*** Official 2014 AL Champion Royals Off-season Repository ***

[Anyong Bluth]

So, I didn't see a thread started, and all the others are pretty maxed out to the point where a fresh thread would be needed soon either way.

Time to share the run up to ST & and another memorable year in the making!

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

It's basically about 1/2 way between what the article you posted suggested and what I discussed on here (Binford + Colon or Almonte + Colon).

Tommy John is not going to hurt Fried's prospect status that much, I don't think. He's still a 6-4, projectable lefty with good feel and good stuff. His debut season was very impressive.

I think there's something to Hoots point re: Duffy & Ventura's durability. Duffy will always have questions and Ventura's twinge in the Baltimore series probably leads DM to believe we have to have as many arms ready in a year or two as possible. To the point he will pay big $ to the FA he picked up.

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Cross your fingers on Hunter Dozier.

Dozier is playing 3rd in NWA. You might be thinking of Bubba Starling.

['Hamas' Jenkins]

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

not trying to jinx Ace or anything I just don't see how it's humanly possibly to throw 2000 98+ MPH fastballs and not tear your UCL eventually

he could just be a freak of nature, who knows

but history doesn't appear to be on our side

I wouldn't worry about the fastball. It's the slider that gets the elbow. I hate that pitch.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Duncan, Now that the 2015 Roster is pretty much set, pretend your DM. Since you only signed Rios to a one year deal and you don't plan on extending his contract, who plays RF for the Royals in 2016? Let's also pretend that it can not be a free agent. You have to fill your RF vacancy from within. Who's your guy?
I was just scanning the outfielders on the minor league rosters and their stats. Nothing jumps out that says, "I'll be on the Royals roster in 2016".

My 2016 RF is going to be one of four players, in this situation.

1) Jorge Bonifacio. This is what the team wants. Hell, it wanted Bonifacio to be ready for 2015. He probably has the highest upside of any internal option, at least according to what scouts have said about him in the past. Until this year, he was viewed as a player who could produce a Billy Butler-like offensive profile (.280/15/.340/.425) while playing a solid RF. But he has not hit either of the past two years and needs to make big strides in 2015 to get back on track.

2) Lane Adams. Adams is very similar to Bubba Starling in terms of athletic profile. Big, multi-sport athletes whose baseball skills were really, really raw. He's older (25) but had a very strong 2014 and seemed to have a few things "click." Adams would bring plus defense and speed in RF, and decent RH pop. How he performs in Omaha this year will be something to watch.

3) Hunter Dozier. Let's say Mike Moustakas "figures it out." It's possible the Royals, in that case, decide to move Dozier to RF to get him onto the MLB roster faster. I actually think they keep him at 3B because of how scarce talent is at that position, but time will tell.

4) Whit Merrifield. Merrifield is a decent UTIL type who probably is more of a AAAA player than anything. But if none of the other options work out, I could see using him as the 5th OF and short side of a platoon with Jarrod Dyson.

If I had to guess which of these is most likely, it's probably on Adams. His upside isn't as high as Bonifacio's has been considered in the past, but I have heard a few reports that he really just figured something out around mid-season.

[CaliforniaChief]

We just traded Johnny Giavotella to the Angels for a guy named Brokerick (I wonder what his nickname will be?)

[DeepSouth]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

My 2016 RF is going to be one of four players, in this situation.

1) Jorge Bonifacio. This is what the team wants. Hell, it wanted Bonifacio to be ready for 2015. He probably has the highest upside of any internal option, at least according to what scouts have said about him in the past. Until this year, he was viewed as a player who could produce a Billy Butler-like offensive profile (.280/15/.340/.425) while playing a solid RF. But he has not hit either of the past two years and needs to make big strides in 2015 to get back on track.

2) Lane Adams. Adams is very similar to Bubba Starling in terms of athletic profile. Big, multi-sport athletes whose baseball skills were really, really raw. He's older (25) but had a very strong 2014 and seemed to have a few things "click." Adams would bring plus defense and speed in RF, and decent RH pop. How he performs in Omaha this year will be something to watch.

