Royals *** Official Royals Repository, Part 4 *** - Page 177

duncan_idaho · 10:46 PM

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
One month in: Looking strong
All Star Break: Looking strong, probably should adjust up to 93-94 wins.
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer
One month in: Upstaged by his best friend MIKE MOOTACOS, MAN. Tell us bout your hittin, bro!
All Star Break: Lorenzo Cain starting to run away with this one.

Division Preview
Clearly, overlooking the Twins was a mistake at this point. I still don't believe in that team long-term, but they're starting to get that Magic Season twinkle about them.

Detroit is toast. Garbage rotation beyond Price and Sanchez, Miggy out.

And Cleveland... Cleveland still is dangerous if it ever clicks offensively, because the starting pitching is good enough for them to real off a 15-5 stretch and get right back into the playoff picture.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

The first of these is clearly not going to happen. The second looked good through the end of May but is now eating Cain's dust (Hosmer has still been improved this year, though, lessening his valley. If he has a really hot second half, he can get right back in it). Item three is definitely the case. Item four should probably be first at this point. And Morales has more than bounced back.

Duncan’s Top 20 for mid-season 2015:

Spoiler!

1. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, BOTH: Tools, tools, tools. RA has tools galore. At his best, he’s an All-Star SS who plays elite D, hits 15-20 HR, swipes 40 bags, and is an ideal 1, 2 or 3 hitter. At his worst, I think he looks a lot like Alcides Escobar. Plate discipline is his biggest challenge at this point, but evaluators are confident that will come with time. Clear No. 1
2. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: He’s pitching again and staying healthy, which is nice. He’s pitcing out of the bullpen to build back his arm strength, which is less nice. But still has that high upside, just a lower floor now. Ideally, the team will use him as a bullpen weapon in September (because he has earned it) and then give him a chance to transition back to starting for 2016.
3. Miguel Almonte, RHP: Still love the body, FB/CH combo. Results aren’t eye popping, but he’s still low enough and early enough in the development to prize those things over performance. Still a solid No. 3 starter upside, and just a year and some change away from potentially being ready to contribute at the MLB level.
4. Jorge Bonifacio, RF, RH: Emilio’s little brother got off to a horrible start in 2015 but has heated up as the season went on. He also is translating BP power to game power for the first time, with 15 HR just past the mid-way point of his season. Despite his disappointing 2014, he has a chance to build his way back into legit prospect status – and still is only 22. Next challenge for him should be Omaha, but that may wait for the start of the 2014 season.
5. Scott Blewett, RHP: Blewett has a nice two –pitch mix already and is off to a strong start. With his size (6-6) and a good fastball/curveball combo, Blewett could eventually turn into a good No. 3 starter, with a MLB-average changeup.
6. Nolan Watson, RHP: The Royals’ 2015 sandwich pick is a polished prep arm who is adding velocity and explosiveness to a good, polished base. Likely to move quickly.
7. Ashe Russell, RHP: The 2015 top pick probably needs more work than Watson, but the upside is really nice. Again, advanced two-pitch mix that will depend on him adding a changeup. Could be a very good NO. 2 if it all adds up.

Spoiler!

8. Bubba Starling, CF, RH: Starling has been up and down this year but put himself back on the map by greatly improving his K rate while also improving across the slash line as a hitter. His defense and baserunning are MLB ready; if Starling can work himself into a league average hitter, he can be a solid MLB regular who plays great D in CF while hitting 15 HR and swiping 20 bags.
9. Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B/DH, RH: The Balbino came out of basically nowhere in 2015 to earn a Futures Game spot. Big power and an improved two-strike approach have turned the late bloomer into a legit prospect. He’s blocked at the MLB level currently by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales, but Fuenmayor’s combination of power hitting and good average/strike zone control makes him intriguing.
10. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, RH: Cheslor probably is not going to be the star KC was hoping for when signing him out of Nicaragua, but he does look like he can be a solid reserve for an MLB club. Good defense at 3B paired with a solid plate approach and some gap power plays fine off the bench. He becomes a lot more interesting if they think he can stick as a 2B, which they have experimented with.
11. Chase Vallot, C/DH/1B: I really like Vallot’s power and plate discipline combo. His bat will probably force him from behind the plate, but he’s held his own despite being extremely young for every level he has faced.
12. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, OF, RH: Escalera-Maldonado earned a promotion to Wilmington at age 20, which is pretty advanced movement for that age. He’s an athletic outfielder who has shown some plate discipline at an early age, which is encouraging. Doesn’t sound like he can stick in CF long term for KC, but his bat has become one to watch.
13. Pedro Fernandez, RHP: I haven’t seen much of him, but like the reports I’ve heard on his fastball and general makeup. Could become the next Almonte/Mondesi, though he’s more likely to land in the pen than either of them.
14. Elier Hernandez, OF, RH: Elier Hernanez teamed with Escalera-Maldonado in breaking out at Low-A and earning a promotion to Wilmington. It’s still early for this guy – he is just 20 years old – but he doesn’t take walks and hasn’t developed the prodigious power many thought he had the potential for. Still worth watching.
15. Hunter Dozier, 3B, RH: Dozier is reworking his swing mid-season, which generally will cause production to do what his has done: Nose dive. The changes he made entering the season (seemingly geared towards increasing his power production) were a disaster, and now he’s trying to get back to what he used to be. Still looks great and checks most of the scouting boxes, but the performance hasn’t matched, and it almost knocked him out of the list.
16. Christian Binford, RHP: After a breakthrough 2014, Binford struggled mightily at AAA and suffered a demotion. His upside remains similar – a back-end starter who can eat innings – but Binford’s lack of velocity and reliance on command have caught up to him so far.
17. Marten Gasparini, OF, SH: Gasparini is intriguing because of his speed and athleticism. He’s a LOOOOONG ways from the majors and young for his level, but reports on his bat speed, swing, and speed remain positive enough to keep him on the bubble.

