With the trade deadline looming and the continued pursuit of the roster/organization on everyone's mind  it's worthwhile to take a look at the moves Dayton Moore has already made. Part I takes a look at how the position players with the big club. Stay tuned for Part II (big league pitchers) and Part III (minor leaguers).

It was 2006, Lebanon and Israel were doing their thing, FEMA did a "heckuva job" in New Orleans and the Royals were supposedly beginning an era of competence (as per Posnanski after Opening Day) thanks to a bizarre December spending spree that brought in Mark Grudzielanek, Doug Mientkiewicz, Joe Mays, Paul Bako and Reggie Sanders. (Vintage RR posts here and here.) Meanwhile, the franchise was a full season behind the Beltran trade and preparing for the Jackson County Stadium Tax Subsidy Vote. In a stunning coincidence, Bud Selig "promised" Kansas City an All-Star game pending a proper allocation of JC's limitless public monies.

To a surprising extent, the 2006 lineup, as Moore more or less inherited it, remains the 2008 edition. You can find good teams that have had more turnover than this:

The 2006 Royals went 62-100.

You can quibble with some of these slots as they are crudely defined here -- for example, I'm considering Gathright a bench player in the table above, although he's actually played more innings in CF than anyone else -- but for quick and dirty purposes these are the positions according to the organizational masterplan for the two seasons. As in Gathright's case, for some of the players "bench" may not be quite the right label, but more or less it works, and I've included only the additional players who logged significant playing time.

What stands out is how much holdover there has been. Three of the positions are exactly the same, although perhaps not without some controversy. Buck is still the primary catcher, Grudzielanek is still at second base and DeJesus is still in center. Moreover, Mark Teahen remains an everyday fixture in the lineup, although he's shifted from third base to the outfield, and Esteban German is still a utility player. When you factor in that Alex Gordon and Billy Butler, lineup cornerstones if everything goes well, are also Baird-era draftees, the 2008 lineup remains a very Allard creation.

Subjectively and intuitively, the 2008 edition should be better than their 2006 progenitor: the holdovers (Buck, Teahen, DeJesus) should be hitting their peaks, Emil Brown has been upgraded to Jose Guillen and a decline-phase Mike Sweeney has been converted to supposed prospect and pure hitter Billy Butler. Miguel Olivo is a huge upgrade over Paul Bako. Unfortunately, the sum of their parts just hasn't quite added up to being much more better than the Minky era. The 2006 team ended up averaging 4.67 runs per game, better than the current squad's 4.06 average.

Huh?

To start, the holdovers, DeJesus somewhat excepted, have failed to truly break out. Grudz and German are still around and are, as the man sang, still the same. We wait still on Gordon and Butler to truly arrive. Seemingly really easy upgrades at SS and 1B have turned into, umm... Tony Pena Jr. and Ross Gload. This bears repeating. Just find someone better than the worst overall player in the game (Berroa) and one of the weakest first basemen (Minky). He couldn't do it. Where have you gone Doug Mientkiewicz? Jose Guillen has had one insanely awesome month and two bad ones. Finally, although Miguel Olivo has out-hit Paul Bako, Dayton Moore's first big league pickup, Joey Gathright, has eaten up a ton of playing time over the last three seasons and consistently failed to hit. In 237 plate appearances this year, Gator has three extra-base hits. Three. In 248 last year, he had eight. Gains like the Bako/Olivo and the Brown/Guillen exchanges have been mitigated by players like Gathright.

Over the last few months there's been a persistent meme that Moore is focused on rebuilding -- really, "building" should be used throughout this post, since it was so long ago that anything around here was actually built -- the organization's pitching coffers, and that the lineup will be more of a patchwork project. And while it isn't yet clear that the team's lineup core is actually enough of one to bother building around, it was certainly more than there was among the hurlers. Sure, in 2008, Butler and Gordon are disappointments, but they are near locks to improve, at least a little bit. There are problems however, and Moore is not immune criticism for his utter failure to upgrade the roster at two slots, SS and 1B, that looked to be no-brainer/any AAA lifer would have been better. He hasn't found better bench options than what Allard managed in Stairs/Costa/Graffy and it's possible he's done worse.

