Why the Dodgers are better than your team: Kansas City Royals

How many fans of the Royals think, “Dayton Moore is the worst GM in baseball.” I almost have sympathy for Royals fans. We’ve had our very own bumbling idiot manning the helm for the last 8 years now. Colletti’s only saving grace is the fact that we still have Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw and an ownership group that is willing to spend a quarter billion on the roster every year. Anyhow, Moore comes from a long line of really bad GM’s. Any team that consciously employs Yuniesky Betancourt should be penalized from playoff participation.

Jul 24, 2012; Anaheim, CA, USA; Kansas City Royals second baseman Yuniesky Betancourt (11) in the dug out prior to the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Kelvin Kuo-USA TODAY Sports

The Royals will be a better team next year. 80 wins is technically better. Improvements at the plate from Hosmer, Moustakas and Cain will go nicely with Gordon, Butler and Perez. They lack serious depth in the rotation and it doesn’t help that their GM wastes his time paying a premium price for guys that just aren’t nearly worth it. I suppose Ervin Santana can be viewed as a one year deal and almost all one year deals are worth the risk. But on the free agent market, would he have received that deal? I don’t think so.

December 12, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals general manager Dayton Moore (left to right), newly acquired pitchers James Shields and Wade Davis, and manager Ned Yoast pose for photos after the press conference at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

James Shields is a nice pitcher. OK, better than nice. But trading the powerful bat of Wil Myers for ONE year of James Shields is a ridiculous overpay. This was a desperate move made by a man that thought, “Hey, we’re just one ace away from competing with the Tigers.” If the Royals want to compete in 2013, all the cards are going to have to fall just right. There is potential in this group. Hosmer and Moustakas are going to have to actually hit! And someone, anyone, just get one base once in a while!

Feb 21, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals right fielder Jeff Francoeur (21) poses and shows off his off season double chin. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

On any other team, Jeff Francoeur is a defensive replacement in right field and has a legitimate everyday platoon partner. Last year he was worth -1.2 WAR. In this situation, shouldn’t Francoeur be paying the Royals to play right field everyday? Francoeur is similar to the Dodgers very own Juan Uribe. Everyone is wondering what these guys are doing on a major league roster. If Uribe wasn’t signed to an 8 million dollar contract and was a free agent, no team would come calling and asking for his services and Uribe would possibly be contemplating retirement.

Feb 21, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer (35) looks like Stiffler. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Last year the Royals were mostly a bad fielding team. Some of that should improve with as their younger players age up a bit. But their hitting was below what one would have expected. And that too should improve. But over the years, it hasn’t been for lack of hitting or even defense that eventually sinks the Royals, it’s the pitching and last year was no different. We can probably agree that the Royals were a middle of the pack team last year, but have made a few improvements to the rotation. Shields and Davis should take the team to, maybe, possibly 10th in all of baseball. Regardless, this isn’t even a playoff team, and they might not even get to .500.