Neyer: Do Royals Have The Rotation To Compete With Tigers?

Rob doesn't think adding a vet like Oswalt or Jackson would have mattered much, but isn't thrilled with sticking with young pitchers. So...what exactly should they have done?

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Not Neyer's best work

Again, I don’t know that Edwin Jackson would have been enough to make a difference. Or Roy Oswalt. But without one of them, this season figures to be a battle to reach .500, with 2013 or (more likely) ’14 the first season in which we might reasonably expect the Royals to compete for a division title.

The whole article sounded like a guy writing something off the top of his head without really thinking too deeply about it. Yes, this season will be a “battle to reach .500.” That’s part of the rebuilding process. The Royals aren’t close, but they are close to being close. That’s what 2012 will be. So it didn’t make sense for them to go out and get expensive pitchers, just so they could get close, but not actually contend. But if key players take steps forward in 2012, then they could get into a position to be considerably closer to contention. Then, they could go out and get a good pitcher or two next winter. That could put them in a position to contend in 2013.

It seems like he’s saying that they are close enough in 2012 that the addition of one of those pitchers could have perhaps gotten them into contention, but yet without them, they’ll probably have to wait until 2014. That makes no sense.

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by Scott McKinney on Feb 14, 2012 4:44 PM EST reply actions

The most convincing angle I've seen in favor of patience and prudence

was the list of possible FA pitching talent that could be on the market next year. IIRC, it makes the likes of Oswalt and Jackson look reckless by comparison.

by Nighthawk at the Diner on Feb 14, 2012 4:58 PM EST up reply actions

I would have been in favor of a one-year deal for either of them

assuming the payroll space was there, and assuming Chen had not been re-signed. Reading between the lines, that doesn’t seem to have been the primary concern for Dayton.

It’s funny how space in the rotation for developing the young pitchers is a major concern when Oswalt and Jackson were still on the market…but it didn’t matter at all in the rush to bring back Chen. WE COULDN’T LOSE HIM!

by Sweep_the_Leg on Feb 14, 2012 5:04 PM EST up reply actions