SB Nation User Blog: Billybutlerformvp

Colon v. Tomko 2008

Billybutlerformvp — Tue, 27 May 2008 19:42:50 -0000

I returned from exhile to make this one post and than I return to the abyss. So has anyone seen Bartolo Colons stats? 2-0 2.25 era and was even better in his second start going seven innings. Yes Colon is most certainly worse than Tomko who has a pretty 6.11 era and one question for Nyroyal . Have you put out an eta yet for mark teahens power? Anyway I dont think I am a negative fan for me it was very sad to see Butler, Teahen and Banny regress. I just think this team needs a change. Hopefully this team gets it together and turns it around after the all star break. Before I part I have one question now knowing just how powerful teahens bat would be who would take a flyier on Bonds for a 1 yr deal to get this anemic offense going again. Oo yes and I have not forgotten my bet with nyroyal about one pitcher winning 15 games this season. I am curious if he is still that confident about his chances of winning. Speak to you all in september. or after colon no hits the royals. Low blow I know but lets go royals and lets get a win streak started!!!

-Butler for mvp in 09

Poll

How confident are royal fans that a royals pitcher will win 15 games this season

One person who has to go

Billybutlerformvp — Sun, 11 May 2008 14:22:34 -0000

In the midst of losing three games in a row I am curious who do you find at fault. Who do you think has to go by july or at the end of this season? Who do you as the fan view as the biggest detriment to this team it can be player or coach Personally I think everyone knows (I hate) brett tomko is the guy I would get rid of. Some might call that irrational but its just my opinon. Whats yours? I have a hunch most will say the royals hitting coach but really you know whos at fault?? Trey Hillman. *real answer listed below.

*brett tomko*

Big Billy?

Billybutlerformvp — Wed, 07 May 2008 19:24:55 -0000

For people worrying about the Billy Butlers nonexistent power swing I urge you to look at one of the greatest dhs in history. Billy Butler is traveling down the path of the legendary David Ortiz..

At the tender age of 21 David Ortiz put up a line that looks something like this

SEASON	TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
1997	Min	15	49	10	16	3	0	1	6	2	19	0	0	.327	.353	.449	.802
1998	Min	86	278	47	77	20	0	9	46	39	72	1	0	.277	.371	.446	.817

2000

Min

130

415

117

.282

.364

.446

.810

2002

Min

125

412

112

.272

.339

.500

.839

2007

Bos

149

549

116

182

117

111

103

.332

.445

.621

1.066

If you look at Billy Butler his rookie season looks startling similar to that of Ortiz.

SEASON	TEAM	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS
2007	KC	92	329	38	96	23	2	8	52	27	55	0	0	.292	.347	.447	.794

Based on the fifth of the current season that has gone by I think we all believe that Billy will have a year similar to Ortiz's 2000 season. Next season Butler will grow and will be on pace with Ortizs 02 stats where he slow gains more power of course hits for a higher average. Finally by the time Butler is 25 or 26 yrs old he will emerge as a force for the royals putting up numbers similar to ortizs 07. Hitting for a high average in the 330s and hitting 30 hrs year after year. I just dont want Butler to be sent down when hes not regressing hes simply growing and will continue to learn and develop and soon he will be that force that we all know he can be and I dont want to see him become a force for another team.

The Royals run production woes, No Bonds and hope for the future

Billybutlerformvp — Sat, 03 May 2008 01:10:19 -0000

[Editor's note: Remember, guys, it's quite legal to post an entire story from somewhere else, especially not without a link.]

I dont remember where I found this link but its a great read which I fully agree with and I hope you do to, its written by a Mr. Baron von Snakin.

___________________________________________________________

Kansas City is a great city — a city of barbecue, jazz, and fountains. You should visit sometime.

Sure, we may not have much of a public school system or road maintenance or mass transit or any semblance of racial diversity, but we love what we do have. That includes the Royals, who haven't made the playoffs in 23 years and have been on the winning side of .500 just once in the past 13.

And we don't need Barry Bonds coming in here and messing it all up.

