SB Nation User Blog: jsolo

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?

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.

Royals lead the majors in ERA

jsolo — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 23:58:12 -0000

Royals lead the majors in ERA

Okay, so ERA is a somewhat flawed statistic, but KC does also lead the majors in WHIP at 1.19, are 5th in walks allowed, and 4th in strikeouts. Those are very encouraging numbers.

Time to Trade Ponson

jsolo — Sun, 26 Apr 2009 23:00:24 -0000

Fangraphs hasn't updated the advanced statistics yet for today, so I'm going to use some less sophisticated measures below. Still, I think my point will be apparent.

After today's nicely pitched game (8 IP, 6 H, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K) Ponson now has a moderately respectable line of 23.1 IP, 26 H, 15 ER, 10 BB, 17 K. This line includes the 3.1 IP in Cleveland where he gave up 6 ER, 8 H, and 4 BB. His 3 other starts equate to 20 IP, 18 H, 9 ER, 6 BB, 15 K which looks quite a bit more enticing.

Here are 4 other interesting lines for your amusement:

19.1 IP, 23 H, 20 ER, 15 BB, 18 SO

16 IP, 22 H, 13 ER, 4 BB, 7 SO

15.2 IP, 16 H, 13 ER, 9 BB, 11 SO

15.2 IP, 19 H, 11 ER, 9 BB, 6 SO

Any guesses what those are? Yep - those are the other 4 non-Santana starters for the Mets. Think they could use a guy like Ponson about now in their spacious new ballpark? I certainly do.

While Ponson could improve his overall numbers due to the poor Cleveland showing, his value will not likely be much higher after today's nicely pitched game.

Trade him. Call up Hochevar. If there is an injury or someone becomes ineffective you still have HoRam in the pen who can start and Duckworth and Phillips/Dinardo in the minors.

Go after the team in desperate need of pitching help - you may actually get a B level prospect.

Banny to start instead of HoRam?

jsolo — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 20:03:09 -0000

Banny to start instead of HoRam?

From Rotoworld:

Brian Bannister was removed after pitching two perfect innings for Triple-A Omaha on Sunday.
Indications are that the Royals will start Horacio Ramirez on Wednesday, but pulling Bannister after two innings gives them an alternative to the left-hander. Bannister has a 3.46 ERA after three starts for Omaha.