*** 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.

[RealSNR]

"You can only run from stats for so long"

You mean like two straight years of going to the World Series and winning it once?

[KChiefs1]

http://www.royalsreview.com/2017/2/2...-sam-mellinger

We're all guessing here, and I'm typing this on the day of the excellent Ken Rosenthal's piece about Hosmer and the Royals talking, but I'll be the wet rag here. I'm actually skeptical that any of the key pending free agents — I assume we agree we're talking about Hosmer, Moustakas, and Cain here — will be around next year.

Moustakas seems the most likely. The front office loves him, and his personality has in some ways become the Royals' personality — relentless, fearless, obsessed with everything about the sport. His price may be in the Royals' range, too. I suppose there would be some hesitation about how well he'll age, but at the very least he could transition to first base at some point.

Lorenzo Cain just seems like a bad match, to be honest. He'll be 32 at the start of next season, and his value decreases if he can't play regular center field. I don't know that the Royals will want to make a big-money commitment there, and I assume Cain will be looking for the best contract — he was a late round pick, and at least by baseball standards, has not had a big payday yet.


Hosmer makes a lot of sense in a lot of ways, but it just feels like his price and the Royals' price won't match up. I appreciate what Boras is doing, and Rosenthal's story is a great PR move by the agent. They're making it known they're open, and to be sure, if the Royals offer what Boras believes Hosmer can get on the open market, I assume they'd do a deal. I also assume that offer isn't coming. Big money clubs like the Red Sox and Yankees will likely be looking for a first baseman. Carlos Santana will also be a free agent, but there's likely a big payday if Hosmer waits.

The Royals already have nearly $90 million guaranteed to 10 players next year, and even more if Ian Kennedy doesn't opt out of his contract. They have some money to spend, for sure, particularly if they're taking this route of consistent contention (and consistently higher payrolls) but the money doesn't go forever. Particularly if Cheslor Cuthbert continues to show promise, and if Moustakas signs, and Sal Perez needs to work in at first base at some point, it may make more sense for the Royals to move on rather than commit enormous money to a talented and devoted player.

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[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by RealSNR

"You can only run from stats for so long"

You mean like two straight years of going to the World Series and winning it once?

I want the Royals to win this year almost for this exact reason.

The Royals didn't "run from stats" in 14 and 15 (and 13, too, when they outperformed predictions by about 14 wins or something like that)

They found a soft spot in the market and exploited it over a 3-year period. The drastic change in HR rates, coupled with injuries, led to a backslide in that model's success last year.


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[TambaBerry]

Thank you Duncan! Also, really though 74 wins? I'm not as excited about this team this year but 74 wins seems really low. We have a lot of talent in this lineup with some pop more than we've had in a long time. I'm also looking at the pitching we have and it's pretty good too. My only concern is locking down close games with this bullpen.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I want the Royals to win this year almost for this exact reason.

The Royals didn't "run from stats" in 14 and 15 (and 13, too, when they outperformed predictions by about 14 wins or something like that)

They found a soft spot in the market and exploited it over a 3-year period. The drastic change in HR rates, coupled with injuries, led to a backslide in that model's success last year.


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I think it was more Cain being out frankly. Our splits with him in vs out were drastic. If he's healthy this year we will cruise by that low 74 win mark. I'm not concerned about that anyway, I think we have a good team this yr. worse than Twins?!?!! Who believes that? 6 behind Anaheim???? 19 back of Cleve?


I wish there were prop bets I could make on some of these.

[Jerok]

Zimmer is starting Saturday. Should be back on the DL by the second batter.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by Jerok

Zimmer is starting Saturday. Should be back on the DL by the second batter.

You may be giving him too much credit. He will be on his way to the DL just by having his name penciled in.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by Jerok

Zimmer is starting Saturday. Should be back on the DL by the second batter.

Royals' Kyle Zimmer: Throws bullpen session pain-free

Zimmer (shoulder) threw his second bullpen session of spring on Tuesday, noting he felt no pain afterwards, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

This is obviously good news for the 25-year-old, who at this point last season was already starting to feel pain and taper off. The Royals are continuing to bring him along slowly, after he failed to pitch more than 65 innings in each of the last three seasons due to injuries. The next step is his first Cactus League start, which is set for Sunday.