Hootie · 09-03-2015, 09:33 AM

the Royals have literally made FSKC so much money this year that they might have tacked on hundreds of millions of dollars to their 2019 deal if they spend and gain momentum and keep viewership as high as it is

wanna know how to do that?

SIGN
YOUR
****ING
PLAYERS

and keep winning games

tk13 · 09-03-2015, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

Don't get me wrong... or any of the folks that are looking at it in this capacity.

I love Alex Gordon. I want to see Alex Gordon a Royal for Life. But the economics are NOT going to allow it. At least not without damaging our future capabilities drastically.

The only question to me is, does Dayton see zero chance in retaining Cain, Moose, Hos, etc beyond the next 2-3 years. If that's the case... Then he may really sell the future's soul by signing that albatross contract, with the hopes that the next 2 years of Alex are worth it... and that when we're sitting on a $20 Mil per - 35+ yr old platoon player it won't matter cause our run will be over anyway.

People don't realize Cain will be the same age as Gordon when he's a FA.

Jon Heyman has written that the Royals are trying to make Gordon a Royal for life, and a few weeks ago said they are going to make an effort to sign Hosmer, though they realize it'll be difficult. That doesn't they won't try to re-sign other guys, but at least they're making an effort.

I was all for going "all-in" because when you may have the best team, you have to go for it. Not play it safe like the Nationals did a couple years ago. However, I don't think the overall "window" will be shut like everyone else. There might be a down year or two, but there are plenty of good young guys in the minor leagues. We're seeing Cuthbert now. Mondesi, Dozier, Starling, Bonifacio. You get a couple of these guys to work out along with re-signing 2 or 3 guys from this team, you can still be competitive. Ventura and Perez are signed for a long time, and Perez seems to want to be a Royal for life too. And Dayton has always been good at building a bullpen. There are some tools to work with at least.

Why Not? · 09-03-2015, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Nice long Rany piece at Grantland on the Royals and Dayton Moore.

Thanks. Great read

Fansy the Famous Bard · 09-03-2015, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

I don't give a flying **** what his batting average is ...

dude .OPS over .800 every year. That doesn't go away. Torii Hunter's defense escaped him (because he was a speed defender, something Gordon doesn't even rely on) ... but his bat just kept getting better.

I REPEAT

WE ARE GOING TO GET A $1B TV CONTRACT

Gordon needs to stay a Royal.

If it's 5/100 ... so be it

Regardless of what is speculated about monies that are going to be made in 2020, that'll be after Gordon's next contract expires (or in the last year). That's not money the organization has right now. You can't spend money you don't have.

And your antics are why few can take you seriously. Chill the **** out already.

tk13 · 09-03-2015, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pitt Gorilla

Championship teams, like the Cardinals, let players like Pujols go.

That's a terrible example. He was the best player in the league and signed for hundreds of millions of dollars. Yeah I'd agree the Royals shouldn't do that.

The Cardinals signed Holliday to a big contract. They signed Wainwright to a long term contract. The Cardinals don't make big moves in free agency, for sure. But they take care of their guys and when they can't, fill in the gaps well.

Hootie · 09-03-2015, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

And your antics are why few can take you seriously. Chill the **** out already.

