Yordano Ventura drilling an opposing batter is nothing new. Ventura doing it on purpose and inciting a riot isn't even something new and has become a bit cliched.

Royals fans dividing themselves between those rushing to the defense of Ventura and those looking to tear him down are also nothing new. I've tried to decide where I stand, but like almost any issue I think the true answer probably lies somewhere in the middle.

Yordano Ventura is a pitcher with immense talent who has yet to realize his abilities and become the "Ace" that his given moniker implies. He has shown flashes of "very good" mixed with a healthy dose of "what the hell is he doing." And this is just from a performance standpoint.

Ventura is now 25 years old, and if numbers are any indication, is sliding back instead of moving forward in his Major League career. His last 3 seasons, including this one, has seen his ERA go from 3.20 to 4.08 last season and now 5.32 this season. His peripheral numbers for the most part do not fare any better and he has walked 35 batters in 2016 to lead the league, while only striking out a career low 6 batters per 9 innings. His overall contribution in his time in Kansas City still looks decent enough, as he has a 3.87 ERA in his 4 year career but the problem is in the trend, not the sum. Its the 6.91 ERA since the end of April causing concern. Its not getting better, its getting worse.

To complicate matters, Ventura has also become a bit of a lightning rod. He had multiple incidents last year and after settling down for the second half of the season, here we are again. It's not that there aren't REASONS every time Ventura gets into an altercation, it's that it is ALWAYS Ventura who seems to be at the forefront of it. Much like trouble makers on other teams, they just simply can't help themselves and Yordano is no exception.

It's not that Ventura is a BAD GUY. It's not that he is a bad teammate, hell he might be FANTASTIC at being both. The problem is, Ventura is combining being a bad baseball player with hurting the team by continuing to let everything that bothers him be a justification for lashing out at opposing players. Sometimes you just need to shut the hell up and move on. Especially when you are getting shelled.

So what is the answer?

The range of opinions on this is extreme. One extreme thinks Ventura should do a stint in Omaha as punishment (or worse, released all together) while the other side feels there may as well be a statue in the outfield for "Ventura the Defender."

I would say that after the almost certain suspension coming Yordano's way, the most likely scenario involves neither, but more than likely Ventura continuing on as a struggling starter. It's not because he doesn't DESERVE something else, it is simply because the Royals have no other options. With Chris Young becoming a jugs machine at the homerun derby every fifth day and Kris Medlen still out with shoulder issues, the Royals simply do not have the depth, time, or ability to teach lessons right now. They need pitchers. Period.

It was let out this morning that Ventura has been mentioned as a trade candidate by the Royals front office, which is probably true but still unlikely. The Royals would be selling INCREDIBLY low on a guy signed to a very team friendly deal and Ventura has as much upside as anyone in baseball. What would you get in return? Again, the Royals need pitching, and they need talent THIS YEAR. The window for success is small and they cant afford to weaken an already weak area for prospects.

It's possible the Royals put Ventura in the bullpen, but again, who takes his place in the starting 5? No, I think Ventura will continue starting. Probably even keeping his emotions in check for a while. And eventually this will happen again. And we will do all of this all over again.

It's perfectly fine to be upset at Ventura. It's also perfectly fine to defend Ventura. I think in this case, it almost requires both. He is young and full of frustration. In the linked article above, it was stated that his teammates have grown weary of his act. This may be true, or it might also be a catalyst for clickbait but either way it isn't helping them in any way. They SHOULD be upset, even if they are not verbalizing it.

On the other hand, Ventura is their teammate. He is our player. We SHOULD defend him. But we should do so without justification other than "we know hes nuts, but he's ours damn it!"

There is no justification for what he did, none at all and anyone who thinks it's ok should stand in front of a 99mph fastball and then let us know if that is acceptable retribution for whining.

If everyone I know who whined too much got drilled with a fastball…..well wait a minute, maybe that doesn't sound so bad after all.

Previous Post The Royals need to act like Champions! After Tuesday night’s 9-1 loss in Baltimore, there is only one word to describe the Royals. Embarrassing. Yes, embarrassing. Not because they lost (it’s baseball, you’re going to lose games). Not because Red Sox fan - bandwagon Orioles “fan” Jason La Canfora gets to gloat ... Read more Tweet Next Post Yordano Ventura Suspended Yordano Ventura has been suspended 9 games by Major League Baseball for his involvement in the benches clearing brawl with the Baltimore Orioles. Ventura hit Orioles slugger Manny Machado with a pitch in the side, causing Machado to charge the mound and both dugouts to ... Read more

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