Not The Year to Count Out KC

  The Kansas City Royals are gearing up for what looks to be a promising year.  If you've read some of my previous posts, you already know that I said the same thing last year.  However, although the Royals just missed the playoffs, I think we can all agree that they did indeed take a giant step in the right direction.  

  With the offseason going according to plan, it looks as though 2014 could be the year the Royals take the next step forward.  And this one my friends, will be a leap!  

  The addition of a certified lead-off man in Aoki, will provide the opportunity for Alex Gordon to relinquish that lead off role, giving him more RBI opportunities. 

  Eric Hosmer looks to be the guy Kansas City hoped for, ending the season strong with a .302 BA, as well as a Gold Glove (#1 and counting).  With the opportunity to pick up where he left off, the "Wizard of Hos" could be the cornerstone for this organization, as it looks to atop their division for the first time since 1985.

  The pick up of Omar Infante seems to me to be one of the best fitting pieces to the KC puzzle yet.  In the Royals long search for stability at 2nd base, Infante is a guy who will give you a consistent .300 effort, with a solid glove up the middle.  He could be a possible fit for the bottom of the lineup, not only to give better opportunities in mid game decisions, but the ability for the top of the lineup to see better pitching as well.  

  Perhaps the most underrated of these young guns, could be the All-Star catcher, Salvador Perez.  Offering a young comparison to the crosstown rival's Yadier Molina, Sal's off to a great start batting above .400 for the spring, and looks to pick up right where he left off.

  This club is a young and hungry, which we have seen in recent years, has been a lethal combination.  With the roster shaping up as it is, look for these guys to be in the conversation. When we talk about October,  The central division is a tough place to be these days, but this just might be the team with the "stuff" to do it.  Detroit... LOOK OUT!

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2013: A Royal Year?

  For quite some time the Kansas City Royals have given their fans a reason to look forward.  With an outstanding farm system, they always have a top prospect in the works.  Seasons happen, and it seems that the Royals just can't get over the hump.  I predict that 2013 will be a year when not only KC-MO buys in, but the entire nation will take notice of what's ahead in the AL Central.

  With all of the noise that the Los Angeles Dodgers are making, it seems that Kansas City may have made the most well-played deal so far this off-season.  Buy dealing Will Myers, the top 4 prospect in the country right now, to the Rays for James Shields; in my opinion, just increased their chances at a winning season by a long shot.  

  

  I know that the devoted Royal-nation is unhappy about the pawn of their prize prospect, but I am loving the idea that management is now in "WIN NOW" mode.  The royals are always looking to the future.  Then, by the time the future gets here, they can't afford to hang on to the "future" of old.  

  As a pitcher, when you look at the Royals Lineup, you don't exactly have your work cut out for you.  Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakes; these are some names that can give a pitcher a hard time (UNDERSTATEMENT).  Now add to that offense, a pitcher who can consistently go deep into games and come out with W's, you have yourself a contender.  It's a simple formula!

  I know there are going to be a lot of comparisons to last year, and I just don't think it's relevant.  In 2011, this same offense was number 10 in the country in run production.  If they can get back to hitting the ball the way they're capable, I don't see how you can make an argument against them.  

  Now this is baseball, and nothing comes easy.  They will have their work cut out for them, being in the AL Central with the potent offense of the Tigers.  But with the 2-Wild Card playoff format, who knows what can happen!  I just want to provide some realistic optimism for Royal-nation.  A hitter will win you some games along the way, but in October; pitching is everything.

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Fresh Marlin! Get'em While Their Hot!

   Dear Commissioner Bud Selig,  

 "Unsuccessful" is perhaps the biggest understatement when describing the 2011-12 Miami Marlins season.  Jeffrey Loria came into South Florida with a promise to the public to breathe fresh air into a dying club.  With all of the post-championship radical roster changes, this club has proven time and time again, that it has no interest in any sort of dynasty.  Even after the Marlins early success, they could not hold on to their fan base due to the fire-sale of all the players we had all grown to love.

 However, we bought this new change! (Literally, as Loria's new playground was paid for by taxpayers).  We bought the new jerseys!  The new hats!  We even overlooked that hideous pink dolphin thing in center-field!  (What were they thinking with that?)  And yes, we were let down once more.  With all of 2011 off-season free agency moves and pick-ups, we immediately accepted these ball players.  Mark Buerhle and Jose Reyes proved to be instant fan favorites.  Then after the mid-season export of Hanley Ramirez, the city of Miami knew exactly what was in store.  Sadly enough, we were right, and in the wake of a $160 million dollar dump this off-season  Loria has proved to fans that there is no reason to EVER have faith in Marlins baseball.

  As far as this writer is concerned, Major League Baseball needs to get involved.  In order to save the face of baseball in South Florida, we need an owner who understands his, or her (yes, I'm open-minded), responsibility to the public.

  We saw the Los Angeles Dodgers face a similar situation with a corrupt owner.  Then after being auctioned off to a local hero and a collection of competitive minded investors, look at the franchise now!  With new energy into an already great brand, new ownership is proving to the public they want to win.  That's all the public wants in Miami.  A realistic effort to win.  They showed it last off-season, but a short four months later abandoned their vision.  

  Under current management, no player in their right mind will want to play in Miami.  The players now don't want to play here.  Current players such as Giancarlo Stanton, as well as Ricky Nolasco have publicly voiced their distaste for the current state and direction of the club.  This proves that not only are players jobs unstable in Miami, but current management can't even keep the players they have happy.  How bad do your club operations have to be when you can't keep your talent happy in Miami Beach!...In Air Conditioning!

  Longevity.  Legacy.  Dynasty...  This is what Miami needs.  As a relatively young state, and a transient state at that, we need to set up tradition in our ball clubs.  The Miami Heat are proving that fans do exist in South Florida, so long as the front office works to put out a product people can be proud of.  Dismantling teams in their early years will always drive fans away, in any market. 

  We need "New Deal" type of action to take place in Miami, or lose Marlin baseball forever.  We need the Commissioner to step in for the sake of his own MLB brand, and get Loria and his goons out of their fancy new offices, and find a properly vetted owner who will manage this team competitively and responsibly. 

Thank you for reading.