Quite frankly, winning streaks and full stadiums hold no allure for us (let this be the first of many gross generalizations about what "we" Kansas Citians like and don't like). We like buying inexpensive seats and sitting in expensive seats instead, parking 200 feet from the stadium entrance, helmet sundaes, and having Sluggerr — our cheerful, hugtastic mascot — shoot free hot dogs into the upper deck with his military-issue air cannon.

You see, being a Royals fan is an easy and even existence. We expect very little and always get what we expect. By May 1 we've already switched from "Whad'ya think the boys in blue will do this year?" to "At this pace, they'll set a modern-era record for the least amount of _____" (This year it's run production).

Sure, you can make a pretty good quantitative case for signing Bonds, pointing to the potential for increased ticket and merchandise sales. You could point to his efficiency at the plate. You could probably even prove that his once-mighty bat could still win some games.

If the Royals sign Bonds, though, there will be people in this city who get hopeful. And Kansas City isn't about hope; it's about comfort. It's about putting on a fresh pair of Zubaz, getting in your Bonneville and driving from your $200,000 mansion to the neighborhood Red Lobster for a dinner of cheddar biscuits and deep-fried shellfish. Signing Barry Bonds would bring hope, which would inevitably lead to expectation, which would inevitably lead to disappointment.

For the rest of the article, click here .

Mlbtraderumors answers royals fans questions

Billybutlerformvp — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:41:53 -0000

A live chat was held at mlb trade rumors where experts answered questions by the fans. I took all of the intresting questions related to the royals and posted them here.

[Comment From Harry

What do you think about Billy Butler? Will he ever realize his potential as a 30+ homerun threat??

I think so, but its looking like that'll happen next year.

__________________________________________________________

[Comment From royals]
Has anyone noticed joakim soria is pitching alot better than joba and should be considered as much better yet he isnt since sorias not wearing pinstripes

They're both great pitchers but I do agree that Soria deserves more attention than he's getting. Hopefully he makes the All-Star team.

_________________________________________________________

[Comment From Z Greinke]
Does my terrible k/9 alarm you?

A tad, yes. But I wonder if he's just going for Ks when he needs them. But yes he will allow more hits going foward....

________________________________________________________________

[Comment From MEX]
Is Brian Bannister really that good?

He seems capable of a 4.00 ERA

________________________________________________________________

[Comment From royals fan]
is the guillen fa signing really that bad

When I said I disliked it it wasnt because I thought he'd hit like this. I just didnt see them as winning in '08. In that case why spend $36 mil like that?

Carlos Delgado Potential DH for Royals??? Revised

Billybutlerformvp — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 19:54:26 -0000

As per mlbtraderumors

Will Mets Release Delgado?

Is Carlos Delgado the next Frank Thomas? Or worse yet, is he the next Mike Piazza? Sammy Sosa? Barry Bonds? (steroid implications aside). So asks Joel Sherman of the NY Post who's headline - always in that in-your-face extra-bold verdana - reads "DELGADO ON HIS WAY OUT AT FIRST". With aging veterans out of work, and a rash of young talent being locked up, 2008 really feels like the end of one era and the marked beginning of the next.

An arbitrary fun-fact from Sherman, "In the past 25 years, just one champion has had a regular first baseman older than 32 (the 2001 Diamondbacks with 37-year-old Mark Grace)." Delgado's making $16MM this season, and although 35 is often a notorious age at which batters decline, this cliff fall is not the norm. Still, a contract of that magnitude will keep Delgado in New York for at least a short while longer.

In Buster Olney's latest, he speculated Delgado's release, which seems to be slightly more than speculation at this point. Olney cited Xavier Nady or Scott Hatteberg as potential replacements should the Mets want to trade for a replacement. Nady, however, might not be available until the Pirates say "uncle."

Should the 35-yr old Delgado reenter free agent land, what kind of interest will there be? Most likely less than there was for Frank Thomas, but someone would throw him a bone as he'd be low risk, high reward. Not unlike Thomas, PECOTA projects a .265-20-80 season from the veteran and while that's not a $16MM season, it's still adequate production for many teams from a corner infielder or DH.

