3 day weekend

Here are a some links worth reading with a few of my comments.

Jeffrey Flanagan has an article up about Gathright.

For now, Gathright figures to be an extra weapon lurking from the bench, though there are some observers who think the Royals could be better served by having Gathright in left and moving Mark Teahen to first.

I haven't thought much about this but it does make sense. I wanted Butler to play 1B because I wanted Huber to DH but reality has set in and I know that isn't gonna happen. Here are a few reasons to like Teahen at first:
1. Gathright would get to play everyday
2. Gload wouldn't
3. It makes KC a better defensive team

The only drawback in my mind is that it makes Butler a full-time DH and I think he is too young for that. But since it appears the team is leaning that way anyway I'd rather have Gathright in the lineup over Gload.

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Bob Dutton talks about KC outfielders playing shallow.

It’s still an experiment at this point, but Hillman likes the early returns. So there’s every chance the Royals will continue the alignment once the regular season starts March 31 in Detroit.

I like this until the outfielders start getting burned. One thing not mentioned in the article is that another advantage to playing shallow is that it makes it harder to take an extra base.

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Royals day in camp

Hillman indicated the Royals could decide on their No. 4 and No. 5 starters by Monday. Club officials are planning a series of meetings over the next few days.The current favorites are John Bale at No. 4 and Tomko at No. 5, but either or both could still shift to the bullpen. The other rotation candidates are Luke Hochevar, Kyle Davies and Jorge De La Rosa.

I guess it really is going to happen and Tomko will be in the rotation. Bale doesn't bother as much as Tomko but neither one of these guys will be here next season so why not go with Hochevar in one of the spots? He clearly has pitched better than both of them but it seems Hillmans mind was made up about Tomko before ST and he has said all along he wants a lefty in the rotation. Hochevar will get a chance to start this year and I'd be willing to bet that it will be before the month of April is over.