Lastly, there's the large but mysterious issue of defense. The quality of the team's defense is harder to definitively pin-down, but according to BP's defensive efficiency data, the 2008 squad is, relative to competition, an improvement. Then again, the 2006 team was terrible, posted a D-Eff of .682, good for 28th best in baseball and 13th in the AL. The current team stands at 19th overall and 9th in baseball. (Although the pure number, .698, is not much different.) So regarding defense, Moore has taken a terrible team and produced a below-average one.

The Royals hired Moore on May 31, 2006 and after over two years of his stewardship, the offense is worse than the bad one he inherited.  Considering that he also had nothing to do with Butler or Gordon, and with no notable position prospects in the system, we must conclude that Dayton's handling of the position players in blue and white has been akin to Argentina's performance in the Falklands War: at best, a disappointment, and at worst an abject failure.

Of Baseball in 2007 no profounder truth can be uttered than to admit that the players don't care about the Game (with a capital G) anymore. Across the internets the widespread belief is that the players are selfless, dedicated to their teams, passionately involved with the fans and disinterested in money. Ceaselessly, today's Game is compared favorably to the Game of our fathers, as everyone from managers to journalists to hot dog vendors celebrate our progression out of 1960s scoring levels, one-run strategies and hurlers throwing 130 pitches every start. You cannot watch a baseball game without hearing subtle progressivism and a denigration of the Bad Old Days. Everywhere, a blind devotion to the new, as evidenced by the LA media's warm embrace of Paul DePodesta, now entering his fourth year with the Dodgers.

This has become both a cliché and lie. I come to you as Marx did in Capital, as a lonely voice speaking the truth against a rising tide of lies: baseball players are self-interested pursuers of money, regardless of team loyalty.

Certainly, many of you will balk at this dramatic statement, initially. Yet a dark part of you, the region home to your profoundest insights into the sable fate of man, will surely, in fits and starts, realize that this is in fact the case.

We must have the courage to speak this naked truth. We must broach a topic so shocking that to this day sports-radio, ESPN, and the local columnists dare not touch it. Instead, they waste ink talking about the graduation rates of college student-athletes, the lies behind public stadium funding and the fact that NFL players die at age 55. They hover around these stories while national scandals involving steroids and Terrell Owens go totally unreported.

We must bring the truth of free agency to light. If not, our sacred national innocence cannot be restored. If not, the redolent social harmonies displayed by baseball during the Reserve Clause Era will be lost in the archive of history.

Which brings us to Benedict Bako and his new home.

Royals-Orioles just got a whole lot more interesting.

As you will recall, in December of 2005 Bako joined the Royals. Only 34, the expectation throughout the Midwest was that Bako would finish his career as a Royal, probably playing through age 45.

Thousands of fans envisioned a bright summer day sometime during the 2010s when they would stand up and cheer as Bako blasted his 15th, or even 20th career home run, in a Royal uniform. They wanted to witness his 5th career stolen base, his 150th career RBI, his 10th career triple, in a Royal uniform. Yes, its silly, but big round numerical landmarks are important to us. Especially when its one of our own, a true Royal like Bako.

What becomes of a dream deferred?
Does it dry up like a raisin in the sun?
Or does it explode?

Here's the dirty little truth about Paul Bako: yes, he puts up numbers, but they don't mean a damn thing to him.

Certainly, you don't become a career .235/.308/.321 hitter without talent. But I stand before you to proclaim that he's a phony. He's a sordid blackguard who stands as an exemplum of the rotten center at the core of our dear base-ball.

Each year it's the same: Bako rides into town, mashes like no other, then - surprise surprise - just happens to leave for another city.

-2004: .203/.288/.283 (Bako rocks Chicago)
-2005: .250/.362/.300 (A dream season with the Dodgers)
-2006: .209/.261/.229 (A Hero in KC)

-2007: Signs with Baltimore.

Anyone else see a pattern? We know what 2008 will bring, don't we? Another press conference, another set of lies.

I hope this fraud goes into the Hall of Fame wearing a jester's cap. One with bells.

