Royals *** Official 2017 Royals Offseason Repository - Page 127

duncan_idaho · 09:07 PM

The reign is over. Time to begin the quest for the next one.

Interesting offseason opens for the Royals. Will they go all in for one last shot with this crew? Will they re-tool for 2018 and beyond? Will Dayton Moore actually decrease payroll this time?

Trades, free agent signings, rumors, plans, proposals... dump 'em all here, for this is... the offseason repository!

Royals Top Prospects, 2017

This is a list that’s going to seem a little bleak initially, as Raul Mondesi got enough ABs to age out of the prospect rankings (just barely – at 135 ABs, he is not rookie eligible). But that said, I like the talent and feel like this is a system that will actually be underrated by the prospect services.

Spoiler!

BWillie · 02-10-2017, 10:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Vegas over/under:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

At least they aren't as dumb as PECOTA who has Royals at 69 wins. What a bunch of idiots over there. We suffered big time injuries last year, rode with WHIT MERRIFIELD, PAULO ORLANDO and CHESLOR CUTHBERT playing everyday and still beat their projections.

ChiefsCountry · 02-10-2017, 10:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Vegas over/under:

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Take the over and run to the bank.

Hootie · 02-10-2017, 10:43 AM

I have them at 81-81, tentatively ... so no thanks on that over ... right where it should be

DJ's left nut · 02-10-2017, 10:44 AM

Yeah, there's a little too much wholesale buy in of the Indians right now.

They're still a fine team, but this idea that Salazar and Carrasco are going to come back and make them a dynamic world-beater ignores the fact that Salazar has never managed a healthy, productive season (dude's a headcase) and Carrasco is also very injury prone. They're not getting 400 innings from those two and would be lucky to see 325, IMO. They will both see some combination of injury and ineffectiveness because 3 years of track record shows us that's just what those guys do.

Encarnacion will be a help but lets not ignore the fact that Toronto is a hitter's paradise. It would surprise me at all to see something like 30-33 bombs and an .830 OPS out of him; essentially a slightly better version of Napoli's 2016. Lindor may improve but I don't see Ramirez being that good again.

The wheels have been wobbling in Detroit for awhile now and they're going to fly off soon. The Twins still sucks balls and the White Sox are in full tank mode. The AL Central is a soft division right now. I think the Royals are probably good for about 85 wins (because while I understand that Ventura is a sore subject, his death has made him a better pitcher than he was in the eyes of some; it won't be that difficult for the royals to replace the slightly below average performance they got from him last year).

The Royals should be a handful of games better than they were last year.

**ChiTown** · 02-10-2017, 01:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Romosexual

I have them at 81-81, tentatively ... so no thanks on that over ... right where it should be

I see this as an 81 win team +/- 5

seaofred · 02-10-2017, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Yeah, there's a little too much wholesale buy in of the Indians right now.

They're still a fine team, but this idea that Salazar and Carrasco are going to come back and make them a dynamic world-beater ignores the fact that Salazar has never managed a healthy, productive season (dude's a headcase) and Carrasco is also very injury prone. They're not getting 400 innings from those two and would be lucky to see 325, IMO. They will both see some combination of injury and ineffectiveness because 3 years of track record shows us that's just what those guys do.

Encarnacion will be a help but lets not ignore the fact that Toronto is a hitter's paradise. It would surprise me at all to see something like 30-33 bombs and an .830 OPS out of him; essentially a slightly better version of Napoli's 2016. Lindor may improve but I don't see Ramirez being that good again.

The wheels have been wobbling in Detroit for awhile now and they're going to fly off soon. The Twins still sucks balls and the White Sox are in full tank mode. The AL Central is a soft division right now. I think the Royals are probably good for about 85 wins (because while I understand that Ventura is a sore subject, his death has made him a better pitcher than he was in the eyes of some; it won't be that difficult for the royals to replace the slightly below average performance they got from him last year).

The Royals should be a handful of games better than they were last year.

I just think it's kind of funny. We go to the World Series on 14 and going into 15 were were picked to finish, what 3rd?

