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Post by mtroyals on Sept 17, 2007 2:13:39 GMT -6
"Ozzie" Ray is a very interesting character provided he can get us to the Series.
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Sept 22, 2007 6:49:27 GMT -6
Indians Earn Last Laugh in Thriller Gordon HR In Pinch Not Enough.
Alex Gordon broke out of a 14-game homer-less streak with a pinch-hit three-run blast, but it wasn't enough as Joakim Soria surrendered three runs in the bottom of the ninth to lose 6-3.
The teams were locked in a scoreless struggle before Cleveland punched across two runs in the seventh inning on RBI singles by Ryan Inglett and Ryan Garko.
Kansas City took the lead in the top of the eighth as In-Ho Kwon and Tad Iguchi reached base on singles. Gordon, called in a pinch-hit role for Esteban German, worked to a full count pitch before sending Brian Castle's fast ball into the right field stands.
But Cleveland would answer with a single run in the bottom of the eighth, then win it as Hector Luna crushed a three-run home run off of Joel Peralta.
KC 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 3 9 0 Cle 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 3 6 12 0
Kansas City Royals 13-12
Batter-Pos AB R H RBI BB SO Gathright CF 4 0 1 0 1 1 Cabrera SS 5 0 1 0 0 2 Rivera CF 5 0 0 0 0 2 Eldred DH 4 0 1 0 1 0 Gload 1B 2 0 1 0 0 1 Butler PH-1B 3 0 0 0 0 0 Kwon LF 3 1 1 0 1 1 Iguchi 2B 4 1 1 0 0 2 German 3B 2 0 1 0 1 0 Gordon PH 1 1 1 3 0 0 Huckaby C 2 0 1 0 2 0 Totals 35 3 9 3 6 9
Batting HR: Gordon (6) RBI: Gordon 3 (24) GIDP: Cabrera SB: Gathright (6) CS: Kwon (2)
Pitching IP H R ER BB SO Jennings 6 3 0 0 5 4 Myers 1 0 0 0 0 1 Colon 2/3 3 2 2 0 0 Nelson 1/3 0 0 0 1 1 Soria (L, 0-1) 1 4 2 2 0 0 Peralta 0 2 2 2 0 0 Totals 9 12 6 6 6 6
Cleveland Indians 17-8
Batter-Pos AB R H RBI BB SO Nixon RF 3 0 0 0 2 2 Martinez C 5 0 2 0 0 1 Gutierrez PR 0 1 0 0 0 0 Shoppach 0 0 0 0 0 0 Hafner 1B 4 0 0 0 1 0 Sizemore CF 4 1 3 0 1 1 Garko DH 5 0 1 1 0 0 Inglett 2B 3 1 1 1 1 0 Brown LF 5 1 1 0 0 1 Peralta SS 5 1 2 1 0 1 Luna 3B 4 1 2 3 1 0 Totals 38 6 12 6 6 6
Batting 2B: Luna (7), Sizemore (4), Inglett (4) HR: Luna (6) RBI: Luna 3 (22), Peralta (13), Inglett (15), Garko (24) HBP: Inglett SB: Nixon (4), Inglett (1)
Pitching IP H R ER BB SO Byrd 5 1/3 5 0 0 2 6 Fultz 2 1/3 0 0 0 4 1 Cabrera 1/3 0 0 0 0 0 Castle 0 3 3 0 0 0 Borowski (W, 1-0) 2 1 0 0 0 2 Totals 10 9 3 0 6 9
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Mar 20, 2008 7:49:16 GMT -6
Bumpity up from the dead to announce the return of the fake 2008 Royals to Royals Nation. I plan to have the second installment of the fake 08 coming in late May or early June. Stay tuned!
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Post by ror1fan on Mar 20, 2008 18:00:49 GMT -6
Man I've got to know how that 2K8 is on wii I've got a Wii but haven't bought the game yet.
