Light the Hot Stove fires

It's nice to have a GM who agreed to take a job, only under the guarantee that the owner can't meddle in decisions. The money might be more than what he deserves, but the Royals need a pitcher like Meche. You can't always rely on guys like Luke Hudson and Seth Elarton to win games.

With Meche and Brian Bannister (from the Mets in the Burgos trade), the rotation looks tons better. Not the best, but at least reasonable enough to compete most days.

And for the record, I never whined about the Royals in that sense, spnited. I whined because Glass didn't spend his Wal-Mart money in much the same way Ewing Kauffman spent his money to make it a proud franchise.

 

Agreed about the Royals upgrading the rotation, Oz, and I wasn't referring to you whining. I meant the rich bastards like Glass complaining that the Royals can't compete economically while he socks away his billions.
Meanwhile, given the Lilly, Schmidt, Meche deals etc., Bor-ass is probably upping the price on Zito to about $20 mill per...and now he even has rumor that the Yanks are ready to get involved to push it higher.

 

B.J. Ryan has seemed to do OK as did Randy Myers and Norm Charlton. John Franco - who never could hit 100 - had a nice career.

All I'm saying is your statement is way too stereotypical. On the flip side, then righty hitters should be iffy (especially in the late innings) since the majority of pitchers are righties.

 

There are fewer of them, so the flameouts stand out more, but I can't see discounting a closer just because he is a lefty. Wasn't Mark Davis, the Cy Young winner who went in the toilet after signing a big contract, also a lefty?

 

What do we think of Mike Piazza playing DH for Oakland? Seems like a pretty decent move for him. He's got his HOF credentials, so he doesn't have to catch, and he can still rake. I don't know that he'll have a year like Frank Thomas, but it wouldn't stun me either.

 

Great move, I was hoping the Yanks would do it last year. Even better if they're smart enough to use him as the backup catcher.

 

Maybe I should give up on reading newspapers. This morning, the NY News had the Mets still in the Zito race and sounding confident; the NY Post had the Yankees jumping in as favorites; and other papers had the Mets talking to the A's about Blanton and/or Harden. Who should I believe? I'm thinking none of the above.

 

Based on what you wrote, I'd say everyone but the Post (though Zito is the "Damon"-like FA of this year). They're probably going to bite the bullet & pay Zito, but the price tag has them irritated & trying to see if they can avoid it with HArden. If I were running it, I'd trade Milledge+ for Harden even if they do sign Zito.

 

Let's not forget "everyday" Eddie Guardado.

 

I think the Meche deal trumps it. At least Lilly stays healthy and is a lefty. Meche has always been one of those guys that is supposed to be really good and then sucks because of injuries. If the Royals are going to make a big splash, why do it for a oft-injured pitcher?
Honestly they would of been better off signing Bonds.

 

The Meche deal makes sense for one reason -- to make the players aware that they are willing to spend, and that they do have some financial commitment to improve. When Sweeney's $11 million comes off the books next season, that's going to be $11 million more they can spend to improve the team.

And now the players -- not to mention other teams -- know they're willing to do it.

 

And for this year, it proves they are willing to spend over $10 million a year on two guys who are always hurt.