Depressing Royals Story of the Day

[JayVee7777]

Depressing Royals Story of the Day


Well, the Kansas City Royals signed outfielder Brian Anderson for $700,000 plus incentives, making them the only team in baseball history so far to have BOTH Brian Andersons. So there is that.


This Brian Anderson can be called Brian N. Anderson — the N is for “Nikola” — and he has a career 69 OPS+ in 883 plate appearances. Much of that 69, to be fair, comes from his dreadful 2004 season when he hit .225/.290/.359. Since then, his OPS+ has been a more robust 75. And while he has no power, and has been caught stealing more times than he has been successful, and has a walk-to-strikeout ratio of 65-208, he does have a reputation as a good outfielder even though those rascally defensive numbers don’t show it.

Here’s the thing: Last year, there were seven players in baseball who qualified for the batting title with OPS+ of 80 or less. You got that number in mind? Seven.

– Two of those players — Yuniesky Betancourt and Jason Kendall — have been locked up by the Royals.

– Jose Guillen had an OPS+ of 80, but did not get enough at-bats to qualify for the batting title — he and his $13 million contract will be in the everyday lineup as either a DH or (gasp) a right fielder.

– Chris Getz, who had an OPS+ of 74 in 415 plate appearances (not enough to qualify) was acquired by the Royals and figures to be in the everyday lineup at second base.

– And now, Brian N. Anderson, with his career 69 OPS+ is the leading candidate to be the Opening Day centerfielder.

So — there were seven every day players in all of baseball last year with OPS+ of 80 or less. The Royals project to have FIVE IN THEIR OPENING DAY LINEUP. And that is assuming that Josh Fields, with his 68 OPS+ in 268 plate appearances last year, does not win a place in the lineup. And he could. The Royals like his bat.

[Porcelain God]

I guess the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence.

[sportz4life]

I cried because I had no shoes, until I met a man who had no feet..

How does Drayton Moore keep his job??

[DaYooperASBDT]

Either by keeping payroll down, or by carefully guarding those photos taken in Tiajuana.

[Los Gatos]

I remember last winter Moore said they were going to focus on improving their OBP. That was right before he acquired Mike Jacobs!

[cruzer1]

I think the Royals have been drafting well, and have a nice little system. Their last two drafts have been terrific. They have outstanding young pitching, some decent defense, and some very good hitters. I also think Alex Gordon could break out, and we saw what Butler could do last year. In a couple of years, they'll be extremely dangerous.

[el tigre]

Hey, you just wait! There are White Sox fans who still think Anderson is going to become an All Star, Gold Glove winning centerfielder.

Yes, it's true...

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I think the Royals have been drafting well, and have a nice little system. Their last two drafts have been terrific. They have outstanding young pitching, some decent defense, and some very good hitters. I also think Alex Gordon could break out, and we saw what Butler could do last year. In a couple of years, they'll be extremely dangerous.

They could be, but then again, they're the Royals. Butler and Greinke are both really good, but how much longer will they be KC Royals? We've seen good young talent on the Royals before and then they go out and deal it all.

[whitesox901]

Originally Posted by el tigre

Hey, you just wait! There are White Sox fans who still think Anderson is going to become an All Star, Gold Glove winning centerfielder.

Yes, it's true...

It is true, going into 2006 I wanted Joe Borchard to get the Job over Anderson. I always figured he would be a .250 10 HR guy, bat 9th and play while maybe not gold glove caliber, above average fielding in center.

[vannzee]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I think the Royals have been drafting well, and have a nice little system. Their last two drafts have been terrific. They have outstanding young pitching, some decent defense, and some very good hitters. I also think Alex Gordon could break out, and we saw what Butler could do last year. In a couple of years, they'll be extremely dangerous.

The Royals are the Rays (pre 2008) and the Nationals. It seems like these teams always come up in the spring and winter as teams that will be good any year now. Last year alot of people talked about the Royals once they got Juan Cruz. I agree with Cruzer that the potential is there but I would be floored if it was this year.

