Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Tony Pena, Jr. Should Be Our SS

I know many people would like to sweep TJ under the rug… but I don’t.

The man carries a gold glove onto the field. He has the range that could help make the left side of the infield awesome. With his absence last year, Alex Gordon had to range WAY to his left to fill in the hole between third base & Short Stop. With TJ in there, Gordon could set-up closer to the line (taking away doubles down the line) and letting TJ range far to his right & gun down runners (even on his knees). The improved defense would boost our already great pitching.

With his new eyes , he can now see the ball & have better pitch recognition. It IS true that you can’t hit what you can’t see. George Brett had 20/10 vision during his playing career, and that gave him such an advantage over other players. TJ will never resemble Brett at the plate, but he showed great improvement in winter ball, after he had Lasik (AVE .275, OBP .347.). Once on base, TJ gives us very good base running speed.

The big question is whether TJ will get a true shot during Spring Training… Trey Hillman says he’ll get his opportunities… time will tell. A great spring by TJ will give MTH & GMDM more roster options. Mike Aviles can move over to his natural position at second base. Mark Teahen, Esteban German, Alberto Callaspo and Willie Bloomquist can fight out the back-up roles.

I’d REALLY hate to see Tony Pena, Jr. go elsewhere to become an All-Star Gold Glove SS.

Let The Flames Begin.

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Bob Kaegel & Dick Dutton

Is it just me, or does anyone else think these 2 clones arrive at the ST complex (or ballparks during the regular season) and say, "Who are you interviewing today... Wow, that sounds good, mind if I tag along?"

I understand that there are group interviews & everyone basically gets the same sound bites, etc., but I also know that there are 64 players on the spring roster & all the regular & extra coaches & spare parts players (like the minor leaguers needed for "live" batting practice before Wednesday).

I guess I should just remind myself that this is not like "real" journalism where getting your OWN story is important. These two guys are just a couple old beat writers beaten down by many long (& loosing) seasons.

02/16/09 5:44 PM EST
Silent authority of Meche inspires KC
Right-hander has become quiet leader in Royals' clubhouse
By Dick Kaegel / MLB.com
http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=....artnerId=rss_kc

Posted on Mon, Feb. 16, 2009 10:15 PM
Meche believes in this Royals team
By BOB DUTTONThe Kansas City Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/royals/story/1037880.html

Monday, February 16, 2009

How Are We Going To Do This Year?

Some of the moves made by the Royals during the off-season are ones that Daytona Moore had the do to rev up our offense. The additions of Jacobs & Crisp will help to that end. We’ll miss Noonie & Ho Ram, but ya gotta give up talent to obtain talent in trades.

Moore has said that he’d give up offense up the middle for defense, but the corners have to be power guys. Teahen doesn’t fit into this prototype corner-fielder. So the great Teahen @ 2B experiment of 09 will be underway this spring / summer. Funny, but I still have a gut feeling that TJ just MIGHT have a shot at winning back SS (moving Aviles to 2B)… or not.

Anyway, I believe our offense will be improved (tho Gordon & Butler HAVE to become MEN for that to fully come true). Our pitching should prove to be a force.

So my fearless projection for the 2009 Royals is 90 wins… with the beginning of several post-season appearances in the next decade.

HEY… it could happen!