So, You want to Build a Rotation? How the Royals should do it.

by Jack Marsh on Aug 3, 2011 4:02 PM EDT

NOTE: Some of you will probably not like this post. This is nothing but a conversation starter for the Royals starting pitching in 2012, and that is all I intend it to be.

Well, we are here. The Royals have one of the most mediocre rotations in baseball, and it needs to be fixed. We have to get to the point where we don't go "Well, so and so is pitching, I guess we're going to lose this one." We have to get to the point where we aren't worrying about one of our pitchers imploding in late innings. We have to get to the point where we have three or four reliable starters in our rotation. In other words, we have to get from "here" to "there".

In order to get from "Here to there", we need to do five things:

1: Reinstate the six-man rotation.

No, I am not kidding. This is step one. We need three good starters to contend, imo, and we will get to that later in this article.

2: Recognize some of the current starters we have that would fit on a contending rotation.

We have starters that would fit in the back end of a contending rotation, IF they can keep up what they have been doing over the past two months. Those being: Luke Hochevar, Felipe Paulino, and Danny Duffy. Hochevar and Paulino have about a 50/50 chance to keep up their current numbers, and Duffy has about a 60/40 to 70/30 chance. If by the end of the year these players are performing at a serviceable level, put them in the back-end of the Rotation. If one of them fails, put a bullpen guy like Crow or Holland in the rotation. So, now that we have the back end of the rotation solved, let's move on.

3: Sign an expensive FA to be our ace.

C.J. Wilson would be a perfect fit. Lock him up to a 3-5 year contract, and we have ourselves an ace.

4: Either make a waiver claim on Wandy Rodriguez, or trade for him in the offseason.

Self-explanatory,

5: Trade for another ace.

I saw Scott say something like: "Not many clubs are willing to just give up their aces for prospects." There are a few that probably would be, though. The Dodgers are in dire financial straits. Trade for Chad Billingsley, and we are set.

_________________________________________________________________________________________

This would give us a rotation of:

1-CJ Wilson

2-Chad Billingsley

3-Wandy Rodriguez

4-Felipe Paulino

5-Danny Duffy

6-Luke Hochevar

That is, if everything goes right.

Your thoughts on what the Royals need to do to fix their rotation?

Tweet Comment 28 comments | 1 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

I think I've read this fanpost before

Haven’t I?

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Aug 3, 2011 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

I'm sure you have. This is only meant to be a conversation starter.

I'm a 14 year old freshman in high school with a love for all things Royals and Packers.

by Jack Marsh on Aug 3, 2011 4:06 PM EDT up reply actions

In other words, I'm not trying to bring any statistical depth or analysis into this post, all it is is to start a conversation.

I'm a 14 year old freshman in high school with a love for all things Royals and Packers.

by Jack Marsh on Aug 3, 2011 4:08 PM EDT up reply actions

Not terrible ideas

I don’t think you sign Wilson, and I don’t think DM goes after him because it requires draft pick compensation (we would lose our 2nd round pick). I do think the Wandy claim makes sense and I even think the Billingsley trade makes a bit of sense. I don’t really think he’s an ace – I think you’re going to have to count on Duffy or Monty or someone else becoming an ace. But it does give us a better rotation.

Really, I think the notion that you HAVE to have an ace to compete is somewhat a bit off. The Twins won the division last year with their best pitcher having a 113 ERA+. The year before it was 109.

I mean, we don’t play in the AL East. Just having guys that don’t suck would go along way to making us competitive. I think its less about getting a CJ Wilson and more about NOT having guys like Kyle Davies in the rotation and Chris Getz in the lineup.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 3, 2011 4:08 PM EDT reply actions

I also don't know if Billingsley would be available

MLB is not going to allow the Dodgers to make moves for merely financial reasons, and I expect they’ll have an owner pretty quickly so long as the McCourt lawsuit is dismissed soon (a big “if” I suppose). But they were pretty dormant at the trade deadline, and I expect that to remain the same this winter as MLB wants to keep the value of the franchise high for a bidder.

