I was against the MAT signing in 2020 and was really against the extension because it means he's going to play every day. If the Royals were a good hitting club, I would be on board because he does play a pretty good cf, but we aren't. It's great to have a strong defensive team, but when you aren't great starting pitching wise and below average offensively you probably aren't going to be a winning ball club. I'll use Esky for example. We could get away with his poor hitting when the rest of the line up was pretty solid, but once the core guys left Esky became a huge eye sore in the order. I would like to move Whit down, but not sure who to move to the top. The Royals won't do so because of loyalty which is great for the individual, but not always for the team. Look at the Phillies, they already moved Schwarber from lead off after 7-8 games. Also, since the Royals won't ever give Whit a day off because you know the consecutive games streak, at least give him a half day and have him dh. This would give Isbel or Oliveras a chance. If Mondi continues to keep hitting .150 he doesn't deserve to play every day either. Move Nicky over, put Whit at 2nd and Isbel or Oliveras in right. We have to start becoming more transactional and not keep doing the same thing over and over.
Yes, that makes a lot of sense. With his ability to hit doubles I really like the idea of Merrifield hitting in the 7th spot behind the slower base runners in the lineup.
long time royals fan here...now in New Mexico. I like you articles, does it really cost 30 bucks to park at the K this year?
Thanks! Glad you found the newsletter. If you don’t prepay, yes. Insane, isn’t it?
Gotta pay Santana that $10+ million to block our young guys somehow
My lineup would be.
Lopez 2B
Oliveras DH
Benintendi LF
Perez C
Merrifield RF
Dozier 1B
Witt 3B
Isbel CF
Mondesi SS
We need some hitting, but realizing Matheny will never do this. Thanks Craig.
Playing the young guys over the veterans…revolutionary!
Whit RF
Nicky 2B
BENNY LF
Salvy C
Hunter 1B
Isbel CF
BWJ 3B
OLIVERAS DH
THIS IS RIGHTY LINEUP
AGAINST LEFTIES
WHIT RF
NICKY 2B
SALVY C
BENNY LF
HUNTER 1B
OLIVERAS DH
BWJ 3B
MAT CF
MONDI SS
MONDI SS
I could get behind a CF platoon.
I was against the MAT signing in 2020 and was really against the extension because it means he's going to play every day. If the Royals were a good hitting club, I would be on board because he does play a pretty good cf, but we aren't. It's great to have a strong defensive team, but when you aren't great starting pitching wise and below average offensively you probably aren't going to be a winning ball club. I'll use Esky for example. We could get away with his poor hitting when the rest of the line up was pretty solid, but once the core guys left Esky became a huge eye sore in the order. I would like to move Whit down, but not sure who to move to the top. The Royals won't do so because of loyalty which is great for the individual, but not always for the team. Look at the Phillies, they already moved Schwarber from lead off after 7-8 games. Also, since the Royals won't ever give Whit a day off because you know the consecutive games streak, at least give him a half day and have him dh. This would give Isbel or Oliveras a chance. If Mondi continues to keep hitting .150 he doesn't deserve to play every day either. Move Nicky over, put Whit at 2nd and Isbel or Oliveras in right. We have to start becoming more transactional and not keep doing the same thing over and over.
How about:
Lopez
Witt Jr.
Benintendi
Perez
Dozier
Santana
Merrifield
Mondesi
Taylor
I do think Witt Jr. ends up hitting second, but just wonder if given the early struggles if he shouldn’t be lower to start.
Yes, that makes a lot of sense. With his ability to hit doubles I really like the idea of Merrifield hitting in the 7th spot behind the slower base runners in the lineup.