Footnoted Gammons on the Royals

A Royal mess

The most disappointing team in April was likely the Royals. "I know a lot of our fans are disappointed and frustrated," K.C. general manager Allard Baird says. "But we have to build the right way. This is the way we have to go, and if anyone has to be fired, then fire me."

(DL: How can a Royals team that was widely regarded as the worst team in baseball heading into the season be characterized as "disappointing"? They've accomplished that goal, and worst will simply be a matter of degree - "seasonal" or "historical". Disappointing would imply there was a glimmer of hope, but alas, there was none.)

Baird is encouraged by his young pitching. Zack Greinke, Denny Bautista and Runelvys Hernandez (who still is getting his command back after undergoing Tommy John surgery) are the core of a future rotation, while Andy Sisco (20 strikeouts, two earned runs allowed in 18 innings pitched) was a great Rule V pickup from the Cubs, and Ambiorix Burgos shot out of Double-A hitting 98 mph on the radar gun.

(DL: Indeed.)

Come July, the Royals will be looking to make some deals for young players. Mike Sweeney would love to go to the Dodgers. Brian Anderson could be available, as could Jeremy Affeldt, who will be a fourth-year arbitration case at the end of the season.

(DL: Sweeney might love to go to the Dodgers, but I can't imagine the feeling is mutual, unless the Royals are buying. Right now, who would want to trade for Jeremy Affeldt?)

Baird's problem is that ownership doesn't breed relationships with young players. Affeldt had to go to arbitration over a $200,000 difference. Ken Harvey was shipped to Triple-A Omaha to open the season for arbitration reasons. That undermines what Baird and manager Tony Pena are trying to accomplish.

(DL: True, its important that the franchise breed good relationships with their young players. No players want their team run like Rachel Phelps, and making nice MIGHT help the team's chances of getting a hometown discount when their accomplished players lurch towards free agency (but retaining expensive free agents isn't the goal anyway). But wake me when Gammons focuses on players that have actually contributed something. Jeremy Affeldt has gotten progressively WORSE since his major league debut. He's a major disappointment. Why are the Royals obligated to simply pay what he's asking? Does Affeldt bear no responsibilty for not coming to a compromise, perhaps by acknowledging that he hasn't been good?

No need to even comment about the importance of building a strong relationship in order to retain Ken Harvey. But managing service time properly is ESSENTIAL for a small-market franchise. Does Gammons not recognize this?)