Great call on Dozier. I've never understood the hate people have of him, especially when it's apparent that all they look at is BA (which is one of the least effective ways to measure offensive success.)
Every fan and writer secretly wishes they could be the GM of their favorite team. In our heads we pick the players throughout the organization that would make the perfect lineup. Can't understand why management doesn't agree and have no patience for the team not making what we believe is the best decision. The truth is, we will jump on the bandwagon of the next hot player. We believe those in the way of the hot players, need to be pushed aside.
In the run up to the Royals World Series, almost every player who was critical to winning a championship, were thought to be a bust and we wanted them replaced at one time or another. Hos, Moose, Duffy, Davis, Etc, were the fodder of writers for their believed failures. Thankfully we didn't trade them off or replace them. Players like Dozier and Keller may yet be a bust, but we need to be careful of who we get rid of. Sometimes those are the players who have a critical role in latter success. I'm glad I am not the one who has to make those decisions.
People are going to see that Merrifield - Dozier comparison and conclude that Whit sucks not that Dozier is ok.
This was a fun column though. And I appreciate how you restrained yourself from going full-clickbait with it. I can tell these are your honest opinions.
Just read your article, i WANT Dozier to be good, but he doesnt have a position to play that separates him from the Isbel's, the Olivares on the team. Those guys have a glove that works, i call it an addition by subtraction. It's going to be interesting to see which way the Royals go with those three, because of the contract i say Dozier is the guy.
Agree with most all of this, David. I get so frustrated with fans who jump on the "he's a bum!" bandwagon so quick, especially when there are sometimes other factors involved. For instance, do we really have any idea how much Dozier's thumb injury hurt his performance last year? Also, it's always interesting to me to see fans dog a player who later turns things around. You hear few of the detractors admitting "wow, I guess I was a little quick to dump on this guy." At this point does it really matter that much that someone like Dozier or Keller is part of the team? If we were one guy away, that's one thing. Until then, a little patience please, grasshopper.
I'm with you on Dozier. Mike MacFarlane was just talking on 810 about how he thinks Dozier let the contract get in his head. He's of the opinion that Dozier will have a big season.
I've expressed my #1 unpopular opinion here before - Mondi isn't really particularly injury prone and it would be silly for the Royals to handle him with kid gloves. Either he is able to hold up or he's not, but if the goal is to maximize his value, it's hard to do that with him on the bench or playing out of position. (Relatedly, I've always been annoyed at the conventional wisdom in basketball that a player with 2 fouls in the first half should sit until the second half. If your goal is to get the most minutes out of a player, sitting him for the rest of the half can't possibly be the way to achieve that goal.)
Thanks for this one, David! I totally agree on Dozier. It really seems like most of his struggles have been related to injury, so if he can stay healthy there’s no reason to believe he can’t be at least an average big league hitter for the next few years. But maybe staying healthy is really the big IF? And, with all the guys they have coming up who might be just as or more valuable, do you think would it make more sense to trade him at some point if he re-establishes some value?
On Keller, I’ll actually go a step further and say that I think he’s more than fine, but actually good. It all depends on how you look at him. If fans see him getting opening day starts and think he’s supposed to be a #1 starter, then yeah, they’re going to be disappointed. But as you pointed out, other than the disastrous start to 2021 his results have been that of a pretty good mid rotation starter, which makes him valuable. I know the peripherals suggest he’ll come crashing down at some point, but with the quality of the Royals infield defense, being a guy who gets a bunch of ground balls and mostly prevents home runs can work, even with his low strikeout and high walk rates. If enough of the current young starters and/or prospects pan out, then the Royals probably don’t need to extend Keller, but if too many of those guys stumble and Keller continues to be the guy he’s mostly been, I feel like keeping him around for a few more years might be smart.
I appreciate your take on Dozier. I have always been high on Dozier. I loved it when 19 rolled around and he had that great year. I think he he needs another shot at proving 19 wasn't a total outlier. They can't wait much longer on him though. I hope MJM is back up pretty soon, he looks like a really good player to me. Keller needs this chance this year, but if it doesn't happen this year, better move on. There are too many waiting in the wings. Eldred needed to go last year, so I have no patience with him. Thanks as always David.
I have no problem with Dozier as a guy or a player, & pretty much agree with your take on him. My problem with his place on the team is 100% about his contract. While it's not a ton of dough, unless I'm remembering wrong ( going off the top of my head here, so correct me if I am ) there was ZERO reason to give him as large of a contract that they did at the time. For a team that cries semi-poor as much as the Royals do, it's just dumb business. Making that kind of commitment to a player who's just "fine" is a really wasteful use of resources.
Awesome post, maybe your best ever. I already agreed with you on Dozier (and on Whit being overrated), but now I have a more educated opinion. And you completely convinced me on Keller, and on not blaming too much on a pitching coach.
C'mon man, the eye test is everything. There were better options on the bench that Dozier got the nod over last year. I hope Matheny avoids locking into failing players like he did in St. Louis.
It took me a couple of days to get to this post and you write very convincingly about these players, whom as a fan, I'm lukewarm...but knowing that I don't know the whole story behind each one. You make great points about both Keller and Dozier--and now I feel I could watch them play without that "what's it gonna be?" feeling.