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Post by KC Royals Nation on Mar 20, 2008 20:24:18 GMT -6
Alright! I almost thought about creating something similar for B. Mogul, 2k8, or The Show 2008.
But welcome back, plotty! I'll let you handle this show.
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Post by ror1fan on Mar 20, 2008 21:36:25 GMT -6
But welcome back, plotty! I'll let you handle this show. As long as you find a better manager I hated that Ricky Ray fell-er.
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Mar 21, 2008 6:18:07 GMT -6
Thanks guys. RN - You mentioned Baseball Mogul 2008: I had that sucker in my grubby hands at Big Lots for $8. I should had bought it...but since I already made a more "logical" purchase, wifey speaking (Hoyle Word Games), I was sunk. RoR - The search is on for a brighter, bolder manager. Mr. Ray was kind of a dousche, IMO. More ideas on game reports...this dynasty may take on many story lines. I did something similar on NCAA Football with Trinity Bible State. If you are interested about reading what Trinity Bible was about, I suggest picking up this: Keeping the Faith: In the Trenches With College Football's Worst Team. books.google.com/books?id=iPyHrNKh3doC&pg=PT1&dq=trinity+bible+football&sig=Z2upQlqvN_XI36aMtORWR2rgwqEBasically, its a story about TBC football. My dynasty report for these guys is available on another forum I post on a routine basis. www.ncaastrategies.com
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Mar 28, 2008 15:47:15 GMT -6
Ok, so I finally talked my wife into renting 2K8. I haven't been able to play it a whole lot, but this is what I can say about it. Just some generalizations: 1) The Royals roster (among all 28 others) need a whole lot of work. From fixing lineups to just who is on each team, it could be my toughest battle of roster editing to date. That leads into some ideas of which you, the dynasty reader, that I'd like to hear from. 2) Graphics-wise for the Wii is very very vanilla. I feel that 2K copied and pasted 2K6 graphic code onto a disc, formatted it to run on a Wii, and shipped it. The game IMO looked better on PS2 than the Wii. That is a serious drawback. 3) However, I really enjoy playing the game. The controls are extremely easy: I did not have a book to read from, yet 2K did a good job of enabling several tutorials to show you the basic controls. The hitting is very simple: use the Nunchuk to designate where you want to hit the ball (up for a fly ball, down and right a grounder to 1st/3rd, based on the batter), and swing the Wiimote to hit. Pitching is as equally easy: pick the pitch you want to throw, aim w/the Wiimote, cock it back and throw. Throwing to bases is as simple as using the cross hairs on the Wiimote. 4) Sliders to make the game realistic will be a dire necessity. I think w/practice hitting could become very easy. The same goes for pitching: I played a 3-inning game w/the Royals vs the Rockies, and I had a no-no w/Gil Meche. I had three hits, including a home run by John Buck.
Now the question I lead to you dynasty readers is simple: should I try to make the roster as close as possible to start a dynasty (note, I don't have the game, but it will happen), or do a fantasy draft w/studs and try to win right away. Your call.
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Post by KC Royals Nation on Mar 28, 2008 16:06:37 GMT -6
I rented 2K7 last year and wasn't impressed. It seems games (on PS2 that is) haven't really progressed as much as I would have liked the last 3 years.
Just my suggestion, but - try to win on the existing roster! It makes it that much more exciting to sorta track our own players' success in your league.
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Mar 31, 2008 15:35:04 GMT -6
2007 Finish (69-93) - Fifth Place (AL Central) Key Offseason additions Jose Guillen OF; Ron Mahay RP; Miguel Olivo C; Yasuhiko Yabuta RP; Alberto Callaspo 2B; Hideo Nomo SP Key Offseason subtractions Jason LaRue C (STL); David Riske RP (Mil); Mike Sweeney DH (Oak); Odalis Perez SP (Was); Reggie Sanders OF (FA); John Thomson SP(FA); OF Emil Brown (Oak)
Manager/GM: "Black" Jack Platchek
Projected Lineup CF David DeJesus 2B Mark Grudzielanek 3B Alex Gordon RF Jose Guillen DH Billy Butler RF Mark Teahen 1B Ross Gload C John Buck SS Tony Pena, Jr.
