Comments on: A Whole Lot of Nothing

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 18:11:35 +0000

I disagree with bringing Francouer back next year, but a one year deal is at least arguable. If he’s signed beyond next year then that’s where I would really get upset with the Royals. I really think his ‘value’ is over-stated by the team and many of our fans, but I’ll admit it’s fun to watch him throw guys out.

By: Kurtis

Kurtis — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:10:32 +0000

Yes, I really want Francouer back next year, I think we should leave our outfield alone, we have the best outfield in the majors for throwing out runners, and all three of them are producing at the plate as well, this is our best outfield we’ve had in a long time and they are one of the main reasons our team is winning the games we do win, if we are really trying to build a good competitive baseball team trade Cain or use him as the number 4 OF and get rid of Maier. The only reason we arent good this year is lack of SP and 2nd base

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:54:13 +0000

Frenchy is our worst outfielder (overall), is likely a free agent after this season, and if re-signed would be our most expensive outfielder. Melky can certainly play a corner to make room for Cain. If you’re advocating Frenchy for next year just realize you’re advocating him for multiple years because he’s not signing a one-year deal after putting up this near career year and he’s not taking the 4 million or so option either.

Best case scenario, Francouer clears waivers and is dealt this month. Are the Frenchy fans really wanting him on the roster into 2013-2014? That makes no sense to me.

By: Abh

Abh — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:37:40 +0000

oh, and Dutton says in the KC Star this morning that the Organizational plan for Giavotella is 100-150 ABs, so he projects a mid/late august call up.

By: Abh

Abh — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:36:35 +0000

it’s frenchy that should go (if necessary)… Melky is a switch hitter which is valuable in itself – If Cain proves better all around player than Frenchy, I’d let Gordon roam RF, with Cain in CF, and Melky in LF. Gordon and Melky make a good 1-2 in the lineup in front of Hosmer, Butler, and (hopefully) an improved Moustakas.

By: Clark Fosler

Clark Fosler — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 13:22:49 +0000

airgoesit – therein lies an interesting question. What is the most important attribute for an outfielder? A strong, accurate arm or more range? Would Cain in center and Cabrera in right make more outs via increased fly ball coverage vs what Cabrera in center and Frenchy in right throw out on the bases.

A quick judgment tells me range, in center particularly, is a longer term benefit than outfield assists, but there is a very certain, tangible and easily seen value in the outs the Royals’ outfielders make with their arms.

By: airgoesit

airgoesit — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 04:14:31 +0000

I have dogged #4 and frenchy without restraint on this blog and I’m eating my words. This team has one of the best all around outfields in the majors. Yes I said it and all the stats back it up because defense counts. Cain may track down more balls but he isn’t throwing out double digit runners at the plate. Maybe its a one year a aboration, maybe not. Good teams have major league talent waiting in the minors and they can continue to wait their turn. ‘Bout damn time we have this ‘problem’ and I’m perfectly happy giving these guys another go next year because you better believe they are a significant reason this team is competitive on a nightly basis. If you don’t believe it you haven’t watched a Mitch Maier game.

By: Clark Fosler

Clark Fosler — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:06:21 +0000

Hooligan – Keep in mind that Cain also hit .300 in 158 major league plate appearances last year, so there is a little additional data that would suggest he could produce at the major league level and has already gone through at least part of the adjustment period. Besides, no one said it had to be Cabrera that would go to make room for Cain.

By: Hooligan

Hooligan — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 00:29:30 +0000

I suspect there is a ‘development plan’ for Giovatella just like there was for Hosmer, Moustakas and Duffy. DM has made comments about wanting to get both Hos and Moose a specific number of at-bats this year. There is certainly a planned schedule for Giovatella. Unless, of course, he completely surprised them with his 2011 performance and is forcing them to reevaluate their plans.

I’d expect him to be among the September call ups but doubt we’ll see him before. He is also not on the 40-man roster which would cause some challenges to bring him up before then.

I’d like to know why the blogosphere seems to have such a love affair with Lorenzo Cain. True he’s performing well in AAA, but we know most players face a drop off in performance until they adjust to the majors (if they do at all), and we have Melky who is only a year older who is performing at roughly the same level in the big leagues. It seems like many feel that if a player didn’t come to us as a “prospect” he has no value.

This seems like a conditioned response to watching the Royals spend years rebuilding and continually trading the present for the future. At some point we need to quit swapping out the parts and let the machine run for a while. Minus starting pitching and perhaps an upgrade at 2nd I’m pretty happy with what we’ve seen of the machine in the last month or so.

By: Big Lee

Big Lee — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 23:22:44 +0000

According to Jim, who may very well be right, the Royals have a glut at 2B. If this is the case why not get Giavotella up here to see what we have. Does anyone think Getz have much future value? Gia may not, either, but he has done all he can do at AAA. Get him up her to play!

Someone please explain why Davies has no chance to be successful in the bullpen? He has had plenty of chances to show his wares as a starter. After DL stint send him to Omaha to see if he can get guys out if he only faces them once, not multiple times. Is Dayton Moore the only person that sees value in Davies as a starter?