Royals Chances in 2013

I've been a fan of the Royals since the day I was born (23 years) and all I have ever known is a losing franchise. Every year seems to be the same thing. The Royals play hot in September and gets the fanbase pyched up, then petter out the following season. This year, however, I have to say we look really good, the best Royals team we've fielded in two decades. We have talent everywhere you look. That talent is a mix of proven & unproven. 

Defensively: We might have the best defense in the AL. With Moustakas & Hosmer handling the hot corners. Escobar at short. And Getz or Gio at second. That's 3 potential gold glovers just in the infield (Moose, Hosmer, Escobar). I'm not saying they'll win the gold glove because at third you have Adrian Beltre, Longoria, etc to comepete with, and at first you have Texeira & company, but they are that type of caliber. Our outfield will be fantastic. They have the ability to gun guys down which will/has alter(ed) baserunning and games. Gordan is already a gold glover. Cain (if he stays healthy) can really be an asset to this team. He's fast, he's got power, he has an arm. And I know everybody wants to rip on Frenchy, but he has a cannon. And that is a huge weapon. I know his offense was pathetic last season, but really, where else can he go but up? If Frenchy puts together a year like he had in 2011, lookout for this team. And I haven't even mentioned Salvador Perez...it's my bold claim, but I think Salvador is a future hall-of-famer. He has every tool you want from a catcher. An arm. Insticts. Good stick. Great defense. Have to hope his knee keeps in shape.

Offensively: I think we're sound all the way through the lineup. We were a good offensive group last season and that was with the ghostly appearances from Hosmer & Francour. We welcome back Salvador for a full season (fingers crossed). Hosmer can't go anywhere but up. Same for Frenchy. Moustakas will be Moustakas (.280, 15-20HR, 75RBI's). Getz batted .275 last season or close to that, if he pitches in its just a cherry on top. We also get Cain back for a full season (fingers crossed). He proved he can whack it a little bit. Salvador is a freak. But to me, I think Escobar has to have another big year. If Escobar puts together another campaign like last years, that's a really tough lineup.

Pitching: I love the pickups of Ervin Santana, James Shields, and Wade Davis. Shields is a proven horse which will be vital for preserving our bullpen (which will be one of the best in the AL). I think Ervin is kindve 50/50. He can be great, and maybe a change of scenery will be good for him (see Gurthrie). One thing I know is, he's thrown a no-hitter before and threw a one-hitter last season. So he's still got it. Can he harnass it? Some people are saying Wade Davis was the steal of that trade. I can see it. He's started before for two seasons with the Rays. He went 23-20 with a 4.30 ERA. That's better than our #1 last year (Hochevar). Not to mention he pitched in relief last season. 70 IP, 2.43 ERA. He could be a nice surprise. Guthrie is also 50/50. If he pitches like he did for the last two months of last season, he's a great #2 or #3. Last spot is up for grabs. Don't care to speculate on it too much, but I do know this, Our #1 from last season is duking it out for the #5 spot now.

In the end, let's face it, we just haven't been blessed with good Royals pitching in awhile (outside of Grienke). So it's really hard to invest faith into the pitching staff. But we do have one of the best bullpens in the AL and that's huge. As far as our starting rotation is concerned: I think it'll be much improved. We have a guy or three to send out there that can win us momentum building games and eliminate 12 game losing streaks. That's a huge plus.

All-in-all, I really like this team. Like I've said, best Royals team to be fielded in two decades. There's alot to be excited about. Young talent is so unpredictable, and because the Royals are surrounded by youth, it's hard to peg them to a certain spot. I'll consider this season a failure if we don't win 85 games. That would leave us at 85-77. Truth is, is that I believe in this team. I believe in the product that they've built. I believe Ned "effing" Yost can do enough to steer this team in the right direction. The thing that seperates the Royals this year from any Royals team of the past decade...is that there are recognizable faces out there playing. Unlike other Royals teams, which usually enter a new season with a slew of new names and washed up vets, this team has been together for a couple years, played together in the minors. There are guys for the people of KC to cheer for and relate with. It sounds cheesy, but this type of anticipation can push a young squad to do greater things than people thought possible. And that's why I have the Royals going 90-72.

They will be in a tight race with Detroit. Deteroit's pretty incredible, really. That lineup they've assembled over there is silly. Their pitching staff aint too shabby either. It will be tough to overcome them, obviously. But stranger things have happened in baseball, and if there's one thing Detroit is known for, it's underachieving. (not a malicious jab at Detroit). Wild Card is feasable but hard considering how rediculous the AL East is. The AL West is pretty darn good also. Lot of good baseball teams on this side of the pond. Makes things tough for KC, but can they do it? Absolutely. Reason to actually be able to put your faith into a team? I think so.  

     Enjoyed reading your post.  Too bad you ruined the ending bringing up Detroit.

