Comments on: 2013 Preview: Kansas City Royals

By: Tyree Studio

Tyree Studio — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 15:40:33 +0000

I don’t necessarily disagree with A Gleeman’s premise that while improved, the rotation may not be enough to propel KC into playoff contention. However, 2 of KC’s best starters will start the year on the DL (Danny Duffy and Felipe Paulino). Duffy is progressing nicely and should be available end of June and just in time to replace one of the 5 that will either get hurt or be ineffective.

Also agree team is going nowhere unless Hosmer and Moose start helping Butler and Gordon out with the stick. A full season of Perez will help the defense, pitching staff, and offense though. Would be nice to have Cain stay off the DL.

I think the team defense may be under-rated and the bullpen looks stacked (with plenty of help on call in Omaha/NW Ark) on paper.

Maybe as kc fans we can at least not be out of the wildcard hunt till aug or sept, instead of our usual May 1st elimination…

By: tc4306

tc4306 — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 01:35:55 +0000

Perez hit .371 with eight homers, 10 doubles and 39 RBI in 32 games to win rookie of the year in Venezuelan league. This, after hitting .301 with 11HR and 39RBI in 289 at bats for the Royals over 76 games after returning from a broken leg. Yes, he does not walk. But he does make solid contact with only 27K’s in those 289 at bats. These are not the stats of a “hacker.”

By: canoyoulie

canoyoulie — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 23:15:31 +0000

“Don’t get me wrong, Shields is very good. However, he’s been helped by the Rays’ pitcher-friendly ballpark and defense.”

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Ummmmmm …. have you ever been in kaufman stadium? It’s not exactly hitter friendly either, and the royals defense isn’t chopped liver … I would put Perez, Escobar and Gordon up against anyone at their positions, and the rest aren’t hands of stone … average to above average. Maybe you should know your stuff before you throw out unbalanced opinions.

By: rvnc

rvnc — Thu, 21 Mar 2013 21:28:49 +0000

The Royals biggest problem this season in my book is the Indians. If Cleveland hadn’t tooled up with players like Swisher and Bourn then I think they could have challenged the White Sox for 2nd place in the division and maybe have had an outside chance of a wildcard if some of the big guns in the East/West had underwhelming years. As it is I think the Indians/Royals will probably take a few games off each other and end up squabbling for 3rd, both ending up a few games over/under .500

I do think Royals fans should be excited about Shields though. He’s grown up the hard way in the AL east against stacked lineups. Lets not forget the guy finished 3rd in the Cy Young voting in 2011, could be a dark horse this season.