Among those slated to throw on Saturday: Jake Junis, Yender Caramo, Luke Farrell, Andrew Edwards, left-hander Eric Stout, left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and Al Alburquerque.


Junis, 24, is a former 29th-round pick in 2011 who hails from Rock Falls, Ill., 115 miles west of Chicago. Five years later, he turned in a promising performance in 2016, recording a 3.25 ERA in 21 starts at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Stout, a 13th-round pick in 2014, offers a similar back story. A native of suburban Glen Ellyn, Ill., he had one Division I scholarship offer out of high school and landed at Butler University. But he climbed all the way to Northwest Arkansas last season and scored a nonroster invitation to spring training.

The list goes on. Eric Skoglund, 24, is a 6-foot-7 left-hander who was taken in the third round out of Central Florida in 2014. Caramo, 25, is a native of Venezuela who has impressed the coaching staff with a heavy sinker. The prospect that one of these young pitchers will make the opening day roster remains somewhat remote. But Moore points to the career trajectory of Matt Strahm, a left-hander who grew up in West Fargo, S.D., before being plucked in the 21st-round in 2012. A year ago, Strahm arrived in camp as a mid-tier prospect. He will enter the 2017 season as key member of the club’s bullpen.

“This time last year, we weren’t talking about Matt Strahm,” Moore said. “He was just a left-hander with a good arm.”


Top prospect Josh Staumont will start spring-training opener as Royals set pitching schedule

Josh Staumont, a 23-year-old right-hander who has emerged as one of the Royals’ top pitching prospects, will start the club’s Cactus League opener against the Texas Rangers at 2:05 p.m. Saturday.

“My goals were to stay unseen,” said Staumont, who finished last season throwing 100 mph fastballs at Northwest Arkansas. “Just kind of watch and really take note on who’s successful and how they get their success.”

In short, Josh Staumont has no. 1 ace stuff. If he ever learns to command his pitches, he could become one of the best starters in baseball.

The problem is, Josh Staumont’s control hasn’t improved in the two years since the Kansas City Royals drafted him. Though he has advanced to AA NW Arkansas, Staumont struggles to get the ball over the plate. He’s got a career BB/9 of 8.2 across four minor league stops, and his BB/9 has zoomed to 9.2 in seven games in AA.

Of course, he makes up for this deficiency with a K/9 of 12.2.

For Staumont, his goal of anonymity did not last the first two weeks of camp. But that was inevitable. In the offseason, he was ranked as the top prospect in the organization by Baseball America, a pitcher who could project as a front-end starter or dominant reliever. But in the opening days of camp, Yost sought to offer the following message. The talent pool may be deeper than you think.

The news came Wednesday morning as Royals manager Ned Yost revealed the team’s pitching schedule for the first week of spring-training games.

After Staumont, the Royals plan to use a collection of young arms and potential reclamation projections. Among those slated to throw on Saturday: Jake Junis, Yender Caramo, Luke Farrell, Andrew Edwards, left-hander Eric Stout, left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and Al Alburquerque. Staumont and Junis will work two innings or 35 pitches, Yost said. The rest of the pitchers are scheduled for one inning.

Right-hander Kyle Zimmer, who is returning from surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome, will start against the Rangers on Sunday. He will be followed by Miguel Almonte, left-hander Scott Alexander, left-hander Jonathan Dziedzic, Malcom Culver, Kevin McCarthy, Brandon League and Bobby Parnell.

“We want to kind of pace our main guys here a little bit,” Yost said. “We don’t want them to peak too soon, if you will.”

Jason Vargas will start against the Seattle Mariners on Monday in Peoria. The Royals list Joakim Soria, left-hander Mike Minor and right-hander Chris Withrow as slated to pitch in relief.


Danny Duffy will make his first spring training start on the road Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Nathan Karns will start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs in Surprise. Chris Young and left-hander Travis Wood will start Thursday against the Colorado Rockies.

The Royals’ Cactus League schedule is slated to start a week earlier than usual because of the World Baseball Classic, which begins in March.

“I’m not blowing guys out in spring training,” Yost said. “We’ve got more than enough time.”

