Comments on: Pushing the Right Buttons

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 15:47:15 +0000

Expecting Moustakas or Hosmer to take the major leagues by storm would be as silly as expecting Butler to do so was. For the next year or two, Gordon and Butler have to be the core of the offense, for better or for worse. If Gordon is really turning things around, then maybe that fact won’t be disastrous for our 2012 playoff run. I sure hope these guys can carry some of the load, because expecting the prospects to suddenly create an above-average offense next year is not reasonable, whereas expecting them to contribute to an offense that already has a couple of established stars is much more so.

By: Mr. Dave

Mr. Dave — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 04:24:26 +0000

I’m just loving that the Royals are better than the Sox and Yankees right now record-wise. I truly do not expect this to last, but I am enjoying it while I can. It’s a positive sign for an organization that desperately needed one this year.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 22:04:50 +0000

I assume Kila’s presence is because: 1) Yost thought he’d be good there (and of course, he still might), and 2) to keep the right/left/right thing going, in which case at this point, ye, Betemit’s the best replacement for Kila until he figures it out….I’m liking Zack’s lineup, although I don’t think there’s a need to move Francoeur from 6th, necessarily, and that would also keep the good ol’ R/L/R/L thing going.

By: Zack Daddy

Zack Daddy — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:55:28 +0000

Nice…I like Betemit as the #5 hitter. Moves Frenchy down, too.

1. Getz
2. Melky
3. Gordon
4. Butler
5. Betemit
6. Kila
7. Frenchy
8. Treanor/Pena
9. Escobar

Like it.

By: steve

steve — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:43:21 +0000

As Rany has pointed out, the Royals have had good (even better) starts before, before it all turns to the downward death spiral for the year. But instead of everything being capable of going bad on this team, it looks like the defense and bullpen might hold a bit. And if Billy and Alex can be what we all hoped they could (or at least closer to it), then we may be able to stay away from those hopeless feelings of the past when it all falls apart. In terms of possible pieces for our championship team down the road, even though it is a very small sample size, it is certainly interesting to see so many of our folks doing so well (whether to be used as trade bait or on that team does not matter so much). No one besides Aviles, Kila, and Davies seem to be sucking he black hole air just yet, and perhaps they can turn positive instead of dragging down the team with them. It is still very early, Alex was great to turn it around after one game, both Aviles and Kila still have a good chance to do so. Davies is the one that just seems to be mentally weak, the same old Davies, the physical gifts of Sampson but no mental toughness/consistency. Can we get Curt Schilling to come work to have him grow a pair? He just seems to keep getting weak in the knees instead of getting/staying tough. Perhaps the bullpen for him?

By: Clark Fosler

Clark Fosler — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:09:49 +0000

I think there is some thought amongst opposing teams that Kila will, despite his struggles, force you to throw strikes. Whereas the book on Francouer is you can get him to chase bad pitches. So, even though his average is awful, Kila might still be better protection than Francouer (even with Jeff hitting reasonably well). Probably, right now, the move would be to put Betemit 5th behind Billy (if a move is made at all).

In a perfect world, long-term view, I probably would go Hosmer-Butler-Gordon-Moustakas if for no other reason than Butler’s right handed bat breaks up the lefties a little.

By: Nick Scott

Nick Scott — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 19:01:55 +0000

“Or are there reasons not to do that?”

The idea of “protection” in a lineup isn’t really a big deal. Not saying he shouldn’t be moved down, but it won’t help Billy Butler hit better.

By: royal_pain

royal_pain — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:49:39 +0000

I’m having fun, that’s for sure. Even with the starting rotation being suspect, what I see is an upgraded defense and an excellent bullpen that can compensate. Average pitcher for 4-5 innings plus good reliever for 2-3 innings can be effectively the same as good starter for 7-8, as long as it doesn’t happen every single night and wear out the pen. And good defense can save a lot of mediocre pitchers from themselves. Add in decent hitting and you have a lot of 7-5 comeback/hang-on wins. I’ll take that.

On Kila, what about moving him down in the order? Right now, he’s no protection to Billy at all, whereas even Francouer is hitting respectably enough to give pitchers pause about treating Billy too lightly? Or are there reasons not to do that?

By: jamboslice

jamboslice — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:14:39 +0000

My only wish is that Texeira is let go. How is it I’m always right when I complain about him coming into a game and either giving up a lead or making a lead uncomfortable? It has probably happened more times than not. When he came in yesterday, who didn’t see .1 IP, 3 hits, an earned run and multiple base runners coming? If you didn’t you obviously haven’t been watching this guy the past two years.

By: Daniel

Daniel — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 18:04:36 +0000

Hey Kyle, let’s…look at what’s actually happening rather than project, I think.

Butler is about a #3 hitter just looking at his prior performance and ignoring his hot start this year. Looking at him this year, however — even his outs tend to be balls he’s just barely missed. He’s already been really good, he might even be becoming great…so forgive me if I don’t replace what we already have at the #4 spot in the lineup with what might be in Hosmer, Moustakas, or anyone else.

I hope Kila starts sitting breaking ball…it’s how he got his single yesterday, and the Tigers just didn’t seem all that interested in throwing him much of anything else. But at least he’s drawing some walks in amongst the strikeouts, so his batting eye is still intact.