Well the day has finally come. The Kansas City Royals have traded 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke, SS Yuniesky Betancourt and $2 Million to the Milwaukee Brewers for SS Alcides Escobar, CF Lorenzo Cain and Pitchers Jeremy Jeffress and Jake Odorizzi. Being the avid Royals fan I am I feel I should share my thoughts on the trade. Bottom line, I'm good with this. And I have a few reasons why.
First, if a player doesn't want to be there, don't make them. This all started last summer when Zack Greinke said he wasn't happy being on the current incarnation of the Royals. He knew how the organization was building the franchise (Loaded with minor league talent) and didn't see where he fit in. He also admitted to being bored. So that brings into question his effort in the 2010 season. Greinke has legitimate ace stuff, but it was not unreasonable to think Greinke would not be on the Royals after 2012 anyway. At which point Greinke could have left via free agency and the Royals could have gotten nothing in return.
Second, I also understand what the Royals are attempting to do. After years of pinching pennies on draft picks and in Latin America, GM Dayton Moore has convinced Owner David Glass to open up the checkbook in this regard. What has happened with this approach has led to the Royals getting the best available talent rather than just selecting players who would sign for what the Royals were offering. The result is a minor league system that is jam packed with top tier talent. Talent that should be successful at the Major League level, but not for a few years.
Third, the return the Royals got for Greinke fits well with the unofficial Plan 2013. With all the depth the Royals have in their system, Shortstop and Center Field were definite weak spots. This trade not only potentially fills those voids, but adds two more arms to an already loaded minor league pitching array. Hell, the trade at Shortstop is an upgrade just by the subtraction of Yuniesky Betancourt. The idea is to build the team in a similar fashion to the Minnesota Twins, Tampa Bay Rays or Texas Rangers. Lots of homegrown talent all developing together. This return advances that plan.
Will the Royals plan be a successful one? I can't say. But what I can say is for the first time in ages there is light at the end of the tunnel for Royals fans. Light that isn't the oncoming train. There has been talk in the past about hotshot prospects coming through the Royals system. Some have panned out (Greinke, Billy Butler), some have flopped (Colt Griffin, Chris Lubanski), and others the jury is still out on (Alex Gordon, Luke Hochevar). But there has never been this QUANTITY of young talent on the way at one time. It's unrealistic to think they will all be stars. But odds are several will hit, and some like Mike Moustakas and Eric Hosmer have superstar potential. But by the time those players reach their potential it will be 2013-2014. By then the Zack Greinke era in Kansas City will have closed anyway. That is why this trade doesn't bother me.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
NFL Week 1 Wrap-Up
Week 1 of the 2010 NFL Season is in the books. While most people overemphasize the events of Week 1, some things can be learned. With that said, here are my thoughts on Week 1.
The Kansas City Chiefs are a much better team. There isn't any other way to put it. Now granted, it is a team that has only won 10 games the past 3 seasons combined, but there is definite improvement. This team will finish second in the AFC West, behind the San Diego Chargers. 7-9 Wins for the Chiefs this year. Which brings me to...
The Oakland Raiders will continue to be a disaster. Many experts had the Raiders pegged to make a big jump this year. Based on what? The fact that JaMarcus Russell is no longer there. Newsflash, Jason Campbell is no All-Time great himself. And the 38-13 shellacking at the hands of the Titans should send the message this team just isn't good. And what talented players the Raiders do have aren't enough to overcome the poor coaching and management. Tom Cable will be fired before the end of the season and the Raiders will continue to flounder.
The Houston Texans will make the playoffs. Finally being able to knock off their nemesis the Colts should go a long way for this team. It was a loss to the Colts at home after blowing a big lead that probably kept them on the outside last year. Now I'm not predicting the Colts will fall dramatically, but they won't run away with the AFC South this year. The Texans will be with them every step of the way. In fact, the Jaguars could have a winning record and finish last in the AFC South. It's that strong this year.
The Detroit Lions are cursed. After this week there is do doubt. Calvin Johnson's game winning touchdown that wasn't a touchdown is one of the more baffling replay reversals I've seen. I understand the letter of the law where the rule stands, but common sense should be exercised by the officials. Clearly a catch in my opinion. Plus Matthew Stafford is injured again. I predicted Stafford would be an excellent Pro, but you have to play to be able to show it. Long season for the Lions again I'm afraid.
