*** Official 2014 AL Champion Royals Off-season Repository ***

[Anyong Bluth]

So, I didn't see a thread started, and all the others are pretty maxed out to the point where a fresh thread would be needed soon either way.

Time to share the run up to ST & and another memorable year in the making!

[SAUTO]

I thought "gams" referred to thighs...

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

I thought "gams" referred to thighs...

Not according to Sagarin, I guess.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

Not according to Sagarin, I guess.

Then sagarin knows nothing

[Hootie]

I have to wonder how terrible of a life PB must have if his one hobby is to come here and try and get into an e-fight each and every day.

I'm thinking not great.

[Titty Meat]

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

I have to wonder how terrible of a life PB must have if his one hobby is to come here and try and get into an e-fight each and every day.

I'm thinking not great.

You used to be like that circa 2011

[Hootie]

Nah.

When talking sports, I've always only argued my opinion.

PB takes the unpopular side, of everything, and tries getting into lengthy arguments with anyone who takes the bait.

Sad.

[okcchief]

I don't know much about Volquez, but I do know Eiland and Salvy get the most out of pitchers. We'll see what happens.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by lewdog

Really coming down?

I just bought tickets sitting next to KCUnited to see the Royals and Cubs late March.

Is it at Wrigley or the K?

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by okcchief

Is it at Wrigley or the K?

Nm I assume AZ if it's March

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Unsmooth-Moment

Gotta say I'm really looking forward to spring training.

Me too. My parents spend the winter in the Phoenix area every year and this March, me and my wife, my brother and sister and their S/O's are all spending a week with them. We'll be taking in one ST game. Can't wait.

It's a week from Christmas and the Royals are still a hot topic. This is unreal.

[okcchief]

When does the regular season schedule come out?

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by okcchief

When does the regular season schedule come out?

It's already out.

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/sch...lendar=DEFAULT

We're going to try to get tickets @ Wrigley the weekend of May 29-31. That should be a blast.

[okcchief]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

It's already out.

http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/sch...lendar=DEFAULT

Good one.

[okcchief]

..

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by 'Hamas' Jenkins

The Medlen signing is really for 2016, but it's a reasonable risk/reward proposition. Volquez is marginally durable, but his real value comes from eating innings. He significantly outperformed his peripherals last year, and with a league change I wouldn't expect much more than 4.50 ERA.

You're likely paying Volquez $12-15 million per WAR based on his career production.

It really comes down to this: if Dave Eiland can work as effectively with Volquez as Ray Searage did in Pittsburgh, the Volquez the Royals are getting is a different pitcher than he has been during the course of his career.

Searage made major changes to Volquez's mechanics, making his delivery more consistent and smooth, fixed his release point, and convinced him to change his pitch mix and rely more on his very good fastball and less on his changeup. I found a pretty good breakdown of the change Volquez made this year here.

Eiland has been a very strong pitching coach for KC. I'm reasonably confident he can help Volquez stay sharp in these critical areas and continue to succeed.