Other guys that might be available: James Shields perhaps? I don’t know if the Rays want to deal within the league. Kevin Slowey will be available although I bet the Twins want to send him out of division at least. Ricky Nolasco and/or Anibal Sanchez could become available.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 3, 2011 4:11 PM EDT up reply actions

Nolasco and especially, Sanchez are intriguing...

But I’ve heard the Marlins want to keep their talent intact for their new stadium opening. I also think that 2013 is the time for going after an ‘ace’, as the free agent crop looks way better than 2012’s. Sure, there will be those that are locked up before then, but it should still be decent. Hell, I’d be for signing Greinke, if we could/would.

CJ Wilson will be snapped up by the Yanks or one of the big markets because there just isn’t really anyone behind him that’s worth spending much money on. Maybe Edwin Jackson.

I like the Wandy Rodriguez idea, other than it’s very hard for me not to say his name as, Wandy Wod-wee-guez.

If women only slept with nice guys...guys would only be nice. And they don't. And we're not.

by setupunchtag on Aug 3, 2011 5:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Agreed on all counts

I think the Royals need to find a way to add two good starters before 2012. Wandy could be one. CJ Wilson and Edwin Jackson are out there. And then there are a bunch of trading options, but you don’t want to blow 2013-2015 for a run in 2012.

by kcdc1 on Aug 3, 2011 5:14 PM EDT up reply actions

We just need to win more baseball games I think

SBN's most random and mysterious lurker
though I do love Royals Review
Follow me on Twitter if you want: Lum_SM

by Lum on Aug 3, 2011 4:51 PM EDT reply actions

I suspect

that next years rotation will be: 1. FA or trade 2. Luke 3. Duffy 4. Paulino 5. Monty. This rotation will only be good enough for a .500 record (at best) unless Hochever makes the leap to ace. And that would be a BIG leap…

by Royalron on Aug 3, 2011 4:56 PM EDT reply actions

Considering the fact

That Hochevar has been worse than Davies with the Royals (ERA 5.48 ERA+ of 77 to Davies 5.34 and 80), and the fact that they are the same age, I consider the insanity level of people considering Hochevar a #1 or #2 starter to be many times higher than those who consider Davies a #5. (Which might still be insane, just not nearly as much.)

"Trying is the first step to sucking" -Jimmy Chance

by KHAZAD on Aug 3, 2011 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions

If the Royals kept a six-man rotation, would that encourage FA signings?

Less wear and tear and effort, but less gaudy numbers too. Arbitration is based on gaudy numbers.

by kansasjohn on Aug 3, 2011 5:31 PM EDT reply actions

Conversation starter

That starts with a pipe dream. Odds of Dayton Moore adding 3 free agent pitchers, in one off season, as good or better than Meche when he was healthy, and certainly better than anyone else we have had in the last decade other than Greinke? 0.0000001%

Beyond that, 6 man rotations are blatantly stupid. You limit the appearances of your best pitchers, and hand 17% of your season to a guy not good enough to start in the Majors. If you happen to have 6 legitimate starters, (Certainly not the case for us this year) You should trade one to improve in another area.

I don’t like giving Jeff Francis starts to Kyle Davies. If I had Wilson, Billingsley, and Wandy, I would certainly not want to give away 15 of those starts to Hochevar. (Who still has a higher ERA and lower ERA+ than Davies as a Royal)

"Trying is the first step to sucking" -Jimmy Chance

by KHAZAD on Aug 3, 2011 5:36 PM EDT reply actions 3 recs

Samir would like to weigh in on the six-man rotation idea

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlA9bNk3b5Q

by Sweep_the_Leg on Aug 4, 2011 2:57 PM EDT up reply actions

14 man rotation!!!

7. Kyle Davies
8. SOS
9. Francis – back on 3 year, $80 million contract
10. Mazarro
11. Mendoza
12. MITCH
13. McClure
14. Kendall with Meche’s surgically repaired arm attached to his body FOR 3 ARMZ!!!

Speculation is fun!!! 23 man pitching staff FTW!!!

by KyleM on Aug 3, 2011 5:39 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I'd move Mitch up to 10th

Slide Mazarro back to 12. Then bring back Bannister to just pitch on day games.