       Many good points and alot of reasons to be excited.   Id love to see Wade Davis have a breakout season.  I am however wondering what excites you about E Santana and his 13 mil hes getting.  Thats around 20 mil for 3 pitchers who sported +5 ERA's  last season.  Santana, Chen and Hoch. all 3 were basically injury free all season.   I think the Santana trade should be the deciding factor in DM's continued employment with our team.    IMO this team also has many players that need career saving years for this team to thrive.  Hos, Moose, Frenchy, Santana, Chen, Hoch, Cain, and Crow need to work out their issues wether they be injury, production, or consistancy related.

 IMO this team also has many players that need career saving years for this team to thrive.  Hos, Moose, Frenchy, Santana, Chen, Hoch, Cain, and Crow 

     You left off Guthrie.

Oh totally agree with the need to put together good seasons for the young guys. Not in terms of, if they don't do it, they'll be busts. But more in terms of, if they don't do it, the Royals will fall back into the cellar. The thing that really sucks, is that we're in Kansas City and like it or not, I don't think there's a way to sustain winning baseball here because of the way business in baseball is handled. Lack of salary cap. 

Listen, I like to view things in a negative manner just because that's what KC sports has done to me. I like to prepare myself for the worst. And being that I'm that way, I've thought about what could happen if the Royals fail in these next few years (4 or 5). So much has been done to build this Royals team. They executed scouting, drafted the right guys, got them all to the majors, and now this is the finished product. This is the Royals team they've been building for the past 5 years. (They've tried numerous years before but failed). This is the best team, like I said, to be fielded in 10 years. There's so much riding on this team to put it together. 

But if they don't. I think it could lead to the Royals leaving Kansas City down the road..

It's bold, but let me explain.

We've been in this 20+ year drought. It has been a stretch that has made the Royals the laughing stock of baseball and has some people labeling them as one of the worst sports franchises ever. This stretch has taken its toll on the fans. You can only keep a fanbase around for so long when you consistenly churn out 100 loss seasons. But now, there's reason for hope. Now the fans think they have a chance. We actually made some big moves in the offseason. We made a statement saying, "We're going to try to win it now." 

If it fails and all of our youthful talent has to be traded away (Shields is only here for 2 years)...the Royals would fall right back to square 1. Dayton Moore would be fired. Ned gone. The whole turnover process would be on repeat. And if there's one thing we Kansas Citians know, it's that its hard as hell to be a contender. It took the Royals 20+ years to figure out a way to put a good product on the field. If another stretch like that were to occur, they would lose the fanbase in my opinion. It'd be in favor of bringing in an NBA or NHL team (more likely NBA, considering how frequently the NHL is in lockout).

 

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Listen Turd, 

Even if I were to concede to your opinion that the Royals have one of the "worst rotations in the league"...I'd argue we have one of the top 3 bullpens in the league, one of the top 3 defenses in the league, and one of the top 5 offenses in the league (American League, not MLB). Could you argue that? Because I don't think so. Obviously there are some "ifs" on offense, but it's my belief that it will pick up even more this year with the young guys coming into their 3rd MLB season. It's about that time in their careers, where stars really begin to shine. 

And like I mentioned above...if they don't shine...the Royals are in this postseason drought for the long haul. 

We started off last season with a hokie pokie 12 game losing streak that put us 12 games under .500 only 18 games into the season. Completely out of the race...three weeks into the season. You know what the Royals did outside of that losing streak? Went 69-75 the rest of the way. I know, I know, that's still 6 games under .500.

But that was without Lorenzo and Salvador for a large portion. Without Hosmer lending a helping hand. Without Frenchy doing anything noteworthy. Without Paulino, Duffy, and Soria. All's I'm saying is that Salvador is back, Cain is back, Hosmer and Frenchy literally can't do any worse. We picked up a horse in Shields. Got a savvy vet in Ervin, and kept the one pitcher who had a hot end to the season as part of our "worst staff", Guthrie. Last years #1 is battling for #5....you tell me if that will push us above .500. I think it will. And it's really pointless to go into a season not expecting to win. The turnaround seems unlikely to outsiders, but for those of us who actually follow this team on a daily basis, there's reason for hope. If were still in it by All-Star break, we get Duffy and Paulino back. Anything can happen. The buzz around KC would be ripe. And I'm smoking some good shit****, because we get ours from Colorado.

Last point: 90-72 is lofty. But if you're asking me if I truly believe the Royals are capable of turning a 72-90 team into a 90-72 team, I'd say we added the appropriate pieces to make that (18 more wins) a realistic possibility.

And WackieChan,

I, too, am obviously skeptical about Ervin. Listen, I've played baseball all my life, was an All-American in college. Changes in scenery do help. When you're one of the "dudes"...you step up your game. In LA, he was no longer a "dude". He was just a guy alongside Weaver, Greinke, CJ Wilson, and Dan Haren. Hell, Ervin was their #5. That impacts a guy who's been with a team for as long as he was with the Angels. Now he's, again, a "dude". A guy this team will rely heavily upon. He know's it. The Royals know it. The fans know it. In which case you either have a guy come in and flop or excell. Being that Ervin has thrown a no hitter 2 seasons ago, and a one hitter last season tells me he's still got his stuff. So it's hard for me to believe he's going to come in and flop. As far as the 13 mill is concerned. I say give it to him. It's about time the Royals started forking over $$$ to bring in guys who can really impact this team in a positive light. If he has another year like he did BEFORE Grienke and Wilson came around (season before last)...he's worth every bit of that 13 mill and more. 

