Good, Bad, and Ugly

Another version of Good, Bad, and Ugly.  I didn't want to start posting knee jerk reactions to games last week, or particular events as they unfolded.  Figured the best way to go was to let the first handful of games play out, take a step back, and react.  Decided to go with my second "Good, Bad, and Ugly" of 2010.

The Good

To start, the team seems a lot more athletic than it's been over the past few seasons.  Ankiel is a pretty solid all around guy to this point.  Most notably, he's running down balls in centerfield that I haven't seen a Royals' centerfielder track down for some time now.  We had DeJesus there, and he's as steady as they come, but more suited for a corner outfield spot.  Ankiel can flat out get after it, though.  And he's hitting.  So far. 

Two more sources of added athleticism:  Scott Podsednik and Chris Getz.  Our defensive OF play has been great, and Getz is leaps and bounds ahead of Callaspo as a defender.  The two of them have also shown they can get on base, and I think watching this team on the basepaths could be fun for a change (although I'm still not sold on Pods being a "great" baserunner, at least he CAN steal a base).  I was very excited to get Getz in the Teahen deal, and so far, he's not disappointed.

I also have to mention the starting pitching thus far (minus the debut of Meche).  They've looked fantastic.  All of them (again, minus Meche).  Zack, Luke (WOW), Bannister, and Davies have all done more than their share to get this team in the win column - but the bullpen (see "The Ugly") has been a trainwreck.  I don't know how well this starting rotation will pitch over the course of a 162 game season, but so far, so good.


The Bad

The team is not taking advantage of the starting pitching and jumping out to leads.  We still lack the offensive power we need to compete in the American League, and it shows.  We're seeing starting pitchers allow anywhere from zero to three or four runs...and we need to capitalize.  As an offense, we shouldn't barely be hanging on to a 1-0 nothing lead, or having to rally in the later innings to salvage a quality start.  Hillman has as close as he's ever had to that "scrappy" roster he's wanted...and now we need to see that he can manage this team.  Since we can't throw runs on the board in bunches, we need to see Hillman managing this offense into manufactured runs...and I haven't seen it enough yet.  Even though we're playing small ball, with this bullpen, we're going to HAVE to average at least five runs per game to hang in there.

One more item for "The Bad."  The handling of Mike Aviles.  If Hillman/Dayton Moore weren't sold on his arm being recovered enough to play third base or shortstop, they should have sent him to Omaha from day one.  In Omaha, he could play everyday, and his throws could be very easily monitored.  As it stands, he's wasted a week on the big league roster, being used as a pinch runner, and we have no idea how his throws will look in a game situation.  They've essentially wasted everyone's time by letting him sit the bench.  The kind of move that makes me pull my hair out.

The Ugly

The bullpen.  I don't really need to say any more than that, do I?  I mean...the Royals are carrying 13 pitchers.  Obviously, this won't last (they can't spread themselves so thin on the bench) but they need to figure out who their guys are going to be.  And fast.  Then either recall Aviles, or if his arm is in fact not ready, bring up Wilson Betemit to play as a multi-position sub, or...god forbid, give Kila a shot as a 1B/DH/pinch hitter.