*** 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.

[cabletech94]

just an interesting piece. probably more fluff than anything. but i'd like to get duncan's opinion on this hypothetical trade.

http://www.federalbaseball.com/2016/...ight-look-like

[tk13]

Originally Posted by tomahawk kid

Given that this is the last year that we'll have this core of players, I'm extremely frustrated with the possibility that the Glass' are turning back into misers.

Dayton Moore always plays the "woe is us" card, then turns around and signs Ian Kennedy, Volquez, Morales, Rios and on and on.

Although I'm optimistic, I think he's going to make a legit run at re-signing some of this group. That won't be cheap and maybe that will inhibit our ability to sign FAs. Especially when guys like Brett Cecil are getting $30 million contracts. Any decent established FA is getting at least 10-15 million a year, if not more. Given the last 5 years of evidence, I'd wager any "miser"-ness will be coming from Dayton and not Glass.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by tk13

Dayton Moore always plays the "woe is us" card, then turns around and signs Ian Kennedy, Volquez, Morales, Rios and on and on.

Although I'm optimistic, I think he's going to make a legit run at re-signing some of this group. That won't be cheap and maybe that will inhibit our ability to sign FAs. Especially when guys like Brett Cecil are getting $30 million contracts. Any decent established FA is getting at least 10-15 million a year, if not more. Given the last 5 years of evidence, I'd wager any "miser"-ness will be coming from Dayton and not Glass.

That's all fine, but you would think Moore wouldn't want to necessarily paint himself into that corner at the very beginning of the offseason. It won't matter if we sign the guys we need to sign and improve where we need to, but it's just a weird strategy to come out and say that.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Bowser

That's all fine, but you would think Moore wouldn't want to necessarily paint himself into that corner at the very beginning of the offseason. It won't matter if we sign the guys we need to sign and improve where we need to, but it's just a weird strategy to come out and say that.

That's just in case we get ****ed across the board.

[Bowser]

Originally Posted by JASONSAUTO

That's just in case we get ****ed across the board.

There's that, too. Setting up the excuses early.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Bowser

That's all fine, but you would think Moore wouldn't want to necessarily paint himself into that corner at the very beginning of the offseason. It won't matter if we sign the guys we need to sign and improve where we need to, but it's just a weird strategy to come out and say that.

He's done this in every offseason since 2013.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by cabletech94

just an interesting piece. probably more fluff than anything. but i'd like to get duncan's opinion on this hypothetical trade.

http://www.federalbaseball.com/2016/...ight-look-like

If they were really willing to offer those high level prospects, you absolutely take it. Although, if you are saying our window is 2017 and you want to go all in again as the Royals, that throws a wrench into it. I myself wouldn't hesitate doing that trade as I don't like to over-value relievers, especially one with arm issues last year.

I doubt the Nats would have all three of those guys in a deal for a rental reliever, however.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by Bowser

That's all fine, but you would think Moore wouldn't want to necessarily paint himself into that corner at the very beginning of the offseason. It won't matter if we sign the guys we need to sign and improve where we need to, but it's just a weird strategy to come out and say that.

He literally says this every year. We won the flipping World Series last year, and he said it then too. It's just how he plays the game. Look at how they had 100% convinced Mellinger and McCullough that there was no way we were re-signing Gordon. They were writing articles for the Star with 99% confidence that we'd have to find a new LF because Gordon was gone.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by Bowser

There's that, too. Setting up the excuses early.

"We're giving you the opportunity to join the kc royals but this is all the money we have" could be a thing also at this point.

Best team in baseball the past three years.

[SAUTO]

Originally Posted by lewdog

If they were really willing to offer those high level prospects, you absolutely take it. Although, if you are saying our window is 2017 and you want to go all in again as the Royals, that throws a wrench into it. I myself wouldn't hesitate doing that trade as I don't like to over-value relievers, especially one with arm issues last year.

I doubt the Nats would have all three of those guys in a deal for a rental reliever, however.

I would jump all over it

[tk13]

About one year ago. This is why Mellinger and McCullough were both stunned when Gordon signed in KC. The front office had convinced them it wasn't happening. People were saying Glass is cheap then too. The Royals front office just likes playing the "poor us" card. Maybe they won't sign anyone, but after 4 straight years of playing this game I don't buy it.

I don't doubt it. Barring a philosophical change from KC, the expected AAV for Gordon does not fit their budget. https://t.co/IgupyZCBLH

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughTimes) December 16, 2015

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by cabletech94

just an interesting piece. probably more fluff than anything. but i'd like to get duncan's opinion on this hypothetical trade.

http://www.federalbaseball.com/2016/...ight-look-like

That return is very close to what I proposed earlier in the thread... would love it. I don't think it hurts KC at all in 2016, either, because Lopez is a better option for your last starting spot than anybody you could reasonably acquire, and you free up a bunch of money. Missing Davis at the back end would be tough, but you'd be better in the rotation and could add a quality bullpen piece for half of what Davis is gettin. Paid.

Stevenson is an excellent CF who profiles as a very similar player as Cain, actually. He should be ready to take over full time in 2018 and might be able to give you a boost at midseason 2017 if you need him.

Voth is also a really nice throw-in piece that gives you a good depth piece to the rotation.

If KC completed that deal, and then used the saved Davis money to sign Luke Hochevar and Steave Pearce, or Matt Holliday, I think it improves the team more than keeping Davis and taking a flyer on SP on a budget.

Originally Posted by Bowser

That's all fine, but you would think Moore wouldn't want to necessarily paint himself into that corner at the very beginning of the offseason. It won't matter if we sign the guys we need to sign and improve where we need to, but it's just a weird strategy to come out and say that.

He's not painting himself into a corner. He's setting himself up for negotiations with agents. Just like he has he past several years.


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[duncan_idaho]

Should also note I think it's more than the Nationals would be willing to pay... would think one of Stevenson or Lopez, with a preference for Lopez.


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[tk13]

Looks like Volquez is actually going to get a 2 year deal. That's pretty good for him considering the year he had last year.

sources: #marlins close to signing Edinson Volquez to 2 year deal

— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) November 29, 2016

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by tk13

Looks like Volquez is actually going to get a 2 year deal. That's pretty good for him considering the year he had last year.

sources: #marlins close to signing Edinson Volquez to 2 year deal

— clarkspencer (@clarkspencer) November 29, 2016

Goodluck to him...thx for the WS championship