The biggest worry with Santana is he "sound"? Me thinks he has a shoulder issue. Think of the other possibilties....Ervin at 13 mill, add in the worst starter and RF in baseball at 4.56 and 6.75. Top it off with a little Chen music at 4.5.... that's 28.8 and change for what? That's ONLY 10 Mill under what the total payroll was in 2011!

Save that money and KC could have signed Bourn AND got a pitcher. Or signed a great P and just played Dyson or Lough. My gripe is the money spent on a guy that "might" be healthy and 3 bums isn't all that smart for a team that acts so thrifty. I hope Santana is oK and DM's favorite boy does produce, but I'm not holding my breath. Almost 29 mill on a bunch of maybes should scare the crap out of most...........and KCPirde, ignore the Detrolls, they aren't worth the time.

 

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Of course I will say what I want. Where did anyone say anything about overtaking the Tigers? Heck, I was just bitching about how DM has made some questionable spending decisions. Not sure what all went down with you and DA55, just hope we ALL matured a little over the winter.

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 Us Royal fans wish we had a billionaire owner like Ilitch that would rather spend some over taking it with him...but we don't. That's the difference between one of the richest owners compared to one of the bottom 5 who has a Walmart mentality. Payroll is going to be close to 80 mill and that's over what Glass wanted to pay (sigh).

I like most of what DM has done, it's just there are several things that bother me. KC still can't draft or develope pitchers that are worth 2 craps. His love for Frenchy has stuck us with the worst RF in baseball. Tendering Luke and giving Chen a 2 year deal and then trying to trade them? Nobody is that damn dumb!

The Royals will open ST with their opening day starters from the last 2 years competing for the 5th spot.,...so yes, that is an improvement. Lets see what happens this spring. I'll bet you KC isn't 15 under by memorial day!?!?   

Go Royals!

 

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Out of the improvements the Twins made with their staff, Worley is the one that sacres me a little. He's young and does miss some bats. Pelfrey and Correia don't dominate anyone and it's not like the Twins are wizzards in the field these days. Most importantly all 3 guys are coming from the NL. Nope, not worried about the Twins....yet

keep worrying more about the Twins, all the money the Tigers have spent didnt get them to 90 wins. this division is up for grabs. spending money helps but guarentee's you nothing. just ask the Angels, Marlins, redsox, Dodgers, Phillies, and yes the Yankees. money in some cases will get you to the playoffs, but no one remembers who came in 2nd. and i may be wrong but i do believe shields in 3-1 career head to head vs. verlander.

the fact is that leyland will get the tigers 10 + wins with his managing, where yost will lose KC 10+ with his. depending on thier performance at the halfway mark and whether the team is in contention, hoch and chen may very well be gone. replaced with a mix of duffy, paulino and mendoza.

it should be a good 3 team race come august 

im new to the kc thread, but not cbs. so i must ask turd if you are talked about on this site often. why is it your profile was just created 3 days ago. you are very comical tho.oh by the way the 3 big trade chips. i'll give you a rack of ribs for them

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I am also willing to start the season off clean without bothering you guys for more than good conversation...

Really, viceturd? Good start to the kinder, gentler vice era by already attempting to incite the fanbase with your newly-created screen name and it's thinly-veiled shot at Hosmer. But it's all good. It will be that much sweeter when Hosmer rebounds with a vengeance. The dude is far too talented to post another year like last season's anomaly. He began the season crushing the ball but hitting them right at the defense. He then began pressing to overcome a terrible, offensive statistical start and never really recovered. Don't expect a repeat. To his credit, he didn't allow his lack of offense to effect his defense.

you wanted me to come around last year...

Yeah, much like we wanted an STD or a diagnosis of terminal cancer. KC fans have the insufferable Donkos fan, MasterAgain, during Chiefs season and you and your mindless babble during Royals season. Lucky us. It would be nearly impossible to find any joy in the baseball season without you. Really looking forward to your constant references to the Royals ownership's lack of willingness to spend money as much as I'm looking forward to the Detoilet offense disappearing early and often just like last season and your excuses as to why it's occurring.

and may we all get to enjoy another great season watching an AL Central team make the World Series...

Definitely, and with any kind of luck, it will be a Central team that doesn't get dominated and swept in the Series. Since you disappeared as your Tigers were pissing down their collective legs in the WS, allow me to congratulate you and your boys on a truly epic championship meltdown. Way to represent.

The dude is far too talented to post another year like last season's anomaly. He began the season crushing the ball but hitting them right at the defense. He then began pressing to overcome a terrible, offensive statistical start and never really recovered. Don't expect a repeat. To his credit, he didn't allow his lack of offense to effect his defense.

Hoz will be back with his old hitting coaches. IMO, Seitzer did him no favors with his inside - out approach. Just drop the bathead and let the big dog fly. Hosmer will be fine.

You have to be a regular on the live GameTrackers to know vice and his "posse". Mostly harmless banter that sometimes gets ridiculous.