25 Comments
Aug 1, 2022Liked by David Lesky

I have a hunch that Michael A. Taylor goes to the Braves right before the trade deadline clock strikes midnight. As for Whit Merrifield he would fit right in with the Cardinals or the team that I refer to as the mid-west Yankees since I despise them almost as much as the Bronx Bombers. As for the rest who might be moved, I have no clue. Hopefully it's an eventful next two days that further strengthens the Royals next window of contention.

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I hate to be an umpire whiner, but. I thought this whole crew had a terrible ball strike weekend. I actually started Saturday to keep track of borderline strike ball calls that went for or against each team At the end of the second inning the count was 5 against the Royals and 1 against the Yanks. I quit after 2 because the game was so uninteresting. But it seemed like it was like that all weekend. They also missed several on the bases that had to be corrected. Thanks, as always David.

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None of the three trades made in season feel like Dayton is in charge. So, I have renewed optimisim that JJ Piccolo is the trigger man. Anyhow, the next two days will reveal a lot to how much power Dayton Moore still has. Hopefully, he's virtually powerless.

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You mentioned the importance of conversations between JJ and other GM's. I would add to that: the importance of conversations between JJ and Dayton.

Admittedly this is just speculation, but looking in from the outside it appears to me that both of them got new job titles but the relative decision-making authority between them did not change. My guess, and I know you probably disagree with this, is that JJ can't take a leak without Dayton's okay. And he certainly can't execute a trade without it.

If they really are going to be "more transactional" (I'm beginning to hate that term more and more) then JJ is going to have to fight Dayton tooth and nail for every move he wants to make. Nobody loves or overvalues his "our guys" more than Dayton Moore does.

That's how it looks to this old baseball fan, anyway.

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If the Royals find a valuable offer for anyone else, I guess they'll take it. I'm not sure they feel they really need to.

They've already opened up everyday at-bats for Melendez, Pratto and Pasquantino. They've done enough to start transitioning their guys to the big-league club. I don't see a pressing need to get Massey and Waters to Kansas City *right now.*

I guess what I'm saying is, I feel really good about what they've done to add pitching depth to their system. I think it's likely they won't make any more moves. And that isn't a bad thing.

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Aug 1, 2022·edited Aug 1, 2022

Luke Weaver....how in the world does a guy with a patriotic 1.776 WHIP end up with a FIP of 2.69???

That ERA+ of 54 isn't exactly awe-inspiring. Of course, it's not as if they gave up much to get him. It's just hard to imagine a universe in which he gets any better with Eldred as his pitching coach. Weaver will turn 29 in 3 weeks so he probably is what he is, anyway. I imagine that the best we can hope for is that he doesn't regress too much under Cal's tutelage.

Gotta give Dayton a little credit here: he finally brought himself to pull the trigger on trading a player that he drafted. Although it's not clear if Rivera was one of his "our guys" or not.

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Anthony Misiewicz, purchased from Seattle, seems a little more promising. (Just based on his stats.) With 88 MLB IP he has 86 K's and 27 BB's with a 1.38 WHIP. His 9.7 hits/9IP could be better. He'll turn 28 in November. I don't recall ever having seen him pitch, but a guy with a 3.2:1 K:BB ratio sounds encouraging to me. I have no idea about his repertoire but I'm sure David will provide us with all the scoop....

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