Last years playoff teams off to a slow start. The 12 playoff teams from 2009 had a record of 5-7 in Week 1. Only the Patriots, Ravens, Packers, Saints and Cardinals started the 2010 campaign with a victory. Now granted, playoff caliber rematches are a staple of Week 1, but if you want to win the Super Bowl you need to win Week 1. A good start is key.
The Kansas City Chiefs are a much better team. There isn't any other way to put it. Now granted, it is a team that has only won 10 games the past 3 seasons combined, but there is definite improvement. This team will finish second in the AFC West, behind the San Diego Chargers. 7-9 Wins for the Chiefs this year. Which brings me to...
The Oakland Raiders will continue to be a disaster. Many experts had the Raiders pegged to make a big jump this year. Based on what? The fact that JaMarcus Russell is no longer there. Newsflash, Jason Campbell is no All-Time great himself. And the 38-13 shellacking at the hands of the Titans should send the message this team just isn't good. And what talented players the Raiders do have aren't enough to overcome the poor coaching and management. Tom Cable will be fired before the end of the season and the Raiders will continue to flounder.
The Houston Texans will make the playoffs. Finally being able to knock off their nemesis the Colts should go a long way for this team. It was a loss to the Colts at home after blowing a big lead that probably kept them on the outside last year. Now I'm not predicting the Colts will fall dramatically, but they won't run away with the AFC South this year. The Texans will be with them every step of the way. In fact, the Jaguars could have a winning record and finish last in the AFC South. It's that strong this year.
The Detroit Lions are cursed. After this week there is do doubt. Calvin Johnson's game winning touchdown that wasn't a touchdown is one of the more baffling replay reversals I've seen. I understand the letter of the law where the rule stands, but common sense should be exercised by the officials. Clearly a catch in my opinion. Plus Matthew Stafford is injured again. I predicted Stafford would be an excellent Pro, but you have to play to be able to show it. Long season for the Lions again I'm afraid.
Last years playoff teams off to a slow start. The 12 playoff teams from 2009 had a record of 5-7 in Week 1. Only the Patriots, Ravens, Packers, Saints and Cardinals started the 2010 campaign with a victory. Now granted, playoff caliber rematches are a staple of Week 1, but if you want to win the Super Bowl you need to win Week 1. A good start is key.
Friday, May 14, 2010
How did we get here?
Trey Hillman got the axe yesterday as manager of the Kansas City Royals. I'll admit, I was a little shocked by the timing of this one. Sure the Royals had lost seven games in a row and fallen to a dismal 11-23 record, but I just didn't expect the firing to be made now. They say managers are hired to be fired, but with that said let's look back at how the Royals ended up in the mess they're in and if there's any hope to get out of it.
Hillman's overall record with the Royals was 152-207 in 2+ seasons. This isn't good by any stretch. The Royals were 75-87 in 2008, Hillman's first year as manager. It was good enough for the Royals to finish in 4th place in the AL Central. The first time the team had finished outside of the cellar since 2003.
There was some genuine hope that the team had finally turned a corner and the dismal stench of the mid-2000's would be a thing of the past. These hopes were further brightened by an 18-11 start to the 2009 season. This would be the last piece of good news during the Hillman era. The Royals absolutely collapsed during the next 3 months. Only another good stretch in September allowed the Royals to avoid 100 losses for the fifth time in eight years. The Royals finished 65-97, going 47-86 after the great start to the season.
That brings us to 2010. An 11-23 start was the final straw. The Roylas are 59-109 since the 18-11 start to the 2009 season. This is a completely unacceptable level of performance from a major league baseball team. But is this a major league baseball team? The level of talent on the diamond would probably indicate no.
Which begs me to ask the question, was Trey Hillman given everything he needed to succeed as KC Royals manager? My answer is no. The blame for this falls partly on GM Dayton Moore, but I'm pointing the blame at owner David Glass. The Glass family has been the one constant during this entire miserable stretch of supposed Major League Baseball. Many fans have felt Mr. Glass is cheap, not willing to spend money to acquire and retain good talent. It's hard to argue, but I can see both sides.
During his initial years of Royals ownership, Mr. Glass seemed to be on a one man crusade to change the game of baseball. He felt that smaller market teams could not compete with larger market teams for the top players. With salaries rocketing out of control like the ones given to Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez in the winter of 2000 you could see where he was coming from. So he didn't pay these salaries. In fact he hardly paid for anything. Feeling he would be a hypocrite if he paid these salaries while denouncing them at the same time.
