tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983471582973532961.post1574329343228614267..comments2023-07-09T05:18:34.847-05:00Comments on Undying Royalty: Pena Needs to Show Improvement at PlateMichael A. Moldehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01078352066689592590noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983471582973532961.post-85029068510774989872008-02-26T17:06:00.000-06:002008-02-26T17:06:00.000-06:00For me, if Furcal wants to lead off for the Kansas...For me, if Furcal wants to lead off for the Kansas City Royals, he's going to have to get his OBP back up. In 2006, it was a very nice .369, but last year, it was .333. Right now he's only 5 points over average in his career. I'd like to see better than that, especially given what he's going to cost.<BR/><BR/>Maybe I'm just dumb, but I'm still hoping that Jeff Bianchi can still bring it all together. He did have an atrocious first full season, but at least he stayed healthy. With last year's debacle, he's hitting .293/.358/.427 over his professional career. He's obviously not going to be the 1.200 OPS monster that he did show, but I think he'll be able to do better than what he did last year. 2008 is his Age 21 Season and I think there's a good chance he'll return to Burlington for a little bit. I think he could finish the season in Hi-A. I'd like to believe that with the lay offs he suffered in his first two seasons combined with moving up a level explains his .247/.296/.315 line last year. We'll see.Antonio.https://www.blogger.com/profile/08740155942210835984noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983471582973532961.post-14588100047282440872008-02-26T15:13:00.000-06:002008-02-26T15:13:00.000-06:00I'd love to see the Royals go after Furcal. I thin...I'd love to see the Royals go after Furcal. I think the Royals would be wise to do that, let him lead off and play shortstop. Maybe a 2009 lineup of...<BR/><BR/>1. Furcal<BR/>2. DeJesus<BR/>3. Butler<BR/>4. Gordon<BR/>5. Guillen<BR/>6. Teahen<BR/>7. Shealy<BR/>8. Buck<BR/>9. Callaspo<BR/><BR/>I think Callaspo will eventually be a #2 hitter, maybe even a leadoff hitter, but with Furcal, he probably fits best in the 9 hole.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06242196890455785584noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983471582973532961.post-40373872921494336952008-02-26T11:46:00.000-06:002008-02-26T11:46:00.000-06:00Yes, that pretty much sums it up. It was interesti...Yes, that pretty much sums it up. It was interesting to write this, and take a look at the steady decline in Berroa's numbers following his rookie season. Maybe the Royals can spend some money this offseason, and sign a shortstop like the Dodgers' Rafael Furcal or Chicago's Orlando Cabrera -- both of whom will be free agents at the end of this season -- and bring them to Kansas City to team up with Alberto Callaspo in the middle infield.<BR/><BR/>Thanks for reading, and commenting. Go Royals!Michael A. Moldehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01078352066689592590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4983471582973532961.post-60545713768837375082008-02-26T09:11:00.000-06:002008-02-26T09:11:00.000-06:00You're only talking about this year really, but th...You're only talking about this year really, but the history of Royals shortstops is simply terrible. I'm sure that a lot of teams have positions like this, but its hard to believe that any team has been historically worse at any position than the Royals have been at shortstop. Patek is a hero of sorts even though he was never particularly great, Berroa was good for a year, Stillwell was pretty bleh. Jay Bell was probably the best shortstop the Royals have ever had...in his one season with the club. Maybe Moustakas can stick to short and end that stretch, but something has to be done because Pena is just a better fielding version of Berroa with less power.Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06242196890455785584noreply@blogger.com