Nah.

I'll continue to be me. Thanks anyways, though.

Nightfyre · 09-03-2015, 09:47 AM

One thing I am not clear on is how player options and qualifying offers interact. If Gordon declines his player option, can the Royals tender a qualifying offer?

http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/2/2...tion-after-all

This article thinks so, but I am not sure how accurate the information is. If I had to guess, it would depend on the option date versus the qualifying offer deadline.

Qualifying offers can be used over the next few years to entice players into more team friendly deals or recoup picks, at least. For example, Duffy and Medlen might be worth it at the end of their tenure here.

Cain may get an offer in hopes he signs it if he still has his quicks at 32, but I don't envision us really making a push to sign him long-term given how much of his game is predicated on speed.

Hosmer and Moose will probably get one at the end of their Arbitration periods but they will be long gone.

tk13 · 09-03-2015, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeke

Regardless of what is speculated about monies that are going to be made in 2020, that'll be after Gordon's next contract expires (or in the last year). That's not money the organization has right now. You can't spend money you don't have.

And your antics are why few can take you seriously. Chill the **** out already.

One thing Dayton has done well is set the team up for this scenario though. Even in our FA signings. Rios was a one year deal. Kendrys and Volquez are signed with team options for 2017. Infante is signed through 2017.

When do most all of our core guys become FAs? 2017. We have very little money tied up beyond 2017 except for Ventura and Perez, who have very team friendly contracts.

mr. tegu · 09-03-2015, 09:56 AM

Show all of the players that you will take care of them and reward them. You sign Gordon. Even if the last two or three years look a little bad (I doubt it) the next two years we will still be fielding one of the best teams and Gordon will be a huge part of that.

Fansy the Famous Bard · 09-03-2015, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tk13

One thing Dayton has done well is set the team up for this scenario though. Even in our FA signings. Rios was a one year deal. Kendrys and Volquez are signed with team options for 2017. Infante is signed through 2017.

When do most all of our core guys become FAs? 2017. We have very little money tied up beyond 2017 except for Ventura and Perez, who have very team friendly contracts.

Oh I agree, he's set it up so that he can go in multiple directions. DM has come in to his own as a GM the last 4 years. He's been brilliant. I don't completely blame him for Infante. If Omar was even mildly productive, that contract isn't nearly as bad as we are making it out to be. He has just completely fallen off a cliff, though.

The one thing that does worry me about GMDM is his affinity to have certain players he loves, even if they are shitty and everyone knows they are shitty. For some reason, he loves them. (see Francoeur, Betancourt, Rios, Getz, Davies, Hochevar, etc)

There were rumors for YEARS of GMDM pursuing Rios.. good lord I'm glad that only ended up on a 1-year deal.

Prison Bitch · 09-03-2015, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hootie 2.0

Pujols signed for $300M

they offered him $200+

If we offer Gordon $100+ and he signs somewhere for $180 ... then I agree

In July, You said Ventura lost velocity and should be demoted and possibly end up in the bullpen. I said he was fine and his peripherals weren't any diff from last year.

This is your opportunity to admit I was right.

Hootie · 09-03-2015, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

In July, You said Ventura lost velocity and should be demoted and possibly end up in the bullpen. I said he was fine and his peripherals were fine.

This is your opportunity to admit I was right.

I don't remember you saying that, at all. You said he was lucky in 2014. Please, by all means, quote this post you're talking about. Do it. I can't wait.

If you've watched the last two starts (I have), what have you noticed?

Ventura is constantly hitting 98-100. I bet you two starts ago he threw more 100 MPH pitches than he had, in 1 start, than he did in all previous starts combined ...

and what has that done?

Made his curve ball unhittable because hitters can't adjust to off speed when they have to time 100. They can at 95.

Seriously.

I'd bet anything Ventura has thrown more pitches exceeding 100 MPH in the last two starts than all of his previous starts this year combined.

Anything.

Hootie · 09-03-2015, 10:05 AM

PB literally posted fangraphs and said Ventura outpitched his peripherals in 2014 and his 2015 is everything evening out ...

and somehow that equates to him saying Ventura is fine?

Hahahahhahaha that is so laughable ... seriously PB ... quote that post. I can't wait. Do it. Hahahahahaha.

Hootie · 09-03-2015, 10:07 AM

someone needs to show me the data where you can look up pitches thrown over 100 MPH ... link me for rep

I think there is a website that tracks every single pitch thrown.

