True. Blue. Tradition. (Fake KC Royals Baseball)

[plotty]

Now I present, the payroll for the 2007 KC Royals! Note: Most of these figures are not "real" numbers, so bear with me. Also, if I could get a mod to help me with the "code" for this to align these up right, that would be awesome, too!

Player Salary Per Year Years Left/Total Contract
John Buck 1,596,197 3/5
Mark Grudzielanek 2,350,000 1/1
Paul Phillips 1,199,047 2/3
Joakim Soria 700,000 1/1
David DeJesus 1,400,000 1/1
Gil Meche 1,704,815 5/5
Jason Jennings 1,354,228 6/9
Alex Gordon 390,243 1/2
Brian Bannister 563,145 2/2
Mike Sweeney 285,487 1/3
David Riske 314,752 3/3
Mark Teahen 261,875 4/5
Ross Gload 185,609 1/4
Octavio Dotel 200,000 1/1
John Thomson 262,293 3/3
Brad Eldred 194,889 2/4
Joel Peralta 195,121 1/2
Luis Matos 199,841 2/3
Estaban German 204,879 2/2
Odalis Perez 199,841 2/3
Zach Greinke 209,834 3/3
Joey Gathright 165,853 1/2
Chris Michalak 160,000 1/1
Jimmy Gobble 142,517 2/5
Tony Pena, Jr. 123,711 1/3

Others of Note
Joe Nelson 350,000 1/1
Luke Hudson 550,000 1/1
Angel Berroa 285,000 3/3
Scott Elarton 195,000 2/2
Ryan Langerhans 180,000 3/3
Angel Sanchez 126,000 2/2

[KC Royals Nation]

Jennings will be that solid #2 starter we needed. Are the job positions of Odalis Perez and John Thomson, presumably our #3 and #4 starters, safe? Has the draft occurred yet? And where's Buddy Bell?

[plotty]

admin said:

Jennings will be that solid #2 starter we needed. Are the job positions of Odalis Perez and John Thomson, presumably our #3 and #4 starters, safe? Has the draft occurred yet? And where's Buddy Bell?

Just a quickie response before dinner (wow, its magic to my ears, 9-1 KC!)

Perez and Thomson are safe for now. I can safely assume an Elarton would get the trade before Perez would. Mainly right now because Perez is our only lefty in the starting rotation. But again, I cannot rule anything out at this juncture.

The draft doesn't occur until the end of the season. Rats.

And Buddy Bell is right along for the ride with me. As a robot.

And, oh, check your PM. Hope that is what you're looking for.

[KC Royals Nation]

Ouch. Is Paul Phillips seriously making almost $2M? Gotta find a way to shave that payroll off.

How much Free Agent play money do you have this season? Or are you not really exploring the FA market?

I think your biggest priority at this point should be finding another solid #2-3 pitcher.

[plotty]

admin said:

Ouch. Is Paul Phillips seriously making almost $2M? Gotta find a way to shave that payroll off.

How much Free Agent play money do you have this season? Or are you not really exploring the FA market?

I think your biggest priority at this point should be finding another solid #2-3 pitcher.

Royals Nation, Cowboy Nick and the GM sit down before Opening Day.

RN: Paul Phillips as our number two catcher? Explain the reasoning there.

MP: Yes, Phillips carries a huge upside in that he has a good knack at locking the plate. Others think he rates as a number eight million on the depth chart. But he is my #2 and is making close to two million per. But with the zero depth in the farm system, I'm pretty much forced to keep him on until a cheaper option is available.

Cowboy: I know its a long season, but what are your plans for free agency?

MP: The coming FA market should be a lot of fun. It is extremely hard to exactly know what kind of money that I will have to work with. Right now my plan is to lock up the young guys to long-term deals, and start shading out the veterans. I'm not a dumb man; I understand the loads of talent in KC, and I want it to stick around. There will be no damn heartbreak of losing a Carlos Beltran-type player. I am my damnest going to keep that kind of talent here, at home, where it belongs.

RN: The grumblings about Odalis Perez continue. Would a #2 or a #3 starter be what you would pursue in the free agent market?

MP: I agree with the priority of finding another #2/#3 type starter. Do the words Tom Gorzelanny come to mind? Young, hot uber pitching prospect?

Cowboy: I can go right to the bank with Gorzelanny. He should be a guy you need to get after. And a lot. Anyways, all major publications have KC picked to finish dead last. Not just the AL Central, but all of baseball.

MP: Well, when you lose 100 games three of the last four years its pretty hard to predict anything beyond a drastic change. But I really like the make up of the ball club. We have a good blend of youth and veteran leadership, and I think you and the rest of the baseball world will be pleased with the product we're producing down here.

RN: Tough pitching match-up on Opening Day. You send out $55 million dollar man Gil Meche to face one of baseball premier hurlers in Curt Schilling.

MP: Yeah. Schil is one of the true characters in the game. He will get after you with his hard stuff, then shut you down with off-speed down and away. He's particularly nasty to righties. We just have to be patient hitters and go after him.

Cowboy: Nice way to put it.