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[KChiefs1]

Crown Chasers: Can the Royals reign again? Watch episode one of our six-part series http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb...134061574.html





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[KChiefs1]

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[RealSNR]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Royals' Kyle Zimmer: Throws bullpen session pain-free

Zimmer (shoulder) threw his second bullpen session of spring on Tuesday, noting he felt no pain afterwards, Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com reports.

This is obviously good news for the 25-year-old, who at this point last season was already starting to feel pain and taper off. The Royals are continuing to bring him along slowly, after he failed to pitch more than 65 innings in each of the last three seasons due to injuries. The next step is his first Cactus League start, which is set for Sunday.

Among those slated to throw on Saturday: Jake Junis, Yender Caramo, Luke Farrell, Andrew Edwards, left-hander Eric Stout, left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and Al Alburquerque.


Junis, 24, is a former 29th-round pick in 2011 who hails from Rock Falls, Ill., 115 miles west of Chicago. Five years later, he turned in a promising performance in 2016, recording a 3.25 ERA in 21 starts at Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Stout, a 13th-round pick in 2014, offers a similar back story. A native of suburban Glen Ellyn, Ill., he had one Division I scholarship offer out of high school and landed at Butler University. But he climbed all the way to Northwest Arkansas last season and scored a nonroster invitation to spring training.

The list goes on. Eric Skoglund, 24, is a 6-foot-7 left-hander who was taken in the third round out of Central Florida in 2014. Caramo, 25, is a native of Venezuela who has impressed the coaching staff with a heavy sinker. The prospect that one of these young pitchers will make the opening day roster remains somewhat remote. But Moore points to the career trajectory of Matt Strahm, a left-hander who grew up in West Fargo, S.D., before being plucked in the 21st-round in 2012. A year ago, Strahm arrived in camp as a mid-tier prospect. He will enter the 2017 season as key member of the club’s bullpen.

“This time last year, we weren’t talking about Matt Strahm,” Moore said. “He was just a left-hander with a good arm.”


Top prospect Josh Staumont will start spring-training opener as Royals set pitching schedule

Josh Staumont, a 23-year-old right-hander who has emerged as one of the Royals’ top pitching prospects, will start the club’s Cactus League opener against the Texas Rangers at 2:05 p.m. Saturday.

“My goals were to stay unseen,” said Staumont, who finished last season throwing 100 mph fastballs at Northwest Arkansas. “Just kind of watch and really take note on who’s successful and how they get their success.”

In short, Josh Staumont has no. 1 ace stuff. If he ever learns to command his pitches, he could become one of the best starters in baseball.

The problem is, Josh Staumont’s control hasn’t improved in the two years since the Kansas City Royals drafted him. Though he has advanced to AA NW Arkansas, Staumont struggles to get the ball over the plate. He’s got a career BB/9 of 8.2 across four minor league stops, and his BB/9 has zoomed to 9.2 in seven games in AA.

Of course, he makes up for this deficiency with a K/9 of 12.2.

For Staumont, his goal of anonymity did not last the first two weeks of camp. But that was inevitable. In the offseason, he was ranked as the top prospect in the organization by Baseball America, a pitcher who could project as a front-end starter or dominant reliever. But in the opening days of camp, Yost sought to offer the following message. The talent pool may be deeper than you think.

The news came Wednesday morning as Royals manager Ned Yost revealed the team’s pitching schedule for the first week of spring-training games.

After Staumont, the Royals plan to use a collection of young arms and potential reclamation projections. Among those slated to throw on Saturday: Jake Junis, Yender Caramo, Luke Farrell, Andrew Edwards, left-hander Eric Stout, left-hander Jonathan Sanchez and Al Alburquerque. Staumont and Junis will work two innings or 35 pitches, Yost said. The rest of the pitchers are scheduled for one inning.

Right-hander Kyle Zimmer, who is returning from surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome, will start against the Rangers on Sunday. He will be followed by Miguel Almonte, left-hander Scott Alexander, left-hander Jonathan Dziedzic, Malcom Culver, Kevin McCarthy, Brandon League and Bobby Parnell.

“We want to kind of pace our main guys here a little bit,” Yost said. “We don’t want them to peak too soon, if you will.”

Jason Vargas will start against the Seattle Mariners on Monday in Peoria. The Royals list Joakim Soria, left-hander Mike Minor and right-hander Chris Withrow as slated to pitch in relief.