Bench C Miguel Olivo INF Alberto Callaspo CF Joey Gathright UTIL Esteban German
Projected Rotation SP Gil Meche SP Brian Bannister SP Zach Greinke SP John Bale SP Brett Tomko
Bullpen LR Jimmy Gobble MR Leo Nunez MR Ron Mahay RP Yasuhiko Yabuta RP Ramon Ramirez CP Joakim Soria
Top 5 Prospects 1) Mike Moustakas, 3B/1B 2) Luke Hochevar 3) Julio Pimentel 4) Carlos Rosa 5) Mitch Maier
Overview (courtesy of The Sports Network w/edits)
Fans of the Kansas City Royals have had to watch all four of the team's division rivals play in the post-season over the last four years, while their club has dealt with front office unrest, managerial changes and a seemingly endless revolving door of failed players on the field.
This year is no different, as "Black" Jack Platchek gets his first crack as a major league skipper in Kansas City after spending the last five seasons in the California Penal League for the Sacramento Jail Birds.
Platchek has already established that he will be a players' coach, which is quite the contrast from his predecessor Buddy Bell, who was as old-school as they come when it came to dealing with his team.
Offensively, this team has been putrid over the last couple of seasons. So, second year general manager Jack Platchek toyed with the idea of bringing Andruw Jones in, but settled on Jose Guillen. Guillen, of course, had some off the field issues to deal with this offseason, but he should be a welcome addition for Kansas City in the middle of April. Platchek has been well-known for his high-ended, wheeling and dealing type of trades. Expect the trend to continue.
Gil Meche will head a talented front end of the rotation that includes youngsters Brian Bannister and Zack Greinke. The final two spots will be filled this spring with Brett Tomko, John Bale, and Kyle Davies.
The Royals bullpen should be significantly better with the free-agent signings of lefty Ron Mahay and Japan's Yasuhiko Yabuta.
A big thing to watch for the Royals this season will be the progression of third baseman Alex Gordon. who struggled mightily in his first year. Perhaps the organization's most talked about prospect since Bret Saberhagen, Gordon needs to be the player everyone thinks he can be if fans in Kansas City want to see any light at the end of the tunnel.
Below we take a capsule look at the 2008 edition of the Kansas City Royals, with a personnel evaluation and prognosis included therein:
INFIELD
Gordon entered last season as the favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award. But things didn't work out as planned for the 24-year-old slugger, as he hit just .247 with 15 home runs and 60 RBI. However, after not getting to a .200 batting average until June, Gordon hit .285 with 12 home runs and 10 steals over the final 98 games.
Not that the Royals are going to be competing for a division title anytime soon, but how Gordon progresses in year two will go a long way in determining the Royals' success in coming years.
It appears that the Royals are going to give Ryan Shealy another shot at first base. The team wanted Shealy to be their everyday first baseman a year ago, but he got off to a dreadful 5-for-52 start and was then hampered by a hamstring injury, as well as a broken bone in his foot. However, Shealy was shipped back to Triple A Omaha. Ross Gload, more known for a strong, steady glove, will get the nod here. Billy Butler will back up on an as-needed basis.
Up the middle the Royals have veteran Mark Grudzielanek at second, slick- fielding Tony Pena Jr. at short and John Buck behind the plate.
Grudzielanek, who suffered through two knee operations last season, hit .302, drove in 51 runs and scored 70 times. He was also exceptional in the field, committing just six errors in 116 games.
Pena, meanwhile, made nine errors in his first 40 games, but just 14 in the next 111. He also wasn't that bad with the stick and batted .267 from the No. 9 spot in the order.
