One Year Ago Today: Gil Meche Retires

by Freneau on Jan 18, 2012 10:52 PM EST in Honoring & Remembering Former Kansas City Royals

This was one of those not-stunning-stunning-news stories. Or maybe it was expected-but-not-expected. I'm not sure. But one year ago today, Gil Meche retired, walking away from his last year of pay from the Royals. Meche saved the team $12 million dollars.

Breaking News: Royals Pitcher Gil Meche to Retire - Royals Review

On the day it happened, I argued with quite a few of you that this was not entirely the case. I didn't doubt the veracity of the reporting on the subject -- remember, when it first happened no one really knew what was going on -- I just figured that there was likely some settlement in place that we'd eventually, maybe, hear about. (I still suspect it was a little more complicated than simply an honorable man walking away from money... the insurance/injury angles complicate the issue on both sides, but we'll likely never know. But it was good PR for both sides to have it end this way, so it did.)

In the end, the Royals paid Meche $43 million for four years, and overall it's a difficult contract to evaluate. Meche pitched very well in 2007-08, then moderately passable in 2009, then barely at all in 2010. By a pure WAR or whatever you prefer calculation, the eventual deal of 4/$43 wasn't that terrible, though it was incredibly front loaded performance wise. Of course, that changes if we take away the Royals' good fortune, as they paid north of $35 million for Meche's last, oh, 23 starts and some desultory relief work.

And by the stated goals of the contract, it has to be viewed more harshly. Meche didn't guide a young team to the playoffs, didn't really help a young rotation along either. If he showed that KC was serious about free agents, that was, on balance, a new negative, because the biggest FA the team signed was Jose Guillen. Meche was briefly part of the Moore knows pitching narrative, but then he was also part of it's downfall. So in the end, really, what was the point? The contract didn't really end up as a dumpster fire, but it's not going to be part of the funeral montage either.

The unfortunate thing is that the Royals could really use the 2007 Gil Meche now. Had Trey Hillman not shredded his arm, perhaps Meche could have kept pitching effectively and either a) been traded or b) hung around and possibly come back to the team on another deal. Should Cliff Lee give him a call?

Tweet Comment 73 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

And it was a glorious and shocking day

"Stay Classy Kansas City"

by Mas Cervezas on Jan 18, 2012 11:00 PM EST via mobile reply actions

It’s not about the money, money, we don’t need your money, money, money

"The Jaguars need Jacksonville, and Jacksonville needs the Jaguars"
-Shahid Khan

by tiquanunderwear on Jan 18, 2012 11:12 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions

Will

I agree generally with the commentary here, but I’ve been sensing a general feeling of apathy in your writing. Your articles seem to start as an intent to take a position, and end with a general “meh” or “ultimately, what’s the point?”

Is this more a reflection of the Royals’ FO moves or your current mindset?

I really hope this isn’t taken the wrong way; I’m not meaning to be critical, especially since this is one of my favorite sites anywhere. Just a general trend I’ve noticed over the last couple years.

Overgay is Destiny

by DCRoyals on Jan 18, 2012 11:50 PM EST via mobile reply actions 1 recs

Probably lots of truth to that

by Freneau on Jan 19, 2012 7:23 AM EST up reply actions

perhaps you need a vacation.

maybe a week of leisurely baseball watching at spring training would restore your vigor.

by DickHowser4ever on Jan 19, 2012 9:53 AM EST up reply actions

another long bout of unemployment might also help

by Freneau on Jan 19, 2012 9:58 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

It could also be that there's not a whole ton to be angry about,

and anger fuels some of your best writing, IMO.

Here’s something to get you angry, maybe: we completely missed the window to trade Joakim Soria. Now we’re stuck with an awesome closer. Ok, maybe that won’t work.

by Justin Bopp on Jan 19, 2012 2:42 PM EST up reply actions

there's no chance the royals were able to insure meche's contract with the length and his medical history

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jan 19, 2012 12:11 AM EST reply actions

you can insure anything

All that stuff affects is the price.

