It’s time for a Gil Meche statue at the Kougar

Trader Jack-With the shocking news that Gil Meche has decided to forgo the last year of his contract by retiring, and giving up 12.4 million in the process, the Royals have an opportunity to make Meche a deity in baseball history.

Imagine the image of young ballplayers coming to Kaufmann Stadium, walking past the statue of a player wearing number 55, passing bags of gold to the owner above him.  The idea of teaching ballplayers that they need to give to their owner, sacrificing their earthly need to support the man paying their salaries.  Especially for a player who basically gave the Glass family half the money they put into the stadium renovation.

So instead of putting the money into the team, they should get a statue for the man who made as much a contribution to the renovated stadium as the Glasses.  Or at least a key and a ticket to the All Star game.

Top 9 reasons Luis Mendoza is still on the 25 man roster

Top 9 reasons Luis Mendoza is still on the 25 man roster
9. Contributions from other major league teams to keep him on the roster are overwhelming.

8. Got Kila Ka’hue out is spring training, taking his roster spot.

7. Has unnatural ability to fool scouts in believing he has talent.

6. Agreed to be Zack Greinke’s personal caddy.

5. Has photos of himself in a hot tub with Dayton Moore.

4. Someone has to compete with Kyle Farnsworth as the protector of 5 run leads and deficits.

3. Being used to exercise the defense during the game instead of before to promote efficiency.

2. Have you seen the team’s BA-Tied to his performance as team batting practice pitcher.

And the Number 1 Reason is……..

1. He’s Scott Boras free!!!

Game Recap, KC vs Tor Game 14

Trader Jack-Kyle Davies tried to lock down the Blue Jays, but former Royal John Buck wouldn’t hear it.  Buck’s dribbler drove in the lead run and ruined a solid performance by Davies, who gave up 4 runs in 6 innings.

The great this in this game is the bullpen shut down the Blue Jays the rest of the way.  Josh Rupe and Dusty Hughes handled the Jays the rest of the way.  This performance was solid, which the pen needs to be doing more of.

Alberto Callaspo was the offensive star, scoring a run and driving in a run while collecting two hits.  His bat has woken up with the move back to second.  Jason Kendall continued his hot streak, stretching his hitting streak to 13 games.

Game Recap, KC Vs Tor Game 13

Trader Jack-Brian Bannister is a man.  Sure he got shelled, sure he contributed to the beat down by walking 4, but he didn’t make excuses.  Bannister also let the world know he won’t be sulking in the clubhouse after he gets roughed up.  If this is a direct result of Jason Kendall or the other veterans, this might be a season where the Royals learn to be professional again.

That’s the only real positive you get from the game, other than Jose Guillen’s solid stroke and Kyle Farnsworth showcasing his ability to maintain 7 run deficits.  I don’t know if Farnsworth has any trade value, other than being the mopup man.  This is proving to be a complete waste of 5 million this year.

Luis Mendoza must have some revealing photos of someone to get the Royals to keep him on the roster.  Unless he is here to make sure the defense spends enough time in the field,  there isn’t a reason to keep him in the bigs.  It’s time to see if someone else wants to take on Mendoza.

Game recap KC vs Minn Game 12

Trader Jack-It’s always good to steal a game every once and awhile.  Today’s game was won with 2 three run homers with two outs.  I haven’t found the stats to back it up, but that isn’t something that happens that often so you should win the game.  Since the pitching staff gave up eight walks and the defense had a couple of errors and other missed opportunities, the Royals have to consider themselves fortunate to pick up this W.

Luke Hochevar may have qualified for a quality start, but he struggled throughout his six innings.  This game is either a game in the right direction in his development or a step towards the Mad Hatter Hocheavar, who could be counted on to do anything.

The infield defense did no favors for Hochevar either.  When you can say that Albert Callaspo was the best defensive infielder in this game shows the problems that await Hochevar when they perform badly.  The 3rd inning was especially interesting because Alex Gordon and Yuniesky Betancourt made it tough for both Hochevar and Billy Butler.  Butler was tortured three times this inning for average to above average plays and failed to deliver.  As good as the Royals are defensively in the outfield, that’s how bad are they on the infield.

Jose Guillen shocked the world by stealing third and Alberto Callaspo hit 2 three run bombs to carry the offense.  Callaspo is a greater value at second than at third and I wouldn’t mind seeing him at second a lot more.  With the injury to Chris Getz, this might make this position interesting.

And Soria remembered how to close a game.  It’s nice to know that the Royals get to the 8th or 9th, the game is over.  Hopwefully we’ll get there more this week vs Toronto.

KC at Minnesota Game 11

Trader Jack– Well, John Parrish picked the wrong time to give up his first hit of the season.  Coming in after a shaky start from Gill Meche, Orlando Hudson took Parrish deep leading off the 7th for the first hit against Parrish this season.

Of course this game marked the return of Alberto Callaspo,  Alex Gordon to the roster and Rick Ankiel to the home run.  Callaspo was solid at the plate and adventurous in the field.  Callaspo turned a couple of double plays and didn’t lose an out on either.

Gordon got an AB and took a walk.  Maybe he knows there is competition for his position, Gordon’ll be more focused and productive.

Rick Ankiel has been a pleasant surprise.  Ankiel is playing hard, both in the field and at the plate.  Once again, if he holds up, he’ll take the ridiculously low record of 36 dingers for a single season.

