SB Nation Kansas City: All Posts by Brian Palmerhttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48935/kc-fave.png2012-10-23T12:51:36-05:00https://kansascity.sbnation.com/authors/brian-palmer/rss2012-10-23T12:51:36-05:002012-10-23T12:51:36-05:00Royals should consider Sizemore, Gomes
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<figcaption>Thearon W. Henderson</figcaption>
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<p>The Royals could target these three players to help shore up their offense for 2013.</p> <p>As a follow-up piece to <a href="http://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-royals/2012/10/22/3540384/kansas-city-sleeper-free-agent-starting-pitching-options">yesterday’s musings on free agent starting pitching</a> the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a> could go after this offseason, here’s a quick look at some position players they could also target:</p>
<p><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">1.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Kelly Johnson</b></span><br>Now that the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bluebirdbanter.com/">Toronto Blue Jays</a> have acquired shortstop <span>Mike Aviles</span> from the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.overthemonster.com/">Boston Red Sox</a> as compensation for trading manager John Farrell (yep, you’re reading that right), <span>Kelly Johnson</span> could be on the move. With <span>Yunel Escobar</span> already entrenched at short however, Aviles could be moved to second making Johnson expendable.</p>
<p>A line of 16 HR, 55 RBI, .225 Avg. made for a down year for Johnson who made almost $6.5M last year. That would still be a massive improvement at second for the Royals however, and at 30 years of age, Johnson still has some good years left in him. He might be worth a look.</p>
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<p><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">2.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Jonny Gomes</b></span><span><br></span>When you are relying on <span>Jeff Francoeur</span> and one of <span>Jarrod Dyson</span> or <span>David Lough</span> to make up two-thirds of your outfield, you have a problem. After having a successful 2012 campaign in what was essentially a platoon role for the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/">Oakland Athletics</a> (18/47/.262 in 99 games), and with the Athletics’ recent acquisition of <span>Chris Young</span> from the Arizona <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Diamondbacks</a>, <span>Jonny Gomes</span> might be the odd man out. He only made $1M last year and would certainly be looking for a raise, but the Royals can afford him and should take a hard look.</p>
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<p><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;">3.</span><span style="font-size: 7pt; line-height: normal; font-family: 'Times New Roman';"> </span><span style="text-indent: -0.25in;"><b>Grady Sizemore</b></span><span><br></span>Given the Royals’ lack of depth at center, it couldn’t hurt them to take a flier on <span>Grady Sizemore</span> and give him an incentive-laden deal that is tied to his health. Injuries have limited him to 104 games the past three seasons, and he missed all of 2012 after having back surgery in the spring and knee surgery in late 2011.</p>
<p>If he can finally recovery from all of that he would be a significant upgrade over Dyson and Lough. Low risk? Yes. High reward? Definitely. He wouldn’t cost much, and his list of suitors likely won’t be very great, so it would be worth a shot.</p>
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https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-royals/2012/10/23/3543886/sleeper-free-agent-options-kansas-city-royalsBrian Palmer2012-10-22T18:08:27-05:002012-10-22T18:08:27-05:00Jamaal Charles giving Chiefs fans reasons to cheer
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<figcaption>Scott Boehm</figcaption>
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<p>Charles' return from ACL injury has gone more smoothly than those of Eric Berry and Tony Moeaki.</p> <p> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Of the three players on the <a href="https://www.arrowheadpride.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Chiefs</a> roster who were lost to season-ending ACL injuries in 2011—<span>Eric Berry</span>, <span>Tony Moeaki</span> and <span>Jamaal Charles</span>—only Charles has returned looking like his former self. Despite extensive rehab, Charles looks as fresh as ever and he has the numbers to back it up.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Coming off of back-to-back 1,000-yard-plus rushing seasons in 2009 and 2010—where he averaged an otherworldly 5.9 and 6.4 yards per carry, respectively—Charles only appeared in two games in 2011 before his season was cut short.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Through the first six games of this season however, Charles is receiving 19 carries per game--more than he was receiving before the injury--averaging 5.1 yards per carry, has scored twice and even set a new career-long for himself with a 91-yard touchdown run against the <a href="https://www.canalstreetchronicles.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New Orleans Saints</a> last month. He is still the force the Chiefs knew back in 2009 and 2010.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">While Charles is dominating, Tony Moeaki and Eric Berry are having trouble regaining their footing. So far Moeaki has been little more than an afterthought (10 catches, 94 yards, 0 TD) and is struggling to be an effective blocker, while Berry’s performances have been pedestrian at best (22 tackles, 0 INT, 0 sacks, 0 forced fumbles and only one pass defended).</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Time may yet prove that Moeaki and Berry will return to form, but the early results are not inspiring much confidence. As long as Charles keeps trucking along, however, the Chiefs will at least have one bright spot to point to this season.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-chiefs/2012/10/22/3540662/jamaal-charles-kansas-city-chiefsBrian Palmer2012-10-22T16:49:32-05:002012-10-22T16:49:32-05:00Will any of these pitchers be in KC in 2013?