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

by KHAZAD on Jan 19, 2012 2:00 AM EST up reply actions

I read several years ago that MLB teams could no longer get insurance on any contract longer than 3 years. Perhaps that meant that they couldn’t get it for any price that would make sense for the team to pay it. Long story short, I don’t think there’s any reason to believe that this large, 5-year contract was insured, especially when that player had a major shoulder injury and operation in his past.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 10:03 AM EST up reply actions

That's what I remember reading too

The Albert Belle injury I guess really scared a lot of teams from insuring contracts. Not saying it doesn’t occur now, but I’m guessing its less widespread than it used to be.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 19, 2012 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

i remember seeing that as well....

i think it was from will carroll

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jan 19, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

I could still see a comeback

He just turned 33 in Sept.

by Bronzillo on Jan 19, 2012 12:19 AM EST reply actions

Did he ever have surgery?

i cant remember

by Freneau on Jan 19, 2012 7:25 AM EST up reply actions

I remember

The team planning on putting him under the knife, and then he changed his mind and said that the docs told him his shoulder was shredded, so he just rehabbed and then pitched in relief in Sept. He said it would have ended his KC contract as the surgery would cause him to be out all of ’11 and he felt he owed KC more than that (even though their employees trashed his arm in the first place).

I’m guessing, you remember all that….If you meant, once he decided to retire did he have an operation? I don’t know.

He has to be able to play with his rambunctious children, and hand his wife stuff from the top shelves of the kitchen cabinets and open stubborn pickle jars with the force and grace of an athlete so, only educated guesses from intelligent, curious bloggers can be made at this point.

by Bronzillo on Jan 19, 2012 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

According to Fangraphs

Meche was worth $46.4 million in his time here, so Gil giving back a year turned a negative into a positive.

I would have loved it even if it had tanked. After several years of letting players go for nothing, it was a huge statement move. (About a week after picking Soria up in the Rule 5 and getting Bannister for Burgos. That was a good week) I think my DMGM high lasted all through the next year right up to the Guillen signing.

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

by KHAZAD on Jan 19, 2012 2:15 AM EST reply actions

Those were good times

by Freneau on Jan 19, 2012 7:27 AM EST up reply actions

Will never forget 2007 Opening Day

For at least one day, we seemed like champions. Tony Pena Jr. hit not one by TWO extra-base hits! That’s like hitting the lottery.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 19, 2012 11:15 AM EST up reply actions

Two triples!

I coined the nickname, “Trip” for him. That lasted about a week.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

I remember that.

That game propped up his numbers for a few weeks, even though he hit like TPJ for the rest of the year.

by kcemigre on Jan 19, 2012 12:52 PM EST up reply actions

That Game Was

What prompted me to Google the Royals, which is how I found this site.

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

by philofthenorth on Jan 19, 2012 3:05 PM EST up reply actions

What came up first on the Google search,

Princess Dianna being chased by paparazzi and crashing into a bridge?

by Bronzillo on Jan 19, 2012 3:43 PM EST up reply actions

This

http://www.hiddencodes.com/antichrist.htm

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

by philofthenorth on Jan 19, 2012 6:47 PM EST up reply actions

Those look like Sudoku puzzles

by Bronzillo on Jan 19, 2012 7:00 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

This Proves Harry

Is the Anti Christ.

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

by philofthenorth on Jan 21, 2012 2:26 PM EST up reply actions

PS

I blame Mcclure for Gil’s arm.

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

by KHAZAD on Jan 19, 2012 2:16 AM EST reply actions

mcclure makes he decisions on when to take pitchers out now?

or then?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jan 19, 2012 2:45 AM EST up reply actions

Maybe McClure leaned over and said something to Trey, we don't know.

If he didn’t, he’s definitely deserving of blame.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Jan 19, 2012 8:43 AM EST up reply actions

And he sets the strength and conditioning program for all minor league pitchers!

