Comments on: Goodbye, Gil

By: Clark Fosler

Clark Fosler — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 16:31:43 +0000

Bob – I have to disagree with your statement that ‘he hasn’t returned much for what was, let’s fact it, a huge investment’. From April 1, 2007 through June 16, 2009 there is an extremely limited number of pitchers who compiled Gil’s combination of innings, ERA and quality starts. He also did so without once complaining about absolutely abysmal run support.

That his arm has essentially been torn off and ruined the second half of the contract may make this a net negative, but saying he hasn’t returned much is a gross misstatement.

By: fb0252

fb0252 — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:59:37 +0000

Nice post! “with proper care and usage”. Would be interesting to chart abuse of Meche. It started from day 1 of his first year hear when right out of spring training, game after game, he was kept in games to abnormally high pitch counts. all blamed in the OP except McClure, who, as usual, and for reasons unknown, escapes criticism.

By: Jacko

Jacko — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:42:50 +0000

This is terrible news. Meche is a warrior you can count on for quality innings. He’s always firing darts and blowing guys away. Everybody wants him in their foxhole with them. I would too. He’s one of the top FA signings DMGM has ever made.

By: Bob Kemp

Bob Kemp — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:33:56 +0000

I was for “cutting our losses” last year on this guy. I like Gil, but he hasn’t returned much for what was, let’s face it, a huge investment for a small-market club. One wonders if he feels guilty for taking the cash given to him while spending so much time on the DL, GMDM’s fault or not.

By: Holden Cornfield

Holden Cornfield — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:00:43 +0000

As for the insurance cash, I’m pretty sure they don’t/won’t insure more than the first two years of any guaranteed contract. Could be wrong.

By: Holden Cornfield

Holden Cornfield — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:59:38 +0000

Keep in mind this will be Gil’s second shoulder surgery. Remember when Luke Hudson came back from his second surgery? …oh yeah, that’s right. He never did.

I’m a fan of Meche and was a fan of the signing. But he is done.

I like the fangraphs bit about his value earned. Surprised he has earned that much (80+%) of his total salary. Goes to show how really good he was his first two years.

By: Nick Scott

Nick Scott — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:41:52 +0000

Lets not forget that the Royals have insurance on these guys, so they should have some extra cash from this year that they are getting from travelers or lloyds of london.

By: kcghost

kcghost — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:08:07 +0000

I have no problem with the Gil Meche signing other than it may have cost us several draft slots in each of his first two years. I suspect that the main culprits would be Hillman for pitching him into the ground, the ineptness of the medical staff , and Meche’s downplaying of his problems. You just hope with all the money lost on Meche and Guillen that Glass doesn’t shy away if the Royals blossom when the youngsters arrive.

I agree that when it comes to his Royals career you can hear “Taps” being played in the background.

By: airgoesit

airgoesit — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:59:55 +0000

Most people seem to have forgotten that along with the skeptics and usual price tag complaining from “losing bids,” this and the Guillen deal were lauded by some baseball people as a stepping stone for the organization. Their point being it sent a signal the team was serious again and not a southern version of the Pirates. I’m as frustrated as anybody with a good number of DM’s signings, but the reality was (is) this team will HAVE to overpay to get viable free agents until they start winning again. Two chances taken, and we got three decent years out of Meche. Guillen is just a fraud as a person. At the time of their signings, neither player was taking a roster spot from an in-house guy, far from it. Now, after 3 years it is time to move on, and my judgment of DM is hinging on the result. But it is hard to argue the thought process at the time.

By: CL_on_the_DL

CL_on_the_DL — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:19:16 +0000

When Meche got shutdown last season, I remember telling my friends that, “Even if he never pitches another game for the Royals he was worth the signing.” Now that was obviously a little over the top, but your Fangraphs chart basically shows my intent.

I think many of us will always wonder what could have been had Meche not been (figuratively) shot in the arm by Trey Hillman. The Royals wouldn’t have been contenders, but would they have won 8 more games in 2010 with a healthy Meche? 10? 12?

Meche could have (but probably not) been the difference between a .500 season and a last place finish.

I truly hope he somehow takes the mound next year for the Royals, and if his all goes well, I wouldn’t be against re-signing him for a 3 year stretch for the back of the rotation behind Montgomery, Lamb, and Melville/Crow.