Nice commentary David. I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Bubic was good, but the team has just not learned how to win very often. I think Lopez or Rivera will see more time at Omaha this year. Not much room for two weak hitting infielders, though Rivera certainly started off strong and may get back to that. I saw the Orioles (the closest American League team to me In Virginia Beach) released former Royal Chris Owings. He 'was hitting .107 at the time. I cringed fearing Dayton would sign him back. He seems the type of players Dayton loves to bring in. I think Dayton should be committed to an insane asylum if he does, but you can never be sure of the depth of Dayton's or JJ's poor decisions. I mean the Royals signed Roman Quinn. The Phillies tried for 3-4 years to make him their center fielder, but the man just flat out can not hit. Our outfield was crowded enough with MJ, Olivares, Isbell, Taylor, Benintendi and Dozier needing spots. I've probably missed a couple of more. This year is set and it's going to be ugly. Dayton doesn't have to make it worse than it already is. In his 6th year of the rebuild, he has already produced the worst team in baseball. Accountability in the Royal's organization doesn't extend any higher than the hitting coach. Everyone else can put their feet up and relax. They are safe. Mr. Sherman, are you watching this season?
Oh I'm thankful that they have way too much of a roster logjam to pick up Owings. I don't really have much of a problem with Quinn because of the lack of depth in the outfield at the upper levels when they have guys on the taxi squad during road trips. If that's all it is, cool. If he's up ahead of some other guys, not cool.
I’ve heard the commentary on the mound visits as well. It’s something you talk about when the team sucks but I don’t put much into it either.
I think I’ve come to the realization that this is what it is. I still can’t fully comprehend that they (front office) are going to let them barrel past 100 losses this year without more urgency. The only thing I can think of is they know there jobs are safe. Which is incredibly sad and frustrating all at the same time. How can you not make a move if only for the optics of it by now?
I was telling my wife the other day that more than anything, I'm just confused about the whole Cal situation. They moved on from Bradshaw who was leading a unit that had struggled, but are willing to stick it out with this guy? I just don't get it and I can't explain it other than that they're digging their heels in.
Oh they are digging in. But I can’t figure out why. Hitting and Pitching coaches are on the team to take the fall. That’s part of the deal. Even if you don’t have THE GUY in place you put in a interim coach for the rest of the year. It’s just bad management and I don’t think I’ve ever been as disappointed with the management of the team as this year. Oh, they’ve been terribly run don’t get me wrong. But I don’t really recall a season with “average” expectations going off the rails so quickly with Witt Jr burning a year. He’s not Trout….so I’m not saying that but it is a year of control we are losing. The only way I’m going to be told that 2024 is now the year they really were meaning to compete is if a new front office is selling me that.
I actually don’t mean to be so negative. I didn’t even watch the game last night but as a fan its just where you go. One of the things I can’t quite piece together yet is how this went so wrong compared to expectations because we can’t even point to injuries yet. We’ve had a few stints but compared to everyone else this has been a relatively healthy team. So if you are healthy…..its all about performance and EVERYONE either had expectations too high or this is a years where everything that can go wrong has and will go wrong. Maybe its evening out from the 14/15 runs who knows.
I think that’s where everyone’s frustration is. On the surface, this team shouldn’t be BAD. Maybe they shouldn’t be good, but this is ridiculous. There’s clearly something else at play. It’s not just bad luck and it’s not injuries, like you said. It just feels like a disaster in every area.
Once again the manager left the starting pitcher in too long. Wanting him to finish 6 innings and having him be able to do it are 2 different things. Bubic already had thrown enough pitches when he gave up those runs. The pitching coach is a disaster and the manager is too much of a gambler. Matheny couldn't manage the Cardinals and he is no better in Kansas City. It's time for a change!
Thank you for the article, great as always. Have the Royals given up on trying Melendez at 3rd base? Seems to me this would be a nice fit as whenever he isn't catching it would free up an OF/DH spot. I'd like to see an alignment sometime this year of:
1B-Pratto/Dozier/Vinnie
2B-Merrifield
SS-Witt
3B-MJM
LF-Olivares (Benni traded)
CF-Isbel/Taylor
RF-Dozier/Pratto
DH-Vinnie
Bench
Gallagher
Lopez
Rivera
Taylor/Isbel
Would set up some L/R platoon opportunities and some additional position rotation to optimize when Perez DHs/MJM catches.
You know, I don’t know if they’ve given up on that idea or not. I think they love his athleticism in the outfield, but based on what they have, I agree that it would be very helpful if he could play there. I think the timing was sort of tough because of how well Rivera was playing when Melendez came up. With him falling off a bit, maybe they revisit Melendez there.