They have been drafting well going over slot for guys like Montgomery, and Moustakes is as good of a prospect as they come in my eyes. But they lack talent at the upper levels of their system.

They have Jason Kendall at catcher, Anderson in center, and the horrid Jose Guillen in the lineup. Thats three likely sub .250 hitters right there. The team could of saved some money and went with Mitch Maier in center opposed to signing Brian Anderson. Two of their better players, Alberto Callapso and Mike Aviles dont have clear starting spots as of right now. Grienke has indicated hes going to test free agency after 2011. I do like there addition of Chris Getz, I think he will be a very nice player for them.

Between their last two drafts and going out and getting Noel Arguelles from Cuba the base is there for the future. But their current roster looks like a 100 loss team.

[sportz4life]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I also think Alex Gordon could break out

que 2007, que 2008, que 2009, que 2010..I'm thinking no..

They have Greinke, Soria, Butler, some excellent minor league arms and moron for a GM.

[Los Gatos]

Originally Posted by vannzee

Grienke has indicated hes going to test free agency after 2011.

Greinke is signed through 2012.

Zack Greinke

I get the impression Greinke likes the low key nature of Kansas City. Maybe they'll trade him down the road, but I'm not certain he'd choose to leave via free agency unless the team's losing wears him down. baseball3 would have the best idea here of Greinke's possible future plans.

[vannzee]

Originally Posted by Los Gatos

Greinke is signed through 2012.

Zack Greinke

I get the impression Greinke likes the low key nature of Kansas City. Maybe they'll trade him down the road, but I'm not certain he'd choose to leave via free agency unless the team's losing wears him down. baseball3 would have the best idea here of Greinke's possible future plans.

My mistake, still last year there were quotes that he does not want a extension and wants to ride out his contract.

[Los Gatos]

Originally Posted by vannzee

My mistake, still last year there were quotes that he does not want a extension and wants to ride out his contract.

Not disputing it whatsoever, because I really don't know. But that would be a little strange considering he just signed his 4-year contract in January, 2009. Who knows, maybe he wanted to lock in some security and then plans on breaking the bank when it's up.

[The Truman Show]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

I think the Royals have been drafting well, and have a nice little system. Their last two drafts have been terrific. They have outstanding young pitching, some decent defense, and some very good hitters. I also think Alex Gordon could break out, and we saw what Butler could do last year. In a couple of years, they'll be extremely dangerous.

What decent defense do they have? Getz and Fields are not good fielders, and they were added to an infield of Yuniesky Betancourt and Billy Butler, two of worst fielders at their positions. And they still have Jose Guillen, also one of the worst at his position. Even if they have DeJesus, Maier, Gordon, and Kendall playing good defense, that's still half of the field that is below-average at best.

One of the main reasons the Royals have been so bad in the last couple years is because Dayton Moore has done the unthinkable and put together a lineup incapable of both offense or defense.

[cruzer1]

Jose Gullen has some issues, but also has one of the best outfield arms in baseball. DeJesus in left is extremely solid defensively.

As far as their drafts, I'm not really talking about Hosmer/Moustakas when I'm talking about their last two drafts. If they end up like they should, then watch out, but they've added a plethora of young arms highlighted by Tim Melville, and top young catcher in Wil Meyers last year.

[The Truman Show]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Jose Gullen has some issues, but also has one of the best outfield arms in baseball. DeJesus in left is extremely solid defensively.

As far as their drafts, I'm not really talking about Hosmer/Moustakas when I'm talking about their last two drafts. If they end up like they should, then watch out, but they've added a plethora of young arms highlighted by Tim Melville, and top young catcher in Wil Meyers last year.

Guillen may have a strong arm, but it's hard to use that arm if you can't ever run to catch a ball. If Marcus Thames had a strong arm, he'd still be a terrible outfielder.

DeJesus is very good, but as of right now, he's the only above average fielder in the projected lineup. Yikes.

[jonjd]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Jose Gullen has some issues, but also has one of the best outfield arms in baseball. DeJesus in left is extremely solid defensively.