Unfortunately this sent the Royals straight into the toilet. A team that in 2000 had a lot of promising young talent was soon devoid of it at all levels. Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye and Carlos Beltran were among those traded away when they became too expensive for Mr. Glass' tastes. What the Royals got in return for these talents makes my sick. From washed up big league talent like Roberto Hernandez and Neifi Perez, to players we were sold as being building blocks for the future like Angel Berroa and Mark Teahen. To say these didn't work out is and understatement. None of the building blocks for the future are currently in the organization.
Compounding matters was the rot going on in the Royals minor league system. Years of bad drafts caught up with the franchise. The Royals got into a habit of drafting players they could afford rather than the best available. This philosophy led to the talent well being dry when it came time to replace the likes of Dye and Beltran. Which led to losses in unprecedented numbers. After 3+ horrible seasons, former GM Allard Baird was finally let go and replaced with Dayton Moore. Moore pledged to rebuild the minor league system. He also said losing at the big league level would not be acceptable.
Moore convinced Mr. Glass to start spending money at the big league level while he rebuilt the minor league system. While it can be said that Mr. Glass is spending more money, it can't be said it has been spent wisely. Because of the mess created, no top level free agents were willing to sign unless the Royals wildly overpaid for them. And even then the players added could hardly be considered top notch. Big free agent contracts were given to Gil Meche, Jose Guillen and Kyle Farnsworth. All except for Fanrnsworth at least started promising. Meche and Guillen have since gone bust. Meche's arm has seemingly given out on him and Guillen is showing his age. There is no trade value in either player because, bum bum bum, they make too much money for what they produce.
So with this being the situation Trey Hillman was faced with it almost seems like a miracle he was able to keep the team near .500 until the other shoe dropped. Honestly, I don't see things being much different for new Manager Ned Yost. Moore this morning said rebuilding the minor league system would take 8-10 years. Starting from 2006, that means were looking at a target of 2014-2016 before that is accomplished. In 4-6 more years does anyone think Zack Greinke, Billy Butler or Joakim Soria will still be around? It's unlikely that the Glass family will be able to spend enough money to bring in enough players to be competitive before then. So there goes another generation of building blocks, and another generation of Royals fans.
So what's a Royals fan to do? Stop going to games. I'd never advocate that stance. Having Major League Baseball is a privilege. Abusing that privilege could lead to it going away. At the same time I don't blame fans for not wanting to pay to support an inferior product. The only thing to do is wait and see what the course of action from the Glass family and Dayton Moore is this offseason. Barring divine intervention, 2010 is already lost. The Glass family NEEDS to do something BIG this offseason. And I mean BIG. Whether it be a blockbuster trade or breaking the bank for a legitimate, game changing free agent. They need to do something to send a jolt through a waning and apathetic fanbase. Sign a Cliff Lee. Trade for Albert Pujols. Do something BIG! They need to drop the mindset of what we can't do and see what they can do. Otherwise, more dark days are on the horizon. And a similar blog will be written by me when Ned Yost is fired. But what will have really changed?
Hillman's overall record with the Royals was 152-207 in 2+ seasons. This isn't good by any stretch. The Royals were 75-87 in 2008, Hillman's first year as manager. It was good enough for the Royals to finish in 4th place in the AL Central. The first time the team had finished outside of the cellar since 2003.
There was some genuine hope that the team had finally turned a corner and the dismal stench of the mid-2000's would be a thing of the past. These hopes were further brightened by an 18-11 start to the 2009 season. This would be the last piece of good news during the Hillman era. The Royals absolutely collapsed during the next 3 months. Only another good stretch in September allowed the Royals to avoid 100 losses for the fifth time in eight years. The Royals finished 65-97, going 47-86 after the great start to the season.
That brings us to 2010. An 11-23 start was the final straw. The Roylas are 59-109 since the 18-11 start to the 2009 season. This is a completely unacceptable level of performance from a major league baseball team. But is this a major league baseball team? The level of talent on the diamond would probably indicate no.
Which begs me to ask the question, was Trey Hillman given everything he needed to succeed as KC Royals manager? My answer is no. The blame for this falls partly on GM Dayton Moore, but I'm pointing the blame at owner David Glass. The Glass family has been the one constant during this entire miserable stretch of supposed Major League Baseball. Many fans have felt Mr. Glass is cheap, not willing to spend money to acquire and retain good talent. It's hard to argue, but I can see both sides.
During his initial years of Royals ownership, Mr. Glass seemed to be on a one man crusade to change the game of baseball. He felt that smaller market teams could not compete with larger market teams for the top players. With salaries rocketing out of control like the ones given to Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez in the winter of 2000 you could see where he was coming from. So he didn't pay these salaries. In fact he hardly paid for anything. Feeling he would be a hypocrite if he paid these salaries while denouncing them at the same time.
Unfortunately this sent the Royals straight into the toilet. A team that in 2000 had a lot of promising young talent was soon devoid of it at all levels. Johnny Damon, Jermaine Dye and Carlos Beltran were among those traded away when they became too expensive for Mr. Glass' tastes. What the Royals got in return for these talents makes my sick. From washed up big league talent like Roberto Hernandez and Neifi Perez, to players we were sold as being building blocks for the future like Angel Berroa and Mark Teahen. To say these didn't work out is and understatement. None of the building blocks for the future are currently in the organization.
Compounding matters was the rot going on in the Royals minor league system. Years of bad drafts caught up with the franchise. The Royals got into a habit of drafting players they could afford rather than the best available. This philosophy led to the talent well being dry when it came time to replace the likes of Dye and Beltran. Which led to losses in unprecedented numbers. After 3+ horrible seasons, former GM Allard Baird was finally let go and replaced with Dayton Moore. Moore pledged to rebuild the minor league system. He also said losing at the big league level would not be acceptable.
Moore convinced Mr. Glass to start spending money at the big league level while he rebuilt the minor league system. While it can be said that Mr. Glass is spending more money, it can't be said it has been spent wisely. Because of the mess created, no top level free agents were willing to sign unless the Royals wildly overpaid for them. And even then the players added could hardly be considered top notch. Big free agent contracts were given to Gil Meche, Jose Guillen and Kyle Farnsworth. All except for Fanrnsworth at least started promising. Meche and Guillen have since gone bust. Meche's arm has seemingly given out on him and Guillen is showing his age. There is no trade value in either player because, bum bum bum, they make too much money for what they produce.
So with this being the situation Trey Hillman was faced with it almost seems like a miracle he was able to keep the team near .500 until the other shoe dropped. Honestly, I don't see things being much different for new Manager Ned Yost. Moore this morning said rebuilding the minor league system would take 8-10 years. Starting from 2006, that means were looking at a target of 2014-2016 before that is accomplished. In 4-6 more years does anyone think Zack Greinke, Billy Butler or Joakim Soria will still be around? It's unlikely that the Glass family will be able to spend enough money to bring in enough players to be competitive before then. So there goes another generation of building blocks, and another generation of Royals fans.
So what's a Royals fan to do? Stop going to games. I'd never advocate that stance. Having Major League Baseball is a privilege. Abusing that privilege could lead to it going away. At the same time I don't blame fans for not wanting to pay to support an inferior product. The only thing to do is wait and see what the course of action from the Glass family and Dayton Moore is this offseason. Barring divine intervention, 2010 is already lost. The Glass family NEEDS to do something BIG this offseason. And I mean BIG. Whether it be a blockbuster trade or breaking the bank for a legitimate, game changing free agent. They need to do something to send a jolt through a waning and apathetic fanbase. Sign a Cliff Lee. Trade for Albert Pujols. Do something BIG! They need to drop the mindset of what we can't do and see what they can do. Otherwise, more dark days are on the horizon. And a similar blog will be written by me when Ned Yost is fired. But what will have really changed?
Saturday, April 24, 2010
Kansas City Chiefs Draft: First Three Rounds
The first three rounds of the 2010 NFL Draft are now complete. Now it's time to take a closer look at the five newest members of the Kansas City Chiefs. GM Scott Pioli has stated he is looking for smart players with good character. If the first five selections are any indication, Pioli seems to be selecting the best player that fits the profile regardless of positional need. So now a closer look.
First Round
5. Eric Berry, Safety / University of Tennessee
Personally I like this selection. Berry will start immediately and be a disruptive force in the secondary. He's a big hitter with exceptional coverage and blitz skills. Berry is also exceptional academically, which lends to the idea of drafting smart character players. Compared by most to Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens. I'll be more than happy if he turns into that type of player.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d817801dc/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Eric-Berry-Tennessee
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d817b5577/Chiefs-take-Eric-Berry
Second Round
36. Dexter McCluster, Running Back / Ole Miss
This one had me scratching my head at first. It seemed like a luxury pick for a team with bigger holes elsewhere. Taking a closer look though the pick makes a lot more sense. McCluster is small by NFL standards (5'8", 172lbs.), but is a dynamic playmaker. He has outstanding quickness and skills to be a runner or receiver. The Chiefs have already said he will be a Wide Receiver for them, giving Head Coach Todd Haley the "Wes Welker" type player he wants for his offense.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d8177fc9a/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Dexter-McCluster-Mississippi
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d817be04a/Chiefs-take-Dexter
50. Javier Arenas, Cornerback / University of Alabama
This one made more sense to me. The place where Arenas will make the biggest impact for the Chiefs is the return game. He is the best kickoff / punt return prospect in the draft. This shores up a gaping hole in Chiefs Special Teams play. Arenas' size (5'9", 197lbs.) will likely limit him to being a nickelback at the NFL level. But he is a hard worker (Voted captain of Alabama's "All Practice Team") with good athleticism and instincts. Plus, the guy just makes plays.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Meet-Javier-Arenas/160a2815-0c89-4f95-8e9b-7846212bb123
Third Round
68. Jon Asamoah, Guard / University of Illinois
The streak of dynamic playmakers ends here. Instead the Chiefs just took a big, nasty interior offensive lineman. He can play either left or right guard giving the Chiefs needed depth on the O-Line. And he's yet another academic star with a 3.8 GPA fitting with the Pioli profile.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d81780ab5/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Jon-Asamoah-Illinois
93. Tony Moeaki, Tight End / Iowa University
Moeaki is one of the better blocking Tight Ends available. He's also a savvy and sure handed target for Matt Cassel. The Chiefs benefit here as Moeaki graded out as a second round talent by many. Injury concerns caused him to slip on draft day. If he can remain healthy, this is a more than solid acquisition.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Meet-Tony-Moeaki/799e38c2-8458-40ec-a98c-571cc7ed5bf7
First Round
5. Eric Berry, Safety / University of Tennessee
Personally I like this selection. Berry will start immediately and be a disruptive force in the secondary. He's a big hitter with exceptional coverage and blitz skills. Berry is also exceptional academically, which lends to the idea of drafting smart character players. Compared by most to Ed Reed of the Baltimore Ravens. I'll be more than happy if he turns into that type of player.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d817801dc/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Eric-Berry-Tennessee
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d817b5577/Chiefs-take-Eric-Berry
Second Round
36. Dexter McCluster, Running Back / Ole Miss
This one had me scratching my head at first. It seemed like a luxury pick for a team with bigger holes elsewhere. Taking a closer look though the pick makes a lot more sense. McCluster is small by NFL standards (5'8", 172lbs.), but is a dynamic playmaker. He has outstanding quickness and skills to be a runner or receiver. The Chiefs have already said he will be a Wide Receiver for them, giving Head Coach Todd Haley the "Wes Welker" type player he wants for his offense.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d8177fc9a/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Dexter-McCluster-Mississippi
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-draft/09000d5d817be04a/Chiefs-take-Dexter
50. Javier Arenas, Cornerback / University of Alabama
This one made more sense to me. The place where Arenas will make the biggest impact for the Chiefs is the return game. He is the best kickoff / punt return prospect in the draft. This shores up a gaping hole in Chiefs Special Teams play. Arenas' size (5'9", 197lbs.) will likely limit him to being a nickelback at the NFL level. But he is a hard worker (Voted captain of Alabama's "All Practice Team") with good athleticism and instincts. Plus, the guy just makes plays.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Meet-Javier-Arenas/160a2815-0c89-4f95-8e9b-7846212bb123
Third Round
68. Jon Asamoah, Guard / University of Illinois
The streak of dynamic playmakers ends here. Instead the Chiefs just took a big, nasty interior offensive lineman. He can play either left or right guard giving the Chiefs needed depth on the O-Line. And he's yet another academic star with a 3.8 GPA fitting with the Pioli profile.
http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/09000d5d81780ab5/2010-Draft-Vignettes-Jon-Asamoah-Illinois
93. Tony Moeaki, Tight End / Iowa University
Moeaki is one of the better blocking Tight Ends available. He's also a savvy and sure handed target for Matt Cassel. The Chiefs benefit here as Moeaki graded out as a second round talent by many. Injury concerns caused him to slip on draft day. If he can remain healthy, this is a more than solid acquisition.
http://www.kcchiefs.com/media-center/videos/Meet-Tony-Moeaki/799e38c2-8458-40ec-a98c-571cc7ed5bf7
Thursday, April 15, 2010
In Memorium: Peter Steele 1962-2010
February 5th, 1995 is a night I won't ever forget. I was 16 years old and on my way to Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas to see one of the greatest metal bands in history, Pantera. I had seen them twice before and knew they were going to tear it up. What I didn't know was very much about their opening act that night, Type O Negative. I had seen the videos for Black No.1 and Christian Woman on Headbanger's Ball but didn't really know what to expect. What I got was one of the most amazing live performances I have seen in my life.
The first thing that was noticeable was this gigantic man taking center stage. He looked all of 6'10" and jacked to the gills. It was a look more suited for a professional wrestler than the frontman of a Goth Metal band. Next was the actual sound of Type O Negative. I've always described it as Pink Floyd meets Black Sabbath meets Bela Lugosi. It really almost defies description. Peter Steele's vocals were unlike anything I'd heard before or since. But it was mesmerizing and unique. I became a fan instantly.
It wasn't long after this show that I went out and purchased copies of Bloody Kisses and Slow, Deep and Hard. If you could wear out a CD, I would have done it. With each new release my love for the band grew. For me it was almost like knowing some undiscovered secret. Getting to tell people about this great band they hadn't heard of was always fun for me. And when I met someone who already knew, it was was like we shared the secret together.
My only regret is never getting to see them live again. Sure they came around where I lived many times in the years since, but something always came up that wouldn't let me go. Now sadly, it appears that night will be my only experience with Type O Negative live and in person. The loss of Peter Steele really hits me. A brilliant songwriter, musician and performer is now gone. The back of Bloody Kisses says "Don't mistake lack of talent for genius." Well I made that mistake. Peter Steele was a genius, and the world is a little worse off today without him.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Opening Day
Opening day has finally arrived. Now while this is usually a time filled with hope and optimism, I'm finding it difficult to get excited about the upcoming season. You see, I am a Kansas City Royals fan.
Thing is, most years I can dilute myself into thinking there is legitimate hope. That somehow this year will be different. Sure, if Luke Hochevar and Kyle Davies can somehow win 25 games between them. If Jose Guillen can hit 35 homers. If the relief pitching doesn't implode maybe there is a chance. But not this year.
I'm sorry, but I just can't paint a rosy picture for the upcoming season. I don't see why this is going to be the team that takes a giant leap forward. The biggest offseason signings just don't do anything for me. Scott Podsednik has been replaced for defensive reasons by multiple teams. Jason Kendall has been declining in offensive production for years. And Rick Ankiel has been brought in to add power. It just seems like impending disaster to me.
I know some prognosticators think the AL Central can be won with 85 or so wins. I'm not buying it. Someone is going to win this division with 90+ wins. My fear is it will take only 85 or so wins to take the AL Central and the Royals will finish 8 or 10 games back. Then Royals brass will think they're close. That's my biggest fear. This team won't win until it develops its own players. And even that is looking shakier.
I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it. Royals 2010 record: 75-87
Thing is, most years I can dilute myself into thinking there is legitimate hope. That somehow this year will be different. Sure, if Luke Hochevar and Kyle Davies can somehow win 25 games between them. If Jose Guillen can hit 35 homers. If the relief pitching doesn't implode maybe there is a chance. But not this year.
I'm sorry, but I just can't paint a rosy picture for the upcoming season. I don't see why this is going to be the team that takes a giant leap forward. The biggest offseason signings just don't do anything for me. Scott Podsednik has been replaced for defensive reasons by multiple teams. Jason Kendall has been declining in offensive production for years. And Rick Ankiel has been brought in to add power. It just seems like impending disaster to me.
I know some prognosticators think the AL Central can be won with 85 or so wins. I'm not buying it. Someone is going to win this division with 90+ wins. My fear is it will take only 85 or so wins to take the AL Central and the Royals will finish 8 or 10 games back. Then Royals brass will think they're close. That's my biggest fear. This team won't win until it develops its own players. And even that is looking shakier.
I hope I'm wrong, but I just don't see it. Royals 2010 record: 75-87
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