Flip This Player

The trading deadline approacheth, and the Royals no doubt are on the list of (desperate) sellers. So for all those amateur Dayton Moores out there, the questions mostly are about who may be willing trade partners for some of the, ahem, more experienced players. After all, isn't this why these players were signed in the first place? (Is it?)

So let's get an idea what these players may bring in some hypothetical trades, especially given the Royals needs. Let's start with the players the Royals fans would actually like to see unloaded...

SCOTT PODSEDNIK, OF - KC's outfield was already crowded with a number of Quadruple-A types with a measure of speed and not that much power, so this signing was puzzling to say the least (see: almost all of GM DM's trades and signings). Pods, though, might be a useful piece for a team that needs a fourth outfielder, like, say, the Red Sox.
Teams that might be interested: Red Sox, Giants, Rockies, Yankees
Could net: Developing middle relief prospect or backup infielder

JOSE GUILLEN, DH - The $36 million dollar man will scare off a lot of teams with his low on-base percentage, high price-tag, and complete uselessness in the outfield. The Royals would likely have to pay the bulk of his salary and accept quite a bit less if they want to get anything before he departs for free agency. Making it tougher is the fact that Jose has already burned his bridges with a good number of teams in the majors.
Teams that might be interested: The Yankees may bite if they miss having Nick Johnson for his power badly enough. Other than that, it's a stretch for anyone to take him.
Could net: B-grade outfield prospect or if the Royals are brave, another player with years left on a ridiculous contract needing a change of scenery (Vernon Wells? Raul Ibanez? Might be nice to have him back.)

RICK ANKIEL, OF - Need an oft-injured outfielder with a little bit of pop when he's healthy? Ankiel will be that and come fairly cheaply for the rest of this year and next. Plus, a return to the NL might do him some good, and like Pods, may get the Royals some bullpen help for next year.
Teams that might be interested: Braves, Phillies, Giants, Padres (who may possibly be buyers, for once)
Could net: A back of the rotation starter project or a decent Class A project/prospect.

JASON KENDALL, C - I really don't see the Royals offering him (he wouldn't fetch a great deal on the open market anyway) as it appears their plan is to keep the veteran in place and hope that Wil Myers develops in a timely fashion. But if the need for a catcher gets desperate enough, some teams may come a-knockin'...
Teams that may be interested: Angels (word is that Mike Napoli will be given a shot to be the everyday first baseman since Kendry Morales went down, if so, they may want some help at catcher), Rangers (who are little tired of the punchless wonders of Matt Treanor, Taylor Teagardin, and Jarrod Saltalamacchia), Marlins.
Could net: Minor league middle relief help

YUNIESKY BETANCOURT, SS - Since there won't be a lot of shortstops available at the trade deadline, there may be a snowball's chance in heck that KC will be able to unload the performing-better-than-expected sportswriter pinata. (Pronounced pin-ya-ta. I still don't know how to write the 'n' with the squiggle mark above it. Sue me.)
Teams that may be interested: Padres, Twins may show minimal interest, but most teams will probably wait until the player's outright release.
Could net: Low-A project, cash.

I won't get into other lesser players who KC would probably do better to just release (Farnsworth?). But now it gets trickier; it would be better to see a few of these fan faves stick around, but if KC gets an offer too good to refuse, we may be saying bye-bye to...

DAVID DEJESUS, OF - The truth is, he actually has some high value right now. A lot of contending teams would love to know exactly what they're going to get when they trade for a player, and no one better epitomizes that notion better than DDJ: a better-than-average fielder who is hitting for a career-high average who could comfortably hit in the 1, 2, or 3 spot and may provide some real spark in front of a big bopper. With his team-friendly salary, he may be the Royals' most attractive piece.
Teams that may be interested: Yankees (some fans have actually coveted him), Giants, Phillies, Red Sox, Reds, Mets (goodbye, Frenchy).
Could net: Top-of-the-line young relievers, plural (who for some reason, teams never seem heartbroken to part with; see: Nunez, Leo; Ramirez, Ramon. Maybe we could get either of these two back), top-notch position prospects may not be out of the question, either. If anyone offers a shortstop, well, even Dayton Moore shouldn't screw that one up.