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Would Carlos Delgado who is only one season removed from 38 hrs be a viable solution for the Royals? I'll tell you one thing If a team signs him for the league minimum hes deff worth the risk as he is a notorious slow starter and usually gets better throughout the season.

PS A Friend brought up an excellent point. With a veteran prescence like a Delgado,a Bonds or a Mike Piazza in the middle of the lineup The young guys like Butler and Gordon will perfom much better since they wont be pressing since they wont feel like its all on them to get the offense rolling.

a solution for ss and theories why the offense is terrible

Billybutlerformvp — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 14:11:22 -0000

I have a few theories as to why our offense is not really as bad as it seems.

In Billy Butlers last 6 games hes had 23 at bats, Butler only has 5 hits( all singles) for a .217 average with only one walk. If your good hitters struggle you really have no chance. Once he comes around the offense will improve. Another reason Mr. Jose Guillen come on down. He went 2-3 last night and raised he average to .190 I am hoping hes just having a sluggish april. After all David Wright started off with no homeruns for april and he found away to hit 30 hrs by the end of the season.

Now for my Solution for the starting ss.

Get rid of tony pena jr for good. The nationals are looking to trade ronnie belliard. He is a great defender who can play ss and hit 290 with 11 hrs last yr!!!! The nationals are also looking to move one of their outfielders. How about a flier on willy mo pena who has been struggling in a reserve role?

P.S

Zack Greinke please come through and win tonight I have you as my sleeper for the cy young.

Fun Royals stats

Billybutlerformvp — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:14:11 -0000

Even though all seems lost right now in Royals World. Fear Not !!

After last nights game Billy Butler has had a hit in 19 out of 20 games so far this season. At this rate he will have just over 200 hits. Now lets just get the power going big boy.. than again at this rate I would say hes heading for around 20 hrs??

meanwhile

david dejesus has played in just 6 out of 20 games. so imagine how much better the hack fest will be once hes back on a constant basis.

In the last four games Alex Gordon has more strikeouts than hits. (5-4)

You guys thought Guillen wouldent be in the top 5 of any respectable ranking? will fear not for the man with the plan is indeed on a ranking.

he is 5th in strikeouts with 22......

the next royal whos closest is Mark teahean at 17 ks.

Chase Utley has as many homeruns as the royals 9 each......

thats my weird facts of the day.

free agents of 09

Billybutlerformvp — Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:41:18 -0000

To get the Royals losing streak off our minds I found a list with all the free agents availble this coming offseason??? Who do you think moore should go after? Who should they stay away from?

Catchers
Rod Barajas (33)
Michael Barrett (32)
Johnny Estrada (33)
Kenji Johjima (33)
Jason Kendall (35) - club option for '09; vests with 110 games played in '08
Paul Lo Duca (37)
Miguel Olivo (30) - $2.7MM club option for '09 with a $0.1MM buyout
Ivan Rodriguez (37)
David Ross (32)
Jason Varitek (37)
Gregg Zaun (38) - $3.75MM vesting option for '09; vests with 160 games played in '08

First basemen
Ben Broussard (32)
Sean Casey (34)
Tony Clark (37)
Carlos Delgado (37) - $16MM mutual option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with a $5MM buyout
Scott Hatteberg (39)
Eric Hinske (31)
Doug Mientkiewicz (35)
Kevin Millar (37)
Richie Sexson (34)
Mark Teixeira (29)

Second basemen
Ray Durham (37)
Mark Ellis (32)
Marcus Giles (31)
Mark Grudzielanek (39)
Orlando Hudson (31)
Tadahito Iguchi (34)
Jeff Kent (41)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Mark Loretta (37)
Aaron Miles (32)
Jose Valentin (39)

Shortstops
Orlando Cabrera (34)
David Eckstein (34)
Adam Everett (32)
Rafael Furcal (31)
Cristian Guzman (31)
Cesar Izturis (29)
Felipe Lopez (29)
Edgar Renteria (33) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Juan Uribe (30)
Omar Vizquel (42) - $5.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout

