*** Official 2017 Royals Offseason Repository

[duncan_idaho]

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.

[jd1020]

I like how 1 year of Davis is expected to get more in return than a 24 year old with as much potential as Jorge Soler under team control for 4 years.

Soler could be a monster or he could be on the DL for most of the remainder of his time in MLB.

Davis could be the best closer in baseball or he could need TJ surgery 2 months into the season and even if he makes it through 2017 healthy that's all the Cubs get for a kid who was a top 50 prospect and hit 12 HRs in less than half a seasons worth of PAs last year and was a beast in the playoffs a year before.

The Nationals knew the Cubs offer and apparently didn't care to match it. I think you guys are overvaluing Davis or undervaluing Solers potential and cost controlled contract.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by dmahurin

https://twitter.com/jaysonst/status/806318137582854144

That's from hours ago...

If any team runs Davis through a physical they may find stuff they don't like, a bunch of forearm issues are usually a prelude to TJ, you don't move him now you likely have a Holland situation where you get nothing.

[Sure-Oz]

@Ken_Rosenthal: Source: #Cubs' trade with #Royals, if completed, will be straight-up: Davis for Soler. No other players.

Well surprised but there must be concerns on his arm then

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I like how 1 year of Davis is expected to get more in return than a 24 year old with as much potential as Jorge Soler under team control for 4 years.

Soler could be a monster or he could be on the DL for most of the remainder of his time in MLB.

Davis could be the best closer in baseball or he could need TJ surgery 2 months into the season and even if he makes it through 2017 healthy that's all the Cubs get for a kid who was a top 50 prospect and hit 12 HRs in less than half a seasons worth of PAs last year and was a beast in the playoffs a year before.

The Nationals knew the Cubs offer and apparently didn't care to match it. I think you guys are overvaluing Davis or undervaluing Solers potential and cost controlled contract.

Some people are a bit spoiled, Davis arm issues are killing his value, just like if this team throws Cain up on the block him always being hurt isn't going to help his value either.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

The Cubs are assuming risk too, as would any club trading for Davis.

Lot of Royals fans are acting like they just traded the 2014-15 Wade Davis, and not the 2016 version whose K rate decreased, whose BB and hit rates increased, who lost velocity, who had two different DL stints, not for a pulled hamstring but for forearm issues, coming off two straight years in which he was worked hard in deep postseasons.

I'm disappointed there's not more coming, but then I always want more. I'm not doing cartwheels over the deal, but I'm OK with it. I just hope Soler is more Jermaine Dye than Felix Jose.

Funny you mention Felix Jose... that's the name that keeps surfacing for me when thinking about Soler.

The Cubs are definitely taking some risk, and Soler could end up being a very valuable piece... but things I don't like about it, if it's a straight swap:

Soler is a power-first guy with questionable defense who hasn't stayed healthy at the major league level and who hasn't hit much so far in about a season's worth of time. That's a profile that doesn't fit KC incredibly well.

I don't like that zeroing in on "ready" MLB talent appears to be limiting the upside of the return a little bit. I'd almost rather see a 2018 guy draft.

Is 4 years of Soler worth more than having Wade Davis in 2017 and getting a first-round pick in the 18 draft after he leaves? Debatable.

It does have upside and the potential to be a huge win (if Soler pieces it together in a supportive clubhouse and becomes the .280/.350/.550 monster his talent/upside suggest). And Dayton Moore has a pretty sterling track record in these situations, so I'll trust him (anxiously).

But just a disappointment after seeing the market take off yesterday, seeing what other closers are getting, and dreaming a little bit about the return you'd see from a bidding war among the Nats, Dodgers and Cubs for his services...

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Is 4 years of Soler worth more than having Wade Davis in 2017 and getting a first-round pick in the 18 draft after he leaves? Debatable.

There are no more first round picks for QO players.

[Mecca]

It's quite possible none of the offers were great because everyone knows with all the innings on Davis and forearm issues more than once the chances of him needing tommy john during this season are hovering above 50%.

[Mecca]

Originally Posted by jd1020

There are no more first round picks for QO players.

The way I understand it is if the player gets more than 50 mill and leaves a small market they'll get a pick..problem is it'll be like a 3-4th round sandwich pick type of pick.

Small markets basically aren't going to be rewarded for losing players for the most part.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by jd1020

I like how 1 year of Davis is expected to get more in return than a 24 year old with as much potential as Jorge Soler under team control for 4 years.

Soler could be a monster or he could be on the DL for most of the remainder of his time in MLB.

Davis could be the best closer in baseball or he could need TJ surgery 2 months into the season and even if he makes it through 2017 healthy that's all the Cubs get for a kid who was a top 50 prospect and hit 12 HRs in less than half a seasons worth of PAs last year and was a beast in the playoffs a year before.

The Nationals knew the Cubs offer and apparently didn't care to match it. I think you guys are overvaluing Davis or undervaluing Solers potential and cost controlled contract.

1/2 a season of Aroldis Chapman was worth a top 20 prospect plus. Even if you think Chapman is better, it's hard to argue that he and Davis have been part of an incredibly elite group that separates pretty significantly from the rest of the closer pack.

If Davis's medicals are bad and that's driving down his value, that's one thing. And that's something that can be lived with.

It's still a potential return that looks like far less than what you'd expect for a healthy Wade Davis.

Originally Posted by Mecca

Some people are a bit spoiled, Davis arm issues are killing his value, just like if this team throws Cain up on the block him always being hurt isn't going to help his value either.

People aren't spoiled.... just setting expectations based on what's going on in a crazy closer market. It's not insane to think that in a world where Aroldis Chapman returns Gleyber Torres + for 1/2 a season, where Chapman and Jansen are going to get $80 million, when Mark Melancon (an inferior guy whose peripherals have trended down more significantly than Davis's) is getting $60 million... a healthy Wade Davis would bring back a significant haul.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

@Ken_Rosenthal: Source: #Cubs' trade with #Royals, if completed, will be straight-up: Davis for Soler. No other players.

Well surprised but there must be concerns on his arm then

We are dumping $

[Mecca]

I understand that it just seems that it has to have something to do with Davis medically. He has a ton more innings on his arm than any of those other guys.

[Mecca]

It was great to see the Royals win and I'm glad we all enjoyed it because it's gonna be even harder to contend now and in the future.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

1/2 a season of Aroldis Chapman was worth a top 20 prospect plus. Even if you think Chapman is better, it's hard to argue that he and Davis have been part of an incredibly elite group that separates pretty significantly from the rest of the closer pack.

Prices tend to inflate when the market is bear. The Royals are trading an injury risk in the offseason when two other elite closers, Chapman being one of them, are available as FAs.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Mecca

I understand that it just seems that it has to have something to do with Davis medically. He has a ton more innings on his arm than any of those other guys.

400 IP in five seasons? BFD. That's zero mileage.

[Mecca]

Let's just be honest, these draft pick rules were changed to make the trade deadline exciting again. If a bunch of teams know they will get marginal shit picks for their star players they won't keep they'll be more inclined to make some trades.