Kansas City and the Month of June

[SubGod22]

All of that and we're nearing .500 and only 4.5 out. The starting rotation is definitely interesting.

Chen - Solid and you know what you're going to get. And it's normally going to give you a chance to win.
Hoch - Never know what you're going to get. As in the one link above, he can be brilliant or a train wreck.
Sanchez - Sucks.
Mendoza - I don't know. Doesn't seem to have the stuff to be a regular starter but finds ways to give you a shot.
Mazzaro - Not real sure. Could be a decent end of the rotation guy but need more info.

Paulino - Solid guy that's going to give you a chance to win. Some pretty decent stuff. Need him back soon.

We miss Duff. We need Odorizzi. I'd feel better about our chances of at least being in play for race if we had him up. He'll struggle some, but I think he's got a good approach and some good stuff.

Paulino, Chen, Hochevar, Mendoza, Odorizzi would be acceptable to me this year. You know they'll keep Sanchez in the rotation though. Because every rotation needs a guy who is allergic to throwing strikes.

[Shocker85]

Sanchez - Sucks.
...
Paulino, Chen, Hochevar, Mendoza, Odorizzi would be acceptable to me this year. You know they'll keep Sanchez in the rotation though. Because every rotation needs a guy who is allergic to throwing strikes.

I said last winter that the Sanchez move was dumb, dumb, dumb. The guys gives way too many walks. The only reason he had the strikeout numbers is that he throws hard, but he's so wild he got lucky with batters getting themselves out. This is also an AL vs. NL thing, too. NL teams give up a free out every 2 1/2 to 3 innings - AL teams do not.

The Royals should learn to stop throwing good money after bad players (see Mike Jacobs).

--'85.

[SubGod22]

I said last winter that the Sanchez move was dumb, dumb, dumb. The guys gives way too many walks. The only reason he had the strikeout numbers is that he throws hard, but he's so wild he got lucky with batters getting themselves out. This is also an AL vs. NL thing, too. NL teams give up a free out every 2 1/2 to 3 innings - AL teams do not.

The Royals should learn to stop throwing good money after bad players (see Mike Jacobs).

--'85.

I was skeptical but hoping they could work their magic or whatever and have Paulino type results. I know Felipe had his struggles before KC and has been solid since coming here. But Sanchez has proven to be pretty worthless. Does he have any options left? Can we send him to Omaha and try and fix him so he can throw strikes? If I want to watch a Royals pitcher struggle with the strike zone I'd rather see Monty up and given a chance...

[Shocker85]

I was skeptical but hoping they could work their magic or whatever and have Paulino type results. I know Felipe had his struggles before KC and has been solid since coming here. But Sanchez has proven to be pretty worthless. Does he have any options left? Can we send him to Omaha and try and fix him so he can throw strikes? If I want to watch a Royals pitcher struggle with the strike zone I'd rather see Monty up and given a chance...

In 2010 Sanchez LED THE NL in BB (96) and he's been worse this year (6.9 BB/9IP). The good news is, if I read it correctly, he is in the last year of his contract (but the Royals are on the hook for $5.6 mil.). I doubt an option to AAA is available for a 7 season veteran, but I don't know all the ins and outs of that stuff.

He certainly isn't earning his millions right now.

--'85.

[SubGod22]

In 2010 Sanchez LED THE NL in BB (96) and he's been worse this year (6.9 BB/9IP). The good news is, if I read it correctly, he is in the last year of his contract (but the Royals are on the hook for $5.6 mil.). I doubt an option to AAA is available for a 7 season veteran, but I don't know all the ins and outs of that stuff.

He certainly isn't earning his millions right now.

--'85.

If he can't be optioned, he needs to be put in the pen where he can come in and pitch games that are already out of hand. Or maybe he'd be better if he just pitched a couple of innings anyway as opposed to.....Nevermind. When he starts he does only pitch a couple of innings

[SubGod22]

Falu recalled from Omaha, Coleman optioned

HOUSTON -- The Royals recalled infielder Irving Falu from Triple-A Omaha prior to Wednesday's game and optioned right-handed reliever Louis Coleman to Omaha.