[plotty]

KC Shells Schilling, Sox
6-Run 5th Inning Pave Way to Opening Day Victory.

Alex Gordon wanted to start out the season with a bang. He didn't envision this.

The 2006 Minor Player of the Year started off his first season in the majors with a perfect 4-for-4 night, with two runs batted in and a stolen base to lead Kansas City to a 9-7 win over Boston Monday night.

Mike Sweeney added two doubles and two RBI. 2B Mark Grudzielanek also added a couple RBI to aid in the cause, and make Gil Meche a winner in his Royals debut. Mueche pitched five and a third innings. He struck out three and walked two.

The Royals pounded Red Sox starter Curt Schilling for 10 hits and seven runs in four and a third innings. He walked four and struck out one.

After Meche allowed a solo home run to 1B Kevin Youkilis, the Royals answered back with a pair of runs, driven in by Gordon.

But the outburst would no occur until the bottom of the fifth, where 12 Royals batted. Driving in runs in the fifth were rookie Brad Eldred, John Buck, Joey Gathright (on a bunt single), Grudzielanek and Sweeney.

Next Two Games vs. Red Sox
Wednesday, April 4: Josh Beckett vs. Jason Jennings
Thursday, April 5: Daisuke Matsuzuka vs Odalis Perez

Boston Red Sox 0-1

Batter - Pos AB R H RBI BB SO
Lugo SS 5 1 1 0 0 1
Youklis 1B 5 1 1 1 0 2
Ortiz DH 4 1 2 1 1 1
Ramirez LF 4 1 1 1 1 0
Drew RF 3 2 2 1 2 0
Lowell 3B 5 1 1 2 0 0
Varitek C 5 0 1 0 0 2
Crisp CF 3 0 1 0 2 0
Pedroia 2B 4 0 2 1 0 1
Pena, PH 1 0 0 0 0 0
Totals 39 7 12 7 6 7

Batting
2B: Ramirez (1), Drew (1)
3B: Lugo (1), Crisp (1)
HR: Youkilis (1), Lowell (1)
RBI: Youkilis (1), Ortiz (1), Ramirez (1), Drew (1), Lowell 2 (2), Pedroia (1)


Pitching IP H R ER BB SO
Schilling (L 0-1) 4 1/3 10 7 7 4 1
Okajima 3 2/3 7 2 2 0 0
Totals 8 17 9 9 4 1



Kansas City Royals 1-0

Batter - Pos AB R H RBI BB SO
DeJesus CF 5 0 0 0 0 0
Grudzielanek 2B 5 1 2 2 0 0
Sweeney DH 4 2 3 2 1 0
Teahen RF 4 1 2 0 1 0
Eldred DH 5 1 2 1 0 0
Gordon 3B 4 1 4 2 0 0
Buck C 3 1 1 1 1 1
Gathright LF 4 1 1 1 0 0
Pena, Jr. SS 3 1 2 0 1 0
Totals 37 9 17 9 4 1
Batting
2B: Sweeney 2 (2), Eldred 1
RBI: Gordon 2 (2), Sweeney 2 (2), Gathright 1, Eldred 1, Buck 1, Grudizielanek 2 (2)
GIDP: DeJesus, Gathright, Grudzielanek
SB: Gordon (1)


Pitching IP H R ER BB SO
Meche (W 1-0) 5 1/3 5 4 4 2 3
Gobble 1 3 1 1 2 0
Riske 1 1 0 0 2 2
Soria 1 2 2 2 0 1
Dotel (S, 1) 2/3 1 0 0 0 1
Totals 9 12 7 7 6 7

[mtroyals]

In the case of Gordon, it's too bad reality didn't mirror fantasy in that first game. Still, it's pretty tough to face Curt Schilling with the bases loaded in your Major League Debut.

[plotty]

mtroyals said:

In the case of Gordon, it's too bad reality didn't mirror fantasy in that first game. Still, it's pretty tough to face Curt Schilling with the bases loaded in your Major League Debut.

Funny thing you mention there---Gordon came up against Schilling w/the bases loaded in the 1st. I didn't remember if I put that in the report or not.

[plotty]

Jennings Shines in KC Debut
Righty Locks Red Sox Down.

Jason Jennings looked like a man throwing gas on a fire in Spring Training.

Wednesday night, he looked like the phenom Mathias Platcheck traded Jason LaRue away for.

Jennings shut down the Red Sox for seven and two-thirds innings. He allowed just one run on three hits. He struck out five but also allowed five walks. "My control wasn't awesome, but it was much better than it was in the spring," said Jennings.

He also received some help from rookies Alex Gordon and Tony Pena, Jr and earned the win, 6-1.

Gordon added two more hits and two RBI to his stat total, while Pena, Jr. added the biggest punch of the night---an unexpected home run off of Red Sox starter Josh Beckett. "I knew I hit it well, but not that good," said Pena, Jr.

Beckett, who has been declared the heir to the ace role when Schilling retires, received the same welcome Schilling did in his first start. The Royals battered Beckett for eight hits and four runs, all earned. He walked one and struck out four.