Quit blaming the pitching, get to the root cause, Matheny and Eldred. They couldn’t manage and coach a T-Ball team properly. These young pitchers under other leadership would be excelling. They have misused this staff since day 1 of this year. Greinke and Garrett were worthless pick-ups, haven’t helped the staff at all. Bad things happen every time Payamps, Garrett, Bolanos come into a game. Did you ever notice where the catchers set up on a 0-2, 1-2 count, belt high in the middle of the plate. Bullpen coach or pregame warm ups are not getting the staff ready to start or come in for relief, vide t by 1st inning runs, inherited runners scoring. Singer the other night threw pitches down the heart of the plate and pitches were called balls, next batter homered. Bubic didn’t get calls when solid strikes were thrown, you could see SF pitchers questioning calls also. They have the kids wasting too many pitches when ahead in the count. KC also needs to unload, Santanna, Mondessi, Taylor, Rivera, Greinke, Garrett, Bolanos, O’Hearn, Gallagher and maybe Lopez. They keep saying trade Merrifield and Benintendi, for steady young pitchers, doesn’t make sense, develop what good young talent they have with better coaching. Everyone KC trades or looses through FA always excels at their next destination.
Did you see the stats James White posted on twitter in responding to Rany? I've put them down below:
From James White
Ok I wasted way too much time on this but since May 1, there have been 60 mound visits (pitching changes NOT included). Opponents are slashing .292/.433/.479 with 28 RBI, 9 BB, and 3 HBP
I saw it, but as I noted, unless he went back and watched to see what the mound visit was, even that may not be correct. All it says is "mound visit." It doesn't specify who went out there. But my point remains that mound visits generally don't occur when things are going great, so I'd bet they lead to generally worse results than most people would like. I'm not saying there's no blame to give to Cal or that he's fine or anything like that because his inability to correct a problem in the moment is the problem.
Edit: I went back and looked at the last week and a half for the Reds, another bad team but one with a pitching coach people really like, Derek Johnson. They allowed a .333/.333/.833 line with two homers including a grand slam after a mound visit. I feel it's necessary to put this disclaimer here again. I think Cal is terrible at his job and should absolutely be fired like three years ago. I just think this mound visit stuff is a little overrated as a reason.
Nice commentary David. I think the positives outweigh the negatives. Bubic was good, but the team has just not learned how to win very often. I think Lopez or Rivera will see more time at Omaha this year. Not much room for two weak hitting infielders, though Rivera certainly started off strong and may get back to that. I saw the Orioles (the closest American League team to me In Virginia Beach) released former Royal Chris Owings. He 'was hitting .107 at the time. I cringed fearing Dayton would sign him back. He seems the type of players Dayton loves to bring in. I think Dayton should be committed to an insane asylum if he does, but you can never be sure of the depth of Dayton's or JJ's poor decisions. I mean the Royals signed Roman Quinn. The Phillies tried for 3-4 years to make him their center fielder, but the man just flat out can not hit. Our outfield was crowded enough with MJ, Olivares, Isbell, Taylor, Benintendi and Dozier needing spots. I've probably missed a couple of more. This year is set and it's going to be ugly. Dayton doesn't have to make it worse than it already is. In his 6th year of the rebuild, he has already produced the worst team in baseball. Accountability in the Royal's organization doesn't extend any higher than the hitting coach. Everyone else can put their feet up and relax. They are safe. Mr. Sherman, are you watching this season?
Oh I'm thankful that they have way too much of a roster logjam to pick up Owings. I don't really have much of a problem with Quinn because of the lack of depth in the outfield at the upper levels when they have guys on the taxi squad during road trips. If that's all it is, cool. If he's up ahead of some other guys, not cool.
I’ve heard the commentary on the mound visits as well. It’s something you talk about when the team sucks but I don’t put much into it either.
I think I’ve come to the realization that this is what it is. I still can’t fully comprehend that they (front office) are going to let them barrel past 100 losses this year without more urgency. The only thing I can think of is they know there jobs are safe. Which is incredibly sad and frustrating all at the same time. How can you not make a move if only for the optics of it by now?
I was telling my wife the other day that more than anything, I'm just confused about the whole Cal situation. They moved on from Bradshaw who was leading a unit that had struggled, but are willing to stick it out with this guy? I just don't get it and I can't explain it other than that they're digging their heels in.
