyday major leaguer to clog things up, might as well keep Billy and Kila and leave Hosmer down. f course, I’m looking to seriously compete this year.

“Soria probably makes more sense than Butler as far as a trade goes.”

Agree, and with the same idea. The Rays have like a dozen first round picks this year, so will have plenty of A and A+ prospects available from the last two years. Trade for prospects and don’t sign any free agents, we just don’t need them. Trickle the kids up and let them get the first season of the majors out of the way and plan on winning the division next year. That’s what my offered line-up was aiming for.