Third basemen
Casey Blake (35)
Hank Blalock (28) - $6.2MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Joe Crede (31)
Morgan Ensberg (33)
Nomar Garciaparra (35)
Wes Helms (33) - $3.75MM club option for '09
Chipper Jones (37) - $8-11MM vesting option for '09
Dallas McPherson (27)

Left fielders
Moises Alou (42)
Garret Anderson (37) - $14MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Milton Bradley (31)
Emil Brown (34)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Luis Gonzalez (41)
Raul Ibanez (37)
Jacque Jones (34)
Kevin Mench (31)
Jason Michaels (33) - $2.6MM club option for '09
Craig Monroe (32)
Jay Payton (36)
Wily Mo Pena (27) - $5MM club option or $2MM player option for '09
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)

Center fielders
Rocco Baldelli (27)
Mike Cameron (36) - $10MM club option for '09 with a $750K buyout
Jim Edmonds (39)
Jacque Jones (34)
Mark Kotsay (33)
Corey Patterson (29)

Right fielders
Bobby Abreu (35)
Casey Blake (35)
Milton Bradley (31)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Brian Giles (38) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Ken Griffey Jr. (39) - $16.5MM club option for '09 with a $4MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Jacque Jones (34)
Bobby Kielty (32)
Brad Wilkerson (32)

DHs
Milton Bradley (31)
Pat Burrell (32)
Adam Dunn (29)
Cliff Floyd (36) - $2.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Jason Giambi (38) - $22MM club option for '09 with $5MM buyout
Vladimir Guerrero (33) - $15MM club option for '09 with a $3MM buyout
Raul Ibanez (37)
Manny Ramirez (37) - $20MM club option for '09
Juan Rivera (30)
Mike Sweeney (35)
Frank Thomas (41) - $10MM option for '09; vests with 376 PAs in '08
Jim Thome (38) - $13MM club option for '09 with $3MM buyout
Jose Vidro (34) - vesting option for '09

Starting pitchers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Tony Armas Jr. (31)
Kris Benson (33)
A.J. Burnett (32) - can opt out after '08 season
Paul Byrd (38)
Roger Clemens (46)
Matt Clement (33) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Ryan Dempster (32)
Chad Durbin (31)
Josh Fogg (32)
Jon Garland (29)
Tom Glavine (43)
Mike Hampton (36)
Mark Hendrickson (35)
Livan Hernandez (34)
Orlando Hernandez (43)
Jason Jennings (30)
Randy Johnson (45)
John Lackey (30) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $0.5MM buyout
Jon Lieber (39)
Esteban Loaiza (37) - $7.5MM club option for '09 with a $0.375MM buyout
Braden Looper (34)
Derek Lowe (36)
Greg Maddux (43)
Pedro Martinez (37)
Matt Morris (34) - $9MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Jamie Moyer (46)
Mark Mulder (31) - $11MM club option for '09 with a $1.5MM buyout
Mike Mussina (40)
Carl Pavano (33) - $13MM club option for '09 with a $1.95MM buyout
Brad Penny (31) - $8.75MM club option for '09 with a $2MM buyout
Odalis Perez (32)
Oliver Perez (27)
Andy Pettitte (37)
Mark Prior (27)
Kenny Rogers (44)
C.C. Sabathia (28)
Curt Schilling (42)
Ben Sheets (30)
John Smoltz (42) - $12MM club option for '09
Brett Tomko (36)
Josh Towers (32)
Steve Trachsel (38)
Tim Wakefield (42) - perpetual $4MM club option
Kip Wells (32)
Woody Williams (42)
Randy Wolf (32)

Closers
Joe Borowski (38)
Ryan Dempster (32)
Brian Fuentes (33)
Eric Gagne (33)
Trevor Hoffman (41)
Jason Isringhausen (36)
Todd Jones (41)
Brad Lidge (32)
Brandon Lyon (29)
Al Reyes (38)
Francisco Rodriguez (27)

