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Dang David, I’m not sure if this article makes me feel better or worse about the pitching. I think my biggest frustration with the organization as a whole is talk about pitching last year. We were told it wasn’t a talent issue for a couple years. But it’s a talent issue and has been from the beginning. When the FA pitchers you bring in or trade for are better than every other pitcher you have. I don’t know why the organization doesn’t understand it’s a talent issue. Minus Lyles…..(value, but whatever. That was bad from the get go) Chapman, Yarbrough, Ragans, McArthur all performed better than our own guys. So I have to ask, if you know what talent looks like from other teams or free agents. How are we missing so bad with our own guys? I wish we would have cleaned house for this side of things. I still feel like there is an attachment to our guys. Maybe less so than before. But nobody has been traded yet that are “our” pitchers you know. Need to see it happen here soon. If not traded, flat out released.

On another note. Man if you can get Rodgriguez and Gray. That would bring some excitement. Feels like that’s a little more realistic than one huge signing.

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I think they thought it wasn't, but now think it is. It's pretty telling that they've basically announced they'll be adding multiple pitchers. It's okay to be wrong. It's not okay to compound that by continuing and, at least from what they've said so far, they know they were wrong. I'm willing to see what they do now that they've admitted that.

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For all that negativity I spewed earlier. I actually think the pitching can take a pretty big jump next year. If they sign two starters (with the caveat, they are average mlb players), Ragans will be interesting to see if he can continue, and then I can see a Singer bounce back if healthy, with Lyles at the end. There is zero depth, and that’s a big problem….and depending on the players I don’t know that it would be a rotation….but if your philosophy of its easier to go from bad to average….I can see a pretty good chance of just being better. Maybe that goes without saying though when you start from this bad. I really do a signing or two in the bullpen makes that look better. They will find some arms there. No question though for me, they have to spend some money on pitching this year. I know they want another outfield bat, but the money needs to be spent on the arms. We’ll see what the trade front looks like I guess.

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I actually don't think there's zero depth if they sign starters. Marsh, Lynch IV, Veneziano and Zerpa are all interesting as depth guys with upside. The problem is when they're being counted on to be the main guys.

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Nov 2, 2023Liked by David Lesky

I don’t think I’m quite as high on Marsh, Lynch, Venziano, and Zerpa. Well, let’s put it this way. I think of those four….one will work out and be serviceable. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. I just think a lot of “ifs” with that group yet. Now, you sign two legit mlb average starters and a Yarbrough type again for cheap. At that with those four….starting to cook a little bit.

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I didn't say I'm high on them. But if they're your 6-9 starters, that's actual depth. It isn't being forced into an opener situation three weeks into the year.

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Your right. I can’t really ask for “good” depth until we actually have depth first. We did have openers by April last year. Lol

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Nov 2, 2023Liked by David Lesky

It’s hard to quantify how much better things will look with two legit mlb starters in the rotation with a Ragans. I wonder sometimes if people realize that. Let’s just say Ragans continues and is a high 3’s era guy. You give me a couple 4.3 - 4.7 range era guys behind that and with Singer. It just makes everything so much better, bullpen included. I’m not even asking for great, just average. And this team will be a whole lot close to .500 (average).

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David, what I have seen watching Royals pitchers the last several seasons is that they do not attack the strike zone, but nibble at the edges which leads to many walks. I believe the reason they don’t attack the strike zone is they know there stuff is not good enough and when they attempt to throw strikes, the ball gets hammered somewhere for a hit or goes over the fence!

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That's probably true that they're afraid to be in the middle, which is why they simply need better pitching.

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They should try hard to get Will Smith. He's been on the last three world series winning teams. Seems like their best chance to win, next year, riding his deal with the devil or whatever.

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Ha, I love him as a target anyway, but you're right that it does seem to guarantee a title.

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I believe the only pitcher on your list to go after is Will Smith. That would pretty much guarantee a World Series title.

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Absolutely. They can plan the parade immediately after he signs.

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David your passion and research is unparalleled. Have you forwarded this to the Royals front office. They should employ you in some capacity. I’m serious!!

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That's very nice of you to say!

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Well, that was a bit depressing. I laughed pretty hard at the Singer paragraph, though.

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We laugh to keep from crying. And then we cry.

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WOW!

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