2008 Royals - July

[McShocker]

DeJesus is the type of guy that KC is going to have to build around. Not an All-Star, but a somewhat above average major leaguer. I wouldn't let Grud go unless it was a tremendously good offer. I think Greinke needs to be re-signed to a really nice deal that will keep him in KC through his prime. Ditto for Gordon. Teahan is definitely expendible, though. Just about anybody else who has trade value is expendible except for Guillen. You don't sign a guy to that kind of $$$ just to trade him when he is producing.

[Indy23]

The AL Central is rediculous. The Indians are not a bad team at all.

A win tonight gives us our first non-losing trip to Baltimore since papyrus was the big deal in communication. Or so it seems.

Go Royals!

[Awesome Sauce Malone]

Alex Gordan crushed that ball.

In every sense of the word.

Markakis didnt even move except to turn and stare

[newshock1234]

so i missed tonights game, what went wrong?

[kcshocker11]

so i missed tonights game, what went wrong?

Missed plays sunk us.

[SubGod22]

Sounded like Luke was off his game. At one point I thought I heard they had 6 runs on 5 hits. Hopefully they bounce back tonight.

[vbird53]

Is it time to start wondering if the Royals can begin to use Soria in a way that no other closer has ever been used?

I'm wondering if it's possible to skip the mid-relievers all together, and just hand the ball to Soria in the 6th, and let him close it out from there.

I realize that this would mean he couldn't go back-to-back-to-back in games played, but could you use him twice a week?

He's got something that no other closer has--4 unhittable pitches. It seems like stretching him out a bit wouldn't hurt, but how much time would it take for him to recover? (That would be the question--I wouldn't think it would be as much as a regular starter).

Any thoughts?

[RoyalShock]

Using Soria more isn't the answer, IMO. He'll be available less often if used that way. He wouldn't be able to close out 3 games in a row. If they consider using him like that, might as well move him to the rotation.

But considering we also have Mahay, R. Ramirez and soon, Nunez, Soria doesn't need to be used as a long reliever. Our starters need to develop to the point that they can get through a lineup 2-3 times and hand leads to the bullpen. That or our offense needs more firepower.

Gobble is simply not a 1+ inning pitcher anymore, unless it's mop-up duty.

Peralta should be used like Gobble or whenever the bullpen arms are tired and need a break.

HRam and Tejeda should be able to get a few outs in the middle-innings.

[SubGod22]

Pitching Soria like that would take the ball out of his hands too much when we need him in the 9th. I do think they should consider moving him to the rotation in the off season.

I like the way the pen is shaping up. RamRam and Mahay have been quite nice. Nunez will return in a couple of weeks. The jury is still out on the two new guys (Ramirez and Tejeda). Same with Fulchino. If/when Bale makes it back that could also help as I think he'd be a good reliever as well. As long as he stops punching hotel room doors.

[SubGod22]

Updates on Nunez and Bale

Piece on Mahay and his Career Year

DeJesus expected to start tonight

[vbird53]

I agree that I wouldn't want to take away from Soria's role as a closer, but it he's gonna be one of the greats, I think there's some way that the Royals could exploit his strengths, more than just letting him throw the 9th 60 times a year.

I think he can contribute more.

[newshock1234]

its nice to have DDJ going back at there tonight. I think he starting to become one of my favorite Royals

[SubGod22]

I wouldn't be opposed to letting him pitch 2 innings from time to time. But if the pen can become as solid in depth as we think, he wouldn't have to do that much.

[lostshocker]

when are they moving soria into the rotation? i know not this year. i thought his contract was set up to reward him for transitioning to a starter.

[Indy23]

when are they moving soria into the rotation? i know not this year. i thought his contract was set up to reward him for transitioning to a starter.

I think they'll try it this offseason.

Aviles' head sure wasn't in the game last night. Two defensive plays that he should have made, and 8 LOB at the plate. Hopefully he's ready to go tonight. His play was a big part of that 13-4 finish to June.