Oh they are digging in. But I can’t figure out why. Hitting and Pitching coaches are on the team to take the fall. That’s part of the deal. Even if you don’t have THE GUY in place you put in a interim coach for the rest of the year. It’s just bad management and I don’t think I’ve ever been as disappointed with the management of the team as this year. Oh, they’ve been terribly run don’t get me wrong. But I don’t really recall a season with “average” expectations going off the rails so quickly with Witt Jr burning a year. He’s not Trout….so I’m not saying that but it is a year of control we are losing. The only way I’m going to be told that 2024 is now the year they really were meaning to compete is if a new front office is selling me that.
I actually don’t mean to be so negative. I didn’t even watch the game last night but as a fan its just where you go. One of the things I can’t quite piece together yet is how this went so wrong compared to expectations because we can’t even point to injuries yet. We’ve had a few stints but compared to everyone else this has been a relatively healthy team. So if you are healthy…..its all about performance and EVERYONE either had expectations too high or this is a years where everything that can go wrong has and will go wrong. Maybe its evening out from the 14/15 runs who knows.
I think that’s where everyone’s frustration is. On the surface, this team shouldn’t be BAD. Maybe they shouldn’t be good, but this is ridiculous. There’s clearly something else at play. It’s not just bad luck and it’s not injuries, like you said. It just feels like a disaster in every area.
Once again the manager left the starting pitcher in too long. Wanting him to finish 6 innings and having him be able to do it are 2 different things. Bubic already had thrown enough pitches when he gave up those runs. The pitching coach is a disaster and the manager is too much of a gambler. Matheny couldn't manage the Cardinals and he is no better in Kansas City. It's time for a change!
Thank you for the article, great as always. Have the Royals given up on trying Melendez at 3rd base? Seems to me this would be a nice fit as whenever he isn't catching it would free up an OF/DH spot. I'd like to see an alignment sometime this year of:
1B-Pratto/Dozier/Vinnie
2B-Merrifield
SS-Witt
3B-MJM
LF-Olivares (Benni traded)
CF-Isbel/Taylor
RF-Dozier/Pratto
DH-Vinnie
Bench
Gallagher
Lopez
Rivera
Taylor/Isbel
Would set up some L/R platoon opportunities and some additional position rotation to optimize when Perez DHs/MJM catches.
You know, I don’t know if they’ve given up on that idea or not. I think they love his athleticism in the outfield, but based on what they have, I agree that it would be very helpful if he could play there. I think the timing was sort of tough because of how well Rivera was playing when Melendez came up. With him falling off a bit, maybe they revisit Melendez there.
Quit blaming the pitching, get to the root cause, Matheny and Eldred. They couldn’t manage and coach a T-Ball team properly. These young pitchers under other leadership would be excelling. They have misused this staff since day 1 of this year. Greinke and Garrett were worthless pick-ups, haven’t helped the staff at all. Bad things happen every time Payamps, Garrett, Bolanos come into a game. Did you ever notice where the catchers set up on a 0-2, 1-2 count, belt high in the middle of the plate. Bullpen coach or pregame warm ups are not getting the staff ready to start or come in for relief, vide t by 1st inning runs, inherited runners scoring. Singer the other night threw pitches down the heart of the plate and pitches were called balls, next batter homered. Bubic didn’t get calls when solid strikes were thrown, you could see SF pitchers questioning calls also. They have the kids wasting too many pitches when ahead in the count. KC also needs to unload, Santanna, Mondessi, Taylor, Rivera, Greinke, Garrett, Bolanos, O’Hearn, Gallagher and maybe Lopez. They keep saying trade Merrifield and Benintendi, for steady young pitchers, doesn’t make sense, develop what good young talent they have with better coaching. Everyone KC trades or looses through FA always excels at their next destination.
Did you see the stats James White posted on twitter in responding to Rany? I've put them down below:
From James White
Ok I wasted way too much time on this but since May 1, there have been 60 mound visits (pitching changes NOT included). Opponents are slashing .292/.433/.479 with 28 RBI, 9 BB, and 3 HBP
I saw it, but as I noted, unless he went back and watched to see what the mound visit was, even that may not be correct. All it says is "mound visit." It doesn't specify who went out there. But my point remains that mound visits generally don't occur when things are going great, so I'd bet they lead to generally worse results than most people would like. I'm not saying there's no blame to give to Cal or that he's fine or anything like that because his inability to correct a problem in the moment is the problem.
Edit: I went back and looked at the last week and a half for the Reds, another bad team but one with a pitching coach people really like, Derek Johnson. They allowed a .333/.333/.833 line with two homers including a grand slam after a mound visit. I feel it's necessary to put this disclaimer here again. I think Cal is terrible at his job and should absolutely be fired like three years ago. I just think this mound visit stuff is a little overrated as a reason.