Prison Bitch · 02-10-2017, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Yeah, there's a little too much wholesale buy in of the Indians right now.

They're still a fine team, but this idea that Salazar and Carrasco are going to come back and make them a dynamic world-beater ignores the fact that Salazar has never managed a healthy, productive season (dude's a headcase) and Carrasco is also very injury prone. They're not getting 400 innings from those two and would be lucky to see 325, IMO. They will both see some combination of injury and ineffectiveness because 3 years of track record shows us that's just what those guys do.

Encarnacion will be a help but lets not ignore the fact that Toronto is a hitter's paradise. It would surprise me at all to see something like 30-33 bombs and an .830 OPS out of him; essentially a slightly better version of Napoli's 2016. Lindor may improve but I don't see Ramirez being that good again.

The wheels have been wobbling in Detroit for awhile now and they're going to fly off soon. The Twins still sucks balls and the White Sox are in full tank mode. The AL Central is a soft division right now. I think the Royals are probably good for about 85 wins (because while I understand that Ventura is a sore subject, his death has made him a better pitcher than he was in the eyes of some; it won't be that difficult for the royals to replace the slightly below average performance they got from him last year).

The Royals should be a handful of games better than they were last year.

YV was a 3 WAR player first two seasons and projected for this next one. The odds are much better he rebounds rather than was replacement level. The bigger oddity of his death is how everyone loved him now after badmouthing his behavior for years

At any rate Cain makes all the diff for KC. They were like +12 record when he played. If he stays healthy going for his last contract, they'll be a WC contender. If he keeps pulling his vagina muscles we won't.

Cleve might be getting lotsa love but their peripherals have been good for many years now. Sabermetrics-wise, they are no one trick pony.

DJ's left nut · 02-10-2017, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

YV was a 3 WAR player first two seasons and projected for this next one. The odds are much better he rebounds rather than was replacement level. The bigger oddity of his death is how everyone loved him now after badmouthing his behavior for years

He was a 2 WAR player in his last 2 seasons after being a 3 WAR player as a rookie (though bWAR and fWAR vary by a surprising amount with him, admittedly). A lot of pitchers struggle to adjust back after the league adjusts to their stuff. This is especially true of hard throwers with iffy command.

Once the league times their heat, it's difficult for them to command it (or their breaking stuff) well enough to counter back.

But that's not really my point - my entire premise was off the 2016 baseline and his 2016 baseline was that of a slightly below average starting pitcher. That team was a .500 baseball team. So the performance he gave them, pegged to a 2016 baseline, won't be hard to replace. Hence my belief they are a handful of games better than their 2016 record (based on development from Cuthbert, added rotation depth, health of Moustakas/Gordon/Cain, and a little less suck from Hosmer in a contract year).

Sure, they may have been even better still than that had Ventura turned back to a 3 WAR pitcher, but that's not the discussion. My discussion was how the 2017 Royals compare to the 2016 Royals and I see no reason why this team can't be several games better than last year's model. I don't see a division that's pulled away from them (as was the case with STL last year) nor do I see any truly irreplaceable performances from last year's team.

ChiefsCountry · 02-10-2017, 02:12 PM

Contract years + playing in memory of Ventura = monster year.

Hootie · 02-10-2017, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Contract years + playing in memory of Ventura = monster year.

I think I've seen enough from Hosmer to know what Hosmer is at this point. I love the guy but he's a borderline .800 OPS guy who is 1 streaky mother ****er. If anything, the pressure added by contract year for that headcase might end up having him revert to slap hitter Hosmer who drives us all nuts.

I've been about as optimistic as anyone in terms of preseason Royals predictions and love these guys more than anything I just don't see them being all that great this year.

Hope I'm wrong. I hope they win 100 games and give KC one last hoorah before they all get PAID

**lewdog** · 02-10-2017, 07:43 PM

I agree on Hosmer, and while I like the dude and he's good, if he's asking for a king's ransom, I don't really want the Royals to do it. He isn't going to magically find some excess power. His swing is what it is and it leaves him extremely streaky and lacking the power people suggested he'd have. I still think the general market continues to over-value his skill and someone will pay big time for him.

