Comments on: Royals Opt For Six Man Rotation; Danny Duffy Stays

By: The Sports Pages: Jhonny’s Money, Verlander is Money, and Central Sluggers Striking Out « Motor City Bengals | A Detroit Tigers blog

Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:01:09 +0000

[...] With Bruce Chen and Kyle Davies coming back to health, Kansas City has decided not to option Danny Duffy back to Omaha, but instead will run six-deep with their starters. Somehow making room for guys like Davies doesn’t quite have the same feel as when the White Sox couldn’t decide between Jake Peavy and Edwin Jackson, does it? Michael Engel of Kings of Kauffman has more. [...]

By: Hooligan

Hooligan — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 01:52:18 +0000

I think the six man rotation demonstrates how fragile our starting rotation really is. There are way too many question marks to try to pick five guys to rely on. Virtually any of our guys could fall apart, wear out, or revert to form at any time. Keeping six guys in the rotation at least gives the team somewhat of a cushion against the inevitable.

I know 2011 was supposed to be a year of preparation, but it is obviously frustrating that we could very well be in contention if we had any sort of starting rotation.

By: Big Lee

Big Lee — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 01:34:59 +0000

The dialog seems to be that Davies starts or is cut. Why not try him the bullpen? If memory serves correctly, he has trouble getting guys out after the lineup has turned over once or twice. Davies could even piggyback Duffy’s starts, so his innings are limited. Davies would then have some surety to win he will pitch (at least once every 5 days).

By: Eric

Eric — Tue, 28 Jun 2011 14:21:30 +0000

This seems like a good idea where Francis is concerned. Francis has pitched more innings than last year, so this could reduce the chance an injury, and teams will probably see it as keeping his arm more rested. However, what will probably happen is that somebody in the starting rotation goes down with an injury, resolving the situation.

I may have been more inclined to put Davies in the pen, I think he could actually be good there. But the Royals had already rejected that idea.