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<figcaption>Mike Stobe</figcaption>
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<p>Could the Royals target any of these pitchers for next season?</p> <p><a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/sweetspot/post/_/id/30296/as-make-nice-pickup-in-chris-young">As the recent three-way deal</a> between the <a href="https://www.athleticsnation.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Oakland Athletics</a>, <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> and <a href="https://www.fishstripes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Miami Marlins</a> reminds us, the offseason doesn’t start the moment the World Series is over—it starts when your season is over.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">For the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Kansas City Royals</a>, the search for some sleeper free agent starting pitching options is likely already in full swing as the brass try to figure out how to improve on this year’s 72-90 finish. Here are a few options the Royals might consider:</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>1. Mike Pelfrey<br></b><span>Mike Pelfrey</span> started the 2012 season well for the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a> before an elbow injury ended his season and forced him to have Tommy John surgery on May 1. He would pose some risk to the Royals coming back from this surgery, and he might not even be ready to go until after the All-Star Break, but he would certainly command less than the almost $5.7M he made in 2012 and so might be worth the risk.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>2. Kevin Millwood</b><br>Kevin Millwood didn’t exactly light the world on fire this year with the <a href="https://www.lookoutlanding.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Seattle Mariners</a>, posting a 6-12 record and a 4.25 ERA. But he did average almost six innings a start and struck out almost twice as many batters as he walked, so he’s still decent. And with that performance, he can’t reasonably expect to ask for too much more than the $1M he was paid last year so, again, right up Kansas City’s alley.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>3. Kevin Correia<br></b><span>Kevin Correia</span> appears to have run his course with the <a href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Pittsburgh Pirates</a>. After going 12-11 each of the past two seasons, combining for an ERA right around 4.50, with a WHIP just north of 1.30 and a K/BB ratio of almost 2-1, he might not be a sexy pickup for most teams, but he would be solid. He might want a slight increase over his $4M salary from last season, but not so much that the Royals couldn’t afford him.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>4. Livan Hernandez<br></b>And if none of these guys work out? The ageless wonder, <span>Livan Hernandez</span>, could be desperate for a shot with the club (or any club for that matter). But the Royals shouldn’t go that route unless they end up being twice as desperate as he is likely to be.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/kansas-city-royals/2012/10/22/3540384/kansas-city-sleeper-free-agent-starting-pitching-optionsBrian Palmer2012-10-22T14:18:51-05:002012-10-22T14:18:51-05:00The year that was in the MLS
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<figcaption>Steven Bisig-US PRESSWIRE</figcaption>
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<p>A look back at some of the regular season's highlights and surprises.</p> <p class="MsoNoSpacing">As Major League Soccer prepares for the playoff season to start, here is a quick look at some of the highlights from the league’s 17<sup>th</sup> season.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span>Chris Wondolowski</span> of the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a>—who is quickly becoming one of the league’s, and America’s, rising talents—will be repeating as the league leader in goals scored (he has 27 with 1 game remaining), only this year he won’t be sharing the title as he did last year with <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a>’s <span>Dwayne De Rosario</span>, and he has scored far more goals this year compared with last year when he scored 16.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> proved that even lost seasons can have silver linings, as they defied the odds and managed to win the Cascadia Cup—an annual, season-long competition held between the Timbers, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.sounderatheart.com/">Seattle Sounders</a> FC and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.eightysixforever.com/">Vancouver Whitecaps</a> FC—with a 1-0 victory over the Whitecaps last night. It was the Timbers’ only road win all season and only their third in the team’s two-year history, two of which have come at the hands of the Whitecaps.