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World's Best Boss
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bronco Country
Casino cash: $5654654
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*** Official 2017 Royals Repository ***
Chiefsplanet’s (Proposed) 2017 Season Title: One Last Ride
Midish-Season Update (Royals 51-47, 2nd Wild Card, 1.5 GB of ALC): We're halfway through 2017, and fittingly to the Chiefsplanet's 2017 Season Title, the Royals are all-in on what will likely be one final run with the current core. While many are worried the Royals will take a 2004 style tumble after this year, the farm system is hardly the barren wasteland it was during the Baird years. To see what's in the pipeline and what we have to look forward to, check out this exceptional list and analysis that Duncan put together of our system. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...htmlview#gid=0 While I had the honor of starting this thread this year, Duncan will always have a VIP pass to this OP, and can add more content at any time. 2017's Burning Questions Revisited: 1. What is the threshold between being “buyers” and “sellers” at the deadline? We're buyers, baby. In April, I argued that it would be a wise strategy for us to sell if we were 5 GB or worse, but that Dayton would likely add supplemental pieces for us to load up for another run if we were 1-2 GB. On July 24th, the Royals found themselves in sole possession of the 2nd wild card spot and 1.5 games back of the division. In April I said the Royals might pull the trigger on someone like Alex Cobb and resign Luke Hochevar, but since the Rays are also buyers and Luke's shoulder hasn't rebounded, this prediction hasn't come to fruition. Luckily, Dayton Moore again proved much more adept and creative than me by adding Trevor Cahill (good call, Duncan), Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter in a single trade. Giving us a solid starter to compete in 2017, and two relievers whom we will control through 2019 and 2021, respectively, keeping Moore's new vision through 2019-2020 intact. Moore has hinted that the Royals will continue to pursue the right deals if they're there, so the fun may not be over just yet. While we may not have the bullets to pull in a "star" like Cueto or Zo, Moore's adeptness may yet again net us what we need for another run in October. 2. Can Gordo and Moose bounce back to 2015 levels? In April I asked if Gordo could at least set the table at a 265/325/425 clip and if Moose could deliver damage around a 265/335/500 clip for an entire year. This season Mr. Moustakas has been the prospect that was promised, delivering at a 277/307/568 clip as of this update. Gordo, on the other hand, has put up an unbelievably abysmal line thus far. But, if there is a silver lining, it's that Gordo has performed at a 246/311/432 line since June 1st, and if he can continue to perform near that mark, he will be more than a valuable asset at the bottom of the lineup while he continues to provide the best LF defense in the league. 3. Can Ned Yost manage a bullpen? In April, I felt that despite the poor start, Royals bullpen would ultimately be "solid" this year, but the question was whether "solid" was good enough for Ned. I argued that the Royals needed Soria to bounce back and that Ned would need to start being strategic in his L/L and R/R matchups. While Ned has still made at times baffling and frustrating decisions with his starters (such as allowing Travis Wood to try to "get the win" and still insisting on sending Hammel out for the 6th, he's mostly done a good job). MASH: Minor/Moylan - Alexander - Soria - Herrera (Credit to C3HIEF3S for the origins of the phrase) have cemented into reliable pieces, and now that Herrera is showing signs of stabilizing, our dumping of Wood, our call up Flynn, and the acquisition of Buchter and Maurer, the Royals have the potential to enter October with one of the best and deepest bullpens in the postseason. 4. Will the Royals find a boost from an unexpected X-Factor to lift them to contention? Cool-Whit, Boni, Mike ****ing Minor, and Alexander have come up huge thus far. Cool Whit is, incredibly, is second on the team in WAR and has more than replaced Zo's presence on the team. They, like the X-Factors on the 2014-2015 teams, have been critical cogs as we've raced back to contention, while Cool-Whit and Boni also have provided a rosier outlook for this team's future. It's worth noting that Salvador Perez and Jason Vargas has been beasts on offense and the mound (along with Sal providing his customary defensive excellence), but I am still a bit wary of Salvy's annual Yost assisted offensive drought as the team moves into August, along with Vargy regressing to his averages. 5. Can Jorge Soler and Brandon Moss be productive contributors in Kauffman’s dimensions? Ouch, no, but the Royals shift to power-hitting in the juiced ball era looks like one that will pay off. Thankfully, Moss is showing signs of entering his seasonal hot streak where he becomes corn-fed Jesus for a month, and we'll need him hot to keep up with Cleveland down the stretch. While Jorge has been painful to watch in the majors, his scorching performance in AAA should give one a bright hope for the future. While some may disagree, I offer Moose, Hos, Gordo, and Duffy's struggles as exhibit A for why it is far too early to give up on Soler's potential. Bonus Question - Is Raul Mondesi truly ready to be an everyday player? Ha! Not even close. However, like Soler, his progress in AAA is incredibly encouraging. With ceilings like Lindor and floors being Esky being thrown out there, it's hard not to be excited about his future. The Picture Forward There are many reasons to be excited, and not only for 2017. The Royals emergence of Cool Whit, Bonifacio, and Scott Alexander, and the fact that we have pieces like Salvador Perez, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera, Jorge Soler, Ryan Buchter, Brandon Maurer Cheslor Cuthbert, and Raul Mondesi until at least 2019 should leave one feeling pretty optimistic. Re-up Moose or Hos (and heck, re-sign Dyson while we're at it), and suddenly this team looks very much like one that could compete for the indefinite future. The Royals are all in again, buckle in and enjoy the ride. April OP:
Spoiler!
