Comments on: Updating the Count to Twenty-Five

By: Doug

Doug — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 14:34:47 +0000

I am excited about the year just like I always try to be. I get to go to Arizona in March and am excited about that. I am going with 22-33 at the end of May, maybe a little optimistic but who knows right? They were 21-31 last year at the end of May so I may be safe? Possibly could be pleasantly surprised?

By: Kyle

Kyle — Mon, 07 Feb 2011 13:53:23 +0000

Blanco does get on base a little better than everyone else, but I just can’t get excited about a lineup that has Escobar (zero power), Getz (zero power), and Blanco (zero power). I mean I do love small ball, and I love the speed those 3 guys have on their own. But you can’t have a lineup with all table setters and no base clearers. I guess if Butler, Kila, Gordon, Moustakas, and Francoeur all hit 20-25 hrs and 40 doubles, then those 3 guys won’t kill you. The rotation might be pretty bad, so the offense is going to need to put up about 5-6 runs a game.

By: David

David — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 20:18:30 +0000

I think the record for the first 81 games will be very ugly; something like 29-52 or maybe even worse, but the second half, I think we could see a 43-38 type record as the young guys come up. It all depends on the rotation because I think the offense will be average and the bullpen very good by July.

By: Nick Scott

Nick Scott — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 19:29:16 +0000

I know what you’re saying about Blanco. He also had a very good Winter League season with an over .400 OBP. But I admit, I can’t really get excited about him. I don’t know exactly why. I think part of it is the fact he came to the Royals late in the season and so was rarely watched by most fans due to the 2nd half being terrible.

By: Troy

Troy — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 18:39:15 +0000

Every year I think we have a chance at .500 ball if they stay healthy. Then guys get hurt; 1 year its Soria, another year Meche, another Guillen, another Aviles, so on and so on. Then typically by the All-Star break the trades start and we go in the tank. This is the first year since 2003 Spring Training that we truly start with so many young no-names tath its virtually impossible to know what will happen. Yes, its unlikely we’ll be a winner, but will it be a season of hope: Moustakas showing his potential, Butler having another great year; basically will players meet and exceed expectations or will they underachieve. Me personally if they play to their potential and stay in games and don’t go on any long losing streaks then its success, 2011 (76-86) and 2012 (85-77).

By: Mr. Dave

Mr. Dave — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 16:13:34 +0000

%, Blanco’s future as the Royals leadoff man was spelled out when they got Cain in the Greinke deal. It seems the front office regards him as a good fourth outfielder, and I think he’ll see a decent amount of playing time – probably 70 or so games split between left and center. I admit I was fairly interested in seeing what he could do as an everyday starter, but I think fourth outfielder is the best role for him.

And that is a classic quote on the Betancourt page. I also find it very interesting that his closest player in terms of similarity score is Angel Berroa.

By: % (In the UK)

% (In the UK) — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 11:14:48 +0000

The consumate ease by which the downgrading of Greggor Blanco on the depth chart of many Royals fans is the latest enigma for me?

Our Venazualen outfielder was one of the bright spots of September last year & his form,enthusiasm & defence was something of which could be built upon with confidence & surety

I fear he will now be lost in the abyss of pinch-hitting & the potential of him leading off will be wasted…

By: Eric P

Eric P — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 19:42:53 +0000

Piggy-backing off Ted’s point, Baseball Reference has Yuni’s 2010 as a 1.5 oWAR. If Frenchy is able to match Yuni’s offensive output and have a good year in the field, then we could have gotten a 2 WAR player for $2.5 million. That’s good right? Also, everyone needs to go to Yuni’s Baseball Reference page, the sponsor’s quote made me laugh out loud at work.

By: Ted

Ted — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 15:17:12 +0000

Put me down as uninterested in the Frenchy Show. But to be fair, I wasn’t overly interested in our other right field options either. Maybe Frenchy will be 2011′s Yuniesky Betancourt: hit something like 16 HRs, knock in a surprising amount of RBI given the expectation, and take 15 unintentional walks. In fact, I bet that is exactly what happens, so brace yourself for loads of Royals PR trash about that Frenchy Flair.

By: Minor Prophet

Minor Prophet — Sat, 05 Feb 2011 08:33:57 +0000

2011 Thoughts-
-I hope they let Escobar and Getz steal bases. Each of those guys could easily swipe 30 this year. That could be a fun tandum.
-How nice would it be for Sweeney to come back and retire as a Royal at the end of this year?
-Tim Collins: “Mighty Mouse”. Crowd fav’.
-It would make me upset to not see Coleman make the club. Adcock should be stashed in high A or let go.
-We will have a huge traffic jam between A, Aa, AA, AAA with regards to pitching. I think the Royals will use some of their pitching ‘currency’ to trade for a catcher at some point this year.