Royals G.M. Dayton Moore has a strained relationship with the stats crowd.
The performance-analysis types thought Moore was nuts to give José Guillen $36 million. They hated the trade for walk-averse Mike Jacobs. Yuniesky Betancourt's arrival in Kansas City prompted ESPN's Keith Law to suggest that the Cuban-born shortstop was possibly "the worst everyday player in the majors."
One move that met with approval was Moore's signing of reliever Juan Cruz before the 2009 season. Calling Cruz' two-year, $6 million deal "Grand Theft Reliever," blogger Rany Jazayerli praised Moore for putting the Royals in a position to compete for a division title. (Alas, the Royals finished 21 games out of first.)
KC got the man but not his strikeout rate. On Friday, the Royals told the disappointing Cruz and the disastrous Luis Mendoza to beat it.
In the midst of a week in which the Royals went 2-4, Moore discussed the decision to release Cruz with Sam Mellinger.
We looked real smart and real aggressive when we signed Juan Cruz. Now we look real stupid for signing Juan Cruz.Moore's words carried an edge. He sounded like a man looking to stick the blame trident up other people's noses. It was as if he wanted to say, "Don't forget you nerds loved this signing!"
from 1996 to 2009. Karhl said the Royals' inability to field a decent shortstop is a "crisis that borders on the existential."
In other developments, Zack Greinke returned to form in a 4-3 win over the Blue Jays, Brian Bannister does not like pitching to Bryan Pena and Alex Gordon may find himself back in Nebraska. Go Huskers!
Annoying Trey Hillman moment: With Scott Podsednik needing to leave the team for a few days, reserve outfielder Mitch Maier got a few starts. "If he gets a couple of games played, I don't think that's going to hurt us too terribly," Hillman said of Maier.
Way to drape a man in confidence, Skip.
Next up: Seattle, @ Tampa Bay
(Home page image via Flickr: Keith Allison)
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