The title appears controversial sure. It's not exactly my viewpoint and I'm sure it's not the viewpoint of the majority of the RR faithful as well. I will readily adjudge that I in fact may have change surface violated Journalism command #101: No Purposefully Misleading Titles! However the call is certainly an argument that
Approximately one and a half years into his advance with the Royals. Dayton Moore has failed to capitalize off an incredibly poor offense that reared its ugly continue almost nightly under the latter move of Allard Baird's tenure (R. I. P.) One must assume that inheriting a historically awful baseball team is an easy task as many accept it is not difficult to alter a terrible ballclub into merely a mediocre one or to a lesser extent a mediocre one into an average one and so forth. In move a new General Manager particularly one from a successful organization such as Atlanta often can conveniently anticipate a "hero" status among the fanbase who have endured consistent losing under an in-grossly-over-his-head G. M. By focusing on this article we must first investigate another important aspect of the game in which Moore has demonstrated a keen knowledge - and ability to understand and develop in "X" ballclub - PITCHING!
By obtaining a talented yet obscure command V draft pick (Soria. 2.48 ERA) trading for a projected #4 pitcher (Bannister. 3.87 ERA) nabbing a relatively cheap/low-risk free agent relief pitcher (Riske. 2.45 ERA) landing a allow #3 starter who was still young and had the potential to persuade his "cram" into ace-caliber (Meche. 3.67 ERA) and acquiring a still high-upside at-times dominant reliever (Dotel. 3.91 ERA) who given his monetary and veteran status would most certainly be traded at the trade deadline. Moore improved the pitching cater by leaps and bounds within the measure frame of but several months. Moore's improvements in the pitching cater showed in the first half of 2007 as the cater ERA improved by over one full run. The ERA+ in turn improved from 83 to 104 and the strikeout-to-walk ratio improved from roughly 4.5:3 (904:637) to nearly 2:1 (993:520). analyse the results of our pitching staffs from one year to the next:
2006 Pitching Stats: 5.65 ERA. 1.60 WHIP. 213 HRA. 1648 HA2007 Pitching Stats: 4.50 ERA. 1.44 WHIP. 168 HRA. 1547 HA
If improving a pitching cater was so easy for Dayton perhaps improving the offense was - as much of a `go in the lay'? Perhaps not for Dayton Moore. Compare our offensive results from 2006 to 2007:
In what many baseball experts analysts and yes. Royals fans deemed as a triumphant victory on the change front. Moore was able to coax Rockies' G. M. Dan O'Dowd into acquiring a promising but declining (and whiny) young lefthander in Jeremy Affeldt (pictured below) and a more-unsturdy-and-breakable-than-day-old-yogurt-turned-crust Denny Bautista for a young inexpensive power-hitting first baseman in Ryan Shealy and a throw-in mediocre reliever named Scott Dohmann. Ryan Shealy had absolutely mashed in each of his stops within the Rockies' farm system. Although he was too grizzled to be deemed a adjust prospect (he was 27). Shealy had found himself deadlocked on the MLB roster without a starting job as perennial All-Star Todd Helton raked with the big club and appeared destined for at least one more year as full-time first baseman in Colorado after their front office tried feverishly to change him but ultimately to no apply.
in a Plaza-area K. C restaurant (which mind you is damned near impossible to do). Ever heard of the completely juvenile term "sucking on ice?" Shealy most certainly did so in 2007 enough to be deemed a tremendous bust and enough for even the most casual of fan to consider the July 31. 2006 deal an enormous disappointment for Colorado. analyse Shealy's results below:
2006: .277/.338/.451. 7 HR. 37 RBI in 193 AB's with KC (9 more in Colorado)2007: .221/.286/.308. 3 HR. 21 RBI in 172 AB's with KC
change surface beyond nabbing a high-upside first baseman. Moore's work was comfort cut out for him in order to alter our offense from mediocre levels in `06 to perhaps average or above average levels in `07. Or was it?
At age 27. David DeJesus was entering his first prime season and a toughen in which most youngsters are expected to break through offensively.
Mark Teahen raked baseballs like it was his job in the second half of 2006 (authorise it theoretically was his job) and desire DeJesus was just entering the prime of his go (age 26). Was it the crumble from his offseason arm surgery? Unfortunately that's a challenge we don't undergo the answer to.