As far as their drafts, I'm not really talking about Hosmer/Moustakas when I'm talking about their last two drafts. If they end up like they should, then watch out, but they've added a plethora of young arms highlighted by Tim Melville, and top young catcher in Wil Meyers last year.

Are they up there with what you described as the best outfield in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles?

[cruzer1]

Originally Posted by jonjd

Are they up there with what you described as the best outfield in baseball, the Baltimore Orioles?

You'll have to pay for that information.

[vannzee]

Grienke's contract extension just bought out arbitration years plus one free agent year I believe, not a huge risk on his part, mainly at his age.

Those who watch Jose Guillen on a daily basis believe he should DH.

[pyrotigers]

The Royals are terrible offensively and defensively, with little hope on the horizon in either department.

They also are not a particularly good pitching team.

And they have a low payroll.

And a horrible GM.

And a crappy manager.

I'm afraid I don't see a lot of hope on the horizon.

[The Truman Show]

Yeah I've never heard of their farm system as being highly thought of either.

[RJBBREZ]

Originally Posted by pyrotigers

The Royals are terrible offensively and defensively, with little hope on the horizon in either department.

They also are not a particularly good pitching team.

And they have a low payroll.

And a horrible GM.

And a crappy manager.

I'm afraid I don't see a lot of hope on the horizon.

And yet they continue to outplay the tigers head to head. Very wierd

[cruzer1]

Right now, their top 10 prospects according to myself...

1. Aaron Crow, RHP
2. Danny Duffy, LHP
3. Mike Moustakas, 3b
4. Eric Hosmer, 1b
5. Wil Meyers, C
6. Tim Melville, RHP
7. Chris Dwyer, LHP
8. Louis Coleman, RHP
9. Mike Montgomery, LHP
10. David Lough, OF

That's a pretty solid top 10.

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/

We'll see what BA has for their top 10 in a couple of weeks.

[sportz4life]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Right now, their top 10 prospects according to myself...

1. Aaron Crow, RHP
2. Danny Duffy, LHP
3. Mike Moustakas, 3b
4. Eric Hosmer, 1b
5. Wil Meyers, C
6. Tim Melville, RHP
7. Chris Dwyer, LHP
8. Louis Coleman, RHP
9. Mike Montgomery, LHP
10. David Lough, OF

That's a pretty solid top 10.

BaseballAmerica.com

We'll see what BA has for their top 10 in a couple of weeks.

Cruzer, it's just not that impressive, Meyers played rookie ball, no pitcher in the top 30. Few prospects above A+.

Too few close to ready, too many things can happen, too many questions, not eough answers. The Royals after years of drafting in the top 8..suck. Want to understand how do draft correctly when you are horrible year after year..se TB.

the Tigers have far better pitching prospects..and they have promoted a bunch to the show recently.

[The Truman Show]

Originally Posted by RJBBREZ

And yet they continue to outplay the tigers head to head. Very wierd

They do?

08 was the only year in the last 5 that the Royals won the season head to head matchup.

[cruzer1]

Originally Posted by sportz4life

Cruzer, it's just not that impressive, Meyers played rookie ball, no pitcher in the top 30. Few prospects above A+.

Too few close to ready, too many things can happen, too many questions, not eough answers. The Royals after years of drafting in the top 8..suck. Want to understand how do draft correctly when you are horrible year after year..se TB.

the Tigers have far better pitching prospects..and they have promoted a bunch to the show recently.

Overall, their system is better than the Tigers. Most of their players are a year or so away, except for Hosmer and Meyers. If they can keep Greinke around, they'll be extremely balanced in about three years.

[sportz4life]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Overall, their system is better than the Tigers. Most of their players are a year or so away, except for Hosmer and Meyers. If they can keep Greinke around, they'll be extremely balanced in about three years.

It's not..lets add into the equation that Avila, Perry and Porcello already are playing in the show..and from the same drafts the Ryals have ZERO..and they draft in the top 10 every year....

Cruzer, the Royals blow..their system is weak, it's permiated by prospects at the lower levels and Hosmer and Moustakas struggled last year..they have zero top 30 ranked pitchers..

trying to convince me of this is like trying to convince me Stanton is NFL worthy..