KCCHIEFS27 · 02-10-2017, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Take the over and run to the bank.

This team easily wins 85 games.

KChiefs1 · 02-11-2017, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Contract years + playing in memory of Ventura = monster year.

Gordon makes a huge comeback, Cain has a fantastic year, Hosmer finally fulfills his potential, Perez has a Perez year, Moose breaks Balboni's record, Soler hits 30 hr's, Mondesi is starting at SS by September & the pitching staff is much better.

92-70

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

C3HIEF3S · 02-11-2017, 01:46 AM

Posted this during the AIDS time today, but I guess it never posted.

Detroit Tigers owner Mike Illitch passed away today. I bet this is what causes the "wheels to fall off" as DJ put it. Illitch was literally throwing money at old veterans to keep any postseason chances alive. I bet we begin to see a rebuild and change in organizational philosophy within the next year.

Hootie · 02-11-2017, 03:12 AM

man, I love you guys ...

...I'm just convinced that baseball is 'juiced' and we just don't have the 1-6 pitching or the hitters to take advantage of it

it's all about the $$$ and unfortunately, keeping the line moving and fundamentals aren't maximizing profits ... game is always predicated on the long ball

No other reasonable explanation ... steroids/hgh out ... most home runs ever? Yeah, no.

Dayton couldn't forsee it, so it's not his fault ... but a juiced ball is something we can't overcome with our starters.

