Maybe It Pays to Think Outside the Box

10 games scattered throughout the minor leagues doesn't really portend anything, but you've got to think you couldn't ask for better results from the Tony Pena, Jr. pitching project.

clipped from mlb.mlb.com Pena adjusting to new role as pitcher Everything went very well. He started with the Rookie Surprise team for two games, pitched seven times for Class A Burlington and wound it up with one outing for Triple-A Omaha. His totals in the Minor Leagues: 10 games, 19 1/3 innings, 12 hits, five earned runs, six walks, 18 strikeouts, 2.33 ERA, 1-2 record.

Royals Pushing DeJesus for Award. What about Zack?

Let's make one thing clear: David DeJesus is my favorite player on the Kansas City Royals. Has been for years. He wears the same number I did when i played ball in high school, and I've said so while sponsoring his page on Baseball-Reference.com.

But in the Royals tradition of mis-allocating resources, they have apparently decided to make a PR push for David to get a Gold Glove award for his work in left field.

The fact is, if DeJesus wins a Gold Glove and Zack Greinke does not win the Cy Young award, then this horrible, horrible season will be even more of a waste than it already is.

I'd better see a headline that reads "Club officials demand Greinke win Cy Young award or they will remove food from press box" and I'd better see it soon.

clipped from www.kansascity.com Royals notebook: Club officials say DeJesus merits Gold Glove consideration DeJesus stretched his streak of errorless games to 136 in Wednesday’s 10-4 loss at Oakland, which includes the final nine games of last year. He has handled 278 chances this season without an error while accumulating 10 assists.

Gordon Demoted - Teahen Back at Third?

A much larger study has probably already been done on the effect of playing position and batting results, but on the surface, it appears that the Royals may get a small boost in offensive production just by putting Mark Teahen back at third and keeping him there.

His splits from playing in right field.
His splits from the hot corner.

For 2009 alone, his OPS+ at third is 108 compared to 67 in the outfield.

clipped from www.kansascity.com Gordon demoted to minors to work on timing, Moore says The Royals optioned Gordon to Class AAA Omaha prior to Tuesday’s game against the Chicago White at U.S. Cellular Field. The move cleared space for reliever Kyle Farnsworth’s return from the disabled list. “It’s an opportunity for him to regain his sense of timing offensively and his rhythm defensively,” general manager Dayton Moore said. “It gives him a chance to do that in Triple-A where it’s not as fast.”

Laughingstock Status Achieved

Just caught a bit of Sports Center. The were showing the top three teams in the American League central along with little fun facts about each. The Tigers are below .500 since the All Star break. The White Sox have been on a streak. And the Twins have 12 games remaining against the Royals.

Seriously? F-you, Sports Center.

Royals begin retooling for 2015.

Yuniesky Betancourt career line: 279/302/393
Willie Bloomquist career line: 266/324/334

For a marginal (at BEST) upgrade at shortstop, the Royals have traded away one of their top pitching prospects, a guy who would have been competing for a rotation spot next year and is only 22 years old.

Unless there is an injury to Cortes that we don't know about, this is just an abysmal trade that makes no sense for a team struggling to stay out of last place.

Uhg. I mean... ugh...

clipped from www.kansascity.com Cortes, 22, was the organization’s minor-league pitcher of the year in 2008 but is just 6-6 with a 3.92 ERA this season at Class AA Northwest Arkansas. He joined the Royals in the 2006 trade that sent reliever Mike MacDougal to the White Sox.

25-34 : Rany Nails It

I don't think the season is lost, because I never realistically thought the Royals would win the division this year. That said, it was nice to be competitive and in the hunt early in the season, and it would be nice if the team wasn't comically bad every year.

I think Rany nails it in his post below. I would say that I am still positive for this team to stay within shouting distance of .500, because the starting pitching is solid and getting Gordon and Aviles healthy and in the line up should help the offense and the defense quite a bit.

clipped from www.ranyontheroyals.com The Five Stages of Being a Royals Fan, Using Only Blog Quotes.

21-18 : Be Gone Ye Demons

I'll just quote Ryan Lefebvre here:

"One year ago today, there was an enormous ovation for the home team. But, it was for Jon Lester's no-hitter at Fenway park. Tonight, it's for the Royals after a four run bottom of the ninth inning. ... So, what's the difference between this year and last year? There you go."

The camera was panning across the jumbo-tron showing the words "Royals Win!"

That no-no last year started a twelve-game losing streak for a Royals team that had crawled to one game below .500. This year is different.

You can go to the game recap from Bob Dutton at the Star below.

clipped from www.kansascity.com What a night! Royals storm back in ninth for 6-5 win over Indians By BOB DUTTON The Kansas City Star