Royals Possess Coveted Relievers

There's seemingly some sentiment that the Royals don't want to break up their bullpen by trading anyone.  I think that's kind of silly, given the volatility of relievers and the Royals' chances at contending in 2008. Bob Dutton of the Kansas City Star names four relievers on which Dayton Moore is getting phone calls:

Octavio Dotel - Dotel was a $5MM gamble, and he's been decent so far.  He can earn another few hundred thousand in incentives and also has a $5.5MM player option for '08.  If he exercises that, the team can still void it.  After a late start he's got eight saves, a 3.50 ERA, and an 11.0 K/9.  However, he's hit a bit of a rough stretch recently. I don't see him fetching much in the way of compensatory draft picks if he changes teams via free agency this winter, so trading him is a good idea.  The Indians and Rockies have interest, and don't forget that the Red Sox made him an offer in December. 

David Riske - The Royals also tossed $2.25MM at Riske for '07 and added a $2.85MM club option for '08.  Riske has his strikeout rate up somewhat but his 2.21 ERA doesn't match up with the amount of baserunners allowed.  If I was running the team I'd trade both he and Dotel and pat myself on the back for signing them in the first place.  However I'm guessing the Royals will want to keep one of these guys.

Jimmy Gobble - Gobble is more than just a hilarious name; he owns a nifty 2.70 ERA.  He's walking a tightrope though, allowing 1.67 baserunners per inning.  He'd make a decent lefty specialist and there's no reason the Royals need to be paying him a million bucks next year.  Gobble is quite far from free agency but will get a raise in arbitration. 

Zack Greinke - Despite a 3.57 ERA and 9.9 K/9 in relief, you get the feeling Greinke will end up a successful starter one day.  He's easily the most coveted of the four mentioned here, as he's 23 and quite talented.  The Royals may try him as their closer this year if they hang on to him; he's got the stuff for it.  Greinke seems past last year's anxiety issues thankfully.  I'm not sure what the Royals could get in return for him that would be better than just keeping and developing him.

The Royals just added to their pen actually, picking up righty Roman Colon from Detroit for a player to be named later.  Despite a clubhouse scuffle that earned him a felonious assault charge, Moore said today that he'd trust Colon in his house with his family.  He goes way back with Colon as both worked for the Braves.

Comments

[zubes007]

I think you can add Joel Peralta to this list...he can certainly help a contender in middle relief.

[DentalPlan]

Did we ever settle that nonsense about Greinke throwing 100 mph?

[darkstar1661]

I can see keeping Gobble and Greinke, but see no point in Dotel or Riske

I mean, like you said, do they really plan to compete next year? They think they are going to jump Minn, Cle & Det? (Chi I can see happening, but the others might be rough...)

[jza1218]

DentalPlan:

I already had commented on your disbelief and linked you to an MLB article stating that he did throw 100 mph.

Here you go again...

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070705&content_id=2068884&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

"And the results have been extraordinary. After Wednesday night, he is 3-0 with a 3.27 ERA and a 35/7 strikeout-to-walk rate in the bullpen. The right-hander, who suffered through personal problems over the past few years, is dominating hitters with a 97-100 mph fastball and a good curveball. Bell said Greinke has "Verlander" stuff, a reference to Tigers ace and no-hit man Justin Verlander."

Also, here's another article where he is stated as having thrown 100 mph, but with less control (this was during his anxiety year):

http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060419&content_id=1408075&vkey=news_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc

"In another session, he remembered throwing every pitch about 100 mph, hitting the backstop about 15 times and nearly tearing off catcher John Buck's arm.

"I was just losing it," he said."

[Tim Dierkes]

Regardless of 100, he can obviously bring it in the high 90s when he goes all out and could become a solid closer.

[firesticks]

Dotel is gone for sure. He was signed to be traded. lol.

Riske I think will stay...his wife's family lives in KC and he has a two year deal.