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">However, it is not all doom and gloom for the Whitecaps, because in one season they have gone from last place in the Western Conference and tied for the lowest point total in MLS, to being the fifth seed in their conference, proving that fortunes can change quite fast. The sting of losing again to the Timbers should be tempered by the knowledge that they will be in the running for the MLS Cup in only their second season, while Portland has yet to make the playoffs in its first two seasons.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">That being said, six of this year’s playoff teams were in last year’s playoffs, so the balance of power is not shifting that much. The <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.lagconfidential.com/">LA Galaxy</a>, Seattle Sounders FC and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.rslsoapbox.com/">Real Salt Lake</a> are back for the West with Vancouver and San Jose joining the fray; and in the East, <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a>, the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/">Houston Dynamo</a> and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> return, while D.C. United and the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/">Chicago Fire</a> have rebounded with strong seasons, almost doubling their win totals from 2011.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">San Jose has won this year’s Supporters’ Shield title for the most points in the league and will head into the playoffs as strong contenders to dethrone the reigning champions, the LA Galaxy, and prevent them from becoming the league’s first repeat champions since 2006-2007 when the Houston Dynamo won back-to-back titles.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Expect Sporting Kansas City--currently in the midst of a twelve-game unbeaten streak--Seattle Sounders FC and possibly D.C. United to make some noise as well.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/sporting-kansas-city/2012/10/22/3539532/2012-mls-regular-season-reviewBrian Palmer2012-10-19T12:19:31-05:002012-10-19T12:19:31-05:00Is a second MLS Cup in the cards for Sporting KC?
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<figcaption>G. Newman Lowrance</figcaption>
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<p>Sporting KC looks to finish strong and maintain their hold on the first seed in the East.</p> <p>With two games remaining in the MLS regular season, <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Sporting Kansas City</a> is looking to enter the postseason the same way they started the regular season—with a lengthy unbeaten streak.</p>
<p>After starting the season by winning their first seven matches, Sporting KC was upset by the <a href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Portland Timbers</a>. This set the club off on a bumpy patch where they won only 4 times in 14 matches, though they did draw three times as well. </p>
<p>Coming into these final two games, however, they are riding an 11-game unbeaten streak that has seen them go 6-0-5, so they are getting hot again at just the right time and are primed for a lengthy postseason run that could culminate in the club winning its second-ever MLS Cup. But while they currently sit atop the Eastern Conference Standings with 59 points, they cannot afford to rest easy these final two matches.</p>
<p>Although they have had success against their remaining opponents this season—a combined two wins, one draw and one loss against the Philadelphia Union and <a href="https://www.onceametro.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Red Bulls</a>—losses to both teams could conceivably knock Sporting KC out of the top spot and potentially result in the club falling into the play-in round as a #4 seed instead of getting the first-round bye reserved for each conference’s top three seeds.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.hottimeinoldtown.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Chicago Fire</a>, <a href="https://www.blackandredunited.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">D.C. United</a> and New York all can steal the #1 seed away from Sporting KC. The Fire sit three points behind Sporting KC, and D.C. United sits five points behind. New York is six points behind and is currently the #4 seed, but even their position is not set in stone as both the <a href="https://www.dynamotheory.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Dynamo</a> and <a href="https://www.massivereport.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Columbus Crew</a> could still leapfrog past them and into playoff contention.</p>
<p>Two things are certain: Sporting KC has clinched a playoff spot and these final 10 days are going to be wild as the Eastern Conference playoff picture sorts itself out. The question is: Can Sporting KC manage to continue their unbeaten ways and take home the top seed?</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/sporting-kansas-city/2012/10/19/3526694/sporting-kc-primed-for-mls-cup-runBrian Palmer2012-10-15T16:33:40-05:002012-10-15T16:33:40-05:00Zusi, USMNT prepare for qualifier versus Guatemala
