Back to the Basics of Failure

by royalsreview on Aug 7, 2006 10:51 AM EDT in News Comment 14 comments

I believe it was Grudz who pointed out over the weekend that the sweep reaffirmed our claim to being the worst team in baseball. A 38-73 record carries a significant message, like being 9 games behind everyone else in the American League, and 4 games behind the Pirates.

Think about this: over the four games, the lowest run total the Twins managed was consecutive 8-run performances on Thursday and Friday; while the highest total the Royals had were two 5-run games.

I'm not smart enough to explain that further, but over four games, thats something of a feat.

Yesterday Joe Nelson turned a close game into a laugher, raising his season ERA from 1.11 to 2.84. Still, its hard to blame him really, as only Welly really pitched well, and even then, he really didn't, he just got lucky and escaped through 2 innings.

For the morbidly curious, we've now gotten 9 innings out of Odalis Perez, which could be thought of as just one game, in that imaginary game he's allowed 7 runs, 12 hits, walked 4, struck out 5 and given up 2 home runs. Something of an uneven performance I must say. I guess he's been technically OK in avoiding walks, but the K totals are low, and since his first inning as a Royal, he's only struck out 3.

So after a lost weekend at the K, we're now projecting toward a 56-106 record, which would match last season's memorable run at history. This time we'd likely have the distinction of playing in a much tougher environment in the AL Central, but perhaps that hurdle is over-considered, given the cheap wins everyone gets off us anyway. I leave that analysis to Buddisimo Bell in his post-season debrief with Dayton Moore.

After weekends like this one we need to return to the cheap solace we earned by posting a .500 July; namely, we may be awful, but we won't be the worst ever.

Futility Watch: Through 111 Games

2003 Tigers: 29-82
1962 Mets: 29-82

2006 Royals: 38-73

ROYAL PRIDE!

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Spahn and Sain and pray for rain?

Given the current state of the Royals rotation, we need a similar slogan to communicate our plight. Hudson and Redman and three days of dead men?

Throughout the weekend, I conjured fantastical images of this 2007 rotation:
Greinke
Hudson
Hochevar
Lumsden
Elarton/Redman

This staff might not come together as soon as I'd like, but the important thing is that by next year, Runelvys better be at a far away buffet.

While I'm dreaming, here's my 2007 starting lineup, which is wildly optimistic in that it includes a) position changes b) a healthy Sweeney.

DeJesus LF
Gordon 3B
Teahen 2B
Sweeney DH
Butler RF
Shealy 1B
German SS
Buck C
Gathright CF

by andrewmiller on Aug 7, 2006 12:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lineup

I was planning on taking a sabbatical from all things Royals, but I heard something that I thought would be of interest to others here. As I was driving around northern Iowa yesterday afternoon, I listened to the game on the Twins network and heard some interesting viewpoints, not heard on the Royals network:

they wondered who on the Royals bench was in charge of bunting instruction, after B-error-a displayed his massive bunting technique by popping out.
they mentioned at least a couple of times that Teahen did not appear at all comfortable rushing in towards homeplate in bunting situations, leading to two bunts being fielded by the pitcher instead. They said that they had talked to someone in the Royals organization and that there was talk of moving Teahen to the outfield. I had not read/heard anything about this. Has anyone else? I think 2nd base, as mentioned by andrewmiller, would be even better, given what exists in Wichita right now.

by buddyball on Aug 7, 2006 1:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Boy, were those comments on the spot.

We don't have a hitting or bunting strategy. For that matter we don't have a hitting coach. I wish someone kept that stat of how many times this season we have had a man on 2nd with no outs or only one and failed to get him home. Gator, Teahen, DeJ., Grudz, and even Buck should be bunting one or twice a series, if not more. But, Buddo is old school and doesn't play "small ball" game. If you can't hit a homer then we are out of luck. WE are off today...do you think they are there taking extra batting practice. I doubt it. That would cut into Barnett's casino time.

I hope Moore doesn't velcro his star to the wrong managerial team. I think someday Doougie will make a good manager.

Teahen to second is a good idea if and when Gordon gets to the bigs.

I hope you enjoyed Northern Iowa.

by grudz69 on Aug 7, 2006 4:57 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

only one answer

great questions Andrew

FIRE BELL

by FireBell on Aug 7, 2006 2:32 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would make only a couple of changes to

your 2007 lineup and bring it into Buddo land.

DeJesus LF

Teahen 3B

Grudz 2B

Sweeney DH

Costa RF

Shealy 1B

Berroa/Blanco SS

Buck C

Gathright CF

The reason I made the changes are that Moore is adamant that any players at AA experience AAA for at least half of a season. Grienke would be the exception to that rule. Douugie, Brown and German will be on the bench and probably DH'ing when Sweeney's back finally gives out. We may see Huber next year as a bench or spot player.

I firmly believe Moore when he says this will take a long time. Major changes next year will be to pitching. Elarton and Redman will be back as will probably Hudson. The 4 and 5 spot will be a toss up between about 6 or 7 pitchers. I think we will see a lot of AAA pitchers invited to spring training to try and make the team. The Bullpen should look about the same. Unless we find another closer they will still run Burgos out there and Welley, Peralta, Nelson. Sisco and Braun could be up from AAA. They are trying Sisco at the Closer spot in Omaha now. So, you never know.

March 2007 should be interesting to watch Moore's first spring training.

by grudz69 on Aug 7, 2006 4:47 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

id move

buck up

by LeoBloom on Aug 7, 2006 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Good afternoon Mr. Bloom...

Just checking to see if Odie is still your god?

by grudz69 on Aug 7, 2006 5:13 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

from the mailbag

on the propoganda site (royals.com!)

If you were to take a trip in a time machine to the Royals' 2008 season, what would the lineup look like?
-- Max S., Kansas City, Mo.

I think it would have the following makeup, listed by batting order: David DeJesus, center field; Mitch Maier, left field; Alex Gordon, first base; Billy Butler, designated hitter; Mark Teahen, third base; Shane Costa, right field; Angel Berroa, shortstop; Jeff Keppinger, second base; John Buck, catcher.

Teahen and Gordon's positions can be interchanged. Joey Gathright would be the fourth outfielder and Justin Huber would be the best bat off the bench, serving as a fill-in at first base and designated hitter. Huber also took some fly balls in the outfield when he was with the Royals earlier this season, but the club hasn't really shown that they want to convert him there permanently.

Though you didn't inquire specifically about the rotation, we might as well explore that, too. These are in no particular order, just sorted by right-handers and left-handers. Righties would include Luke Hochevar, Billy Buckner and Zack Greinke. The lefties would be Odalis Perez and Tyler Lumsden.

by loyal2theroyals on Aug 7, 2006 8:29 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Berroa

is here until 2008 (sadly), but once he's gone we'll either have Blanco or another prospect that's somewhere in the pipelines?

by loyal2theroyals on Aug 7, 2006 8:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I am really tired of wishing and hoping for?????

What ever happened to the 60's... "live for today" viewpoint. Who knows we may not be alive to see the 2008 Royals. The Royals may be contracted after this debacle and we won't have a team.

So, lets deal with 2006, and realize we can't lose tonight...... Hey Buddo...bunting is a good thing.....

I am full of pizza and beer. My equiv... says I am happier than I have been in awhile. She wanted to know why... WE CAN'T LOSE TONIGHT...

by grudz69 on Aug 7, 2006 8:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs