Errrrr... Not really.

The official word from the Royals Bunker:

The Kansas City Royals today announced the bulk of the Major League coaching staff assignments for the 2010 season.  Manager Trey Hillman’s entire 2009 coaching staff will return intact with the exception of first base coach Rusty Kuntz and bullpen coach John Mizerock.  In addition, Eddie Rodriguez will shift from his 2009 role as a special assignment coach to become Kansas City’s first base coach.

Kuntz, who served the past two seasons as first base coach as well as the outfield and baserunning instructor, will remain in the organization as a special assistant to the general manager/field instructor.  The contract of bullpen coach John Mizerock was not renewed.

Why mess with success?  If the Royals underperformed in 2009, it was obviously Mizerock's fault.

Sorry, but I don't get this.  I guess we'll hear the tired excuse about injuries and whatnot, but Dave Owen was an absolute disaster at third base.  The evidence was so compelling back in June the guy was in over his head.  I haven't crunched the full season numbers, but the Royals were the worst team in baseball at going from first to third on a single and going from second to home.  I place the blame on Owen at third.

You could also question the retention of Kevin Seitzer as the hitting coach.  Granted, he didn't have much to work with in hackers like Miguel Olivo and Mike Jacobs, but as a whole the team didn't really improve.  Team batting average fell 10 points and OBP dropped by two.  Slugging went up eight points from the previous year.  If it was Seitzer's job to tread water, he succeeded.

Keep on, keeping on.

Comments

gbewing

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I'm wondering if ole Rusty got to much camera time for his golden locks and entertaining style. Hillman strikes me as being capable of very thin petty skin. He also has expressed significant manlove for Rodriguez since the World Cup thing- Hillman just thinks Eddie and Tug were awesome- it's a good ole boy move- trey wants another buddy to tell him he's doing a great job

Tuesday 06 October 2009, 12:52

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sw

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The Royals management is such an good ol' boys club it's disgusting. All they ever do is cover for each other's brain dead mistakes and blame the players (who everyone except them already knew were bad) for "underperforming." Dave Owen's status as Trey's BFF is the only explanation for him to be retained on the coaching staff.

Tuesday 06 October 2009, 13:07

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kcghost

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I didn't have any problem with keeping Seitzer. Nobody is going to improve this band of hackers. I am amazed that he was willing to come. Must need the money.

Keeping Owens is simply the height of silliness.

GMDM is in full denial mode.

Wednesday 07 October 2009, 04:19

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Ben F

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As for keeping most of the coaching staff intact, I read a comment elsewhere that hoped the thought process behind the move was that if Moore wants to dump Hillman after next season, he'll be more easily able to change out the entire coaching staff (whereas if they hired a few new coaches this year, then you have to be more delicate and/or worry about holdovers not buying in).

Seitzer may not have shown much of an improvement for the team, but this will be his first full off-season, so it seems like he should at least get the opportunity to work with the guys for a full year.

Wednesday 07 October 2009, 09:42

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