Gil Meche struggled again, giving 5 runs in one inning.  Frankly he’s pitching like Luke Hochevar has in the past and now Hochevar is filling the Meche role.  Now Meche need to come around so there will be trade value for him later this season.

*side note, I was joking that the Royals might make it to Tax day (April 15) before falling out of contention.  If the Royals  are swept tomorrow, they will be 5.5 games out already.  They made it past Tax Day, but Earth day could find them eliminated.

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KC at Minn Game 10

Trader Jack-It’s never a good sign when the theme to the night is Aerosmith/Run DMC’s Walk this way.  The story of this night is the lack of precision from the reigning Cy Young Zack Greinke.  Giving up 5 walks and throwing 108 pitches through 5 innings will spell doom for anyone, even Greinke.

As a staff Royals pitchers gave up 7 walks in eight innings.  The Twinkies hurlers walked none the full nine innings.  Locating the strike zone will always help you win ballgames.

Now that Ramon Colon is gone, how long does Robinson Tejada have to perform?

I know it’s a wonderful gesture to have all the players wear Jackie Robinson’s number 42, but does it really resonate anymore?  In light of the statement by Orlando Hudson about the bias in the game, this seems insignificant.

Ok, what has gotten into Yuniesky Betancourt?  Two taters on the first ten games.  If this continues, Mike Aviles will have to play second if and when he returns from Omaha.

I think the HCOD has moved to second base.  Neither Chris Getz or Willie Bloomquist are getting the job done there offensively or defensively.  Where have you gone, Mark Teahen?

It’s a shame that the efforts of Scott Podsednik were wasted tonight.  Podsednik was great defensively and solid offensively.  The signing of Podsednik, Rick Ankiel and Jason Kendall all seem to be positive.  Too bad no efforts were applied to the bullpen.

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KC Vs Detroit Game 9

Trader Jack- The 12 Million dollar man has finally arrived in KC.  Sure, the first two years were OK, but this is what the Royals paid Jose Guillen to do.  Guillen taking it to the Tigers makes it even sweeter.  If the Royals had known that being an outfielder affected his hitting so much, he’d have been a DH sooner.

This power surge is putting aside a few stories that have been put on the back burner.  Jason Kendall is playing some of the best baseball of his career.  The hitting streak, the defense, he’s playing so well you hope the Royals can maybe play their way into some meaningful baseball later this summer.

Kyle Davies’ renaissance is still being written.  The acquisition of Kyle Davies was heralded as  the first real acquisition of a Dayton Moore player.  At this point of his career you’d have to classify Davies as a disappointment.  Davies last two starts, while not stellar, have been solid professional starts.  Davies may never be a front of rotation starter, but he’s making himself more valuable commodity.

Now the Royals have a setup man.  John Parrish has been a revelation.  Parrish was the LOGY to start the season and now has moved towards the back of the bullpen.  If his arm holds up, this may be the find of the year.

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KC at Detroit, Game 8

Trader Jack– Wow, that was almost unbelievable.  The bullpen was awful.  My, oh my, the bullpen somehow turned a 5-0 walk into a 6-5 loss that was inexcusable.  How the heck can Trey Hillman sleep tonight after throwing this game away.

Brian Bannister had thrown 93 pitches, being in control and throttling the Tigers through six innings.  Bannister may have been showing some signs of fatigue, but this could have been a development moment for him by letting him work through the trouble and get it to the 8th.  Sure, they probably would have blown it, but at least Bannister would have had the opportunity not to sit in the dugout and watch his work be thrown to the side.

One of the interesting things about this game was the number of fly ball outs for Bannister.  I am worried that these will be flying out of the park in the future, but right now wouldn’t you be more comfortable watching the rabbits in the outfield chase the ball down than have the ball hit on the infield?  This bears watching if this is sustainable.

Offensively the Royals left 12 men on base?  How the heck can you manage this?  This club can’t afford to leave that many men on base.

Nice power by Jose Guillen and David DeJesus.  Sure they led off the inning with the taters but they are providing interesting baseball.  Scott Podsednik is tearing the bases up.  Six steals in 8 Games.  What the heck are his numbers going to be at the end of the year?

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Random Thoughts

The DH – After I made a big deal about getting rid of Jose Guillen he hits 4 home runs in 3 games. I say, let us see if this keeps up. As long as he is being productive, he should stay in the lineup.

Today’s game made me embarrassed to be  a Royals’ fan. I understand that the season is only one week old and that Hughes is the only relief pitcher with options, but how can it get much worse? An ERA over 5.00 is bad. An ERA in double digits cannot be tolerated. Other than Soria and Parrish, is there any relief pitcher capable of getting 3 outs with no runs scored?
There are some optimistic points regarding this team. However, I am curious what will be done when Alex Gordon comes off the DL. Also, what happens when Mike Aviles comes back. At least one pitcher will leave, but then who? Also, who will be in the lineup? It has to be Gordon at third, but where does Callaspo play? Will the Royals release Betancourt when Aviles is healthy?

Will Brayan Pena ever play? Kendall is playing well, but he cannot catch 160 games this year.

NW Arkansas update: Aaron Crow 6 IP 2 R 2 ER 1 BB 5 SO

Wilmington update: Mike Montgomery 7 IP 1 R 1ER 0 BB 13 SO