The chiefs - kinda a response

I can agree about Trent. I think it sucks the way it has all gone down, however. I think he could still be a star QB, but I don't think herm is about to let that happen... not with his offense. And I'm ok with a conservative offense, make no bones about that. I just don't agree with the ultra-conservative offense that herm implemented and is likely to continue. there has to be some surprise to the offense... herm does not do this. I would rather see Trent retire, however, than see him wind up with a horrible team... as hard as that is to say.

But, on to the point I really NEED to make. I hope jared allen goes to a terrible team and proceeds to underperform until he is forced into retirement because he sucks. I would wish physical harm on him, but I'm trying to cut back.

Anyway, I just get done writing about how awesome Teahen is for being such a team oriented guy and then I read in the paper that allen has gone all 'prime time' (or t.o. if you prefer) on us. Ok, the guy is good... he's probably going to be one of the top ends in the league, but he's not there yet. And, he's been in jail a couple of times for driving drunk. So what does he do? Demands a trade because we're not paying him enough money... hey allen, how about you step up and become that premiere end and represent your team in a positive light (it's called a DD) and then we'll talk about paying you like one. I am so sick of players saying they're not getting paid enough that I want to puke... and I mean that for every sport. These bastards get to spend their life playing a game - A GAME!!!!!! - and they're claiming that a million dollars (usually more than that) isn't enough pay. I hope that Peterson trades allen and gets a player or two who are decent human beings as well as good football players. So, to jared allen and any other low-life player who puts themselves before the team and feels that a multi-million dollar deal isn't enough: I hope you die - sorry, trying to cut back... I hope you perform poorly somewhere other than Kansas City.

brandx (by-the-way, if Peterson does make that move, he'll move up a few notches in my book from mega-loathe to strongly hate)

Chiefs

We interrupt the slow process of updating the Royals roster status with who isn't excited by Trent Green leaving?

Me.

But not for the reasons, most would suspect.

There are a million different reasons I'm disappointed (yet excited for him to leave); one, it ushers in the FINAL stamp on Herm (Chiefs were in transition last year (and so were the fans)). No more run and gun, now it's just run and dumps. I'm ok with that, and with Trent gone, I'll be more ok with it. Trent needs to retire though. I have too much respect for that man for him to end up in Oakland or with the Redskins... or as a backup. Get out and get into broadcasting!

Damon doesn't really do much for me, as far as signings go. I agree with Whitlock that he's a great stopgap QB (as long as he continues to produce, which he should, it's a simple offense, handoff the ball!) I think he's a bargain for a team needing some time to develop a QB and for that money, they can easily sideline him as the backup.

For the offense we're going to run with this guy, though, can we win?

I'm not sure.

At least when the Chiefs were losing, they were scoring 40 points a game.

Now they may lose and only score 10.

What a Guy!

I know that from the get go I have been saying that the Royals should move Gordon while he's in the minors and leave Teahen at third. However, I understand the Royals' position and arguement on the issue. I also understand that Gordon is really forcing their hand as far as calling him up, which does bring more credibility to moving Teahen as opposed to Gordon. For now I will concede this arguement and I will no longer try to voice my opposition to this move, at this point the Royals have no other option (unless somehow Gordon falls apart or gets injured). So there it is, now onto the real reason for this post:

Teahen is amazing! I am so happy that we have this guy and I hope we don't lose him through free agency or a trade in a long, long time. Most of you are thinking that it has to do with the fact that he had a great second half and is coming into his own, but this is only a part of the reason. The biggest reason, for me, is that he has handled this Gordon situation better than any sports figure can be expected to do in this day and age. He has worked his tail off to learn the outfield and become a strong defender there (keeping in mind he's basically never played outfield). And, he has done so without an ounce of anger. He has said that initially he was shocked (love the honesty, and, honestly, who wouldn't be), but then he realized that this move was in the team's best interest and that that was his main concern - the team. If we ever trade this guy I might have to find another team to root for (unless Teahen suddenly becomes a typical sports star - me, me, me). This is the kind of player that teams need. This is the kind of player that helps win championships. Just imagine if every player had that kind of mentality... how different would the league be? Kansas City should embrace Teahen as a savior of the Royals because he is making personal sacrifices in order to help the team, and with our market and our division we need all our players to follow suit in order to compete again. So, thank you Mr. Teahen, you are saving the Royals!

brandx (I realize it helps that Teahen is becoming a stud player)

Real-to-the-Deal, Part II: 1B

In case you haven't noticed, there is no rhyme of reason to the positions I pick.