After carrying just 11 position players for the first two games of an Interleague series with the Astros at Minute Maid Park, the Royals took 12 into Wednesday's rubber game.

Manager Ned Yost said Falu's versatility made him the most attractive option.

Moustakas' snag turns things in Royals' favor

HOUSTON -- A huge defensive play by Mike Moustakas in the ninth inning left manager Ned Yost feeling a lot better about his team's chances to pick up a win on Wednesday.

With the Royals leading, 2-1, the Astros' Chris Snyder led off with a single against closer Jonathan Broxton. Snyder was replaced by pinch-runner David Carpenter, a relief pitcher with decent speed. On a 1-1 count, pinch-hitter Matt Downs hit a sharp ground ball right at third base.

Moustakas, playing on the line to prevent extra bases, made a sliding stop and threw out Carpenter at second for the first out of the inning.

"Great play. That's a great play," Yost said. "That changes a lot of things if he doesn't make that play. To get the lead runner at second base was good, too."

Chen, Royals rest easy with win over Astros

Veteran lefty Bruce Chen, on three days' rest, went 5 2/3 innings, making way for a stout Royals bullpen that helped lock down the rubber-game win in front of 30,687 fans at Minute Maid Park.

Kansas City heads into Thursday night's pool of games just four games out of the American League Central lead. The Royals have won seven of nine and sit five games under .500 after enduring a 12-game losing streak in April.

"It has been a long road," Chen said. "It always feels like we're trying to catch up to .500. This team is a very good team. Everyone wants to win. The way we've been playing lately has been very, very exciting for us."

Skeptical Optimism And The Royals

In Pittsburgh, the Royals looked rough at the plate, awful on defense and ended up dropping all three games to the Pirates.

They rebounded pretty nicely, though.

A return trip home was just right for the Royals, as they used late inning heroics to sweep the Brewers, take a series against the Cardinals, and unleashed a stifling mix of bullpen arms to get past the Astros. As they head home for the last interleague series of the year, they’re 7-2 in their last three series, taking their wins by a combined margin of nine runs.

After Tuesday’s 2-0 win, the TV broadcast team noted a surprising stat. The Royals are second in the American League in shutouts. Even with a rough looking starting rotation and a slew of injuries, the Royals have reached that distinction.

This past week-plus showed one Royals blogger that this is a tougher team than we’d thought during their 12 game losing streak in April. In May and June (so far), the Royals are 25-21.

[SubGod22]

The Broxton Debate - Is The Royals Closer Lucky, Good Or Both?

If you’ve had the opportunity to watch the Royals at any point this season, it’s hard to argue that Jonathan Broxton walks a very fine line when pitching with the game on the line. More often than not, he makes things interesting. More often than not (okay, way more often than not), he gets the job done and picks up the save. Regardless, he’s going to cause many of us to have gray hair before the season is done. There’s really two distinct sides to the argument about Broxton’s effectiveness. One side says that he’s getting the job done so it doesn’t matter while the other side says that he’s gotten the job done, but it’ll be hard to keep this up. Robert Ford of 610 Sports has mentioned several teams that he’s not that different than other closers and that this is just how they operate. I haven’t done any research yet, but I wanted to find out if that’s true. And that’s what follows.

Yes, The Royals Are In The Race

I enjoy Twitter a lot—it’s a great way to get information and to interact with other Royals fans. I like to follow as many Royals fans as I can (if you’re on Twitter, follow me @Darin_Watson and I will follow you back). It’s a good way to take the temperature of the fanbase, I think.

I was quite surprised when I checked Twitter after the game and saw some debate over whether the Royals are “in the race” or not. The debate seemed to be going on after Wednesday’s win, too.

It seems obvious to me. As I write this, the Royals are 4 games out of first place in the AL Central (although it looks like Cleveland will win, which would drop the Royals back to 4.5 games out). That’s in the race.

I should make it clear that this does not mean the Royals are necessarily good. After all, a 31-36 record is hardly something to write home about. However, if you go back to the end of the 12-game losing streak, the Royals are 28-22 since then. That is the best record in the AL Central during that time span. In fact, and I don’t wish to alarm anyone, but that is a 91-win pace over a full season. Considering the patchwork starting rotation, the lack of offensive contributions from the catcher and center field positions, the below-average seasons from Eric Hosmer and Jeff Francoeur, I find it amazing that they have played well for the last two months.