BRIAN BANNISTER, SP - Mr. FIP's days may be numbered as the Royals are counting on some young arms coming up that will bring more consistency than Banny does. We still love him, though.
Teams that may be interested: Just about everybody is pitching-strapped these days (does any team ever say they don't need pitching?), but the Mets - who'd definitely like a do-over in the Ambiorix Burgos deal - and the Dodgers may look the hardest at him. The always pitching-thin Rangers could make a deal if they're still in contention (NO2G! doubts it).
Could net: An almost-major-league-ready position player, and the Royals want middle-infielders the most.

ALBERTO CALLASPO, IF - A good-hit, bad-field player like AC may be attractive to a contender who could use a decent bat off the bench.
Teams that may be interested: Cardinals (who may want to upgrade at 2B), Twins (ditto), Dodgers.
Could net: Major-league experienced bullpen help, or another utility type in exchange.

ALEX GORDON, 3B/OF - Depending on who you ask, the Next George Brett has either been a complete bust or a prime example of the epic fail-ness of the Royals' player development system. I think the truth lies somewhere in between for the time being, but it's not out of the question that he'll become a better player. I don't really believe that KC will try to move Alex Gordon, but if some team starts dangling the right prospects, Dayton may bite.
Teams that may interested: Dodgers, Yankees, Braves (who may think that he can still play 3rd), Rays (especially if it looks like Carl Crawford is leaving).
Could net: Another prospect needing a change of scenery, Double-A pitching.

KILA KA'AIHUE, 1B - It's been pounded into the ground that Kila needs a longer callup than the cups of weak Folgers he's been getting. At this point, it would be doing Kila a great favor to trade him.
Teams that may be interested: Giants, Angels (who are really feeling the power outage with Kendry Morales down), Rangers.
Could net: A decent Triple-A pitcher or (if they're lucky) a catcher prospect.

ZACK GREINKE, SP - Here's where we may have to think the unthinkable. Even though he's 2-8 on the year, it's recognized that Zack is still an elite starter up there with the Lincecums, the Cliff Lees and Sabathias of the world. While being owed a mere (!) $30 million, other teams would salivate at the possibility of adding him to their rotation and would give the moon and the stars and even Pluto for him. Personal note - if Greinke is traded, I will become an automatic fan of the team who gets him.
Teams that may be interested: Um, everybody?
Could net: Elite prospects (yes, plural) at any position, young position player with high upside and team-friendly salary.

My Two All-Star Ballots

The first All-Star vote tallies were released recently, and as usual, the Yankees and Phillies are dominating the leaderboards. But there are a couple of pleasant surprises. First, I'm happy that it's Evan Longoria over A-Rod for third base. Second, it will be sweet, but perhaps bitterly so for Angels fans, if Vlad Guerrero wins the nod for DH.

Just for fun, 'cause it's my blog, here's my two All-Star ballots. Every year one ballot goes to the players who I think actually deserve it, and one ballot goes to the Royals, (plus a few almost randomly chosen NL players...yes, ALMOST randomly chosen) and I'll run down the reasons a couple of them may actually deserve it.

Here goes:

AL
C: JOE MAUER, TWINS - Who'd you expect, Gerald Laird?
1B: JUSTIN MORNEAU, TWINS - Hitting .381/.497/.697. 'Nuff said.
2B: DUSTIN PEDROIA, RED SOX - Too many Yankees on everyone else's ballots.
3B: EVAN LONGORIA, RAYS - My pick for AL MVP.
SS: DEREK JETER, YANKEES - I really can't pick Elvis Andrus over him...this is one spot where I'll concede that this is the All-STAR ballot.
OF: ICHIRO, MARINERS - Can't wait till he gets to 3000 AMERICAN hits.
OF: FRANKLIN GUTIERREZ, MARINERS - If I were a GM, I would have a serious covet for this guy. Average + Gold Glove defense? Want...even though his offense has dropped off a little of late.
OF: SHIN-SOO CHOO, INDIANS - Listening to the Dodger game on 790 KABC last night, I heard Charlie Steiner say "Pardon me boy, is that the Shin-Soo Choo?". I have nothing to say to that.
DH: VLADIMIR GUERRERO, RANGERS - Welcome back to Anaheim, Vladdy.