11-03-2016, 09:11 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1220308	* Official 2017 Royals Offseason Repository * The reign is over. Time to begin the quest for the next one. Interesting offseason opens for the Royals. Will they go all in for one last shot with this crew? Will they re-tool for 2018 and beyond? Will Dayton Moore actually decrease payroll this time? Trades, free agent signings, rumors, plans, proposals... dump 'em all here, for this is... the offseason repository! Royals Top Prospects, 2017 This is a list that’s going to seem a little bleak initially, as Raul Mondesi got enough ABs to age out of the prospect rankings (just barely – at 135 ABs, he is not rookie eligible). But that said, I like the talent and feel like this is a system that will actually be underrated by the prospect services. Spoiler! Format: POS/Name/2017 Projected Final Level 1) 3B/OF Hunter Dozier, MLB. Dozier bounced back from a disastrous 2015 campaign that had many wondering, myself included, if he was wrecked. His strong offensive performance in 2016 saw Dozier recapture the mature approach that many liked coming up, while also starting to tap into his above-average raw power for the first time. In addition to his success at the plate, Dozier also proved he could at least HANDLE an OF spot, which could put him in the conversation for 2017 playing time at the major leagues. If the Royals DO end up trading Cheslor Cuthbert, Dozier could find a decent amount of MLB playing time sliding between RF and 3B. With Moustakas recovering from knee surgery, he likely will need more regular breaks from the field. And the streaky Paulo Orlando is just not an intriguing short-side platoon partner for Jarrod Dyson. 2) LHP Matt Strahm, MLB. Strahm just barely skates under the rookie eligibility rules for a pitcher, so he can be included here. Royals fans already got a taste of the lefty’s abilities, as he used his above-average fastball and slurve to dominate out of the pen in 2016. For him to translate that dominance to the rotation, Strahm will need to maintain his velocity (92-94) and continue to improve a changeup that flashed average at times. If the changeup becomes a weapon he can lean on against righties, Strahm could be a very solid mid-rotation starter and fringe ToR/No. 2 type (think Danny Duffy-lite). 3) RHP Josh Staumont, AAA. This one could blow up on me and look really silly by this time next year, but I’m encouraged by what we saw from Staumont late last year. He showed significantly improved control down the stretch for Northwest Arkansas, including some impressive playoff starts, while maintaining the big-time K ability. That trend continued in the Arizona Fall League. If Staumont’s control holds, the Royals have a guy with a plus fastball, plus-plus curve, and average change (with a slider that could develop into a real weapon as he matures). He’ll start next season at AAA and could be an addition to the MLB bullpen or even the rotation before the season ends. 4) RF Jorge Bonifacio, AAA. Boni, like Dozier, had a bounceback season in 2016 with the bat, and also played 15-20 pounds lighter than the year before, which added some nice defensive utility according to reports I’ve gotten. He now looks like a guy could provide solid/average RF production in the major leagues… Average defense paired with potential to put up a .275/.335/.450 line. While that’s not all-star level, it IS playable. Especially at pre-arbitration dollars. He’ll get another year in Omaha to refine his approach, and likely be in the mix of a 2018 mini-youth movement… unless moved for MLB reinforcements. 5) C Meibrys Viloria, Low-A (Lexington). I haven’t seen him in person, but I like the pedigree. You’ve got a lefthanded hitting catcher with the defensive ability to stick behind the plate. He was a big-bonus guy out of Colombia (nearly $500k). And his offensive performance has been highly impressive early, with a good combination of power, plate discipline, and contact skills. He’s forever away from the majors, just now clearing rookie ball, but Viloria is the most exciting prospect KC has had at Idaho Falls since someone on this board was gushing about a 16-year-old SS tearing it up. 6) 1B Ryan O’Hearn, AAA. O’Hearn is a guy who has never gotten a lot of hype from scouts, but he continues to be a strong producer. He’s someone who likely will strikeout about 25 percent of the time at the big-league level, but has the ability to be a .500+ SLG guy. That plays. He also has shown good patience at the plate, posting above-average OBPs at every level. Bold prediction: I won’t be shocked if O’Hearn takes over at 1B for KC in 2018/2019 and provides similar offensive production to Hosmer out of the gate. He’s probably never going to be a consistent plus average (.290+) hitter, but .270 with 25 HR is something within reach for him. He’ll get his first shot at AAA in 2017. 7) RHP AJ Puckett, A+. Puckett is a high floor, low-ceiling guy who performed about as you’d expect in 2016 after being the Royals’ first pick in the 2016 Rule IV Draft. He’s not flashy, but Puckett does profile as a solid potential back-end starter. Good fastball command and an above-average changeup are his calling cards. If Puckett finds a reliable breaking ball to put batters away, this could tick up. Great athlete, very similar to Jake Odorizzi in that regard. 8) RF Khalil Lee, Low-A (Lexington). Lee was a two-way player in HS and many viewed him as a pitcher first as a pro, but the Royals drafted him as an OF and were reward with a strong debut campaign. Lee is not a big guy, but he produced solid power numbers despite that. He’s a dynamic athlete who could contribute with power and speed. 9) C Chase Vallot, High-A (Wilmington). Vallot has an intriguing bat, with plus raw power. Got off to a great start in 16 before being sidelined and then sidetracked by injury. RH bat may be good enough to push him out from behind the plate, where he has good tools but a long way to go. 10) RHP Jake Junis and RHP Alec Mills (AAA). I'm copping out here and including both at No. 10 because they're so similar. Like Puckett, they each project as a serviceable back of rotation starter. Similar stuff and profiles, though Junis has shown a little better strikeout ability and may have a smidge more upside as a result. Others of note: SS/CF Marten Gasparini. Production has been bad for this toolsy player, but Gasparini has speed and pop that jump out at you. At only 19, need to be patient with him... this European signee was even less polished when signing at 16 than the typical Latin America prospect. OF Seuly Matias. Loud, loud tools. Matias profiles as a classic RF... big-time power potential. He's a long ways from the majors but is one of the Royals' biggest bonus babies from LA. RHP Ashe Russell. 2014 1st rounder saw his velocity disappear last year and was quickly shut down. He's intriguing one way or the other, even if he ends up as another notch in the belt of the TINSTAAPP saying. 2B Corey Toups. O'Hearn's HS teammate has been an above-average producer for an up-the-middle player. His small stature hides a surprising amount of pop. Could turn into a Mark Grudzielanek type of offensive second baseman at his peak - solid average, lots of 2Bs. RHP Scott Blewett, LHP Foster Griffin, RHP Nolan Watson - all three have underwhelmed as pros but were drafted in the supplemental round. Stuff and projectability for each is a positive. Wouldn't be surprised to see one of them take a Cody Reed-like step forward this season and crack the 50-75 range on prospect lists. They all have the natural ability. SS/2B Ricky Aracena - Jose Altuve-sized Aracena is a switch hitting middle infielder who can flat out run. Switch hitter with a good approach. RHP Pedro Fernandez - I'm still a believer in his stuff, even if he is destined for the pen. Was having a nice 2016 start until injuries derailed him right after his promotion to AA. Sirs not Appearing in this Prospect List: RHP Kyle Zimmer. Same story, different year. The Royals are hopeful they FINALLY found the cause of Zimmer's achy shoulder. If they really did, and he can stay healthy, the talent/potential is exciting. OF Bubba Starling. Never trust a guy named Derek. Last edited by duncan_idaho; 02-22-2017 at 09:07 PM..
Posts: 21,199

