Miami Marlins @ Kansas City Royals Series Preview: Do Royals Regret Will Meyers Trade?

August 10, 2013; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Tampa Bay Rays right fielder Wil Myers (9) at bat during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

The Miami Marlins have started their nine game road trip with five losses in six games. The Marlins will travel to Kansas City for the first time since 2007 and hope to turn their fortunes around for the road trip. Logan Morrison, the Marlins first baseman, will be making his homecoming to his native Kansas City. He is expecting 60 friends and family to be in attendance for the series.

To preview the series between the Royals and Marlins, I had an email chat with Mike Vamosi, a staff writer at the Kansas City Royals Fansided Site, Kings of Kauffman. Mike and I chatted about everything from the Royals trading top prospect Will Meyers in the off season to the latest addition to the Royals roster, Jamey Carroll.

Without any further ado, here is my chat with Mike:

Aug 11, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher James Shields (33) delivers a pitch against the Boston Red Sox during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

Ehsan Kassim: The Royals made the infamous Wil Myers for James Shields trade this off season. What are the early results of that?

Mike Vamosi: I was optimistic at the beginning of the season because the Royals needed pitching that James Shields and Wade Davis provided. The cost of Wil Myers has proven to be high as the other two pitchers Jake Odorizzi and Mike Montgomery have been so-so in triple-A. However Shields-Myers continues to be polarizing with each homerun he hits, but Big James does have the postseason experience that might prove worthy. Elliot Johnsonon the other hand hasn’t got a hit in a month but has provided a nice glove when he’s played.

EK: The Royals have been playing really well of late, what has been the key in their success and can they make a playoff run? Does it have to do anything with Jeff Francoeur being nowhere around the team?

MV: Jeff Francoeur wasn’t a problem in the clubhouse his bat and range disappeared which didn’t make sense to play him regularly. David Lough has provided a nice option and with the addition of Justin Maxwell the team has a nice platoon that’s been working since Maxwell came over at the deadline.

Jul 24, 2013; Anaheim, CA, USA; Minnesota Twins pinch runner Jamey Carroll (8) takes a lead off of first base in the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium. Angels won 1-0. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

EK: What kind of impact does the team expect the recently acquired Jamey Carroll to make? What did you think of their deadline moves (or non moves)?

MV: Kansas City has had a blackhole at second base with Chris Getz, Elliot Johnson, Miguel Tejada and five games of Johnny Giavotella. Jamie Carroll is a name Royals fans know since he was with Minnesota and has had success against KC but he couldn’t be any worst than who they’ve put there. This move was made with Tejada getting hurt last night and being put on the DL, Johnson as stated is only good for his glove and Giavotella has been hurt the last two weeks in Omaha. Willing to give this move a chance given what I’ve said and I don’t think the team calls up former first round pick Christian Colon until September.

EK: Can you give us a quick scouting report on the pitchers the Fish will see this series?

MV: Wildcard Wade who missed his last start due to a death in his family, is a crapshoot because he’s had good starts and awful ones so that’s your preview on that. Tuesday the Royals hottest starter is jouneyman Bruce Chen who was a lefty specialist in the first half but since being plugged into the rotation he’s given the team solid starts and has gone 5-6 starts consistently. In the series finale you get the “Magic Man” Erving Santana, who’s also been successful all season after coming over from the Angels.

EK: Predictions for the series?

MV: Kansas City is playing as well as anyone not named the Detroit Tigers (similar records) since the All-Star break and have gained ground on the second wildcard spot. Outside of facing Jose Fernandez I like the Royals chances of taking the series given who the Marlins are throwing outside of Fernandez. But Tuesday’s pitching match-up should be a fun watch for both fan bases, plus if KC could get that win a sweep could be at hand, pitching wise Davis in the opener is my lone concern.

A big thank you to Mikefor taking his timeout to talk to us.  We at Marlin Maniac wish all Braves fans the best of luck for the upcoming of the series. If you get a chance, do check out some of the great content over on Kings of Kauffman. Here are the questions I answered for Mike on KoK.