Sunday, April 19, 2009

Fire Hillman? Seriously?!

Saying the Royals should fire Trey Hillman right now is blowing these two early season losses -- the season-opener and today's game -- completely out of proportion. It's such a Chiefs mentality.

In the NFL, if a coach blows two games, it'd be an eighth of the schedule. But seeing how MLB plays 162 games, two losses is just 1/81st of the schedule. So it's definitely not as drastic, and all the "fire Trey!!!!!" types should take a step back from their keyboards and come back tomorrow.

Yes, I'm pissed that Trey brought Kyle Farnsworth into the game. Read my post in the game thread on royalboard.com. I (Royal_in_MN) predicted the end as soon as I saw him enter the game. There is NO WAY that Farnsworth should have been anywhere near the mound in the ninth inning of a tie game.

But do I want Trey Hillman to lose his job for it? Quite simply, no. Farnsworth is a seasoned veteran, and Hillman had to think that he could get some guys out. I mean, I'm sure the thought of another disastrous finish crossed Hillman's mind, but he went on a hunch that Farnsworth wouldn't do a repeat.

Of course, Hillman's hunch was wrong, and it sucks for us that he thought Farnsworth was an option in that situation. I think Kyle Farnsworth needs to be "demoted" strictly to the sixth or seventh innings in games that are not close (3+ run differential), until he can put together a lengthy stretch of worthwhile performances that prove he deserves another chance to work the eighth (NOT the ninth).

But even I don't think Farnsworth should be "dumped," which is what many of those same "fire Hillman" types are advocating. To dump Farnsworth is like eating $9 million, and I seriously don't think the Royals are in a position to be able to do that.

And firing Hillman at this point of the season would probably do no good for such a young team. Going back to the NFL vs. MLB analogy, losing the two games I mentioned is not even equal to playing one miserable quarter in a football game. Would you seriously fire a coach for having one bad quarter early in the season?!

I hope your answer is no.

8 comments:

ChasingMoney said...

I wouldn't fire him but he really does need to stop bringing in Farnsworth into close games. He's did three times and KC has lost all three games. Fool me once.....

Michael A. Molde said...

I agree, Jeff, which is why I suggested that Farnsworth should be limited to sixth and seventh-inning duties in games that aren't close, at least until he proves for an extended period that he's past his horrible start...

Thanks for reading, and for the comment...

Anonymous said...

This joker has been this terrible all of last season too. A monkey throwing turds at a dartboard would do better.

Anonymous said...

The problem isn't Farnsworth, but how he is used. Farnsworth shouldn't be around if the game could end. Cruz should pitch all close games until Soria comes in. Soria should pitch more than just the ninth. Tejada needs more innings. Hillman has to stop putting people in position to fail. Farnsworth has the stuff to get batters out, but use him in the sixth or seventh until he gets his head back. Maybe he is more like David Riske and just needs a few weeks to get going.

27up27out said...

I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who thinks it's foolish to be calling for Hillman's job right now.

As I see it, anyone who calls for his head on a platter at this point loses their credibility. It's akin to the "impeach Obama" folks: you just sound silly.

Anonymous said...

Hillman is the worst manager in the major leagues. Fire him, and do it now!

Old Man Duggan said...

I'm not necessarily advocating his firing, but it is really frustrating that he cannot come close to managing his bullpen. Every time I think he's getting closer to being competent, he drops trou and defecates on the mound like he did on Sunday.

Anonymous said...

Hillman is the worst manager in the major leagues. Fire him, and do it now!
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