3) Hunter Dozier. Let's say Mike Moustakas "figures it out." It's possible the Royals, in that case, decide to move Dozier to RF to get him onto the MLB roster faster. I actually think they keep him at 3B because of how scarce talent is at that position, but time will tell.

4) Whit Merrifield. Merrifield is a decent UTIL type who probably is more of a AAAA player than anything. But if none of the other options work out, I could see using him as the 5th OF and short side of a platoon with Jarrod Dyson.

If I had to guess which of these is most likely, it's probably on Adams. His upside isn't as high as Bonifacio's has been considered in the past, but I have heard a few reports that he really just figured something out around mid-season.

Duncan, You are the MAN. No mention of Orlando. Must be something people don't like about him? He's had pretty good numbers through his minor league career but he'll be 30 in 2015?

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Dozier is playing 3rd in NWA. You might be thinking of Bubba Starling.

The Royals have had internal discussions about moving Dozier to RF.

[Strongside]

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

We just traded Johnny Giavotella to the Angels for a guy named Brokerick (I wonder what his nickname will be?)

Broderick*

The Kansas City Star ‏@KCStar 2m2 minutes ago
Royals get relief pitcher Brian Broderick from Angels in exchange for Johnny Giavotella: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb...link=twt_staff …

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by Chocolate Hog

I don't mean to hijack the thread but I hope Lewdog gets to come to a game in KC same for you other out of towners. Its unfair how a bandwagon fan like me got to live in this town during the ws run and you didnt. The energy was incredible hard to imagine anything topping it.

Yea, never been to the K.

I've seen a good amount of other ballparks but we never had a need to go to KC in the summer once family passed away or moved. I'll get there someday. I can only imagine how that city was during the WS.

Originally Posted by KCUnited

Maybe we can see Sal line one off Lester's face this year.

Jesus, never again. I will never forget the sound that made off Chapman's face. Just frightening.

[ChiefsCountry]

Rios has a mutual option for 2016.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by Strongside

Broderick*

The Kansas City Star ‏@KCStar 2m2 minutes ago
Royals get relief pitcher Brian Broderick from Angels in exchange for Johnny Giavotella: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb...link=twt_staff …

Screw SP. We're going to a 9 inning pen. Max 2 innings for any arm, and availability is staggered 4 and 5 innings every other week.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Duncan, You are the MAN. No mention of Orlando. Must be something people don't like about him? He's had pretty good numbers through his minor league career but he'll be 30 in 2015?

I think he's just organizational filler. Good story, but not a legit MLB player.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

My 2016 RF is going to be one of four players, in this situation.

1) Jorge Bonifacio. This is what the team wants. Hell, it wanted Bonifacio to be ready for 2015. He probably has the highest upside of any internal option, at least according to what scouts have said about him in the past. Until this year, he was viewed as a player who could produce a Billy Butler-like offensive profile (.280/15/.340/.425) while playing a solid RF. But he has not hit either of the past two years and needs to make big strides in 2015 to get back on track.

2) Lane Adams. Adams is very similar to Bubba Starling in terms of athletic profile. Big, multi-sport athletes whose baseball skills were really, really raw. He's older (25) but had a very strong 2014 and seemed to have a few things "click." Adams would bring plus defense and speed in RF, and decent RH pop. How he performs in Omaha this year will be something to watch.

3) Hunter Dozier. Let's say Mike Moustakas "figures it out." It's possible the Royals, in that case, decide to move Dozier to RF to get him onto the MLB roster faster. I actually think they keep him at 3B because of how scarce talent is at that position, but time will tell.

4) Whit Merrifield. Merrifield is a decent UTIL type who probably is more of a AAAA player than anything. But if none of the other options work out, I could see using him as the 5th OF and short side of a platoon with Jarrod Dyson.

If I had to guess which of these is most likely, it's probably on Adams. His upside isn't as high as Bonifacio's has been considered in the past, but I have heard a few reports that he really just figured something out around mid-season.

This is why you should start a blog on nothing but Royals minor leaguers. I don't think there is one currently.

[Nightfyre]

Upton will be a FA next year. Just sayin'.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by alnorth

The Royals have cut Carlos Peguero

I'm kinda shocked by this.