Buck provided the Royals with some pop last season and led the club with 18 home runs, but only three of those came after the All-Star break. However, he hit a career-worst .222 and drove in just 48 runs.
Defensively, Buck was solid, making just eight errors and allowing only three passed balls.
OUTFIELD
The Royals' lineup lacked a true bopper last year, so the team went out and signed Guillen to play left field. Of course, fans in Kansas City will have to wait a while to see their prized offseason acquisition, as Guillen will sit out the first 15 games of the year for violating MLB's substance abuse policy.
Guillen hit 23 home runs and drove in 99 runs last season for the Mariners, and his mere presence will be a welcome addition to an offense that has finished among the bottom four teams of the league in runs scored the past four seasons.
Center fielder David DeJesus appeared in a career-high 157 games last season for the Royals and went to bat 704 times. Admittedly he wore down late and it showed, as his average dropped over 20 points in the final two months of the season. DeJesus finished the year hitting .260, but still scored 101 times as the team's primary leadoff man.
Mark Teahen was a huge disappointment for the Royals last season. After belting 18 home runs with 69 RBI in 109 games in 2006, the right fielder managed to leave the ball park just seven times while driving in nine fewer runs in 35 more games. The Royals hope having Guillen hit around him will get Teahen back on track.
DESIGNATED HITTER
While not as heralded as Gordon, Billy Butler has also been talked about in Royals' circles for some time. But unlike Gordon, Butler actually lived up to his advanced billing at the plate last year, hitting .292 with eight home runs and 52 RBI in 92 games. He has worked out at first base, which might be his best suited place for his wide body.
STARTING ROTATION
Meche was the Royals big off-season acquisition a year ago and despite his 9-13 mark, the righty's first year in Kansas City was generally considered a success. Meche pitched to a 3.67 ERA and posted career-highs in most categories, despite getting the worst run support among regular AL starters.
Bannister was a pleasant surprise for the Royals. After being acquired last winter from the New York Mets for Ambiorix Burgos, he posted a 12-9 ledger to go along with a 3.87 ERA and finished third in AL Rookie of the Year voting.
Greinke will slot in as the team's third starter as the Royals continue to cross their fingers that he will reach his immense potential. Greinke, who has battled psychological issues in the past, was 7-7 with a 3.69 ERA last season in 52 games, 14 of which were starts. The 24-year-old former first round pick also pitched to a stellar 1.85 ERA over his final seven starts.
After that, it gets a little sketchy for Platchek. John Bale, who stepped in nicely as a long reliever, will step in the fourth spot. Bale has shed 20 pounds to improve on his conditioning to prepare for the vigors of starting pitching duty. Brett Tomko will fill the fifth and final rotation spot, but he was dreadful with the Los Angeles Dodgers last season, going 2-11 with a 5.80 ERA.
BULLPEN
Another pleasant surprise for the Royals last season was Rule 5 pickup Joakim Soria, who saved 17 games last season as a rookie. The 23-year-old right- handed flame-thrower held opponents to a .187 average, while pitching to a 2.48 ERA to go along with 75 strikeouts in 69 innings.
Soria's main setup man will be Mahay, who signed a two-year deal with the Royals this offseason. The 36-year-old was 1-0 with a 2.25 earned run average in 30 games for Atlanta last season after being acquired, along with first baseman Mark Teixeira, in a July 31 trade from the Texas Rangers.
In a combined 58 games with the Rangers and Braves last season, Mahay was 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA.
The wild card here could be right-handed setup man Yabuta, who comes into the majors after having spent his entire 12-year career with the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan's Pacific League. Last year he went 4-6 with four saves and a 2.73 ERA in 58 relief appearances for the Marines.
Lefties Jimmy Gobble, as well as right-handers Joel Peralta, Ramon Ramirez and Leo Nunez, figure to play a part in building the bridge to Soria as well.
