Rule 5 Draft & Gil Meche

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061207&content_id=1753657& ;vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

"We're gonna have so much fun we're gonna need plastic surgery to remove the grins from our faces"

I really like the potential of the Rule 5 pick. Somebody alluded that he might help the bullpen. Perhaps, but I guess it is also possible he could be in the rotation. (He has been a starter in the Mexican Winter League, while he was a reliever in the Mexican Summer League) GMDM also said in the Star today that he liked the versatility that Soria offered; that means to me that he could help in the bullpen or even contend for the rotation.

Now, onto the most encouraging news I've heard in a long time - they cut Hernandez! I'm going to refrain from the weight jokes, and instead just say this is a new, refreshing approach! This proves to me that GMDM can recognize and solve a problem, that he can differentiate reality from perception. Now, the next step to make me believe completely would be to release a guy that we have to pay regardless - acknowledge you understand the concept of sunk costs, and indeed it really will be a new era! My suggestion would be Sanders or Berroa. (I would prefer both be cut, but that's probably not going to happen).

My guess is a pitcher - a quick glance at the position players shows no real good candidates for release. I think it should be either Dohmann or Duckworth.

On Runny.... it is his own fault.  He has the talent and proved that several times last year.  But, he didn't care enough to keep himself in shape.  So, goodbye Elvis, I hope you have a good life.

The Rule V draftee sounds like the gem I was hoping for.  The Bullpen would be the best place as sort of a long reliever.  Then if Rosey screws up we have him to come in as our 5th starter.

Wow... and it isn't even Christmas Eve yet.   Thank you Mr. Moore for a wonderful early Christmas present...hope for next season.

The fact that they ran runny on the same day just makes it so much sweeter.  Could GMDM wave his magic wand and make Berroa disappear before the clock strikes midnight?  How many days til pitchers and catchers?

I also like the move of Soria instead of Hernandez.  Runny had his shot to be a top of the line starting rotation guy due to his inability of be dedicated.  KC is better off without him.  He may have needed the wakeup call that can only come in a place besides KC.  Wouldn't be the first guy to improve after leaving the Royals.  Anyway, the Rule 5 pick is low cost, high potential and is 22 years old.  For 2007, we can carry a guy like that and let him mop up if necessary.  

What I find most interesting is all the fans who think that the Royals will somehow have bought some respect by this contract ... we're getting a league-average starter (maybe) with a serious injury history, one who pitched well at the pitcher-friendly park in Seattle but not at all so well on the road.  And we are overpaying for him, even by the standards of this year's market. There is a very good chance that what we are buying is even more disrespect from the rest of the league, if Meche can't stay healthy or doesn't elevate his game.  

This was a very risky move, with a small probability of a high upside but a big probability of major downside.  As a fan, I'm going to enjoy rooting for Meche, and I'm going to hope that Moore knows more than the numbers say, but ... yikes.

It's not like we're going to have a $90m payroll in a couple years, so this looks to me like a dumb signing to "send a message" or "make a point" or whatever.  So now Petro and the fans will be happy for a few months until July when Meche is 6-7 with a 4.98 ERA.

I guess I'm glad that Glass is willing to spend some money, but it doesn't get us anywhere if we spend the money on guys like Meche.  Save the cash now, build up the farm system, and make a move for a star in a few years when we have a chance at winning 80 games.  

Gaithright, LaRue, Meche.  To me, Moore seems like Allard with a bigger budget.  

Of course, when I reminded him that last time I checked you still had to play half of your games on the road...

This same odd friend also still swears that the greatest travesty ever committed by a commissioner in sports was when Eddie Gaedel was banned by baseball from playing after his famous pinch hit walk back in the thirties(?) I think it was the thirties. He swears that such a player would make a perfect 25th man pinch hitter on the right time, and that banning him was nothing short of discrimination. Actually, on the discrimination part, he's probably right. His biggest argument is that if Gaedel is not allowed, then any basketball player in the NBA taller than 6' 6" or so should be banned as well.

For my daughter, who has probably guessed by now, yes, I'm referring to Roger Linhardt here.