Last edited by Chiefspants; 08-02-2017 at 01:53 PM.. |
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#4261 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas
Casino cash: $2588994
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Posts: 21,994
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#4262 |
Special Teams ACE!!!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Where the hell is SNR
Casino cash: $1790208
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Gordon and Moss are feeling lonely as shitty hitters on the team
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Posts: 90,866
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#4263 |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
Casino cash: $1190308
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There's really no downside. He'd be cheap, and there's a slim chance he plays better away from the spotlight of Boston. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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"You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra |
Posts: 21,201
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#4264 | |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas
Casino cash: $2588994
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Quote:
I see what you did there I guess so, but Moss is heating up to his norm or expected level. I'd rather have Torres who can fill in at several positions and hit his weight. |
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#4265 | |
Like I woke up in Wonderland..
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: KCMO
Casino cash: $3566558
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Using weight as a level of expectation isn't exactly fair in this case.
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Posts: 18,639
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#4266 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas
Casino cash: $2588994
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Posts: 21,994
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#4267 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
Casino cash: $1190308
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Quote:
Sure. Depends on how a deal would be structured and what guarantees he gets. If he will accept a AAA assignment, you could stash Sandoval in Omaha and see how he performs. Call him up in September when rosters expand, and then have some inventory for 2018 if he recovers his form. It's a potentially creative way to get an above-average MLB bat on the extreme cheap. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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"You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra |
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#4268 |
I’m a Mahomo!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Mid-Missouri
Casino cash: $6771021
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Posts: 54,038
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#4269 |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
Casino cash: $1190308
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*** Official 2017 Royals Repository ***
If I were Dayton Moore today, here's what I would be working on:
SP - Trevor Cahill, San Diego. Cahill boasts a nice strikeout rate and has kind of reinvented himself after a stint in the bullpen, showing much better K rate and less dependent on getting groundball outs. He's a rental and isn't likely to get enough money to warrant a Qualifying Offer at the end of the year, so he should be pretty cheap. If everything translates, he might be KC's second-best pitcher down the stretch (also someone to think about as a FA signing for 18 and beyond). OF Curtis Granderson, New York Mets. I've been begging for a different LH hitting NyM outfielder, but Granderson has been excellent since May 1 (awful April depresses overall numbers). He still is an above-average runner and has great plate discipline and good power. And unlike Bruce, the Mets won't risk a QO on Granderson, so the cost is cheaper. RP Pat Neshek, Phillies. Neshek' lack of control beyond this season should depress his price below that of David Phelps or David Robertson or Ryan Madison, who weren't huge expenses, anyway. Neshek would be an excellent solidifying piece for KC's pen. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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"You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra |
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#4270 |
Starter
Join Date: May 2009
Casino cash: $1652198
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They all make comments to this effect. Hosmer went "home" for the AS Game. Think he'll be signing with Miami?
He's a Boras client. You're an idiot to think that he won't go wherever he is offered the most money. |
Posts: 235
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#4271 | |
LEGEND!
Join Date: Feb 2013
Casino cash: $10033840
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#4272 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
Casino cash: $1190308
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Quote:
Granderson plays RF, Bonifacio slides to DH, Moss slides to bench (though you'd be able to "hot hand" the DH spot a bit. Lynn is probably better than Cahill (though Cahill has been really good this year and may be better right now), but he also is likely more expensive to acquire. Cahill has a 3.14 ERA, with a 1.24 WHIp and 11 K/9. He's only made 10 starts, but he has been excellent. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
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"You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra |
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#4273 | |
LEGEND!
Join Date: Feb 2013
Casino cash: $10033840
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Posts: 16,409
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#4274 |
Just here for the Royals
Join Date: Jul 2014
Casino cash: $10029260
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Off topic, but I watched a couple of old VHS tapes of the 1999 Royals. 97 loss team, and yet a young offensive core that would have rivaled any dynasty. The woes of being a small market team.
![]() 1. Johnny Damon (25 yrs old) 307 avg, 14 HR, 77 RBIs, 36 SB 2. Joe Randa (29 yrs old) 314 avg, 16 HR, 84 RBIs 3. Carlos Beltran (22 yrs old) 293 avg, 22 HR, 108 RBIs, 27 SB 4. Jermaine Dye (25 yrs old) 294 avg, 27 HR, 119 RBIs 5. Mike Sweeney (25 yrs old) 322 avg, 22 HR, 102 RBIs |
Posts: 4,052
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#4275 |
This is the way
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: Wichita Falls, Texas
Casino cash: $9975673
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Granderson comes across as a super-likable guy
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"No Two People Will Do It The Same, You got It Down...When You Appear to Be In Pain!" |
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