Gobble I could see gone. John Bale is coming back, Neal Musser has been decent this time around, and the R's just picked up a guy off waivers that could be the lefty specialist next year.

I think someone will have to give up quite a bit for Zack...definitely will not come cheap. Milledge's name was mentioned, I think Dayton will ask for more.

[insomniac]

I have a feeling that Joakim Soria is going to be the long term closer honestly. He's definately got the ability.

I'm suprised Brandon Duckworth isn't on that list though. Even with control problems he's having a good year.

[bravesbeast]

I could really see Grienke being the under the radar guy that no one realizes makes sense for the braves until we get him, JS's specialty.

I mean it makes sense. He is still just 23, and having post hype success. He more than likely would not cost us salty, and he could feel more than one need for us, right now as being another arm in the bullpen, and then in the future as a potential mainstay in the rotation. Plus, dayton moore and schuerholz have a good relationship as they have made trades in the past. If the price is not too steep, and we could use our middle infield depth in the minor leagues to get him, i say it is a very very good buy low move that could be huge for the braves in the future. I just really think this makes great sense for the braves, but I think it would make even more sense for Dayton and the Royals to keep him.

[firesticks]

insomniac - Ducky is on the DL, don't think he'll be back for a while yet.

braves - Greinke is hardly at a low point right now. Like I said, Dayton will be asking for the moon for Zack. One scout said he's not even listening to offers for Zack, but that was a while ago. In the end, I don't think he's traded, but I'm sure a lot of teams will want him.

[Tim Dierkes]

Greinke would cost the Braves Salty.

[bravesbeast]

Ok well then my apoligies, I was thinking that if the Royals were even thinking about trading him, then maybe their opinion soured on him a bit. And by buying low, I was meaning that he is showing signs of his potential, but sense he did not shine when he was supposed to he may be cheaper in terms of prospects. Guess I was in fantasy trade mindset instead of reality. Still, Grienke would be a great addition to the braves, and at this point, perhaps the best bounty we could get for salty, even though i still do not think the braves would do that deal.

[darkstar1661]

BravesB,

Tough thing comes in the fact that I’m not sure Atl will give up Salty for a reliever ~ even if he does have the stuff to be a plus starter, he seems to have such a tough time producing in that roll now and he may be an impossible fix for the rotation…

Someone mentioned his problems with starting on here a short period of time ago but didn’t give stats really. If you look at his splits since coming back from his time away from he game, it really is a drastic SP to RP difference. As a RP this year he is pitching to a 3.79, 39 SO, 8 BB in 35 IP .248 BA-A mark making people take notice again. His starter numbers are 5.71, 20 SO, 11 BB, .338 BA-A in 34 IP though and that’s kinda frightening... Most of the problems come in the first 2 innings as well (.429/.499/.799 line against in the 1st and 2nd), so its not like he wears out as he gets into the higher pitch count ~ they flat out tear him up right out the gate then he settles down. The person said that he just doesn’t have the mentality to even out the production over a game and that he tries to save himself early on, only to get pulled early because of it. Combine it with his other mental problems and you can see why he would be quite a project-pitcher if you pick him up to use him as a starter…

It seems to be all mental and not physical at all; he has the stuff but it will take a team really thinking they can make a huge difference in his mind to take a flyer on him for the cost if they see him as a starter… Doesn’t Atlanta usually succeed with reclamations because of mechanics instead of mental issues?

[bravesbeast]

Yes, but not anymore Mazzone is now in Baltimore, and mental issues really are not handled to well in Atlanta, i.e. Mark Wholers and John Rocker.

[TNS]

Greinke still has top of the rotation stuff and is still very young without much wear on his arm. If the Royals move him at any point, they'll regret it for a long time. With his anxiety issues, you'd think the pressure of high leverage innings and not pitching on a schedule is a bad fit. He belongs back in the rotation (but not this year as that'll open the door for injuries). If he's being shopped, he's a guy to jump on but the Royals would be complete idiots to move him.