Ryan Shealy-

Everyone seems down on this guy (everyone but the Royals that is).

Take Rob Neyer for instance: "I'm not quite as optimistic as you about Shealy, but of course I loved the acquisition and he'll do just fine for now. For all the talk about the young guys, Shealy might be the Royals' best hitter in 2007." For a league where guys are playing later and later in their career, is 27 such a bad thing? He's still considered young, not a prospect, but that's OK, not every guy needs to be awesome and in the Majors at 22. Shealy can still have a fine 6 or 7 or 8 year career in the Bigs; as long as he CAN HIT.

The only proof we will really get is over the next few years (if he lasts that long). Here's what we can project though, and that is OK, his numbers are pretty good. And remember, these numbers in no way reflect Colorado air. He spent his minors and college away from the "Thin Air" state.

In 02 for Florida, Shealy had a OPS of over 1100. Good players usually hover around 900-1000 and he hit .379 with 23 HRs, and 80 RBIs. Another bonus? His K:BB ratio, which was outstanding - 31:36. He walked more than he KOed!

In all three years in the minors, Shealy averaged a OPS of 967 with an average of 23 HRs per year and 87 RBIs per year. His K:BB ratio wasn't as good, but these are professional pitchers! 106:48; not great, but not Adam Dunn by any means.

Should a 1B hit more than 23 HRs a season? Yes, and maybe Shealy has this type of production, but more than power, a hitter should be able to produce. I look for Shealy to hover around .300, 20-30 HRs, and 90-110 RBIs. Of course, the RBIs could be way off if no one gets on base for the Royals.

I'll take these numbers and by the end of the season, he should be our best offensive player (unless Gordon comes up and makes the transition). I don't look for Mark Teahen to replicate these numbers, but we'll get to that when we discuss the OF/3B.

Realism, Part I: Shortstop

Similar to kcroyals.com, I feel like examining each position and making my own comments, whether right or wrong because it is fun and I have a blog.

There can be good info in the Royals blog, but let's see it for what it is, a marketing tool where optimism reigns, not reality.

So, let's take a look at our worst position over the past few years AND make comments about his contract!

I'd actually like to start there, I think Allard may have learned a valuable lesson, though he may keep repeating it. I know I do. "It" has many names and probably can be bought on Ebay; "it" is most aptly named, "Jumping the Gun." This is defined as lacking patience to confirm an idea, a theory, a practice, etc. For instance, one time I paid for the GRE b/c I thought I had to take it, but I paid before I HAD figured out if I did or not. I knew I was "jumping the gun" (let's make this the new, "thrown under the bus," but did it anyway. Had I had patience for 24 hours more, I wouldn't have lost $100 (b/c I didn't have to take it and the GRE only refunds part of your money). I think this example shows that I am knowledgeable about "jumping the gun."

Angel had a career year in 2003 (for him, not for most shortstops) when he hit .287 w/ 17HRs and 73 RBIs. He still had arbitration time left, enough to see in 2004 if he could repeat his line, but Baird saw one season of him and signed him long-term, handcuffing future generations (Dayton Moore) with a bad player at a key position.

I'm not sure if many see baseball as I do. I know many people think that if a person can do what he does for the whole year, that's a large sample size. I disagree. I think a large sample size of what a player can do occurs over a multitude of years. And as I write this, I may see some error in my thoughts... we'll get to that. I think one has to weigh minor league numbers, and give a player their window to prove they can repeat in the Majors. I bet Baird thought Angel would be pretty good, he seems to have hit for average, but only hit 34 HRs in 5 minor league seasons. Whatever Baird was thinking, I guess he hoped to get an average hitting SS. Angel just lacks power. In short, I would have liked to see Berroa repeat in 04 and having the year he had, reexamine him (or sign him to a small, contract) for 05 and seen if 04 was an aberration. It appears to this blogger that his past 2 years are more likely Angel and 03 was the aberration.

All in all, I think the past 3 years in which he's probably hit around .250, .260 is the SS we have until his contract runs out in 2008. This is unfortunate because he not only produces nothing on the basepaths, but his defense is suspect. In 2006, Angel was second to last in fielding % (.969) and committed 18 errors. Surprisingly, Derek Jeter committed 15 (but he's overhyped as a defender anyway). 18 errors is actually quite the improvement over his last few years in which he committed 24 (2003), 28 (2004), and 25 (2005).

In short, as long as Angel continues to be a Major Leaguer (without the help of steroids), he will be a liability for this team and any OPTIMISTIC BS other "blogs" feed you is just that.

BS!