BENCH
Given the fact that Grudzielanek is 37 and is coming off a season that saw him endure not one but two knee operations, the Royals went out and acquired Alberto Callaspo from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Callaspo can play a number of positions, but will likely take over the starting second base reins next season.
Esteban German will be the team's jack-of-all trades, while speedy outfielder Joey Gathright will be used late in the game on the basepaths.
Miguel Olivo was brought in as a free agent and will push Buck for time behind the plate. Olivo belted 16 home runs for Florida last season and is a career .415 hitter at Kauffman Stadium.
OUTLOOK
The Royals are not going to be competing for a division title this season. But they are getting better. Despite his struggles in 2007, big things are still expected for Gordon. And by pairing him with Butler, Bannister, Greinke and Soria, you might have something to look forward to down the road if you are a fan of the Royals. If anything, the Royals may be the team that contending clubs would like to avoid down the stretch. All in all, though, they will be battling the Chicago White Sox for last place in the AL Central.
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Mar 31, 2008 18:22:17 GMT -6
KC Slide By Tigers
Detroit, MI (MP Network) - John Buck hit a two-run home run, and Gil Meche tossed seven solid innings as Kansas City held on to defeat Detroit 4-3.
Meche allowed a pair of runs on six hits. He struck out three and walked one on just 80 pitches. "We wanted to limit Gil's pitch count. The season is a marathon, not a sprint. It is not worth an injury to your ace on Opening Day," said Royals manager/GM Jack Platcek.
The Royals found enough offense against Detroit ace Justin Verlander. Verlander was not very sharp, often working behind the count. He worked into 3 ball, no strike counts four times in a row during the second inning. This followed a first inning where Verlander registered three strikeouts, the only base runner was Alex Gordon reaching on a base-on-balls.
That allowed the Royals to tee off and get to Verlander.
Billy Butler started it off by being hit by a pitch. Mark Teahen singled. Ross Gload then smashed another single to score Butler, but Teahen was nailed at home. John Buck then connected on a 3-0 fast ball and sent it into the right-center field seats.
Teahen would follow in the third inning by drilling a solo shot off of Verlander to pad the Royals lead.
Edgar Renteria smacked two solo home runs in a losing effort for the Tigers, who outhit Kansas City 10-7, but also left seven runners on base.
Royals of Note: DeJesus: 1-2 Gordon: 0-3, BB, CS Teahen: 4-4, 2 1B, 3B, HR (1) Buck: 1-4, HR (1), 2 RBI (2) Meche: 7 IP, 6 H, 2 R (W, 1-0) Soria: 1 IP, 2 H, 1 R (S, 1)
Tigers of Note: Renteria: 3-4, 2 HR (2), 2 RBI (2) Sheffield: 1-4, 2B, RBI Granderson: 2-4, 3B Cabrera: 1-4, 3B, R Verlander: 3 2/3 IP, 4 H, 4 R (L, 0-1) Miner: 4 1/3 IP, 3 H, 0 R
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Apr 5, 2008 5:53:34 GMT -6
Detroit, MI (MP Network) - Funny how this game of baseball works.
The Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers found themselves in a rare situation on Wednesday. Their scheduled game was first suspended for two hours due to gun shots being heard around Comerica Park, then the game was called in the 3rd inning due to heavy snow.
"That was one freaky atmosphere we endured on Wednesday," said Manager/GM Jack Platchek, "things like that are very moving on the mind. But we have a job to do, and that's play baseball."
Therefore, Kansas City and Detroit scheduled what has become a rarity in baseball: a true day/night doubleheader. "It was sort of odd taking BP at 8:30 in the morning, "said 3B Alex Gordon, "it had a spring training feel to it."
To add in the weird of the series, the gunshots seemed to have stumped the Royals bats in Game One. The first pitch for the game was at 10:30am.
In game one, Tiger hurler Jeremy Bonderman locked up the Royals. He allowed just two hits in five innings, and struck out eight. However, he also had control issues, walking four.