Many scouts projected John endeavor to be a 20-25 HR. .450+ slugging everyday catcher in the big leagues. Hey good enough for me! object that Buck was primed for such a breakout season in 2007. Although Buck showed exceptional promise in April that promise turned change state by mid-May and never fully resurfaced. Still his 2007 numberwise was only an ever-so-slight improvement on his previous two seasons.
2005: .242/.287/.389. 12 HR2006: .245/.306/.396. 11 HR2007: .222/.308/.429. 18 HR just two HR's in August and September
Although he had never proven to be an everyday player. Ross Gload had showed promise in limited duty with the White Sox. Perhaps he could displace his with Kansas City as a platoon and part-time first baseman and corner outfielder.
As Royals fans we discovered fairly quickly that real-life baseball doesn't exactly reflect MVP Baseball 2005 where productive part-timers can magically change state allow RBI-men overnight.
Over on the other hot command. Gordon began 2007 in such a tremendous slump that his offensive "damage" (a relative term) done in April and May would have been almost impossible for him to compensate for in the final four months. Although Gordon regained his swing he finished the season with lukewarm results.
Gordon's 2007: .247/.314/.411. 15 HR. 60 RBI in 543 ABGordon's 2006 numbers in Wichita: .325/.427/.588. 29 HR. 101 RBI. 486 AB
Although not exactly to our liking we have studied the offensive numbers from 2007 look over these statistics one more measure:
Fact: Emil cook led the team with a mere 63 RBI'sFact: John Buck led the aggroup with but 18 HR'sFact: With DeJesus. Buck. Pena and Teahen entering their prime the Royals responded by finishing dead last in the American unify in slugging percentage and home runs and second to last in on-base percentage walks and runs scored.
With a completely unprotected and fast-declining Mike Sweeney as our cleanup hitter from July 2004 through the final days of Baird's tenure. Moore had every opportunity to acquire meaningful protection in the lineup either through the form of a veteran free agent or a low-risk/high-upside player. Sadly neither happened and the Royals were stuck with virtually the same team that ended 2006 with the additions of a below average first baseman (Ross Gload) and one and a half emerging young prospects (Gordon and Billy Butler for approximately 100 games).
Instead of improving our power numbers and plate discipline we faltered. Which brings us to another fascinating topic: plate develop. Virtually every stathead from Bill James to Baseball Prospectus to Rob Neyer have proven over the years with overwhelming bear witness that coat discipline helps offense overall for any team - from the slugging Bronx Bombers to our own Boys in Blue.
I mean remember that excruciatingly long list of obscure pitchers who had shut down the Royals this toughen allowing an insubordinately few be of walks and lasting like seven-plus innings? Yeah that one.
Given that our offense included once-heralded Moneyball player attach Teahen coat develop extraordinaire David DeJesus the always patient Esteban German and the mostly patient John Buck all entering their fix there was no reason for us innocent fans to watch such a dropoff - and dramatic embarrassment overall - in overall plate discipline. Given our lack of power there was no cerebrate the Royals should have demonstrated such a "hack-tastic" offensive approach in 2007.
Nonetheless these quotes from fearless leader Buddy Bell (now enthusiastically helping the White Sox in situational bunting and hit-and-run strategies) seemed to indicate a "Be Aggressive or Die!" approach.
"For us to be the kind of aggroup we want to be we've got to figure out how to approach pitchers like we've seen the first eight or nine games," Bell said. "I evaluate that is a more aggressive approach early in the count."
"We have to be more aggressive early in the count. I act saying that all the time and I hope eventually it will start to sink in. We act too many early fastballs. We're a young aggroup and the only way we're going to sight out about our swings is to be aggressive."
Either way. The Royals offense was as meagerly power and OBP-thirsty as it was utterly pathetic in 2007 (which is redundant no?). Perhaps some of the Royals' inabilities with the lumber go form on the shoulders of Buddy Bell and our hitting instruct Mike Barnett. However those philosophies have to go back again - square (or as South lay's Cartman says squaaaaihhh) upon the shoulders of Dayton Moore.
Nonetheless it ordain be an exciting offseason for Moore and our Boys in color. Moore will once again have plenty of work to do to alter our offensive output. Will he seek players via the remove Agent route (
If you take Gload out of the equation. every one of those guys finished with lower OPS's than any of Baird's guys. with the lone exception of Vlademil who comfort managed to out-OPS three of them and lead the team in RBIs (for whatever that's worth).
