Bryan Mannon became a Royals fan in 1979, but the team’s performance in recent years hasn’t swayed him. In fact, he’s still paying for the Extra Innings package so he can watch Jeff Francoeur in the comfort of New Jersey.

We spoke last week about Jeff Francoeur, Royals-fan cynicism, and Jeff Francoeur. We may have also discussed Jeff Francoeur.

Bryan Mannon: I’m here to chew bubblegum and bitch about Jeff Francoeur. I’m sure you know the rest.

Sarah D. Bunting: HA! Been there, chewed that gum.

He’s worse now, I assure you.

We’ll get back to him. Who’s your favorite new Royal this year?

James Shields is really the only choice, though I like the little I’ve seen from George Kottaras. We may have given up way, way (WAY) too much for Shields, but at least he’s been as good as advertised.

And who’s your least favorite addition to the team?

Not a lot of new faces this year, actually. I hated Miguel Tejada’s addition on GP, but he’s actually been decent. Wade Davis was supposed to be the “key to the Myers trade” but he’s been mediocre.

What about old faces — anyone you were glad to see go?

I’m thrilled to see Luke Hochevar leave the rotation. He’s horrifically overpaid as the sixth man in the bullpen, but I guess that’s not really my problem. We jettisoned last year’s big problems (Jonathan Sanchez and Yuni Betancourt) mid-season.

Anyone you’re missing from last year?

Not from the major-league roster. I think all Royals fans expected the arrival of a savior this year in Wil Myers, but instead he’s plugging away in AAA from Tampa. I can’t even bring myself to stop following him on Twitter.

What’s your biggest worry for the 2013 Royals?

I worry that we’ll go something like 82-80 and that that’ll somehow justify keeping the whole regime in place. I worry that Frenchy will have two good weeks and be rewarded with a three-year extension. I worry about a lot of things. I worry that I’ve gotten too cynical to enjoy what might be the best Royals team in 20 years. Heh.

So that’s where you see the team finishing this year? Or could they shake things up in the AL Central?

If a lot of things break right…and I mean a LOT of things, they could challenge for a wild-card spot. The Tigers are as much a lock as anyone, but the Royals in the playoff mix is possible. More likely, based on the talent on the field? 75-80 wins is probably about right.

Any surprises in the first five weeks? Pleasant or otherwise.

Ervin Santana’s been a goddamn superstar. He was awful last year for L.A., and we took on his salary, and lots of fans, myself included, thought that was insane. And maybe it was, but he’s been fantastic. On the other side, the continued growing pains of Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas aren’t surprising in and of themselves, but the degree to which they’re struggling certainly is. Our cleanup hitter has zero home runs. Like if you took all the home runs in the world and got rid of them, that’s how many he has. (Gotta credit Woody Boyd for that one.)

Hee. Ike Davisian. Except worse.

Very similar, actually.

If you could tell Yost one thing, what would it be?

Stop it with starting Frenchy every. single. day. It’s over, Johnny. The man can’t hit batting practice fastballs anymore.

Anything else bugging you? KC-related or otherwise. Here’s mine: Matt Harvey isn’t going to make out with you, Mr. Gooden. Calm your shit down.

Heh. I have very fond memories of Doc; I’ll forgive him nearly all trespasses.

We have a 25-year-old second baseman who’s been flat-out raking in AAA for three years. He’s struggled at the ML level in a few hundred ABs, but our other second basemen just suck. It’s time to give Johnny Giavotella a full shot. Also, I’ve really had it with Jeff Francoeur. Don’t know if I’ve mentioned that.

Do you think the fact that he has a fun nickname makes him harder to get rid of?

We’re paying the man $7.5 million this year. That’s why we can’t get rid of him. Our GM will not admit he made a huge mistake. (He’s like the anti-Gob.) Also, everybody loves the arm. And he buys pizzas for fans and likes to punch his teammates in the nuts. How can anyone want to get rid of a guy like that?

I guess I should be relieved Bay didn’t start in with the folk-hero stuff, otherwise we’d still be playing him in left.

Bryan Mannon lives in New Jersey with his wife and their ten-year-old bowling-prodigy daughter. He spends an absurd amount of time worrying about the Royals, the Seahawks, and Syracuse basketball. He also misses his mom.

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