Sunday

Breaking News: Schaefer, Hansen both axed...


Bob Schaefer: Gone!


Guy Hansen: Gone!

RC has learned the Royals will not offer Major League contracts to Bob Schaefer and Guy Hansen for the 2006 season. The search for their replacements is underway, although both will be asked to return to the organization in other capacities.

This marks the third time Hansen has been relieved of his Royals pitching coach duties, and RC does not expect him to accept the Royals' offer (although that is pure speculation on our part). Schaefer has been with the organization for a long time, so it's quite possible he will in fact accept the Royals' offer.

This is a pretty interesting move, and it seems to indicate that manager Buddy Bell has significant influence on personnel moves. When Bell was hired, he was told he could replace any coaches on staff with the exception of Hansen. During the season, Bell brought his friend Billy Doran to be the first base and infield coach, but the rest of the staff remained in tact. Frankly, this move comes as a big surprise to us, as Hansen came to KC with great fanfare, and we expected him to get more than one season to put his pitching philosophy into place.

The results of Hansen's brief tenure are mixed. He seems to have worked wonders with both Mike MacDougal and Andy Sisco, but he had several publicized disputes with future ace Zack Greinke, who ultimately had a dreadful season (not that it was all Hansen's fault). He came in promising to improve on the staff's 5.15 ERA in 2004, but the Royals actually got worse, finishing last in baseball with a dreadful 5.49 ERA.

As such, we have mixed feelings about the move. Of course, much will rest upon Hansen's replacement, but we really wouldn't have minded seeing him stay on for another season. Nor will we really miss him all that much. It's cool that he spends all his waking hours thinking about pitching, but if those hours result in comparisons of Mike Wood to Greg Maddux and Jimmy Gobble to John Rocker, then maybe it's best he moves along.

  • The Royals ended their season today with their 106th loss, mailing in a lousy effort in the finale. We are depressed that we'll have to go six months without Royals baseball, but we are happy that we can finally close the door on what has been a downright difficult season to watch. As for RC, we'll continue with our updates throughout the offseason, although we can't promise daily updates.

    Be sure to check back with us this week, as we plan to release our new Top 25 prospect list on Tuesday.

    • posted by Dave @ 11:01 PM   4 comments

    4 Comments:

    At 10/03/2005 1:24 AM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

    Am I the only one who's a little jealous hearing Lou Pinella, Jim Leyland and Jack Mckeon's names tossed around for other manegerial vacancies?

    I'm all for giving Bell a fair shot with this team, and to do that he should be allowed to pick his own staff...
    but still, I can't help but think that a lot of the royals' problems developing players and playing poor baseball over the past decade may stem from the complete lack of stability (and of good instructors)in the organization.

     
    At 10/03/2005 12:22 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I totally agree. If Bell turns this team into a winner, I'll be the first to admit I was wrong, but it sure would be nice to have someone leading the club who has at least won before.

     
    At 10/03/2005 1:34 PM, Blogger Dave said...

    Well, Lou Pinella would never take another job on a developing team after whining and moaning about it the whole time in Tampa Bay, and I believe Jack McKeon announced his retirement. That leaves Leyland among the guys on your list, who would have been a good choice. But oh well...

    I'm not all that worried about who the manager is. When Baird was replacing Pena, the most important criterium was that the new manager be an adult...that he be able to get control of the clubhouse. Bell did that.

    I just don't subscribe to the school of thought that a manager makes a big difference in a team's performance. But from what I've seen of Bell, I think he's perfectly capable of doing a decent job. I like his bullpen management, I like that he doesn't abuse young starting pitchers, and I think he's a pretty good teacher. I didn't like his lineups, but that should get a whole lot better once he no longer has the option of playing T-Long every day. If Baird can deliver solid players at every position, we have nothing to worry about from Bell's lineups.

     
    At 10/03/2005 4:48 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

    I respectfully disagree Dave, I think with a young team a good manager is even more vital.

    While I'd be the first to admit that Pinella did a poor job in Tampa Bay, he was comepletly hung out to dry by his owner and GM (Royals fans who complain about Glass need to take a long look at what's gone on in St. Pete the past 5 years, and then be thankfull for who they have).

     

    Post a Comment

    << Home