KCCHIEFS27 · 09-03-2015, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nightfyre

One thing I am not clear on is how player options and qualifying offers interact. If Gordon declines his player option, can the Royals tender a qualifying offer?

http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/2/2...tion-after-all

This article thinks so, but I am not sure how accurate the information is. If I had to guess, it would depend on the option date versus the qualifying offer deadline.

Qualifying offers can be used over the next few years to entice players into more team friendly deals or recoup picks, at least. For example, Duffy and Medlen might be worth it at the end of their tenure here.

Cain may get an offer in hopes he signs it if he still has his quicks at 32, but I don't envision us really making a push to sign him long-term given how much of his game is predicated on speed.

Hosmer and Moose will probably get one at the end of their Arbitration periods but they will be long gone.

Not sure. But I believe that QO have to be made within 5 days of the World Series. And I'm not sure how soon Gordon has to inform the club of whether or not he will sign his player option. Surely he would let the Royals know so that, in the case of not being able to resign him, the club could get something in return.

07-14-2015, 11:05 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1300308	* Official Royals Repository, Part 4 * In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions. Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins One month in: Looking strong All Star Break: Looking strong, probably should adjust up to 93-94 wins. Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer One month in: Upstaged by his best friend MIKE MOOTACOS, MAN. Tell us bout your hittin, bro! All Star Break: Lorenzo Cain starting to run away with this one. Division Preview Clearly, overlooking the Twins was a mistake at this point. I still don't believe in that team long-term, but they're starting to get that Magic Season twinkle about them. Detroit is toast. Garbage rotation beyond Price and Sanchez, Miggy out. And Cleveland... Cleveland still is dangerous if it ever clicks offensively, because the starting pitching is good enough for them to real off a 15-5 stretch and get right back into the playoff picture. The Royals will be a division winner IF ... 1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work 2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts 3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland 4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy 5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form The first of these is clearly not going to happen. The second looked good through the end of May but is now eating Cain's dust (Hosmer has still been improved this year, though, lessening his valley. If he has a really hot second half, he can get right back in it). Item three is definitely the case. Item four should probably be first at this point. And Morales has more than bounced back. Duncan’s Top 20 for mid-season 2015: Spoiler! 1. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, BOTH: Tools, tools, tools. RA has tools galore. At his best, he’s an All-Star SS who plays elite D, hits 15-20 HR, swipes 40 bags, and is an ideal 1, 2 or 3 hitter. At his worst, I think he looks a lot like Alcides Escobar. Plate discipline is his biggest challenge at this point, but evaluators are confident that will come with time. Clear No. 1 2. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: He’s pitching again and staying healthy, which is nice. He’s pitcing out of the bullpen to build back his arm strength, which is less nice. But still has that high upside, just a lower floor now. Ideally, the team will use him as a bullpen weapon in September (because he has earned it) and then give him a chance to transition back to starting for 2016. 3. Miguel Almonte, RHP: Still love the body, FB/CH combo. Results aren’t eye popping, but he’s still low enough and early enough in the development to prize those things over performance. Still a solid No. 3 starter upside, and just a year and some change away from potentially being ready to contribute at the MLB level. 4. Jorge Bonifacio, RF, RH: Emilio’s little brother got off to a horrible start in 2015 but has heated up as the season went on. He also is translating BP power to game power for the first time, with 15 HR just past the mid-way point of his season. Despite his disappointing 2014, he has a chance to build his way back into legit prospect status – and still is only 22. Next challenge for him should be Omaha, but that may wait for the start of the 2014 season. 5. Scott Blewett, RHP: Blewett has a nice two –pitch mix already and is off to a strong start. With his size (6-6) and a good fastball/curveball combo, Blewett could eventually turn into a good No. 3 starter, with a MLB-average changeup. 6. Nolan Watson, RHP: The Royals’ 2015 sandwich pick is a polished prep arm who is adding velocity and explosiveness to a good, polished base. Likely to move quickly. 7. Ashe Russell, RHP: The 2015 top pick probably needs more work than Watson, but the upside is really nice. Again, advanced two-pitch mix that will depend on him adding a changeup. Could be a very good NO. 2 if it all adds up. Spoiler! 8. Bubba Starling, CF, RH: Starling has been up and down this year but put himself back on the map by greatly improving his K rate while also improving across the slash line as a hitter. His defense and baserunning are MLB ready; if Starling can work himself into a league average hitter, he can be a solid MLB regular who plays great D in CF while hitting 15 HR and swiping 20 bags. 9. Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B/DH, RH: The Balbino came out of basically nowhere in 2015 to earn a Futures Game spot. Big power and an improved two-strike approach have turned the late bloomer into a legit prospect. He’s blocked at the MLB level currently by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales, but Fuenmayor’s combination of power hitting and good average/strike zone control makes him intriguing. 10. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, RH: Cheslor probably is not going to be the star KC was hoping for when signing him out of Nicaragua, but he does look like he can be a solid reserve for an MLB club. Good defense at 3B paired with a solid plate approach and some gap power plays fine off the bench. He becomes a lot more interesting if they think he can stick as a 2B, which they have experimented with. 11. Chase Vallot, C/DH/1B: I really like Vallot’s power and plate discipline combo. His bat will probably force him from behind the plate, but he’s held his own despite being extremely young for every level he has faced. 12. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, OF, RH: Escalera-Maldonado earned a promotion to Wilmington at age 20, which is pretty advanced movement for that age. He’s an athletic outfielder who has shown some plate discipline at an early age, which is encouraging. Doesn’t sound like he can stick in CF long term for KC, but his bat has become one to watch. 13. Pedro Fernandez, RHP: I haven’t seen much of him, but like the reports I’ve heard on his fastball and general makeup. Could become the next Almonte/Mondesi, though he’s more likely to land in the pen than either of them. 14. Elier Hernandez, OF, RH: Elier Hernanez teamed with Escalera-Maldonado in breaking out at Low-A and earning a promotion to Wilmington. It’s still early for this guy – he is just 20 years old – but he doesn’t take walks and hasn’t developed the prodigious power many thought he had the potential for. Still worth watching. 15. Hunter Dozier, 3B, RH: Dozier is reworking his swing mid-season, which generally will cause production to do what his has done: Nose dive. The changes he made entering the season (seemingly geared towards increasing his power production) were a disaster, and now he’s trying to get back to what he used to be. Still looks great and checks most of the scouting boxes, but the performance hasn’t matched, and it almost knocked him out of the list. 16. Christian Binford, RHP: After a breakthrough 2014, Binford struggled mightily at AAA and suffered a demotion. His upside remains similar – a back-end starter who can eat innings – but Binford’s lack of velocity and reliance on command have caught up to him so far. 17. Marten Gasparini, OF, SH: Gasparini is intriguing because of his speed and athleticism. He’s a LOOOOONG ways from the majors and young for his level, but reports on his bat speed, swing, and speed remain positive enough to keep him on the bubble. Last edited by duncan_idaho; 10-06-2015 at 10:46 PM..
Posts: 21,180