NL
C: YADIER MOLINA, CARDINALS - By default, really.
1B: ALBERT PUJOLS, CARDINALS - Really, do I need to explain?
2B: CHASE UTLEY, PHILLIES - He's like Ryne Sandberg, except, you know, better.
3B: RYAN ZIMMERMAN, NATIONALS - Sorry Alex Gordon...
SS: TROY TULOWITZKI, ROCKIES - The engine that makes the Rockies go. Boy, never thought I'd say that in my life.
OF: ANDREW MCCUTCHEN, PIRATES - My second favorite outfielder right now (see Gutierrez, Franklin).
OF: RYAN BRAUN, BREWERS - He's the reason that I think the Brewers could trade Prince Fielder right now and not be any worse for it. He's the muscle in this outfit.
OF: ALFONSO SORI--no I just can't do it!! JAYSON WERTH, PHILLIES - 1.044 OPS. Whew, that was close.

Now, here's that other ballot I was telling you about...

C: JASON KENDALL - His ability to actually CATCH a good game has really diminished. Shouldn't even be in the discussion.
1B: BILLY BUTLER - How deep is first base in all of baseball? Here's a list of regulars who have a higher OPS than Butler right now: Morneau, Youkilis, Miggy Cabrera, Konerko, Joey Votto, Pujols (!), Ty Wigginton, Adam LaRoche (the other one...plays for Arizona, remember?), Adam Dunn. And a few names below Butler? Adrian Gonazalez, Prince Fielder, Ryan Howard, Kendry Morales, James Loney (the player who should inspire more anger in a Dodger fan than any other. I'll write about that soon.), Todd Helton.
2B: CHRIS GETZ - Ha. Hahahha.
3B: ALEX GORDON - He's out of position now! He's an outfielder!...oh geez.
SS: YUNIESKY BETANCOURT - I got nothing.
OF: DAVID DEJESUS - The ultimate McDonald's player. You know exactly what you're going to get. Which is a player who's never in serious All-Star discussion.
OF: RICK ANKIEL - Hey, I heard he was a pitcher once.
OF: SCOTT PODSEDNIK - I can't really be all that sarcastic here. Pods has actually made some meaningful contributions to the Royals, and they seem offensively more confident and competent with Scotty batting #1 or #2. All-Star, then? Um, no.
DH: JOSE GUILLEN - Mostly rooting for him so we can flip him for prospects.

Last, I wish I could vote for the pitchers to start (thankfully, all-star balloting rules prevent such a disaster as a fan-voted pitching staff. After all, who'd want to see Cole Hamels and Andy Pettitte every year?). If I could?
AL - DAVID PRICE, RAYS as starter
MARIANO RIVERA, YANKEES as closer
NL - UBALDO JIMENEZ, ROCKIES as starter
MATT CAPPS, NATIONALS as closer

Greinke's situation > Oswalt's

Roy Oswalt has had enough. Last week, after suffering yet another loss where his team's offense was shut out (against NO2G! favorite Ubaldo Jimenez), Oswalt went public with his request for a trade from the Astros.

Royals fans can certainly sympathize. Most of us have established an over-under on when the trade winds will start swirling around Zack Greinke. (Mine is at July 2011, I'm taking the under). But would Zack go down Oswalt's road and demand a trade? Chin up, Royals fans! Here's a few reasons why he may not:

He's the Man: The Royals are absolutely bereft of stars, and have been for quite some time; you don't wind up sending the likes of Ken Harvey and Mark Redman to the All-Star Game if that were'nt true. But Zack's breakout season in '08 and his headline-grabbing '09 campaign gave the Royals some presence in the baseball zeitgeist. Even for the foreseeable future, you can't imagine any Royal getting bigger cheers that Zack Greinke. And speaking of the future...

Help is in the pipeline: Two super prospects could make their major-league debut by next year - acclaimed southpaw Mike Montgomery (who's struggled a bit in AA, but is 3-1 with a 2.01 ERA) and third baseman Mike Moustakas (who hasn't struggled a bit in AA; .395 with 12 homers), for whom I can't wait to hear the shouts of "MMMOOOOOOOOUUUUUSSSSS!!!"