Danny Duffy will make his first spring training start on the road Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers. Nathan Karns will start Wednesday against the Chicago Cubs in Surprise. Chris Young and left-hander Travis Wood will start Thursday against the Colorado Rockies.

The Royals’ Cactus League schedule is slated to start a week earlier than usual because of the World Baseball Classic, which begins in March.

“I’m not blowing guys out in spring training,” Yost said. “We’ve got more than enough time.”

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West Fargo, SD.

Is this writer reeruned?

[KChiefs1]

Kansas City Royals: Farm System No Longer Dominant

The Kansas City Royals built their current championship caliber team by waiting for the guys in the minor leagues to reach MLB-ready status. Their current farm system, however, is one of the worst in all of Major League Baseball.

The KC Royals reached the World Series in 2014 and won it in 2015, all with the help of the players they drafted and developed from 2004-2010. Billy Butler, Alex Gordon, Luke Hochevar, Mike Moustakas, and Eric Hosmer were the big names to come out of the first round during that time, and all of those guys helped build this team into what they are today.

The downside to becoming a winner though is that the Royals had to trade their top prospects for the likes of Johnny Cueto and Ben Zobrist.

In those two trades alone, the Royals sent five pitchers (four left-handed) to the Reds and Athletics for their ready-to-contribute major league players. The biggest names that were traded were Brandon Finnegan and Sean Manaea, both of whom were ready to pitch at the next level.

Heading into 2017, Bleacher Report ranked the Royals minor league system as the third worst in MLB. The only names to currently be apart of the Royals major league roster are Raul Mondesi Jr. and Matt Strahm.

Mondesi was called up halfway through the 2016 season and was the starting second baseman throughout the last few months of the year. Strahm, meanwhile, wowed the fans last year in his limited appearances out of the bullpen.

Strahm could compete for a rotation spot, depending on how Nate Karns does in spring training. Injuries could also eventually push Strahm into the rotation.

Some other talented names to watch out for are Hunter Dozier, Eric Skoglund, Josh Staumont, and Kyle Zimmer. Three of those four are pitchers who could really help out this rotation down the stretch.

Skogland is ranked as the fourth best prospect for the Royals with Zimmer being ranked at seven. Zimmer was the team’s first-round pick in 2011, but injuries have derailed his career to this point. Hopefully 2017 will finally be the year in which he can prove his worth. It’s been long overdue.

Staumont isn’t ranked on Bleacher Report’s list, but there have been rumblings about the former second-round pick potentially helping out in either the rotation or bullpen in 2017. Kyle Brasseur of ESPN wrote,

How he fares in spring training could help dictate his role, as his stuff is better suited for relief but the team feels strongly that he can stick in the rotation, assistant GM J.J. Picollo tells Dodd.

While it’d be great to see the Royals finally develop a pitching prospect, the team really will need to bolster their farm system at some point. Perhaps this season if the Royals are tanking at the trade deadline, they’ll end up getting a hefty sum of prospects in exchange for guys like Lorenzo Cain, Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer, and Mike Moustakas.

Next: Projecting 2017 Royals Starting Lineup
The reason the Royals minor league system was so good for so long was because of high how they’d be drafting every year and because of the prospects they’d land from teams wanting a guy who could help them contend.

Hopefully if Kansas City isn’t a contender at the deadline, they’ll be able to hit the jackpot when sending off their guys to other teams. We’ve seen just how much opposing teams are willing to part with when it comes to getting a guy who could help them win it all.


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[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by Jerok

Zimmer is starting Saturday. Should be back on the DL by the second batter.

Royals' Kyle Zimmer feels healthy in camp

And then Zimmer suddenly hit a wall. His velocity began fading to the upper 80s. Sharp pain in his shoulder area became a constant.

Eventually, Zimmer was shut down. In fact, he pitched in just three Minor League games last season before some exploratory surgery revealed he could benefit from thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, which he then had in early August.

• Breaking down the Royals' Top 30 prospects

Now, Zimmer, 25, has rehabbed and feels as strong and as pain-free as he can remember.

Zimmer threw his second bullpen session of camp Tuesday, and reported no pain on Wednesday -- just the normal soreness associated with throwing batting practice.

"It feels good," Zimmer said. "A little sore and a little stiffness, but not a lot.