Middle relievers
Jeremy Affeldt (30)
Doug Brocail (42) - club option for '09
Shawn Chacon (31)
Juan Cruz (28)
Alan Embree (39) - $3MM club option for '09
Scott Eyre (37)
Kyle Farnsworth (33)
Keith Foulke (35)
Aaron Fultz (35)
Tom Gordon (41) - $4.5MM club option for '09 with a $1MM buyout
Eddie Guardado (38)
LaTroy Hawkins (36)
Matt Herges (39) - club option for '09
Bob Howry (35)
Steve Kline (36)
Damaso Marte (34) - $6MM club option for '09 with a $0.25MM buyout
Trever Miller (36) - $2MM club option for '09 with a $0.4MM buyout
Guillermo Mota (35)
Will Ohman (31)
Darren Oliver (38)
Dennys Reyes (32)
Juan Rincon (30)
Russ Springer (40)
Mike Stanton (42)
Mike Timlin (43)
Salomon Torres (37) - $3.75MM club option for '09 with a $0.3MM buyout
David Weathers (39)
Dan Wheeler (31)
Matt Wise (33)
Kerry Wood (32)

The royals in my view (with a shade of orange)

Billybutlerformvp — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 20:12:53 -0000

I will admit this is my first full season as a Royals fan.I cant claim to be a life long fan like some people on this blog. Last year and for many years before 07 I was a Met fan until I saw the most pathetic collapse in baseball history. The Mets had just lost to the Nationals and I saw the most lackluster play in the majors. The Mets seemed so old and fragile with no heart. I flipped the station and I saw my new favorite player for the first time. I saw Billy Butler line a shot in to centerfield for a basehit. These Royals seemed so youthful so energetic with heart. Something I havent seen for a long time. The game headed to the 9th and I saw Joakim Soria one of the best closers in the game minus the hype. From that moment on I pledged to follow the Royals and I walked away from the mets. With that here is my 2 cents for what the Royals should do to improve for this season.

1) They should not even think about making Nunez and Soria starters. The two of them are lockdown in the 8th and 9th inning. Some teams like the mets cant get that kind of a sure thing for all the money in China just ask Billy "I blow big games for ya" Wagner

2) It is essential as much as I love Billy Butler that he improve to the point where he can be a full time first basemen. If Ryan Howard or Prince Fielder can become adequate at 1st base I think Butler can to. In time when Butler is older make him your dh. Right now I think Butler has the potential to hit 30 hrs a season with a 350 batting average and an obp well above 400. Thing is he is only 21 and he will be lucky if he hits 20 hrs this season which is still alot for a kid that is only 21.

3) I would sign a guy like Mike Piazza to be your dh. Just 2 years ago the guy mashed 22 hrs in PETCO Park!!! ridiculous. Odds are you can prob have him for a mill or 2 and hes alot less of a controversy than Barry Bonds. Plus who better to help teach these kids then a guy who has never been in trouble or even remotely connected to roids and is hall of fame bound.

4) Its just me but I would hold off on signing any more average talent to high contracts. cough cough Guillen. He is a power hitter but a streaky power hitter and by streaky I mean season's long streaky.

5) At the deadline I would trade Teahen and Dejeus for either a high quality pitching prospect or a hitting prospect because frankly both are sorely needed. Gruz has to be shipped as well to a contender for a prospect even though we all love him because lets face it hes not going to be the Julio Franco of 2b. Mahay could be another one to be shipped before the year is out.If you guys have any proposals Iam eager to read them and see how creative you are.

6th) I would steal a move from the Tampa Bay Rays. After this season lock up Billy Butler and Alex Gordon to a 6 yr 17 million dollar deal with incentives of course. I would want Soria locked up as well just at reliever rates. for about 3 - 4 yrs. come on the Yankees signed Kyle Farnsworth to a 3 yr deal we cant do that for our stud closer??

As a new Royals fan I look foward to this season and believe that Trey Hillman will right this ship. Now if it was Willie Randolph I would say run for your life.