Broxton on the High Wire

Yesterday afternoon, Jonathan Broxton notched his 18th save of the year (good for fourth in the American League) and with it secured a winning road trip for the Royals. He did so in what has become typical Broxton fashion, allowing two baserunners before finally getting his team out of the inning.

So far in 2012, Broxton has had 21 save opportunities and blown (generally in spectacular fashion) three of them. Obviously, in those three, Jonathan allowed baserunners. In the 18 successful saves, Broxton has retired the side in order just five times. Broxton has had some other perfect innings, but in non-save situations.

In the remaining 13 saves, Broxton has allowed just one baserunner six times, two baserunners six more times and loaded the bases once. Is that normal?

[SubGod22]

First off, some good news. I've heard from a friend in KC that Sal will be in the starting lineup tonight against the Cards. Bad news is I won't be home to watch it...

Kansas City held in high regard by Beltran

KANSAS CITY -- Carlos Beltran remembers well leaving Kansas City.

"I cried like a baby that night," he said.

It was almost exactly eight years ago -- June 24, 2004 -- when the Royals traded Beltran, their premier player, because he would become a free agent following the season.

"It's funny, even though you know it's going to happen, when it happens it's like 'Wow!'" Beltran reflected. "What is going to happen now? I'm going to the National League, I played all my career in the American League. Now I'm going to go to Houston, I don't know anyone there. My wife, Jessica, has to move everything.

"When it happened, I cried. Because I was emotional. I signed with the Royals, I came up with the Royals, I had many years in that organization. But at the end of the day, those types of moments make you stronger as a person and make you understand a little more the game of baseball and how things happen. Baseball is a business, big business."

A nice read on one of my favorite former Royals.

Welcome Back

Reports are Sal Perez is on his way to Kansas City.

About time.

It’s strange to think this way, but it just feels like the Royals are already Sal’s team. He’s the guy. The one they can’t afford to have out of the lineup.

I mean, we’re talking about a guy with 158 career major league plate appearances. How the hell can he be the big kahuna on a major league team with so little experience?

All I know is what I’ve read and heard discussed from various players and team officials. The guy oozes professionalism and commands respect.

As a writer with a SABR bent, I’m supposed to mock the leadership angle. (Francoeur? Too easy.) But there is no denying that something really cool started last summer when the young guys were brought up to the majors. And it kind of feels like it’s been placed on hold while Perez has been rehabbing. It’s been interesting to me to see the amount of respect he holds within the realm of the clubhouse. Leadership won’t get you wins, but there’s something about it that makes it crazy fun to watch.

There's no doubt in my mind that KC is a better team with Sal around.

Friday Notes

It’s June 22 and the Royals are within five games of first place. If I had told you that in February, you probably would have nodded and thought that was about right. If I had told you that on April 25, you would have laughed in my face and told me I’m an idiot. Whether or not I’m actually an idiot is irrelevant. The fact is the Royals have a chance to be playing meaningful baseball in July for the first time in way too long. You could argue they were this close in 2009, but the counter argument to that is that the two teams are heading in entirely different directions with the 2009 squad still hanging on to their narrow margin on the strength of their 18-11 start. This club started 3-14 and has gone 28-22 since then. I’ll have some more on this as we move into the notes.

• Why wait? I’ll do it here. The Royals are 28-22, but as was noted on Twitter, they have scored 200 runs and given up 201 in their last 50 games, which says to me they should be more like 25-25. I think a lot of this is progression to the mean, and I think the runs allowed has been thrown off a little by some pitching staff blowups. Of course, the Royals have also recorded a fair number of shutouts in that time to even out the blowouts, so that number seems about right. The Royals have 95 games left to play and if they go 47-48 in those (I gave them one more loss because they’ve given up one more run than they’ve scored, that puts them at 78-84 which is probably out where they’ll probably finish. Still, an amazing turnaround to this point.