We all bought in, and then we woke up jilted, with a "Dear John" Letter and a airline bill to Baltimore.

Last summer, this deceitful fraud sat back as the KC media fawned over him. With a king's hauteur, he played the role of team-leader and mentor. On March 3, 2006, he told reporter Alan Eskew that he was around to help John Buck. Help him do what? Become a coward?

"I didn't realize quite how long I have been in the big leagues to start gravitating toward that role," Bako said. "I'm proud and I'm happy to get the opportunity to do that. John is a great kid, a hardworking player, a blue-collar type player, which is a pleasure to be around a young guy like that."

End the lies Bako.

Here's what he was thinking the whole time: "Its time for Bako to get paid!"

To be sure, countless Orioles fans believe Bako is their man. They believe that he will retire as an Oriole, move to Delaware and hit the book promotion circuit with St. Cal. They believe he bleeds black and orange.

A trip to any Kansas City elementary school will quickly disabuse them of that notion, as they see a generation of betrayed children with un-dried tears on their cheeks.

So Joe Posnanski, where's that precious competence you promised after Opening Day? We're less than two weeks into the season, and if anything the Royals look worse than ever, a pitching staff in shambles, a bizarre and punchless lineup, wholly arrogant ownership and curious (at best) daily decisions by Allard and Buddisimo.

Your Team, Your Town. You're Payin' For It.

Make that 2-9, and 0-6 on the roadie. Despite the return of David DeJesus, and some good play from Mark Teahen and Shane Costa, the Royals fell again to Tampa, 9-5. Still, the lineup isn't functioning right now, with Sweeney posting another 1-4, Minky throwing down an O'fer in the middle of the lineup, and Buddisimo Bell continuing to blackball Matt Stairs damn near out of baseball.

Even worse, the Royals ruined the season debut of Mark Redman, who was decent through 5 IP, allowing only 3 ER. Steve Stemle came in and quickly blew up the game, turning a 4-3 lead into an 8-4 def' before 11,853 thrilled fans in Florida.

The Royals have scored 45 runs this season, good for 28th "best" in baseball (although with one more Giants run tonight against the Dodgers the Royals could drop further). The team's cumulative batting line is .240/.291/.401, which includes the worst team OBP in baseball. (Amazingly, there are quite a few NL teams that are slugging less than our Royals.)

Shockingly, the offense isn't even the biggest problem. The Royals team ERA stands at an incredible 7.45 which stands a full run higher than any other team in baseball (take that Pittsburgh). The Royals are allowing the highest OPS in baseball (.906 ... think about that for a second, against the Royals, every player is an All-Star), with the second worst K/BB ratio to go along with all the hits, a pathetic 1.19.

Take a look at some individual stats from the pitching staff:

Anchoring the bullpen is Jimmy Gobble's 19.64 ERA, along with Andy Sisco's at 12.60, and Steve Stemle's 15.00. By those standards, Luke Hudson's 6.14 ERA and Mike Wood's 6.48 are acceptable.

No sarcasm can mask my appreciation for Elmer Dessens 1.17 ERA however, however fluky it may be.

From the starters, we've been treated to some good work from Scott Elarton, a 3.60 ERA in 20 IP and some "competent" performances from Bautista, who's now on the DL. Still, we've also been horrified by Joe Mays' ungodly 12.86 and Jeremy Affeldt's 14.73.

At the plate, we've watched a similarly well-distributed range of awfulness. Sweeney's struggles are well-documented, and he's currently at .125/.282/.250. Still, Doug Mientkiewicz was voluntarily brought in to play for us, and he's not much better at .235/.289/.324... an OBP under .300 is an OBP under .300.

Which brings us to about half the lineup. Angel Berroa's established quite a standard of failure the last two seasons, and is right where he belongs in '06: .282/.300/.333. Mark Teahen is at .235/.270/.382 while Tony Graffanino (who's been DHing and playing first) is at .154/.154/.385.