He also determines the brand of hot dogs they sell at Kauffman Stadium, along with the scent of the urinal cakes.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 10:04 AM EST up reply actions

as he should (have)

by aerobica on Jan 19, 2012 11:04 AM EST up reply actions

By the way, he really blew it with those urinal cakes. They smell awful. Thank god they fired him.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

Moe Syzlak

Makes his own urinal cakes from store bought mix.

by Bronzillo on Jan 19, 2012 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

I thought all urinal cakes had that melted Dum Dums sucker smell.

The knowledge I get from this site knows no bounds!

I'm waiting for my wave of talent to arrive.

by mitchfreakingmaier! on Jan 19, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

Pretty sure nobody ever said a word of this.

But there are some us who believe the MLB pitching coach likely has a say in the pitching philosophy of the organization.

Glad I came, just wish I hadn't stayed so long.
Rock Chalk Talk

by Warden11 on Jan 19, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

306008

has said it. I’m sure the MLB pitching coach has input. Lots of people have input. But 306008 and others have said that he’s the man. It all comes from him. He determines the S&C program. He determines how pitching prospects are developed. He sends out marching orders for all of the minor league pitching coaches. Apparently the front office’s minor league development staff just sits on its hands…or deals only with position players. No, I guess that would be Seitzer.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 11:49 AM EST up reply actions

I blame Obama

Or Bush.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 19, 2012 11:16 AM EST up reply actions

No

It’s all the fault of that damn Rutherford Hayes.

by BeauJackson on Jan 19, 2012 1:02 PM EST up reply actions

Pitching coaches

at the MLB level nearly always have input into how long a pitcher stays, are consulted on the pitch count, which relievers are able to go etc. The job is not just mechanics but game management. Most managers completely defer to their PC’s opinion 90% of the time, and Mcclure had a lot of control throughout his tenure. If you look at the use of the bullpen last year, you can almost see the point where Yost lost faith and started taking over. Mcclure was a lame duck by the end of last year.

In the end, the manager has the ultimate responsibility, and is going to win if there is an argument, but game to game the pitching coach makes most of the decisions on most teams, especially an incumbent, GM backed pitching coach for a relatively inexperienced manager.

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

by KHAZAD on Jan 19, 2012 5:22 AM EST reply actions

Input, yes. Control, no. We know who the decision maker was. We can’t just assume that Hillman’s decisions were in line with the input he got from McClure. We have no idea.

but game to game the pitching coach makes most of the decisions on most teams

I’d need some backup to believe that. We know that the manager is in charge. As far as the managing-coaching power structure, he’s on top. We see him make the decisions. I see no reason to believe that with regard to pitcher usage and especially decisions when to pull a pitcher that the pitching coach usually makes those calls. I’m sure the pitching coach is often consulted. Beyond that, I don’t think you have much support.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 10:07 AM EST up reply actions

I agree

Besides, as everyone now knows, McClure’s sabotage of Gil’s arm was part of an elaborate plan to get himself fired 2 years later in order to land the PC job in Boston.

It would have worked out beautifully if he wasn’t so obvious about it.

by Bronzillo on Jan 19, 2012 3:54 PM EST up reply actions

It's kind of like

people blaming an NFL head coach who does not call plays, and did not pick his coordinator, for the offensive or defensive playcalling, whichever the case may be. We do it, because he is the head coach, but he is not the man calling the plays.

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

by KHAZAD on Jan 19, 2012 5:38 AM EST reply actions

We know that offensive coordinators and defensive coordinators call plays and defensive sets. We don’t know (and really have no reason to believe) that a MLB pitching coach makes all, most or any in-game pitching decisions.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 10:08 AM EST up reply actions

Not sure I'm understanding what you're saying

Are you saying that if a Head Coach did NOT hire his coordinators that he should still be held responsible for their performance. If that is what you are saying, I definitely disagree.

by Rufus R. Jones on Jan 19, 2012 11:05 AM EST up reply actions

I am not

saying he should be, I am noting that many fans blame him anyway.

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

by KHAZAD on Jan 19, 2012 2:35 PM EST up reply actions

I am not
saying he should be, I am noting that many fans blame him anyway.