[Shocker85]

On Broxton: All the baserunners drive me nuts, but that was Soria, to a degree, too. He may be the closer, but he does anything but slam the door shut. I would think most pitchers could put themselves in a mind-set to come in to start an inning and get 3 outs before the opposition scores a run. I think Broxton is pretty average and very lucky.

On Sal Perez: The Royals need Sal in KC. The stop-gap measures have been servicible so far this season, but this guy can be a stalwart for a long time if he can stay in the line-up. And I gotta think that he'd be good for the pitching staff. A bunch of these guys have confidence in him.

On 'the race': Being only 4.5 back and scuffling badly to start the season and at home gives me some hope. The Royals have already almost erased the deficit they put themselves in early and I don't think have played especially well. My sense is that the offense has a lot of room to improve (even back to last season's production), and the rotation problems have been well-masked by the relievers. If the Royals can just be a little lucky 6-8 times vs. the top teams in the division they can be in the race in August and September. Even if they don't win the division, being in the race will make everyone hungey as hell to get over the hump.

Sitting on the brink of the All Star break within shouting distance of the division lead was a pipe-dream after the horrible start. Taking advantage now and continuing to improve is key. A long losing stretch damages the mindset badly, though.

--'85.

[SubGod22]

I don't remember Soria making things quite as interesting as Broxton but I know what you're saying. I don't have a lot of confidence in Broxton. I did with Soria.

One thing that is going to hurt the Royals is that Paulino was just placed on the 60 day DL with a torn UCL and is headed for TJ surgery. So he's done. I think this may make it even more likely that Odorizzi will be up within a month. He pitches tonight for Omaha. The bullpen is going to continue to get a lot of work have a starting rotation consisting of Sanchez, Mazzaro and Hochevar. Hopefully they can keep it up. And if the do....

The Royals could make this season fun for a lot of fans. Not only do we get to see the youngsters develop, we could see them within striking distance most of the way and that will be enjoyable to watch. More so once Odorizzi and Myers get called up. I wonder if they'll give Monty a shot because there's such craziness going on with the rotation. He hasn't been great by any means, but they may want to throw him in there and see at some point. Probably less likely if they're only 5 or so games out...

[RoyalShock]

With Duffy and now Paulino out until at least mid-to-late season next year, I've lost my optimism for the Royals until 2014. Only the acquisition of a front-of-the-rotation starter (or two) will restore it.

In the infamous words of Dr. Bombay . . . we're doomed.

[SubGod22]

I'm starting to think Chen may be back for yet another year. Next year we'll end up with Hochevar, Odorizzi and probably Chen. After that.... Maybe Lamb surprises and will be good early and make the rotation. I'd feel a lot better with Paulino and Duffy available though.

[Shocker85]

These injuries have put the Royals in a position where they are going to be desparate for another quality starter or two with legitimat MLB experience. The balance between trying to hold on to the good young offensive players and filling the pitching gaps is going to be a topic of discussion for a long time. Is a promising young infielder worth a veteran starter? Some will say yes, some will say no. The Royals can't wait forever for the pitching to finally come together. Many thought the moves of the past had put the Royals organization in a good posiition pitching-wise for the future, now the worm has turned and there are solid offensive/defensive guys at nearly every postition and the pitching has gotten dangerously thin in the organization.

Someone has to get good quick.

My thought on Chen - he's solid and chews innings. The Royals have gotten their money's worth out of him and if he can be retained for reasonable money, why not. You know what you're got and it seems like signing anyone these days from outside the organization is risky.

--'85.

[Shocker85]

Another stellar weekend by the Royals' starters. Sanchez' walks and 0-2 ding-dong to Beltran were pathetic. Collins didn't have it Sunday.

The offensive numbers are not tearing up the league, so getting way behind early just makes it hard to win. The streakiness is odd, too. Moose had a couple pretty nice swings and Frenchy finally rings the bell at home.

Alas, June is coming to a close. Can the Royals enter the break back by single digits???

--'85.

[SB Shock]

KC pitching has improved ever so slightly from last year (decrease their runs given up by 0.2 run per game). But the offense took a step back when the hope would be that they would get better than last year. Their offense is scoring 0.6 runs less per game. Royals really need Hosmer to come around and Gordon to show last year wasn't a fluke.