Can you please comment on the lineup merry-go-round? Are other teams changing their lineups daily? Don’t players prefer the stability of knowing where they will play each day and in which order they they will be hitting?
Take the rest of the day off David. You deserve it for watching this all the innings. I tuned out yesterday after the third inning maybe…the Melendez passed ball followed by whatever the heck Olivares was doing in the outfield on the rbi double. Nope, no thanks. Lol.
Here’s my deal. And I know what you are going to say. This is more therapeutic for me. Lol. JJ Picollo. I have nothing against him. But I didn’t like him staying on after DM was fired. The half foot in half foot out doesn’t work and that’s what it felt like the Royals did. We can pretend (and I think we all did) that he hasn’t been a part of this stink for the last five years, but the truth is he has. He doesn’t get a 100 loss season. While I respect the fact you told us this year wasn’t it, the product on the field shows that next year isn’t the year either so you don’t get to just continue to push back the goal posts and make David take the gloves off. They should have just cleaned house completely and none of this would be an issue. Loose 100 games and it wouldn’t be an issue then as you give the new crew time. I can listen to the argument that it isn’t JJ’s fault…but when it goes this bad someone takes the blame and I’m not going to blame the new manager and pitching coach. The only person around for the last 5 years of stink gets the blame. I didn’t expect .500…but I did expect improvement on the record. JJ is in a position that a big time trade needs to happen this year. And IDK what that is or how he gets that done. Maybe its Melendez (not now), maybe its Singer (not now), but something needs to happen at the deadline. Barlow certainly looks like a missed opportunity….and thats on JJ. Time for all this to work itself out…but if the record is worse than last year….or the same. Next year isn’t the year either. A signing, something needs to happen that’s a win from the front office. If they have to blow this up, JJ is not the person that gets that chance. They had the chance to completely start anew from the DM era and they botched it.
The outfield doesn't look promising at all. I don't see how any of those guys besides Melendez are going to be impact players in the next several years. It is discouraging to me to see how few LEAGUE AVERAGE PLAYERS THE ROYALS ARE DEVELOPING AT ALL. Average players plus a few stars makes a competitive team. Vinnie, Salvy, and Witt Jr. plus below average players won't cut it. It's going to be interesting to see who shakes out as average producers by June or so with the guys on the 25 man and those knocking on the door in AAA.
Not to delve too deep into another troubling topic, but with the A's news..and another dreadful start to a season sapping almost any remaining fan support, is there legitimate concern about the future of this club in the next decade? I've generally not commented about this, because I'm of the belief a new ballpark is coming one way or the other. I'm also not suggesting the team will relocate as our ownership group is KC based. However, could a continual lack of young development/talent, roster investment, and on field success lead to a really messy battle between ownership and tax payers?
I don't think this team is this bad either. However a lineup that continually contains the likes of Dozier, Duffy, Isbel, Reyes, Lopez, JBJ, Eaton, etc..is..unsurprisingly, not good. A rotation consisting of a 40yr old HOF, journeyman, former rule5 pick, and unproven "young" starters in their 3rd and 4th years is..unsurprisingly, not good. There are positives and thankfully there are many more deserving options waiting for a chance in the minors, at least in the field. Pitching is still a distant hope and until that changes with legitimate results or significant investment, we will just have to continue to watch, listen and comment as the deranged Royals fans we are..
Is there any concern that Brian Sweeney has perhaps tinkered too much implementing changes for some of the pitchers? Injuries to Lynch and Bubic plus velocity drop from Singer is concerning and makes one wonder if there is a connection. On the positive side, Chapman "might" look like the flame-thrower of 5 years ago, Zack is throwing a new pitch for perhaps his betterment while it remains to be seen if Keller's changes are going to benefit him for the whole season but sounds like his delivery has been tweaked. Just seems like a lot going on with a pitching staff at this point in the season.
I shared a couple thoughts with Vern yesterday that I’d like to disseminate here.
1. The Royals are presently less of a baseball team an more of a comedy troupe. Bobby, Vinny and maybe Lopez and Reyes are the straight men surrounded by a bunch of pranksters.
2. Moving forward, anyone batting .200 or below losses the privilege to choose their walk on music. Instead, the stadium will be subjected to a blast of circus music as they approach the plate. Surpassing the Mendoza line will restore their ability to choose music of their liking.
If shaming and angering these highly payed professionals is what it takes, so be it.