[Scottwood]

The Royals defense is not decent. It sucks.

Kendall, for the majority of his career, has been a below average defensive catcher.

Wins above Replacement: Jason Kendall

And that continued last year as he was about 5 runs worse than average according to Driveline Mechanics.

2009 Catcher Defense: Filling in the Holes (yet*again) - Driveline Mechanics

Billy Butler is a terrible defensive 1st baseman and Yuni is arguably the worst defensive SS in MLB. Getz, Anderson and Gordon are just average and Jose Guillen is terrible defensively. Dejesus is there only sure bet, plus defender.

Unless these guys all have career years defensively, they are going to have an awful defense. And, their farm system is nothing to write home about. They got Greinke, Soria, a few projectable hitters and a walking genius in Brian Bannister. Other than that, they are awful and will continue to be awful as long as Dayton Moore is their GM.

BTW, here are the team UZR totals last season. Scroll all the way to the bottom.

http://www.fangraphs.com/teams.aspx?...n=2009&month=0

[whitesox901]

I remember when Kendall used to be Oakland's lead off man. Oh how times have changed.

[cruzer1]

The Royals have just come to terms with Pods.

Source: Outfielder Scott Podsednik agrees to deal with Kansas City Royals - ESPN

Also, Montgomery is likely to be rated at or near the top of their top 10.

[Scottwood]

Thank goodness. Scotty Pods sucks. I'm glad DD didn't sign him.

[Scottwood]

Kansas City Royals
Final 2009 payroll: $81,917,563

Some of you—okay, make that all of you—are undoubtedly surprised the lowly Royals outspent 12 teams last summer. All that got them was 65 wins and another last-place finish.

What does that mean for 2010? For starters, there is a lack of payroll flexibility; the Royals have already committed more than $62 million to contracts for next year. This has led to a winter in which Jason Kendall and Brian Anderson are the big free agent signings and the big trade was Mark Teahen, who was eligible for arbitration, being dealt for Josh Fields and Chris Getz, who are both a couple of years away from arbitration. Despite some questionable major league moves that have left their hands tied, the Royals are stepping up on the international front by signing Cuban defector Noel Argulles for a reported $7 million.

The big contracts belong to Gil Meche ($12 million) and Jose Guillen ($12 million). Meche has two years left on his contract and could be trade fodder if he proves himself healthy. However, Kansas City will likely have to suffer through another season of Guillen before he comes off the books next winter. The Royals project to hold steady on their Opening Day payroll, with projections keeping them around $70 million.

Keep an eye on the Royals. They could be setting records for offensive futility in 2010.

Don’t you forget about me

[RobSk]

Originally Posted by sportz4life

Cruzer, it's just not that impressive, Meyers played rookie ball, no pitcher in the top 30. Few prospects above A+.

Too few close to ready, too many things can happen, too many questions, not eough answers. The Royals after years of drafting in the top 8..suck. Want to understand how do draft correctly when you are horrible year after year..se TB.

the Tigers have far better pitching prospects..and they have promoted a bunch to the show recently.

I think it's somewhere in between what you and Cruzer are saying. I agree, Hosmer and Moustakas were disappointing last year, but still pretty highly regarded. Meyers is also highly regarded.

The guys that were expected to be at the top last year didn't perform this year, but I think they have a good bit of depth. Are they where I'd want them to be after so many years of high drafting? No. However, I think they go deeper in promising players than the Tigers, and their position prospects have higher ceilings. That said, the Tigers have more guys that are close to helping (and are helping, as you point out), and their top guys have performed better..

The Royals are actually one of the organizations that I'd say has comparable (though inferior) pitching depth to the Tigers. IMO, only the Rays are clearly better than the Tigers, depth wise.

I would not trade the Tigers minor league system for the Royals overall, but I would trade all of our position prospects for theirs. Hosmer and Moustakas have higher ceilings than anyone in our system.

Rob

[Scottwood]

Your 2010 Royals starting lineup