Worst to First - The Sequel

[NYY #23]

There are eight teams in baseball with a winning percentage over .560, and four of those teams are in the AL West. We remain neck and neck with the A's, holding on to a slim 1/2 game lead. If it's any consolation our Pythagorean record is 35-17 with the A's 32-21.

If there is one thing I did neglect in the offseason it was the bullpen. Our bullpen ERA is 10th in the league, and outside of Mike Stanton it's been pretty scary.

[ShagVT]

When the "weak" parts of your lineup are Ozzie Smith and Willie Randolph, you're doing ok. And that's quite a rotation too.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by ShagVT

When the "weak" parts of your lineup are Ozzie Smith and Willie Randolph, you're doing ok. And that's quite a rotation too.

I definitely feel pretty good about KC. They had a decent base, and I'm encouraged about the moves so far. I don't want to get too overconfident, but I'll go out on a limb and say it'll be quicker than the Expos to win it all!

[NYY #23]

The Royals suffered through June, going 13-14, and that was only because we went 7-3 in our last 10 games.

We're locked in a tight race though, with the A's leading the Mariners by a 1/2 game, and the Royals by 1 game. The Twins are right in our rearview mirror just 2 1/2 games back as well.

[NYY #23]

The Royals broke even in July, and are currently sitting in third place behind the A's and Mariners. It's no consolation that going by expected record we should be in first place.

The Royals sent two players to the All Star game, SP Jim Abbott, and CF Roberto Kelly.

We also made one deadline deal, sending LF Vince Coleman to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for MR Don August and C Don McCormack. August should help in the bullpen, while McCormack will serve as the new backup catcher.

[ShagVT]

With that lineup how in the world are you in 8th place in stolen bases? Coleman, Gwynn, Kelly, Smith, and Randolph all had good to great wheels.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by ShagVT

With that lineup how in the world are you in 8th place in stolen bases? Coleman, Gwynn, Kelly, Smith, and Randolph all had good to great wheels.

I never seem to have great luck with speed. I got a little bit ahead last night without power, so their final totals are through the end of the year, but here's how things stood through the year.

Coleman really got squeezed out of the lineup this year, and got 130 at-bats this year vs 661 last year. Last year he stole 64 bases with 11 caught stealing, and this year he was 10/12 in limited duty.

Gwynn never really fully developed his speed and base stealing abilities. Instead of a 40-50 base threat, he's really maxed out at 20. He dropped to a career low of 12 this year, but he's seen his OBP drop about 50 points as well. I think he's just having a bad year though, by his standards.

Kelly had 27 this year, although he did get thrown out 16 times. I think he's definitely capable of running more, and has 40-50 potential I think, but he is still young.

Ozzie Smith went from stealing 48 bases five years ago, to 22 two years ago, to 1 this year. His, and Willie Randolph's base running abilities really declined.

So we really were middle of the pack, despite some solid potential.

[NYY #23]

The Royals went 16-13 for the month, but we still trail the Mariners by a game and a 1/2, and the A's by 4 games. Looking ahead at the calendar we've got 3 games at home against the Mariners, and our final three games of the season on the road against the A's.

Jim Abbott won the Pitcher of the Month award in August after going 5-1 with a 2.02 ERA.

[NYY #23]

With a disappointing finish to the season the Royals fell into a tie for third place with a 88-74 record, 7 games behind the Mariners. That's the big problem when going for it all with a free agent binge - not even making it to the playoffs.

Looking at Pythagorean records though paints a different picture. The AL West would look like this:
Royals 93-69
Mariners 91-71
Twins 86-76
A's 85-77

That 93-69 record would be the best in baseball. So I do feel like we've got a good team. We will be returning most of the team as well. I expect Ozzie Smith to sign a one year extension, and Candy Maldonado to walk as a free agent. We may tweak a little, but no wholesale changes.

Kansas City Royals - 54-108 (.333) 38 GB
1988 - Kansas City Royals 80-82 (.494) 13 GB (Season Score - 57)
1989 - Kansas City Royals 88-74 (.543) 7 GB (Season Score - 61)

[NYY #23]

The Royals picked 23rd in the first round and with our top pick we selected Carlos Baerga. I envision Baerga to be able to fill in at second, third, and short as our utility infielder. The Royals didn't pick again until the fifth round where we selected reliever Kevin Bearse. That was all the Royals' draft picks.

We do have about $2.5 million to spend on free agency. I don't expect any big acquisitions, but we'll see what happens.

We did sign Ozzie Smith to another 1 year contract, this time for $330,000. He can't hit, but I do like his glove.

