10 Questions for 2006
The Royals will have some big questions that will be answered in 2006. This is going to be a pivotal year for the direction of the franchise. By the end of 2006, we should know where or not the "youth movement" is succeeding and where or not Baird's plans are working. If not, expect some major changes during the 2006 offseason. Here are 10 questions that should be resolved by the end of 2006:
Will Jackson County finally pass something to improve the Sports Complex or build new stadiums?
Who will be the starting corner outfielders in 2007?
Who will be Buddy Bell's next obsession (Terrence Long last year)?
Will Gordon, Butler, Huber, and Lubanski continue their track toward KC as the future 3-4-5-6 hitters?
Will the Royals draft the best player available and sign them?
Will Baird's offseason moves improve the Royals significantly?
Will Zack Greinke emerge as the Royals' future ace or be the prospect that couldn't miss who did?
Will the "youth movement" be a success or will the Royals choose an alternative plan?
Will Allard Baird be fired?
posted by SoonerRoyal @ 10:10 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
Happy new year, David, and excellent question. I'll kick it off:
Will Jackson County finally pass something to improve the Sports Complex or build new stadiums?
Yes, they'll pass something to renovate but not build downtown.
Who will be the starting corner outfielders in 2007?
Reggie Sanders and Alex Gordon.
Who will be Buddy Bell's next obsession (Terrence Long last year)?
Doug Mientciewiecz
Will Gordon, Butler, Huber, and Lubanski continue their track toward KC as the future 3-4-5-6 hitters?
Gordon and Butler, for certain, Huber has taken a slight dip with his poor call-up and awkward transition to 1B. Lubanski - ask me again after a 1/2 season in the Texas League.
Will the Royals draft the best player available and sign them?
Absolutely. PR nightmare if they don't.
Will Baird's offseason moves improve the Royals significantly?
The Royals would have improved 6 to 8 games without changing any personnel, but with the new additions I'm thinking 68 to 70 wins aren't out of the question.
Will Zack Greinke emerge as the Royals' future ace or be the prospect that couldn't miss who did?
I don't think Greinke is ever going to an ace, but I think Guy Hansen was fired primarily because Greinke took such a huge step backwards, so maybe he'll get back on track without Hansen's tinkering.
Will the "youth movement" be a success or will the Royals choose an alternative plan?
Two different questions. This latest wave of youth will fail unless there is an unexpected influx of quality pitching (either young or acquired). There is no alternative unless there is a radical change in the next CBA. Draft and develop, its the only way.
Will Allard Baird be fired?
Yes.
Happy new year to you as well and to the readers of the Daily Lancer.
I pretty much agree with those answers. Huber was hurt at the end of the year, so it's hard to evaluate him based on his performance then.
This will be an interesting season to watch. If the new acquistions perform at the same level as they did last year, then I think that'll improve the team 10 games. If the young players improve as well, I think the Royals could improve a total of 20 games. But, that's an unlikely scanerio. The Royals haven't had good results from free agent signings and young player development.
Great blog. One of the few Royals blogs I regularly read.
***
Will Jackson County finally pass something to improve the Sports Complex or build new stadiums?
Yep.
Who will be the starting corner outfielders in 2007?
Matt Diaz and Alex Gordon.
Who will be Buddy Bell's next obsession (Terrence Long last year)?
Either Minky or whichever 2B prospect (Gotay, German, Blanco, etc.) will be up as a pinch runner/UTIL.
Will Gordon, Butler, Huber, and Lubanski continue their track toward KC as the future 3-4-5-6 hitters?
Butler might not reach the hyped level for a few years, but he'll get there eventually. Other than that, I don't see why not.
Will the Royals draft the best player available and sign them?
They better.
Will Baird's offseason moves improve the Royals significantly?
The pitching, yes, the batting, not tremendously.
Will Zack Greinke emerge as the Royals' future ace or be the prospect that couldn't miss who did?
Future Ace or the best #2 pitcher in Royals history. I still think Denny Bautista can be the man. Just watch that heat.
Will the "youth movement" be a success or will the Royals choose an alternative plan?
Success. Gordon alone will haul in an extra 8 wins a year, methinks.
Will Allard Baird be fired?
I hope not, but undoubtedly.
-- Garth, athomeplate.com/royals
I don't know much Garth but I do know that Matt Diaz won't an option for the corner outfield spot in 007.
I just read what you wrote, and it took me a good three minutes to realize that I was the one that didn't make sense, not you. What was I thinking? Well, if I have to revise it, perhaps Ambres or Costa can turn up a tool or two and contribute.
-- Garth, athomeplate.com/royals
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