Stuck following the Royals since 1976.

by A. B. Aird on Aug 3, 2011 5:41 PM EDT up reply actions

Not bad

Seems a little high for Francis. Although, with only a couple starts a month, shoulder should hold up.

Is Mick Lure a lefty? If so, I like him between Davies and SOS.

by Rufus R. Jones on Aug 3, 2011 6:16 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Think of the deceptive delivery you could have with 3 arms!

SBN's most random and mysterious lurker
though I do love Royals Review
Follow me on Twitter if you want: Lum_SM

by Lum on Aug 3, 2011 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions

And plus arms

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 4, 2011 10:03 AM EDT up reply actions 4 recs

If this isn't a new meme

I will have last all faith in humanity.

Turning Kool-Aid to Jesus Juice since 2009.

by Discodave on Aug 4, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

Lost

Turning Kool-Aid to Jesus Juice since 2009.

by Discodave on Aug 4, 2011 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions

The idea of the 6 man rotation should be put on the shelf permanently

It is hard enough to find 5 quality guys in the rotation. Hochevar, Paulino and Duffy are keepers for 2012. Not sure about Francis. Definitely cut loose Davies. Chen might be a keeper but if he is a Type B, I’d offer him but if he wanted to sign, take the draft pick.

So, KC needs at least 2 starters. Montgomery really needs to be front of the rotation in 2012. That leaves one more starter to acquire through trade and/or FA. KC won’t lure a top FA like CJ Wilson to pitch. Why would he leave Texas when the money will be good everywhere.

I like the idea of acquiring a guy like Billingsley or Wandy. Time for KC to think like a contender and raid another team for top talent.

by daveyork on Aug 3, 2011 8:57 PM EDT reply actions

why would you go with a 6 man rotation if you have good pitchers?

all it does it take 6 or so starts from wilson/wandy….that’d be incredibly stupid

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Aug 3, 2011 11:40 PM EDT reply actions

I think the only viable reason is if you have a guy (or especially two) for whom you want to limit innings,

such as Duffy or Montgomery. I’m not saying it’s a good idea, only that I can see the reasoning behind it.

Kila's slash for Apr 20 to May 4, 2011, right before he was sent down: .276 / .344 / .448

by SagehenMacGyver47 on Aug 4, 2011 4:09 PM EDT up reply actions

it makes sense for this year...

when the pitchers are about equally shitty and duffy does need to be limited…he shouldnt be next year and montgomery next year should be limited to somewhere around 170-180 innings…and you use the 5 man rotation and if he hits those innings by sept 1 than the season has been a rousing success for him

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Aug 4, 2011 7:45 PM EDT up reply actions

We could be working on a solution now....

But, we just keep running Chen, Francis and Davies out there. What is the point of that. Just Repeating Again, Finish 2011 with Duffy, Hoe, Paulino, Crow and Holland. 2012 start with Duffy, Hoe, Paulino, Monty and either Crow or Holland. After 2012, sign one or two starters maybe Greinke and Marcum. So 2013 would be
Greinke
Marcum
Monty
Duffy
The best of the rest, my money is on Holland. The guy has 3 very good pitches! Could also be Odorizzi.

BTW, it isn’t too crazy to expect Greinke, who has already been here and enjoyed a larger park and a local kid like Marcum to sign with a team on the rise.

by 102win on Aug 4, 2011 11:43 AM EDT reply actions

Also

Right now I would try to sign Gordon to an extension. Something like 5 years 32 mil.

by 102win on Aug 4, 2011 11:46 AM EDT up reply actions

Yea, I think it would be a good idea

To maybe begin slowly stretching Crow out to get his feet wet as a starter.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Aug 4, 2011 12:38 PM EDT up reply actions

Four-man rotation with stacked starters!

"When asked who was responsible for his going down in flames
He pointed to the offices and said 'You all know their names'
So hurry home early, hurry, let's go
Boom Boom Mazzaro's facing Robby Canó" --Not Warren Zevon

by Juancho on Aug 6, 2011 4:47 AM EDT reply actions