This team may not be as bad as they look right now but they certainly are not even entertaining to watch. I find myself watching not to see if we can win but which will be worse each night our hitting or our pitching or both.
Thanks for opening up the therapist couch for the beleaguered Royals’ fans to vent. And you definitely deserve the day off. Okay, I’ll have a go…I’m currently embarrassed that one of my preseason predictions was that the offense would actually keep them in games. Man, that looks bad right now. I do think it is 100% true that it is never as good as it seems when you’re going well or as bad when not, but gosh this looks so much like most of last year without the excitement of a bunch of rookies cutting their teeth. And I can talk myself into patience with Massey, Melendez, Eaton, and they guys who don’t even have a full year in the bigs yet. But if you are going to be this bad stop running out a bottom half of the lineup that has no upside. JBJ, Dozier, and Duffy (although he hasn’t been the problem) are not young guys trying to find their way. They are below average players who are exactly who they are. Probably could add Reyes to that as well, though I like the vibe he brings. It sucks watching games where you feel like whatever reliever “they” bring in is going to get three quick outs and whatever guy “we” bring in is going to walk or hit someone, get the bases packed, and then groove one. And when you watch it everyday, none of us need Hud explaining that the ball hit over Olivares (with a 95% catch rate) was “smoked with topspin and a hard play”. They are major leaguers (in theory) and expected to make those plays. It’s okay to be disappointed Hud, and to set down the pom-poms for an inning or two when it’s going this bad. Okay, that’s it. Thank you. See you next week, Doctor.
I'd like to see some roster turnover soon. Dozier, JBJ need to be DFA'd. I assume one of those will happen when Waters returns. Time to get younger and find out what we have in AAA. This season already feels lost. On the pitching side, I would like to see the same -- use openers and the Omaha train. Find out who can work in relief. Trade Chapman for the first good deal. At a minimum this season should be about evaluating young talent and opening up 40-man spots to grab a few discarded gems from other teams.
I'm beginning to think this team is a serious threat to the 1899 Cleveland Spiders, who went 20-134.
Just plain disappointed but still with them. Fingers are crossed.
"....the Rangers offense is disciplined and that makes life hell for opposing pitchers."
Hmmm.... I wonder if there might be a lesson in there for the Royals hitters. (Can you say "Chase rate"????)
Buddy Bell has cursed us with knowledge.
Can you please comment on the lineup merry-go-round? Are other teams changing their lineups daily? Don’t players prefer the stability of knowing where they will play each day and in which order they they will be hitting?
Take the rest of the day off David. You deserve it for watching this all the innings. I tuned out yesterday after the third inning maybe…the Melendez passed ball followed by whatever the heck Olivares was doing in the outfield on the rbi double. Nope, no thanks. Lol.
Here’s my deal. And I know what you are going to say. This is more therapeutic for me. Lol. JJ Picollo. I have nothing against him. But I didn’t like him staying on after DM was fired. The half foot in half foot out doesn’t work and that’s what it felt like the Royals did. We can pretend (and I think we all did) that he hasn’t been a part of this stink for the last five years, but the truth is he has. He doesn’t get a 100 loss season. While I respect the fact you told us this year wasn’t it, the product on the field shows that next year isn’t the year either so you don’t get to just continue to push back the goal posts and make David take the gloves off. They should have just cleaned house completely and none of this would be an issue. Loose 100 games and it wouldn’t be an issue then as you give the new crew time. I can listen to the argument that it isn’t JJ’s fault…but when it goes this bad someone takes the blame and I’m not going to blame the new manager and pitching coach. The only person around for the last 5 years of stink gets the blame. I didn’t expect .500…but I did expect improvement on the record. JJ is in a position that a big time trade needs to happen this year. And IDK what that is or how he gets that done. Maybe its Melendez (not now), maybe its Singer (not now), but something needs to happen at the deadline. Barlow certainly looks like a missed opportunity….and thats on JJ. Time for all this to work itself out…but if the record is worse than last year….or the same. Next year isn’t the year either. A signing, something needs to happen that’s a win from the front office. If they have to blow this up, JJ is not the person that gets that chance. They had the chance to completely start anew from the DM era and they botched it.
The outfield doesn't look promising at all. I don't see how any of those guys besides Melendez are going to be impact players in the next several years. It is discouraging to me to see how few LEAGUE AVERAGE PLAYERS THE ROYALS ARE DEVELOPING AT ALL. Average players plus a few stars makes a competitive team. Vinnie, Salvy, and Witt Jr. plus below average players won't cut it. It's going to be interesting to see who shakes out as average producers by June or so with the guys on the 25 man and those knocking on the door in AAA.