09-03-2015, 09:33 AM	#2641
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	the Royals have literally made FSKC so much money this year that they might have tacked on hundreds of millions of dollars to their 2019 deal if they spend and gain momentum and keep viewership as high as it is wanna know how to do that? SIGN YOUR ****ING PLAYERS and keep winning games
Posts: 56,356

09-03-2015, 09:47 AM	#2647
Nightfyre MVP Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Helena, MT Casino cash: $3318849	One thing I am not clear on is how player options and qualifying offers interact. If Gordon declines his player option, can the Royals tender a qualifying offer? http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/2/2...tion-after-all This article thinks so, but I am not sure how accurate the information is. If I had to guess, it would depend on the option date versus the qualifying offer deadline. Qualifying offers can be used over the next few years to entice players into more team friendly deals or recoup picks, at least. For example, Duffy and Medlen might be worth it at the end of their tenure here. Cain may get an offer in hopes he signs it if he still has his quicks at 32, but I don't envision us really making a push to sign him long-term given how much of his game is predicated on speed. Hosmer and Moose will probably get one at the end of their Arbitration periods but they will be long gone.
Posts: 18,571

09-03-2015, 09:56 AM	#2649
mr. tegu Forever Royal Join Date: Mar 2012 Casino cash: $1531300	Show all of the players that you will take care of them and reward them. You sign Gordon. Even if the last two or three years look a little bad (I doubt it) the next two years we will still be fielding one of the best teams and Gordon will be a huge part of that.
Posts: 24,162

09-03-2015, 10:05 AM	#2653
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	PB literally posted fangraphs and said Ventura outpitched his peripherals in 2014 and his 2015 is everything evening out ... and somehow that equates to him saying Ventura is fine? Hahahahhahaha that is so laughable ... seriously PB ... quote that post. I can't wait. Do it. Hahahahahaha.
Posts: 56,356

09-03-2015, 10:07 AM	#2654
Hootie Banned Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Dallas, Texas Casino cash: $10004900	someone needs to show me the data where you can look up pitches thrown over 100 MPH ... link me for rep I think there is a website that tracks every single pitch thrown.
Posts: 56,356