Agreed. Count me as a firm believer in chain of command- it works. GM should hire the manager, the manager hire his coaches. In football, coach should get to hire his coaches. That way, everybody can and should be held accountable when it is ineffective.

by Rufus R. Jones on Jan 19, 2012 3:15 PM EST up reply actions

crazy thought: Gil Meche to take over for Frank White on FSKC broadcasts??

i say “take over” becuase nobody could ever replace Frank White.

by DickHowser4ever on Jan 19, 2012 9:56 AM EST reply actions

Frank White was mediocre at best

Many college sports broadcasters could do a better job than he did. Replacing what he did on the mic will be easy. Replacing his name (if that’s important) will not be easy.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 10:09 AM EST up reply actions 2 recs

i think thats a matter of personal opinion.

i personally loved Frank White and his insights during the broadcasts. but i know some people didn’t really care for his braodcasting.

since its hard for a personal ‘feeling’ about someone or something to be wrong, i’d say we’re both right (and wrong) on this one.

by DickHowser4ever on Jan 19, 2012 11:00 AM EST up reply actions 3 recs

Entirely subjective. I’m just looking forward to someone new. I loved Frank as a player. I don’t think he worked well as a broadcaster. I’d like for Monty to replace him.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 11:06 AM EST up reply actions

They need to get the Joker - Joe Randa

by Burkarak on Jan 19, 2012 11:26 AM EST up reply actions

you really like monty?

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jan 19, 2012 11:38 AM EST up reply actions

Well enough

I’m not blown away by him.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 11:46 AM EST up reply actions

he projects to a 1.5-2.0 sportcasterWAR.

by DickHowser4ever on Jan 19, 2012 1:35 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs

Anyone remember that Guys Nuts vendor at The K back in the day?

Dude looked EXACTLY like Monty. He was a dead ringer!

"Poker, poker, it's all skill. Start with the worst hand and go uphill" - Mike Matusow

by Kim DeJesus on Jan 19, 2012 5:46 PM EST up reply actions

….and that should instigate the “guys nuts” jokes in 3….2….1…..

"Poker, poker, it's all skill. Start with the worst hand and go uphill" - Mike Matusow

by Kim DeJesus on Jan 19, 2012 5:48 PM EST up reply actions

the only thing i remember is his sales ptich...

“guys nuts here, grab a sack of guys nuts here…”

by DickHowser4ever on Jan 19, 2012 5:49 PM EST up reply actions

What happened to the Lemonade guy?

LEMO-NADE! LEMO-NADE! LEMO-NADE! WOOOOOOO!

He die or something?

"Poker, poker, it's all skill. Start with the worst hand and go uphill" - Mike Matusow

by Kim DeJesus on Jan 20, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions

he was promoted to the Front Office

by Bronzillo on Jan 20, 2012 12:58 PM EST up reply actions

started his own company...

royals didnt think he was worth what he wanted to charge, he went out to the tbones….i think thats right

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jan 20, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions

That's the way I remember it.

That was several years ago, and I haven’t been to a T-Bones game in a long time. I wonder if he’s still out there…

by kcemigre on Jan 21, 2012 9:13 PM EST up reply actions

He's cromulent

And might get better. I like his upside. He has a chance to be a solid mid-rotation color analyst. His top comps at this age are Dan Plesac, Mark Gubicza, and Orel Hershiser.

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 19, 2012 12:06 PM EST up reply actions

Gubicza became quite good

I always enjoy listening to him when I get the Angels feed on MLBEI. I like Hersh as well.

You may know me as NYRoyal.

by Scott McKinney on Jan 19, 2012 12:13 PM EST up reply actions

david cone

is awesome

Fire Everyone

by billybeingbilly on Jan 19, 2012 12:17 PM EST up reply actions

I like Cone

And Ron Darling

Relive Royals History at royalsretro.blogspot.com

by RoyalsRetro on Jan 19, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions

I hated Darling on national broadcasts, though.

When the Yankees were playing the Rangers and getting their asses handed to them, there was nothing from the broadcast booth that indicated that the Rangers were even playing.

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 Jan 22, 2012 12:17 AM EST up reply actions