[jaysdailydose]

Originally Posted by NYY #23

The Royals picked 23rd in the first round and with our top pick we selected Carlos Baerga. I envision Baerga to be able to fill in at second, third, and short as our utility infielder. The Royals didn't pick again until the fifth round where we selected reliever Kevin Bearse. That was all the Royals' draft picks.

We do have about $2.5 million to spend on free agency. I don't expect any big acquisitions, but we'll see what happens.

We did sign Ozzie Smith to another 1 year contract, this time for $330,000. He can't hit, but I do like his glove.

I've had Baerga a few times in the past in OOTP, and he ALWAYS performs for me. Good glove, nice hitter, and usually his intangibles are great to where he means a lot in a clubhouse. Really nice to be able to get him that deep in the 1st.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by jaysdailydose

I've had Baerga a few times in the past in OOTP, and he ALWAYS performs for me. Good glove, nice hitter, and usually his intangibles are great to where he means a lot in a clubhouse. Really nice to be able to get him that deep in the 1st.

I hope that is a good sign! For what we need I think he's going to be a good addition and work out well.

[NYY #23]

Last year I went on a free agent frenzy and signed several high profile players. This year we went out and signed five more free agents, but they are more of role players.

Danny Ainge was our first signing, agreeing to a 1 year $277,200 contract. Ainge is good defensively at first base, and can play second and center field, and will be our three point shooter during pick up basketball games. We'll look to use him to help out Cecil at first base.

Andre Robertson agreed to a 1 year $270,000 contact. He hit .350 last year in 117 at-bats, and will back up Willie Randolph at second base.

Bullpen has been a struggle in Kansas City, so we went out and brought in a proven closer, Brent Gaff, who was 3-7 with 35 saves and a 3.50 ERA. The 31 year old was looking for a 5 year deal, but agreed to a 1 year $800,000 contract. I'd rather overpay on a one year deal and hopefully he'll help out our bullpen this year.

We also added 35 year old Ken Clay to the bullpen mix on a 1 year deal for $390,000. Last year Clay was 2-5 with 3 saves and a 2.94 ERA in 70 1/3 innings. Two years ago Clay saved 37 games.

Then finally we signed catcher Tony Pena to a 2 year deal that will pay him $680,000 per year. He was the best defensive catcher available, and I envision a platoon with Mark Salas.

[NYY #23]

April was an interesting month as the Royals lost 7 of our first 8 games, and two key members of our bullpen, Mike Stanton and Ken Clay. Clay will miss the entire year, which likely means his Royals career consisted of 2 2/3 scoreless innings. Stanton will return in early May though.

We turned things around somewhat though, finishing the month with a 13-11 record, and I hope that will carry over to May.

[NYY #23]

The Royals had a 18-11 month in May to jump into first place. We now lead the White Sox by 1 1/2 games. We did suffer some more injuries, losing Robin Ventura for the rest of the year, along with Roberto Kelly and Andy Van Slye to more minor injuries.

Hopefully we've built enough depth to maintain our lead.

[NYY #23]

The Royals had a losing month in June, going 13-14. We did stay in first place though, and we've made some minor changes to the lineup so we'll see how they play out in July.

[NYY #23]

The Royals now lead the Twins by 2 games after going 16-10 for the month.

Jim Abbott, Mike Stanton, and Cecil Fielder were named to the All-Star team.

Tony Gwynn ended the month with a 26 game hitting streak.

Carlos Baerga hit .314 for the month with 15 RBI and 8 runs to win the Rookie of the Month.

[NYY #23]

The Royals were hot in August going 19-9 for the month, but unfortunately our 2 game lead over the Twins remains at 2 games as the Twins also went 19-9. It doesn't make things any easier, but the Royals and Twins have the top two records in the majors.

Tony Gwynn's hitting streak was stopped at 36 games.

The Royals didn't make a move at the trade deadline, but we did decide to sign free agent Larry Parrish for the remainder of the year. The 36 year old is no longer the player he was before, getting a total of less than 200 at-bats the past three years, but he'll get a chance to man first base.

Parrish has started off hot, hitting .275 with 4 home runs in 51 at-bats.

[Orcin]

Ozzie Smith at second base?

I assume that is an AI decision.

[NYY #23]

Originally Posted by Orcin

Ozzie Smith at second base?

I assume that is an AI decision.

Yes, I generally let the AI set lineups and depth charts. Ozzie Smith has got a pretty decent rating at both second and short now, and is our best defensive option at both positions. It seems like the lineup changes almost daily, and it depends on the stopping point where Smith, Baerga, and Disarcino end up.

Ideally I think we are best with Baerga at second, and Smith at short, but with Ventura out that complicates things.