SB Nation User Blog: jsolo

Mariners DFA Balentien

jsolo — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 22:43:57 -0000

Mariners DFA Balentien

Maybe there's a Seattle reject Dayton can grab who actually might be a reasonable gamble.

Poll: Who will be DFA'd tomorrow?

jsolo — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 03:46:00 -0000

I tried to give what I deem are the most likely moves. These are the Royals however so they'll probably do something absurd like trade Kila for 2 washed up veteran middle relief guys to provide bullpen leadership.

I assume if there are multiple moves, they will all involve colon. I'd love to see about 7 moves made including dumping 3-4 relievers. That would be far too progressive for this team though. I'm sure at most we'll get a Colon DFA for Waechter even though Rosa and Hayes absolutely need to get the call - not that I have an issue with Waechter, but doubt he'll be back next year.

Poll

Who gets the ax tomorrow?

Colon

11 votes

Wright

7 votes

Bale

0 votes

Tejeda

2 votes

Colon and Wright

9 votes

Colon and Tejeda

5 votes

Colon and Bale

3 votes

Some move not listed

3 votes

Nothing. The Royals are confident their bullpen will be fine.

56 votes

96 votes | Poll has closed

The New Royals Slogan! We Need YOUR Help.

jsolo — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 04:23:53 -0000

This just in from the Royals marketing gurus:

"After a disappointing first half of the season, the Kansas City Royals have decided to recreate their slogan for the second half. This new slogan will better represent the direction in which the team is now headed. We know that our fans are the best in the game and want to give you all a chance to contribute to the success that is certainly brewing in the upcoming months and years. Please choose one of the new slogans below and Go Royals!"

Poll

What should be the Royals new slogan?

Kansas City Royals: If OBP is so important, why don't they put it on the scoreboard?

23 votes

Royals Tradition: Where our team's perennial ineptitude makes our fans feel less pathetic about their own lives.

6 votes

The 2009 Kansas City Royals: Hey, at least we aren't pedophiles.

24 votes

KC Royals: Where our fondest memories are of Greg Gagne.

5 votes

Kansas City Royals: Shut the hell up or George Brett will kick you in the teeth.

17 votes

The 21st Century Kansas City Royals: Statistics are for pussies.

25 votes

Royal Pride: We sign crappy players, make ridiculously bad decsions, lose all the time, and STILL turn a profit every year - so why should we change?

20 votes

120 votes | Poll has closed

It's literally bad for your health to watch this team

jsolo — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 03:28:25 -0000

It's difficult for me to not follow the Royals closely every year because they are by far my favorite sports team. This year though, I may have to figure out a way to distract myself for the rest of this season. The team is legitimately THAT bad. I find myself seething like an angst ridden goth teen after every single loss - and some wins as well.

The problems on this year's team are numerous and well documented. Perhaps the worst part of all of it is that due to Washington's historically awful record, the Royals won't even be able to draft Bryce Harper. Nevertheless, I actually think the Royals are currently worse than the Nationals.

After tonight's contest (I use that term loosely since it implies the Royals actually can compete against other MLB teams) the Royals have a minus 68 run differential. While the Nationals do have a minus 105 run differential, they have actually scored 23(!) more runs than the Royals. That is nothing less than pathetic. I did notice that the Padres are the only team to score less than the Royals this year, but San Diego is an extreme pitcher friendly park and the Padres do have Adrian Gonzalez - who is as good as any TWO Royals hitters combined ( and seven or eight Royals shortstops).

Royals management, when not busy attempting to curb First Amendment rights, does nothing to forestall the feeling of hopelessness that pervades my being while watching this team. They have taken absolutely zero responsibility for this year's debacle. If it wasn't for the new stadium and Greinke, this might have been the worse year ever for this franchise (and still might be when all is said and done).