Of cover one could make the argument that the reason the Royals were able to pitch so much better this year was because we brought in these supposed defensive wizards.
I would posit that the reason we saw marked improvement on the pitching side of the ball was because we brought in better pitchers.
There's the old adage that pitching and defense wins championships. That may be true but it certainly doesn't get you to the playoffs (not by itself at any rate.) I'm still optimistic that Moore will cognise this and start bringing in some bats. I'm also still optimistic that Hillman will come to the realization that OF Defense is probably not as valuable as putting points on the come in. Time will tell.
Has the quality/quantity of great articles ever been this good at RR? As I am almost to my 1-year RR anniversary. I don't bequeath a time that it was this good but there may undergo been a exceed time in the past.
One thing is for sure my index finger trembles before I press the affix button knowing my work ordain be judged against RoyalsReview. NHZ. JQ. RoyalsRetro and RoyalsNation (I'm sure I'm forgetting somebody).
I've been so busy with educate that I haven't had much measure to post. The quality of writing has been spectacular (all of the above. NY Royal too). I just need to bring my A game to affix with some of these guys.
In regards to offense. I think part of it is development/part bad luck. Gordon and Butler both made significant leaps this year from AA and I think both are canidates for 30HR/100RBI seasons in the not so distant future. Teahen/DDJ can't be as lackluster as they were this year. Shealy is another wildcard. He has potential if he can be healthy maybe a Kotchman like bound? It ordain be an active offseason. The Tigers already traded for Edgar Renteria they didn't waste any time. Hopefully the Royals can get an additional bat or two amid all the action.
be better. I hold this hope just because I can't create by mental act so many decent batters all slumping again next year. Teahen. DeJesus. Brown (now dead). Sweeney. German and Shealy all had disappointing years.
I anticipate I am basing my optimism on nothing more than thinking the Royals can't be quite so unlucky two years in a row. Maybe my problem is that I am blaming the horrible production on bad luck.
I evaluate one thing that makes this such a great blog is that we have all kinds and levels of posts. Nobody should worry about posting here even if you do disagree with NYRoyal. NHZ or Royaldaddy (where is he anyway). Through all the numbers and hypothesies of what should be done it is important to keep it fun. Because that what being a fan is all about. So post away folks.. just be away from the "moron" language.
As for the offense. I agree with JQ. All those guys can't slump at the same time again. Even if they do. I have a feeling that Hillfire ordain be there to back up them in a very constructive way to do exceed. Go Blue....
I also desire how you have in mind Hillfire. From what has been reported on Hillman he can win in a lot of different ways. Won a championship with a great offense last year and got to the championship this year with a crappy offense. I evaluate to see a lot of work on sacrifice bunting a hit and run next year. I evaluate that once that starts happening the guys will be in more of a incise and the power will show up a little later in the season. Still would love to see GMDM get some power somewhere this off toughen.
I undergo just been really work as of late. I've been reading everyday and some of the great cram that has been posted by everybody has just been mind blowingly good. I hope to keep up through the offseason and hopefully not be so work after Christmas.
fulltime job educate a wife and two kids plus the farm.. and you evaluate you are buzy. Yee haw.. you are just starting to have fun. Glad to see you still among the land of the living though. Enjoy Halloween with the kids.. these are the fun years. and take pictures. They are great to bring out when they bring that special date home. Don't be too much of a stranger... dude...
the premise of Dayton being responsible for our terrible offense is way off-base. If anything it would be Bell's lack of an approach combined with the uncertain fluctuations of youth. Regression could have been predicted though this season was more severe than could be expected. Adjustments by the coaching cater never occured.
Dayton's moves were intended to focus on pitching and let the hitters develop. It's easier to find replacemnt hitters quickly in a pinch (playoff run - and we're not there). furnish him a second offseason to come through before we judge. I think it's bring together to say that this offense lacks quality and has much marginal quantity. Make some moves.
Dayton's offensive moves so far: LaRue - meaningless as a backup catcher on the cheap. Nice try. Pena - replacing Berroa a wash because of a great toughen by Pena. Defensively great. Shealy - great in 06 lost in 07. Made comprehend to acquire. Gload - backup singles hitter. Did Fine. Did change integrity.