Mark Teahen also had three hits, including two doubles for Kansas City, who hammered out 14 hits total in the game.

Next: Daisuke Matusuzuka vs. Odalis Perez

Next Series vs. Detroit
Friday, April 6: Nate Robertson vs John Thomson
Saturday, April 7: Andrew Miller vs Brian Bannister
Sunday, April 9: Jeremy Bonderman vs Gil Meche

Boston Red Sox 0-2

Batter - Pos AB R H RBI BB SO
Lugo SS 4 0 0 0 0 1
Youklis 1B 4 0 0 0 0 1
Ortiz DH 3 0 0 0 1 1
Ramirez LF 3 1 1 0 1 1
Drew RF 2 0 0 0 2 0
Lowell 3B 4 0 0 0 0 0
Varitek C 3 0 0 0 1 1
Crisp CF 3 0 2 1 0 1
Pedroia 2B 3 0 0 0 0 1
Totals 29 1 3 1 5 7

Batting
RBI: Crisp (1)
GIDP: Pedroia
SB: Crisp 2 (2)



Pitching IP H R ER BB SO
Beckett (L, 0-1) 5 8 4 4 1 4
Lopez 1 2/3 2 0 0 3 0
Delcarmen 1 1/3 4 2 2 0 0
Totals 8 14 6 6 4 4



Kansas City Royals 2-0

Batter - Pos AB R H RBI BB SO
DeJesus CF 5 0 1 0 0 0
Grudzielanek 2B 3 0 0 0 1 0
Sweeney DH 4 1 2 0 0 2
Teahen RF 4 2 3 1 0 0
Eldred 1B 2 1 1 0 2 0
Gordon 3B 4 0 2 2 0 0
Buck C 3 1 2 1 1 0
Gathright LF 3 0 0 0 0 1
Pena, Jr. SS 4 1 3 2 0 1
Totals 32 6 14 6 4 4

Batting
2B: Teahen 2 (2)
HR: Pena, Jr. (1)
RBI: Gordon 2 (4), Teahen (1), Pena, Jr. 2 (2), Buck (2)
SAC: Gathright
GIDP: DeJesus, Teahen
CS: Gordon (1)

Pitching IP H R ER BB SO
Jennings (W, 1-0) 7 2/3 3 1 1 5 5
Soria 1 1/3 0 0 0 0 2
Totals 9 3 1 1 5 7

[gilgameche]

alright 2-0

[KC Royals Nation]

I'll nominate Brad Eldred for Rookie of the Year considerations. I think he'll be the sleeper producer this year - a great find. Did Sweeney play first base or Eldred?

Interesting philosophy placing Sweeney in the 3-hole and moving Teahen down.

[plotty]

admin said:

I'll nominate Brad Eldred for Rookie of the Year considerations. I think he'll be the sleeper producer this year - a great find. Did Sweeney play first base or Eldred?

Interesting philosophy placing Sweeney in the 3-hole and moving Teahen down.

Amen that we're 2-0, that's for sure. I didn't think things would start like they have.

Eldred played first. For some reason on my spreadsheet it had both of them down DH'ing. I fixed it manually, it should be good to go.

And as for Sweeney/Teahen batting positions, I've been toying with different combos just to see how it would work. I may have something w/Sweeney 3 and Teahen 4, then Eldred, Gordon Buck, etc.

I've also found myself toying with sliders. The first two games I have destroyed the ball. The slider issue will be an outside battle I think as the season progresses.

And remember keep posting ideas on who needs to go, stay, etc.

[dejesus9]

Teahen hasn't struck out yet... what a wonderful world that is...

[plotty]

dejesus9 said:

Teahen hasn't struck out yet... what a wonderful world that is...

Strange world, I know. More or less its truly unbelieveable. That and I am 2-0 w/2 resounding wins over the R-Sox. The brooms will be out in force for a swwwwweeet swwwweeeeeep!

[plotty]

Two Games In
by Royals off-beat writer "Cowboy" Nick

In the new baseball machine, Royals GM Mathias Platcheck has pressed all the right buttons.

He has traded away often broken parts in Reggie Sanders and Emil Brown. He shipped away Jorge De La Rosa and Jason LaRue because they too were defective. He, along with his "Board of Control", has made the right decisions.

But is it fair to say this just two games into the season?

"I don't know, to be quite honest with you," said the 28-year old general manager, "all that can be said is we are 2-0, and in those two games, we've played good baseball."

Through two games, his Royals have lit up the much more powerful Boston Red Sox for 14 runs on 31 hits. The 31 hits have come in just 69 at-bats---by doing basic math, the Royals machine is batting a cool .449. "We're seeing the ball mighty good right now," said OF Mark Teahen, "We have all came out swinging. That's our job as players is to swing the bats."

The Royals haven't seen a power explosion yet, though. Through the first two games the Royals have just hit two home runs, but also lead the majors with five doubles.

"The home runs will come soon enough," said rookie 1B Brad Eldred, "our lineup has amazing potential. You could legitally see three guys hit 30 home runs or more."

The season has 160 games to go. I guess we shall see.

---Cowboy Nick is a freelance writer for Royals Nation.