"It seems like our control issues is a team problem," said Bonderman, "V (Justin Verlander) had a rough outing on Tuesday, and I followed suit. I just was lucky enough to get enough close to the plate."
Royal pitcher Brian Bannister had equally tough luck, and also took the loss. The trouble was few and far between for the right-hander, except two mistakes. "I'd take back that fastball that started the game, and my last pitch," said Bannister.
Tiger lead-off man Curtis Granderson stroked a rocket to RF Jose Guillen, which Guillen had carom off the heel of his glove. "That was purely a misread by me," said Guillen. The three base error led to Magglio Ordonez driving Granderson in from third.
The Tigers added a single tally in the eighth on an RBI single by Carlos Guillen.
Kansas City drove in its lone run in the ninth inning on a RBI double by Mark Teahen.
In the nightcap, Kansas City flexed its muscle by drilling grand slams in the first and second innings to cruise to an 11-0 pounding.
The Royals pounded starter Dontrelle Willis into submission with patience, Platchek said, "We wanted Dontrelle to throw strikes. We knew that he struggled with that in the spring."
The issue for Willis carried over into his season debut for Detroit. He walked David DeJesus and Gordon, and gave up an infield single to Guillen. Billy Butler worked Willis to a 3-0 count, and then deposited his next pitch deep in the left field bleachers.
Willis worked just 2/3 of an inning, allowing the four runs. He had no comment after the game.
Reliever Zach Miner didn’t fare much better, as KC teed off the reliever for five more runs in the second inning, the biggest blow another grand slam—this time from Mark Teahen.
Teahen would also add a solo shot off of Jason Grilli in the fifth inning.
The Royals travel on to Minnesota for a three game series. John Bale will lead KC into Game one, while Minnesota will counter with Scott Baker.
News and Notes: 2B Mark Grudzielanek still has yet to register a hit. He is 0-for-12 with five strike outs…..RF Mark Teahen is 40% to his home run total from a season ago. He only hit seven. He is batting .727 to begin the season…..Lost in the mix of the second game was the performance of Zach Greinke. He pitched 6 1/3 innings, and allowed just four hits.
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Apr 8, 2008 21:27:29 GMT -6
Minneapolis, MN (MP Network) - Mark Teahen continued his power surge, by smashing two more home runs to lead Kansas City to a 8-1 win over Minnesota.
Teahen is now batting .588 on the young season with 5 home runs and 9 runs batted in.
Alex Gordon connected for a grand slam in the Royals 5-run second inning.
The Royals patience at the plate wore thin on Twins starter Scott Baker, who was pulled after the Gordon grand slam.
David DeJesus drove in a run on a bases loaded walk, and Tony Pena, Jr. crushed a solo home run in the seventh inning.
The Royals received a complete game from John Bale, who made his starting pitching debut. He allowed 7 hits and 1 run. He walked 1 and struck out 2.
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Apr 9, 2008 10:08:52 GMT -6
MLB RumorWire: Royals Shopping for a 2B
According to several sources, the Kansas City Royals are looking for a second baseman. In four games, the two starting second baseman, Mark Grudzielanek and Alberto Callaspo, are a combined 0-for-17 with 9 strikeouts.
"We'd like to have spots one through nine produce, but the two hole is vital," said GM/manager Jack Platchek, "either that means we need to shake the lineup up a bit, or go shopping."
Platchek stated that there are no particular targets he is scouting at this time.
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Wonderful, Black Jack is already wanting to swing some trades. He needs to look at the sparkling 1.000 fielding percentage Grudz and Calla are spotting. What a baphoon if he makes this trade.
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plotty
Wilmington Blue Rock
Fake Royals GM
Posts: 425
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Post by plotty on Nov 27, 2008 5:22:47 GMT -6
For the third time in as many years....I am proud to announce a return to fake Kansas City Royals baseball.......more details to come later. How's that for a Thanksgiving teaser?!
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