Not to delve too deep into another troubling topic, but with the A's news..and another dreadful start to a season sapping almost any remaining fan support, is there legitimate concern about the future of this club in the next decade? I've generally not commented about this, because I'm of the belief a new ballpark is coming one way or the other. I'm also not suggesting the team will relocate as our ownership group is KC based. However, could a continual lack of young development/talent, roster investment, and on field success lead to a really messy battle between ownership and tax payers?
Also, we're all in this together! I will continue reading, supporting and commenting on your work. Hang in there!
I don't think this team is this bad either. However a lineup that continually contains the likes of Dozier, Duffy, Isbel, Reyes, Lopez, JBJ, Eaton, etc..is..unsurprisingly, not good. A rotation consisting of a 40yr old HOF, journeyman, former rule5 pick, and unproven "young" starters in their 3rd and 4th years is..unsurprisingly, not good. There are positives and thankfully there are many more deserving options waiting for a chance in the minors, at least in the field. Pitching is still a distant hope and until that changes with legitimate results or significant investment, we will just have to continue to watch, listen and comment as the deranged Royals fans we are..
Is there any concern that Brian Sweeney has perhaps tinkered too much implementing changes for some of the pitchers? Injuries to Lynch and Bubic plus velocity drop from Singer is concerning and makes one wonder if there is a connection. On the positive side, Chapman "might" look like the flame-thrower of 5 years ago, Zack is throwing a new pitch for perhaps his betterment while it remains to be seen if Keller's changes are going to benefit him for the whole season but sounds like his delivery has been tweaked. Just seems like a lot going on with a pitching staff at this point in the season.
I shared a couple thoughts with Vern yesterday that I’d like to disseminate here.
1. The Royals are presently less of a baseball team an more of a comedy troupe. Bobby, Vinny and maybe Lopez and Reyes are the straight men surrounded by a bunch of pranksters.
2. Moving forward, anyone batting .200 or below losses the privilege to choose their walk on music. Instead, the stadium will be subjected to a blast of circus music as they approach the plate. Surpassing the Mendoza line will restore their ability to choose music of their liking.
If shaming and angering these highly payed professionals is what it takes, so be it.
This team may not be as bad as they look right now but they certainly are not even entertaining to watch. I find myself watching not to see if we can win but which will be worse each night our hitting or our pitching or both.
Do you think this team is tanking to get a high pick? I mean they may not come out and say it but it sure is looking that way.
Thanks for opening up the therapist couch for the beleaguered Royals’ fans to vent. And you definitely deserve the day off. Okay, I’ll have a go…I’m currently embarrassed that one of my preseason predictions was that the offense would actually keep them in games. Man, that looks bad right now. I do think it is 100% true that it is never as good as it seems when you’re going well or as bad when not, but gosh this looks so much like most of last year without the excitement of a bunch of rookies cutting their teeth. And I can talk myself into patience with Massey, Melendez, Eaton, and they guys who don’t even have a full year in the bigs yet. But if you are going to be this bad stop running out a bottom half of the lineup that has no upside. JBJ, Dozier, and Duffy (although he hasn’t been the problem) are not young guys trying to find their way. They are below average players who are exactly who they are. Probably could add Reyes to that as well, though I like the vibe he brings. It sucks watching games where you feel like whatever reliever “they” bring in is going to get three quick outs and whatever guy “we” bring in is going to walk or hit someone, get the bases packed, and then groove one. And when you watch it everyday, none of us need Hud explaining that the ball hit over Olivares (with a 95% catch rate) was “smoked with topspin and a hard play”. They are major leaguers (in theory) and expected to make those plays. It’s okay to be disappointed Hud, and to set down the pom-poms for an inning or two when it’s going this bad. Okay, that’s it. Thank you. See you next week, Doctor.
I'd like to see some roster turnover soon. Dozier, JBJ need to be DFA'd. I assume one of those will happen when Waters returns. Time to get younger and find out what we have in AAA. This season already feels lost. On the pitching side, I would like to see the same -- use openers and the Omaha train. Find out who can work in relief. Trade Chapman for the first good deal. At a minimum this season should be about evaluating young talent and opening up 40-man spots to grab a few discarded gems from other teams.