Royals *** Official 2015 Royals Repository *** - Page 48

duncan_idaho · 04-04-2015, 09:25 AM

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer

I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses.

Detroit Tigers:
Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier.
Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible.

Cleveland Indians:
Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup.
Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him.

Chicago White Sox:
Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too.
Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

Let's get this started!

ReynardMuldrake · 04-14-2015, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Why Not?

I think the 12 HBP shows that other teams do think confidence matters. It's not coincidence that the Royals as the hottest team in the league are getting hit at an alarming rate. If I'm Volquez, Mauer is on his ass in the 1st tomorrow.

Either other teams are trying to take us down a peg, or they simply don't care enough to stop it. Either way, something must be done about it.

Molitoth · 04-14-2015, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wazu

The best retaliation would be to sweep their opening home stand.

This. There is no point starting a huge brawl, one of our star players could break their wrist on someone's face or some stupid shit and that would really piss everyone off.

Molitoth · 04-14-2015, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

Jason Stark confirmed on Petro today that he's heard from other clubhouses that the Royals antics after hits and HRs is "annoying" other teams, and its obvious not all these HBP are accidents.

What a bunch of pussies. Cry because the other team is excited about winning.

tomahawk kid · 04-14-2015, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

Jason Stark confirmed on Petro today that he's heard from other clubhouses that the Royals antics after hits and HRs is "annoying" other teams, and its obvious not all these HBP are accidents.

This makes me want them to do it more.

The next beanball that comes in - the Royals dugout should empty.

We're not a doormat anymore. If other teams find our players new sense of confidence annoying, tough titties.

The Texas Rangers did similar post hit / HR celebrations 3-4 seasons ago. I don't recall any other teams having a huge issue with it.

Why Not? · 04-14-2015, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

Not mauer.....natural causes will do him in sometime within the next 20 games anyways.

Id hit Dozier.....he seems to always hit us well.

Lol. Good point

DJJasonp · 04-14-2015, 02:48 PM

Jason stark probably made that crap up anyways.

That said....we are overdue for a plunking of the opposition

CaliforniaChief · 04-14-2015, 02:49 PM

Just keep winning. That's the best middle finger we can possibly deliver the joyless establishment of baseball.

**RollChiefsRoll** · 04-14-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

Jason Stark confirmed on Petro today that he's heard from other clubhouses that the Royals antics after hits and HRs is "annoying" other teams, and its obvious not all these HBP are accidents.

That's stupid as shit. I wonder how many HBPs David Ortiz, Manny Ramirez, and the rest of the '04 Red Sox got as a result of their watching home runs leave the ball park as they leisurely walked toward first base.

WhawhaWhat · 04-14-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

Jason Stark confirmed on Petro today that he's heard from other clubhouses that the Royals antics after hits and HRs is "annoying" other teams, and its obvious not all these HBP are accidents.

Why hit Gordon for that? That guy barely cracks a smile in games.

tomahawk kid · 04-14-2015, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

Jason stark probably made that crap up anyways.

That said....we are overdue for a plunking of the opposition

I would agree.

Stark strikes me as a "purist" who doesn't like seeing players having fun.

**AustinChief** · 04-14-2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

You have no evidence for this, and there is quite a bit of evidence that supports what Al is arguing.

Sweet. PB has weighed in. Now I know I'm right on this.

**alnorth** · 04-14-2015, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinChief

Really? Um yeah. Baseball is all about confidence and comfort levels. If a pitcher doesn't have to ever think twice about pitching inside than he is already at an advantage. We need to remove that advantage.

Thats like the 4th or 5th priority. Baseball is about talent and ability. If you are confident and comfortable, you will still suck if you do not have the ability to hit the damned ball or throw a strike.

I've seen a ton of confident and comfortable Royals teams roll out of spring training expecting to win, only to get blasted in yet another 90+ loss season.

Confidence and comfort might get you the last 1 or 2 wins, which could make a difference, but it will not get you the first 88 wins. I just don't get why this is so hard for people to understand. Talent, ability, practice, and coaching are all VASTLY more important than "comfort" and "confidence". Otherwise, screw scouting, if confidence is so important, just sign 25 random guys off the street in downtown KC and hire the greatest sports psychologists on earth, that ought to be enough to finish .500, right?

**RollChiefsRoll** · 04-14-2015, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat

Why hit Gordon for that? That guy barely cracks a smile in games.

To be fair, Gordon's HBP was by his best buddy and was almost certainly an accidental buzzing.

tomahawk kid · 04-14-2015, 02:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Just keep winning. That's the best middle finger we can possibly deliver the joyless establishment of baseball.

This.

"Joyless establishment of baseball" = nail / head.

**alnorth** · 04-14-2015, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Laz

Weren't you one of the guys that said the bullpen doesn't matter either? You just piece it together with spare parts each year. Maybe that wasn't you ......

uhh.... no? Back when we were losing 100 games, I'd always argue for trading off the closer, but when you are good enough to actually need a bullpen, then you need more than "spare parts".

04-04-2015, 09:25 AM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1210308	* Official 2015 Royals Repository * In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions. Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses. Detroit Tigers: Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier. Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible. Cleveland Indians: Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup. Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him. Chicago White Sox: Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too. Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs. The Royals will be a division winner IF ... 1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work 2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts 3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland 4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy 5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form Let's get this started!
Posts: 21,199

04-14-2015, 02:48 PM	#711
DJJasonp My work speaks for itself!!! Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $1435200	Jason stark probably made that crap up anyways. That said....we are overdue for a plunking of the opposition __________________ Its easier to fool a man, than to convince a man he's been fooled.
Posts: 12,199

04-14-2015, 02:49 PM	#712
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12172899	Just keep winning. That's the best middle finger we can possibly deliver the joyless establishment of baseball.
Posts: 17,338