On the positive side, we have indeed gotten good work from Reggie Sanders, who's sitting at .282/.300/.564; and Emil Brown's been familiarly OK, at .237/.356/.421. (At least someone in the lineup is getting some walks.) The lovable Mark Grudzielanek is at .279/.319/.395, which isn't terribly good, and belies the overall impression that he's played well early. Lastly, John Buck has been John Buck, although we're still waiting for his first home run.

And, as I become increasingly obsessed with, Matt Stairs has been granted 6 PAs this season, which is three less than Paul Bako and 31 less than Minky. I just don't get it.

Since the Royals are now officially taxpayer funded, don't we deserve to ask, "where's the competence Mr. Glass?"

The Good Ole Days...

So Joe Posnanski, where's that precious competence you promised after Opening Day? We're less than two weeks into the season, and if anything the Royals look worse than ever, a pitching staff in shambles, a bizarre and punchless lineup, wholly arrogant ownership and curious (at best) daily decisions by Allard and Buddisimo.

Your Team, Your Town. You're Payin' For It.

Make that 2-9, and 0-6 on the roadie. Despite the return of David DeJesus, and some good play from Mark Teahen and Shane Costa, the Royals fell again to Tampa, 9-5. Still, the lineup isn't functioning right now, with Sweeney posting another 1-4, Minky throwing down an O'fer in the middle of the lineup, and Buddisimo Bell continuing to blackball Matt Stairs damn near out of baseball.

Even worse, the Royals ruined the season debut of Mark Redman, who was decent through 5 IP, allowing only 3 ER. Steve Stemle came in and quickly blew up the game, turning a 4-3 lead into an 8-4 def' before 11,853 thrilled fans in Florida.

The Royals have scored 45 runs this season, good for 28th "best" in baseball (although with one more Giants run tonight against the Dodgers the Royals could drop further). The team's cumulative batting line is .240/.291/.401, which includes the worst team OBP in baseball. (Amazingly, there are quite a few NL teams that are slugging less than our Royals.)

Shockingly, the offense isn't even the biggest problem. The Royals team ERA stands at an incredible 7.45 which stands a full run higher than any other team in baseball (take that Pittsburgh). The Royals are allowing the highest OPS in baseball (.906 ... think about that for a second, against the Royals, every player is an All-Star), with the second worst K/BB ratio to go along with all the hits, a pathetic 1.19.

Take a look at some individual stats from the pitching staff:

Anchoring the bullpen is Jimmy Gobble's 19.64 ERA, along with Andy Sisco's at 12.60, and Steve Stemle's 15.00. By those standards, Luke Hudson's 6.14 ERA and Mike Wood's 6.48 are acceptable.

No sarcasm can mask my appreciation for Elmer Dessens 1.17 ERA however, however fluky it may be.

From the starters, we've been treated to some good work from Scott Elarton, a 3.60 ERA in 20 IP and some "competent" performances from Bautista, who's now on the DL. Still, we've also been horrified by Joe Mays' ungodly 12.86 and Jeremy Affeldt's 14.73.

At the plate, we've watched a similarly well-distributed range of awfulness. Sweeney's struggles are well-documented, and he's currently at .125/.282/.250. Still, Doug Mientkiewicz was voluntarily brought in to play for us, and he's not much better at .235/.289/.324... an OBP under .300 is an OBP under .300.

Which brings us to about half the lineup. Angel Berroa's established quite a standard of failure the last two seasons, and is right where he belongs in '06: .282/.300/.333. Mark Teahen is at .235/.270/.382 while Tony Graffanino (who's been DHing and playing first) is at .154/.154/.385.

On the positive side, we have indeed gotten good work from Reggie Sanders, who's sitting at .282/.300/.564; and Emil Brown's been familiarly OK, at .237/.356/.421. (At least someone in the lineup is getting some walks.) The lovable Mark Grudzielanek is at .279/.319/.395, which isn't terribly good, and belies the overall impression that he's played well early. Lastly, John Buck has been John Buck, although we're still waiting for his first home run.

And, as I become increasingly obsessed with, Matt Stairs has been granted 6 PAs this season, which is three less than Paul Bako and 31 less than Minky. I just don't get it.

Since the Royals are now officially taxpayer funded, don't we deserve to ask, "where's the competence Mr. Glass?"

The Good Ole Days...