Great call on Dozier. I've never understood the hate people have of him, especially when it's apparent that all they look at is BA (which is one of the least effective ways to measure offensive success.)
Really appreciate the Dozier thoughts. Great column.
Every fan and writer secretly wishes they could be the GM of their favorite team. In our heads we pick the players throughout the organization that would make the perfect lineup. Can't understand why management doesn't agree and have no patience for the team not making what we believe is the best decision. The truth is, we will jump on the bandwagon of the next hot player. We believe those in the way of the hot players, need to be pushed aside.
In the run up to the Royals World Series, almost every player who was critical to winning a championship, were thought to be a bust and we wanted them replaced at one time or another. Hos, Moose, Duffy, Davis, Etc, were the fodder of writers for their believed failures. Thankfully we didn't trade them off or replace them. Players like Dozier and Keller may yet be a bust, but we need to be careful of who we get rid of. Sometimes those are the players who have a critical role in latter success. I'm glad I am not the one who has to make those decisions.
People are going to see that Merrifield - Dozier comparison and conclude that Whit sucks not that Dozier is ok.
This was a fun column though. And I appreciate how you restrained yourself from going full-clickbait with it. I can tell these are your honest opinions.
Just read your article, i WANT Dozier to be good, but he doesnt have a position to play that separates him from the Isbel's, the Olivares on the team. Those guys have a glove that works, i call it an addition by subtraction. It's going to be interesting to see which way the Royals go with those three, because of the contract i say Dozier is the guy.
Agree with most all of this, David. I get so frustrated with fans who jump on the "he's a bum!" bandwagon so quick, especially when there are sometimes other factors involved. For instance, do we really have any idea how much Dozier's thumb injury hurt his performance last year? Also, it's always interesting to me to see fans dog a player who later turns things around. You hear few of the detractors admitting "wow, I guess I was a little quick to dump on this guy." At this point does it really matter that much that someone like Dozier or Keller is part of the team? If we were one guy away, that's one thing. Until then, a little patience please, grasshopper.
I'm with you on Dozier. Mike MacFarlane was just talking on 810 about how he thinks Dozier let the contract get in his head. He's of the opinion that Dozier will have a big season.
I've expressed my #1 unpopular opinion here before - Mondi isn't really particularly injury prone and it would be silly for the Royals to handle him with kid gloves. Either he is able to hold up or he's not, but if the goal is to maximize his value, it's hard to do that with him on the bench or playing out of position. (Relatedly, I've always been annoyed at the conventional wisdom in basketball that a player with 2 fouls in the first half should sit until the second half. If your goal is to get the most minutes out of a player, sitting him for the rest of the half can't possibly be the way to achieve that goal.)
Thanks for this one, David! I totally agree on Dozier. It really seems like most of his struggles have been related to injury, so if he can stay healthy there’s no reason to believe he can’t be at least an average big league hitter for the next few years. But maybe staying healthy is really the big IF? And, with all the guys they have coming up who might be just as or more valuable, do you think would it make more sense to trade him at some point if he re-establishes some value?
On Keller, I’ll actually go a step further and say that I think he’s more than fine, but actually good. It all depends on how you look at him. If fans see him getting opening day starts and think he’s supposed to be a #1 starter, then yeah, they’re going to be disappointed. But as you pointed out, other than the disastrous start to 2021 his results have been that of a pretty good mid rotation starter, which makes him valuable. I know the peripherals suggest he’ll come crashing down at some point, but with the quality of the Royals infield defense, being a guy who gets a bunch of ground balls and mostly prevents home runs can work, even with his low strikeout and high walk rates. If enough of the current young starters and/or prospects pan out, then the Royals probably don’t need to extend Keller, but if too many of those guys stumble and Keller continues to be the guy he’s mostly been, I feel like keeping him around for a few more years might be smart.
I appreciate your take on Dozier. I have always been high on Dozier. I loved it when 19 rolled around and he had that great year. I think he he needs another shot at proving 19 wasn't a total outlier. They can't wait much longer on him though. I hope MJM is back up pretty soon, he looks like a really good player to me. Keller needs this chance this year, but if it doesn't happen this year, better move on. There are too many waiting in the wings. Eldred needed to go last year, so I have no patience with him. Thanks as always David.
I have no problem with Dozier as a guy or a player, & pretty much agree with your take on him. My problem with his place on the team is 100% about his contract. While it's not a ton of dough, unless I'm remembering wrong ( going off the top of my head here, so correct me if I am ) there was ZERO reason to give him as large of a contract that they did at the time. For a team that cries semi-poor as much as the Royals do, it's just dumb business. Making that kind of commitment to a player who's just "fine" is a really wasteful use of resources.
Awesome post, maybe your best ever. I already agreed with you on Dozier (and on Whit being overrated), but now I have a more educated opinion. And you completely convinced me on Keller, and on not blaming too much on a pitching coach.
C'mon man, the eye test is everything. There were better options on the bench that Dozier got the nod over last year. I hope Matheny avoids locking into failing players like he did in St. Louis.
It took me a couple of days to get to this post and you write very convincingly about these players, whom as a fan, I'm lukewarm...but knowing that I don't know the whole story behind each one. You make great points about both Keller and Dozier--and now I feel I could watch them play without that "what's it gonna be?" feeling.