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<p>Graham Zusi and the USMNT hope to rebound from their shaky victory over Antigua and Barbuda this past Friday.</p> <p>LIVESTRONG Sporting Park will play host to its first-ever World Cup qualifier tomorrow as the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/fifa/teams/united-states" class="sbn-auto-link">United States Men’s National Team</a> (USMNT) takes on Guatemala. <a href="https://www.thebluetestament.com/">Sporting Kansas City</a>’s star midfielder, <span>Graham Zusi</span>, assisted on the opening goal of USMNT’s last-minute qualifier win against Antigua and Barbuda last Friday.</p>
<p>The team's lack of a definitive style of play during the shaky match<span style="font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 115%; font-family: ">—</span>which new US Manager Jurgen Klinsmann said they would develop when he first took over—has some fans worried, but the players don’t seem to be.</p>
<p>"It’s a work in progress for sure," midfielder <span>Michael Bradley</span> <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/14/3867159/it-may-not-be-the-beautiful-game.html">told The Kansas City Star over the weekend</a>. "[But] at the end of the day, when you get to the World Cup, nobody remembers how you got there."</p>
<p>For now, the USMNT simply hopes to play well enough to win. The rest they can figure out later.</p>
<p>"We’re still trying to figure out what’s going to work best for us," midfielder <span>Clint Dempsey</span> <a href="http://www.kansascity.com/2012/10/14/3867159/it-may-not-be-the-beautiful-game.html">told the Star</a>. "The most important thing is you put yourself in position to get out of the group and to qualify for the World Cup."</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/sporting-kansas-city/2012/10/15/3508098/zusi-us-mens-national-team-world-cup-GuatemalaBrian Palmer2012-10-09T13:32:41-05:002012-10-09T13:32:41-05:00Sporting KC gunning for Supporters' Shield title
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<figcaption>Jamie Squire - Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>With two games remaining, Sporting Kansas City will have to win out as well as rely on some unusual allies in order to sneak past San Jose to win this title for the first time since 2000.</p> <p>They are cutting it close, but Sporting KC still has an outside shot of winning this year's Supporters' Shield for having the most points in the MLS. Currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference standings with 59 points, they sit five points behind the MLS-leading <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.centerlinesoccer.com/">San Jose Earthquakes</a>. Both teams have two matches remaining.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Sporting KC will need to win both of their matches--they face off against the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.onceametro.com/">New York Red Bulls</a> in New York on October 20th before finishing the season at home against the Philadelphia Union on the 24th--and the Earthquakes will have to lose both of theirs if Sporting KC is to overtake them for the title.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If the Earthquakes draw in one of their matches, they will automatically win the Supporters' Shield by virtue of their insurmountable lead in the primary tiebreaker category of goals scored. San Jose has scored 69 goals, while Sporting KC has only scored 40.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Sporting KC's position is precarious at best. While they have had success against their remaining opponents--a win and a draw against New York, and a win and a loss against Philadelphia--there is nothing they can do about San Jose's remaining matches.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">San Jose will first face the L.A. Galaxy--whom they have defeated in both of their previous match-ups this season--at home on October 21st before finishing the season on the road against the lowly <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.stumptownfooty.com/">Portland Timbers</a> on the 27th.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In an odd twist, however, Sporting KC's hopes might actually rest with the Timbers, who have defeated and drawn with the Earthquakes in their previous matches this season.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">If Sporting KC can string together two more strong performances--and their current 11-game unbeaten streak suggests they can--and if the Earthquakes stumble against the Galaxy, the Timbers will hold the key to Sporting KC's title hopes.</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This would be Sporting KC's second-ever Supporters' Shield title. Their first came in 2000, the same year they won their only MLS Cup.</p>
https://kansascity.sbnation.com/sporting-kansas-city/2012/10/9/3479804/sporting-kc-san-jose-supporters-shieldBrian Palmer