He may actually like Kansas City: Having overcome struggles with social anxiety disorder, Greinke might actually feel very comfortable in the small-town feel of Kansas City. Do you think New York or LA or Boston would have been as patient and supportive during that difficult time?

Shedding some (dead) weight: A number of albatross contracts could come off the books as soon as next year (Guillen, DeJesus, Meche in case I had to spell it out for you), leaving some cash for Dayton Moore to flesh out the roster with some quality players, by which time hopefully Moore will have learned a thing or two about what OBP actually means.

Of course, none of these reasons could pan out. Roy Oswalt likely has had similar hope put before him, but with a minor league system that's ranked dead last in the majors plus sharing roster space with a considerable number of untradeable players, the Astros' light at the end of the tunnel is actually an oncoming train, and Roy wants off, can you blame him?

But we Royals fans have at least a little hope. Maybe Greinke does too.

For The Win! (Probably...)

Did you catch today's Reds-Braves tilt?

Do you need a Prozac if you're a Reds fan?

(from Fangraphs)

The Pirates really are cheapskates

So penny-pinching that they have one player manning two positions. Maybe they could just replace their entire team with Chuck Norris. Actually, they couldn't afford him. (from The Fightins)

1985, or A Fan Is Born

Bruce Springsteen, Madonna
Way before Nirvana
There was U2 and Blondie
And music still on MTV
Her two kids in high school
They tell her that she’s uncool
Cause she's still preoccupied
With 19, 19, 1985

And so am I.

Back in October of 1985, when Denny Matthews made his famous call "Motley going back...no outs to go!!", it was settled. Winning was cool. Watching the victory parade on KMBC channel 9 was cool...



...seeing the local black-and-white newspaper use royal blue ink for the headlines was cool. Most of all rubbing the game 7 victory in the faces of the abundant Cardinal fans in my 5th grade class was beyond cool (for me anyway). You know what else was cool about this? It was purely "George Brett is awesome!" vs. "Ozzie Smith is awesome!". No one my age cared one whit about Brett's triple-slash line or Ozzie's fielding percentage (.335/.486/.585 and .983 to lead the league among SS's, because you're wondering now). That was fandom at its purest. If only things were that simple again...thanks, internet.

Obviously, '85 was the beginning of my rocky (and admittedly one-sided) relationship with the Kansas City Royals. The winning, the blue KC caps, George Brett, Quiz, Dekinger's call, Denny Matthews on an old AM Radio/8-track console, the fountains, I loved it all. Royals fandom ruled.

Flash-forward 25 years later, I've moved to Los Angeles (the San Gabriel Valley, to be precise), where I've had the pleasure to meet but a few Royals fans scattered among los fans de los Doyers. I think on a cloudy day around some near-sighted Dodger faithful I could wear my blue Royals cap to Chavez Ravine, but not a good idea generally. On the flip side here in LA, you have the laid back OC vibe of the Angels, who've been the perfectly nice Major-League-Team- next-door.

In order to follow my Royals, I've had put the internet to good use, download some podcasts of the KC sports talk circuit, and put up with the ribbing from friends who are Doyers and Angel fans. But in their speech, I hear parallels of the same things that made me a fan. Kirk Gibson, the dulcet tones of Vin Scully, Dodger Dogs, Fernandomania, the Rally Monkey, that shapeless mass of rocks at the big A, "Light up the Halo!!". I come back on their arguments with Zack Greinke winning a Cy Young despite the poorest run support in the league. Doyer fan replies with the Dodgers' front office having the ability to acquire ManRam (getting that big of a superstar is just a pipe dream for a small-market fan). Angel fan jumps in the fray with "5 division titles out of the last 6 years." To which I reply "50-game suspension", and "Red Sox" respectively. And it goes on.

Yes, no matter where you are, fandom still rules.

That's what this blog will be about: how does your favorite baseball team make (and keep!) fans? What makes them turn away? Not watch? Or just give up? How can a normally rational man stay loyal to a team who trots out a lineup with Jason Kendall and Yuniesky Betancourt every night?

I can answer one of those questions: I can still remember 1985.