GO ROYALS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[LenexatoKCMO]

but he was still asking for 5 million a year...

Plus, how willing would he have been to actually earn his way onto the staff?  At least Ponson comes in with the understanding that he will have to deliver to start for the big club - somehow I doubt that understanding would have been as clear with Pedro. 

[WSPanic]

Plus, how willing would he have been to actually earn his way onto the staff?  At least Ponson comes in with the understanding that he will have to deliver to start for the big club - somehow I doubt that understanding would have been as clear with Pedro. 

To be fair to Pedro, he's much better than Sir Sydney. Not $5 million/year better - but at least deserving of a major league contract.

[im2kull]

To be fair to Pedro, he's much better than Sir Sydney. Not $5 million/year better - but at least deserving of a major league contract.

Yeah...what happened to Pedro...I haven't kept up on the times clearly.  The last I remember he was single-handidly keeping the Mets in the playoff race?

[KansasCityCraka]

Now he will be lucky to get a contract worth more than 1 million. He is certainly better than Ponson, I think the Royals would have thought hard about signing Pedro if he was in the 1-2 million range.

[LenexatoKCMO]

Peter Gammons has a column this week at least partially jumping on the 09 Royals bandwagon.  Things must be looking up since I don't think I have ever seen Gammons even acknowledge the Royals exist in print or on the air. 

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/blog/ind ... mons_peter

[Pendergast]

Ponson looks to be 4th starter.  Hochevar sent to Omaha.

I like the move, and Bannister will follow Hochevar to Omaha.

[KansasCityCraka]

So you think Ramirez is the 5th?

Bannister and Ramirez have both been doing horrible this spring.

[AJoD]

I heard on the radio this morning they only need a 5th starter once before the end of April, so I'm guessing they'll let Hochevar and Bannister battle it out in Triple A.

[KCMax]

I don't like the idea of Ponson pitching the home opener. I can buy this if they're only sending Hooch down temporarily, but he's not a young pup. Its time for him to produce.

I still can't believe we can't do any better than Sidney Ponson as our 4th starter. Egads.

[im2kull]

So what's our best bet as to the starting rotation right now?

1.?
2.?
3.?
4.?

5a.?
5b.?

[shaffe]

So what's our best bet as to the starting rotation right now?

1.?
2.?
3.?
4.?

5a.?
5b.?

1.  Meche
2.  Greinke
3.  Davies
4.  Sir Sidney

5a.  Hooch
5b.  Banny

I don't get why they just don't swap Banny and Sir Sidney myself.  I honestly think Bannister will be much more apt to put up a sub 5.00 ERA than Ponson.  But maybe they'll get lucky and Ponson will give 3-4 good starts and blow up just in time for Hooch and Banny to come up and finish out those 4/5 spots.

[Pendergast]

1.  Meche
2.  Greinke
3.  Davies
4.  Sir Sidney

5a.  Hooch
5b.  Banny

Agreed.  I don't want to watch Ponson on opening day in KC either, though I have a level of trust of Hillman/McClure that leads me to think this is the right move.  If only to light a fire under Banny/Hoch.  Its kinda a win win, we see if Ponson can hang, if not we call up one of the others.  Ramirez can immediately start in place of Ponson if he falters, he'll be waiting in the bullpen.

[KansasCityCraka]

Ponson had a shitty day today. 5 IP 7 ER

[phuqueue]

I don't like the idea of Ponson pitching the home opener. I can buy this if they're only sending Hooch down temporarily, but he's not a young pup. Its time for him to produce.

I still can't believe we can't do any better than Sidney Ponson as our 4th starter. Egads.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  At least we're not counting on him to be our ace.  Only true ballplayers like Scott Elarton and Jose Lima are fit for such a role.

[WSPanic]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  At least we're not counting on him to be our ace.  Only true ballplayers like Scott Elarton and Jose Lima are fit for such a role.

On some recent Royals teams, a pitcher like Ponson would be a good preseason pick for our potential "all star."

[KCMax]

The more things change, the more they stay the same.  At least we're not counting on him to be our ace.  Only true ballplayers like Scott Elarton and Jose Lima are fit for such a role.

[KCMax]

Royals trade 1B Ross Gload to Florida for a player to be named later.

[Ez Street]

Nice. Glad Gload Gone.

[KansasCityCraka]

They got rid of Dallas McPherson to clear room. 

Dallas McPherson hit 42 HR's and had 98 RBI's last year in AAA for them.

[shaffe]

Cardinals trade 1B Ross Gload to Florida for a player to be named later.

HUZZAH!