Facing Facts

[KCGHOST]

You know at age 62 and with GMDM in charge I will never live to see the Royals in contention again.

[royalsfaninmaine]

Now, THAT is a dire prediction if I ever heard one.

I guess I just hope that is more of an exaggerated opinion of the state of the Royals than it is an example of your current state of health.

[KCFAN11]

It really is sad that we watch the same thing happen every single year. And sadly it wont be changing anytime soon. Every april and may the royals start off great then somewhere mid season they hit a wall and become one of the worst teams in the majors for awhile...then in september decide to start playing ball again.

[KCGHOST]

Now, THAT is a dire prediction if I ever heard one.

I guess I just hope that is more of an exaggerated opinion of the state of the Royals than it is an example of your current state of health.

Actually, I am in good health, which gives you an even better indicator of what I think of GMDM.

[royalsfaninmaine]

Glad to know your health is quite good KCGhost. I guess I figured that to be the case, your appreciation for the GM being noted. The funny thing is, I may have to agree with you for myself on this one. I am 40...is there a chance I will ever see contending Royals again? Hmm...sometimes I actually wonder.

I always hope the GM is going to do something great in the off season, but of course it doesn't happen. It seems they keep going around and around in circles and shift players here and there but wind up with pretty much the same product every season.

Like a previous poster said, April and May is good, the middle is not and September they start to play again. It seems they have some legitimate talent, but can't produce consistently. They also can't produce together/at the same time as a team should. If pitching is good, hitting is bad...and vice versa. Not that hitting is good that often.

[1988_Night_Force_Falcon]

I feel good about our chances in 2010. If Hoechevar & Bannister step up, mature, and use proper mechanics on a consistent basis to become reliable 3 and 4 starters behind Zach and Meche then they will definitely be able to compete in their division.

Also, Aviles and Crisp should be 100% healthy and will provide Jacobs, Butler, Gordon, DeJesus and Gullien with plenty more RBI chances.

Who else in the AL Central really have their team lined-up to be out-right favorites next year? I like the Royals chances just as much as anyone elses! :gt

[ol' aches and pains]

I guess the pertinent question is-how long is Greinke signed for?

[royalsfaninmaine]

I feel good about our chances in 2010. If Hoechevar & Bannister step up, mature, and use proper mechanics on a consistent basis to become reliable 3 and 4 starters behind Zach and Meche then they will definitely be able to compete in their division.

Also, Aviles and Crisp should be 100% healthy and will provide Jacobs, Butler, Gordon, DeJesus and Gullien with plenty more RBI chances.

Who else in the AL Central really have their team lined-up to be out-right favorites next year? I like the Royals chances just as much as anyone elses! :gt

I try to remain optimistic about the Royals. In part I agree with you. If Hochevar can improve and Bannister can get back to what he did a couple years ago then that helps Greinke (who I think signed an extension prior to this season for ...4 years...?..) Meche is an okay starter, but he had some back issues this year which is a ? going forward. But the base is there.....IF.....

Hopefully Aviles comes back healthy and shows the form he had a season earlier. Crisp should be a good cf if he stays with the team. I think he was a good anchor before he went out for the year. Was not impressed with Jacobs and never really have been with Guillen. Are there better options out there? Even though he's supposed to be the "heir apparent" and all, Gordon hasn't impressed me either. Not sure about his plate discipline or how "focused" he is in general. DeJesus is solid and Butler really stepped up this year and I think he is a solid player. Callaspo also stepped up as a hitter this year too, which is encouraging.

There were some bright spots this year, but the same old inconsistency keeps killing them. I've heard there won't be too many offseason moves made and what is made won't be anything stellar, so who knows what changes we'll really see next year. But, as always hope springs eternal and it WILL BE a new year with all teams tied for first on opening day. Anything can happen.

[1988_Night_Force_Falcon]

I try to remain optimistic about the Royals. In part I agree with you. If Hochevar can improve and Bannister can get back to what he did a couple years ago then that helps Greinke (who I think signed an extension prior to this season for ...4 years...?..) Meche is an okay starter, but he had some back issues this year which is a ? going forward. But the base is there.....IF.....

Hopefully Aviles comes back healthy and shows the form he had a season earlier. Crisp should be a good cf if he stays with the team. I think he was a good anchor before he went out for the year. Was not impressed with Jacobs and never really have been with Guillen. Are there better options out there? Even though he's supposed to be the "heir apparent" and all, Gordon hasn't impressed me either. Not sure about his plate discipline or how "focused" he is in general. DeJesus is solid and Butler really stepped up this year and I think he is a solid player. Callaspo also stepped up as a hitter this year too, which is encouraging.

There were some bright spots this year, but the same old inconsistency keeps killing them. I've heard there won't be too many offseason moves made and what is made won't be anything stellar, so who knows what changes we'll really see next year. But, as always hope springs eternal and it WILL BE a new year with all teams tied for first on opening day. Anything can happen.

If I had an audience with Dayton Moore, I'd advise him to reach out to his old pals in Atlanta and try to make a trade for Kelly Johnson and stick him in LF and deal Guillen elsewhere. Kelly Johnson is one of those guys with a crap load of potential and talent that is just waiting to have a break out year.

[SamtheBravesFan]

If I had an audience with Dayton Moore, I'd advise him to reach out to his old pals in Atlanta and try to make a trade for Kelly Johnson and stick him in LF and deal Guillen elsewhere. Kelly Johnson is one of those guys with a crap load of potential and talent that is just waiting to have a break out year.

Be careful what you wish for; when healthy, Johnson has a chronic consistency problem. He'll be red-hot one month and ice-cold the next. It always happens.

[Knick9]

I guess the pertinent question is-how long is Greinke signed for?

Watch him play for the Yankees or Red Sox in due time. Of course, I don't approve of that idea, but I'm being a realist as well.

I think that teams like the Royals are in a no-win situation. It's at the point where you know that something will set your team back for seasons, and then when you try to rebound from your big losses, you can't seem to get back to those glory days. Just a day in the life of a small market franchise. *shakes head*