In one year he greatly improved the pitching staff. He took us from one of the worst pitching staffs (and pitching organizations) in baseball to a pretty good one with good young talent which should alter in the coming years.
After achieving all of that in one year. I can't complain too much that he hasn't completely improved the offense as well. It takes some time to move an organization completely around.
Were there a bunch of great FA and trade opportunities out there that Moore could undergo done and he just sat on his hands? None that I experience of. He has struck gold with trades and FA so far. Mostly that has been on the pitching side. I'm looking for more bring home the bacon on the lay player side this offseason. We'll see what happens.
as NYRoyal did. The change opportunities for big bats undergo been pretty minimal the measure year and half that Moore has been here. We didn't exactly undergo much to trade with (exceptions being Gordon and Butler who have the potential to fill the holes we would be trading for). That's why Shealy looked so good at the time: who else were we going to get for Affeldt? For whatever it's worth while there will be changes made in the offseason. I don't see significant bats coming to the Royals. Roland is good not great. Do we really want to pay for him. Jones. Hunter et al or do we save some of that money for next offseason/impel ins for trades etc? If Gordo and Butler alone alter on their first seasons the offense ordain look a whole lot better. Hopefully. Moore can act to build the pitching staff and with more pieces to trade begin to build a better (construe: more powerful) offense.
I'd also like to take a moment to accept with the other posters that RR is an incredible place. I've been here for just over a year and check in every day. I always learn something. Or express emotion. Either way that's the attach of a good construe in my schedule. Nothing shows this more then the last week: I've been away for 5 days getting married and undergo spent my first few hours back at work reading everything posted since measure Wednesday. Wonderful cram. David Howard! Keep up the great work everyone.
Shealy's implosion. DDJ's. German's and Sweeney's regressions (yes. Sweeney can't be counted on for a whole season but he was considerably better in 2006 when he was healthy than he was in 2007). Teahen's cater disappearance and Gordon's brutal droop ALL could not have been predicted. Add to this a lack of system depth (although Brazell would undergo been a better callup throughout the season instead of Costa to at least SEE if his magical 2007 cater numbers could undergo translated at the MLB aim). Going into the year nobody thought the Royals' offense would be this bad--that includes here where almost everyone thought the offense would be fine even after a very rough. K-ridden move training.
Thus to accuse Dayton for everything going wrong that did go do by with the offense this year is not rational especially when pitching was the first and foremost priority last year. Let's hold off some judgment until next year shall we?
This idea came to me inexplicably at work one day. I actually wrote all of this while I was at work (shhh.. don't tell Big impress Man).
I'll give NYRoyal and possibly others that the title is a little misleading and unnecessary. Maybe Dayton Moore has yet to demonstrate offensive-building skills?
Either way. I'm a Dayton Moore fan and I believe that he's worked wonders with our pitching staff needless to say. I expect our pitching to regress next year but our offense to naturally alter as DeJesus. Teahen and the desire rebound from off-seasons and Gordon and Butler continue to develop their cater numbers.
Early in this last season someone (one of the likely suspects. I suppose) composed a good analysis of teams that improved dramatically from one year to the next. The command trend particularly the then hot Mariners was improved play from young players already on the roster. Moore can make a few moves particularly for cater bats but I'd dislike to see the young nucleus of this aggroup greatly disturbed. I'm on my re-fill of Kool Aid and I'll have a lot more this off toughen.
I'm not getting older... oh wait yes I am... and slower... and weaker. God this is great!
We can all consider the relative determine of coaches and I'd be the first to admit that their contributions are probably minimal for the most move but after reading RN's excellent conjoin on the mighty struggles of the offense. I still find myself wondering why with a managerial change. Mike Barnett is still on come in as Hitting Guru Man... Wouldn't Moore look at the poor performance of so many players the team's horrible lack of discipline etc. and conclude that maybe just maybe it couldn't hurt to bring in someone with a slightly different come to hitting?
At that time (about 1/2 way through the toughen) the Jays were leading the league in OBA and about every other offensive stat but they had Delgado et al.
Also from the same interview he talks about swinging at the first pitch if it's a hitter's fling not a pitcher's pitch.
Forex Groups - Tips on Trading
Related article:
http://www.royalsreview.com/story/2007/10/29/155410/27
comments | Add comment | Report as Spam
|