02-10-2017, 10:43 AM	#1893
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	I have them at 81-81, tentatively ... so no thanks on that over ... right where it should be
Posts: 56,356

02-10-2017, 10:44 AM	#1894
DJ's left nut Sauntering Vaguely Downwards Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Columbia, Mo Casino cash: $2469099	Yeah, there's a little too much wholesale buy in of the Indians right now. They're still a fine team, but this idea that Salazar and Carrasco are going to come back and make them a dynamic world-beater ignores the fact that Salazar has never managed a healthy, productive season (dude's a headcase) and Carrasco is also very injury prone. They're not getting 400 innings from those two and would be lucky to see 325, IMO. They will both see some combination of injury and ineffectiveness because 3 years of track record shows us that's just what those guys do. Encarnacion will be a help but lets not ignore the fact that Toronto is a hitter's paradise. It would surprise me at all to see something like 30-33 bombs and an .830 OPS out of him; essentially a slightly better version of Napoli's 2016. Lindor may improve but I don't see Ramirez being that good again. The wheels have been wobbling in Detroit for awhile now and they're going to fly off soon. The Twins still sucks balls and the White Sox are in full tank mode. The AL Central is a soft division right now. I think the Royals are probably good for about 85 wins (because while I understand that Ventura is a sore subject, his death has made him a better pitcher than he was in the eyes of some; it won't be that difficult for the royals to replace the slightly below average performance they got from him last year). The Royals should be a handful of games better than they were last year. __________________ "If there's a god, he's laughing at us.....and our football team..." "When you look at something through rose colored glasses, all the red flags just look like flags."
Posts: 60,981

02-10-2017, 02:12 PM	#1899
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $1778752	Contract years + playing in memory of Ventura = monster year.
Posts: 49,894

02-10-2017, 07:43 PM	#1901
lewdog Mod Team Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Valley of the hot as **** Casino cash: $1361900	I agree on Hosmer, and while I like the dude and he's good, if he's asking for a king's ransom, I don't really want the Royals to do it. He isn't going to magically find some excess power. His swing is what it is and it leaves him extremely streaky and lacking the power people suggested he'd have. I still think the general market continues to over-value his skill and someone will pay big time for him.
Posts: 45,738

02-11-2017, 01:46 AM	#1904
C3HIEF3S Let's Get Weird Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Austin Casino cash: $9990098	Posted this during the AIDS time today, but I guess it never posted. Detroit Tigers owner Mike Illitch passed away today. I bet this is what causes the "wheels to fall off" as DJ put it. Illitch was literally throwing money at old veterans to keep any postseason chances alive. I bet we begin to see a rebuild and change in organizational philosophy within the next year.
Posts: 15,229

02-11-2017, 03:12 AM	#1905
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	man, I love you guys ... ...I'm just convinced that baseball is 'juiced' and we just don't have the 1-6 pitching or the hitters to take advantage of it it's all about the $$$ and unfortunately, keeping the line moving and fundamentals aren't maximizing profits ... game is always predicated on the long ball No other reasonable explanation ... steroids/hgh out ... most home runs ever? Yeah, no. Dayton couldn't forsee it, so it's not his fault ... but a juiced ball is something we can't overcome with our starters.
Posts: 56,356