In addition, the utter lack of action from management to do anything to you know, improve, this team further infuriates the rapidly diminishing fan base. It's flat out embarrassing that a team that ranks 13th in the AL in OBP won't call up one of the most patient hitters in the minor leagues. Does Jacobs really deserve to be playing over Kila at this point? How about giving Lisson a shot at SS? He can't be worse than TPJ or Hernandez and at least he was a prospect at one point. (Note to Royals Management: A prospect according to Merriam-Webster is a likely candidate for a job or position - not sure you actually are aware of that definition.)

The bullpen this year has also bordered on tragic. If only the Royals had a competent reliever who would be fun to watch, had outstanding minor league numbers, blogs, and would be am immediate fan favorite. Disco might not be welcome on the Royals though, he does know how to turn on a computer.

The sad thing is that I could probably write pages on the ineptitude we as fans have witnessed this year. Nevertheless, much of the nauseating "accomplishments" of the Royals have been well covered by bloggers and (some of) the media. I'll leave you with this public service announcement: If you are a fan and you actually care about this team; for the sake of your mental welfare, find a new hobby.

Poll

What would be more enjoyable than watching the Royals this year?

Bathe in battery acid

6 votes

Swim in bloody waters with sharks

3 votes

Listen to Sarah Palin talk for 12 continuous hours

10 votes

Become a fan of the Nationals

10 votes

Become a fan of NASCAR

12 votes

41 votes | Poll has closed

Nats looking to deal Dukes

jsolo — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:11:31 -0000

Nats looking to deal Dukes

I don't know a thing about his defense, but I think this is the sort of guy the Royals should take a chance on.

Maybe they'll take TPJ and Luis Hernandez for him.

More realistically, who would you give up for Dukes if you were the Royals? Bannister perhaps?

Rowdy is Back, Rosa Improving, and Trade Olivo NOW

jsolo — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:56:18 -0000

Rowdy is Back, Rosa Improving, and Trade Olivo NOW

Don't look now, but after a very rough start, Rowdy appears to have adjusted to High A. (See link for tonight's Hochevar-esqe performance.) His overall numbers appear decent, but it's especially impressive if you take into account how bad he was at the start of the season.

Could we see him in AA this year?

In other news, former top Royals pitching prospect Carlos Rosa also appears to be getting over his bout with suckitude he's been fighting for the last several weeks. His peripherals are starting to round out to a respectable level after a few disastrous weeks.

I'd like see Rosa, Hayes (and Kila) as regulars at the major league level very soon.

Finally, trade Olivo NOW! Buck is pretty much done with his rehab, B. Pena has proven himself capable of the backup catcher role, and with his recent power surge, Olivo will never have a higher trade value. Do it for the children.

HoRam designated for assignment

jsolo — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 16:25:55 -0000

HoRam designated for assignment

It's about damn time. Now there's only about 5 more players to go.

And KILA NOW.

Glavine in the rotation?

jsolo — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:23:49 -0000

Glavine in the rotation?

Glavine has reportedly been released by the Braves. Will DM continue his lust for ex-Braves and sign the venerable pitcher as a Royal?

Hochevar will be back next time the Royals need a 5th starter

jsolo — Mon, 25 May 2009 01:59:45 -0000

Hochevar will be back next time the Royals need a 5th starter

Just a temporary move - makes a little more sense now. June 6th is the next time the Royals need a 5th starter.

Time to make some moves

jsolo — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:01:27 -0000

Time to make some moves

So I won't get overly frustrated with the way the Royals are playing right now, I need to dispel some anger by suggesting what moves I would make as GM. The link is to the 40 man roster for reference.

DFA:
Ponson - worthy gamble but it's run its course
HoRam - I thought he could be a serviceable reliever. I was wrong.

Send down until performance improves:
Aviles - I think his swing will improve but he's hurting the big league team in the process of figuring out the adjustments. Send him down for now or DL him.

Call ups:
Kila - Mashing again. Has nothing left to prove. He can platoon with Jacobs to start out with.
Rosa - Had one really bad outing recently but otherwise peripherals look fine. He could really help out the pen.

Activate:
Bale - should be ready to go soon. When he's healthy, he's good.