"It's just normal soreness. Nothing like the sharp debilitating pain from last year."

Top Prospects: Zimmer, KC
After years of injury issues, Zimmer, the Royals' first-round Draft pick in 2012 (fifth overall), is hoping health concerns are a thing of the past.

In past years, Zimmer has had his elbow cleaned, had tissue in his rotator cuff repaired, and underwent surgery to his latissimus dorsi muscle.

This may be the year Zimmer can reach all of his potential. He is a right-hander who the Royals routinely used to describe as having the best stuff in the system.

"He's looking good this spring," manager Ned Yost said. "He's throwing nice and easy."

Zimmer is simply happy there is no more pain.

"At this point last year, I was starting to struggle, starting to taper off," Zimmer said. "I'm feeling much better now."

While Zimmer has said there are no limitations for him this Spring Training, he doesn't want to get too carried away early.

"Coming off the surgery I was told there'd be ups and downs," Zimmer said. "But it's important to keep the highs and lows a little more consistent. You just want to keep your body in the best shape and go after it."

On Sunday, Zimmer will make his first Cactus League start.

"I just like getting back into the swing of things," he said. "I'm excited to get to the start of games and transfer it all over to the start of games."

Jeffrey Flanagan has covered the Royals since 1991, and for MLB.com since 2015. Follow him on Twitter @FlannyMLB. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.


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[KChiefs1]

Trade scenarios for each upcoming Royals free agent.


With four Royals likely heading for free agency this offseason, I asked myself "what could they get in return?"

Here are trade scenarios for each of the four (1B Eric Hosmer, OF Lorenzo Cain, 3B Mike Moustakas, SS Alcides Escobar) if the Royals are in the tank heading into September.

Eric Hosmer:

Possible Trade Destinations: Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets

Eric Hosmer is one of the most popular first baseman in baseball right now. He has swagger, natural good-looks, and a beautiful swing. He would be one of the top names on the market if he was available right now. But that can be misleading. Anyone that really watched the Royals in the second half of the season could see that Hoz was struggling. After a smoking hot April and May, Hosmer struggled to hit for average as he hit .234 after April/May. He hit more home runs in the second half, despite having a lower average and less at bats. He hit twice as many doubles in the first half than the second half. That leads me to believe that he tried too hard to hit the ball 600 feet. Cheslor Cutbert had a higher OBP than Hoz in the second half. The Royals could trick a team into thinking that he's a great hitter, but they'd be wasting their time.

Proposed Trade:

Nationals Recieve: 1B Eric Hosmer, RHP Joakim Soria

Royals Recieve: OF Victor Robles (#10 MLB.com prospect), RHP Joe Ross

Lorenzo Cain:

Possible Trade Destinations: Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Baltimore Orioles, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets

Lorenzo Cain is one of baseball's top center fielders and is wildly underrated, even though he finished third in the AL MVP voting in 2015. But, as it always has in Cain's career, injuries took a toll. He only appeared in 103 games, his lowest since 2012. Ned Yost experimented with Cain in right field and Paulo Orlando in center field for 29 games in 2016 to preserve Cain's legs. But now with the acquisition of Jorge Soler to man right field, Cain seems like a lock for centerfield in 2017. Cain could receive a decent return for a buying team in July, but not anything like he could have if he was 3-4 years younger.

Proposed Trade:

Mets Receive: OF Lorenzo Cain

Royals Receive: OF/DH Michael Conforto, RHP Robert Gsellman (Mets #14 Prospect via MLB.com)

Mike Moustakas:

Possible Trade Destinations: Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, San Francisco Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Mets

Moose's trade value will take a big dip because of the two injuries he suffered in 2016, but can produce like some of the AL's top third basemen, as he showed in 2015. His walk numbers are increasing every year and has produced very well after his 2014 demotion to AAA Omaha. If he were to leave KC, he would be remembered as a postseason hero and one of the best clubhouse guys to be around. I think that the Royals should really think about resigning Moose to a 3-year deal worth about 8MM annually with incentives. That would bring him to a similar contract to Cardinals standout Matt Carpenter (6/52M through 2020) who is more accomplished than Moustakas. Carpeneter signed the extension after the 2012 season in which he had a WAR of 1.0, whereas Moose had a 4.4 WAR in 2015 and was on pace for a 3.5 WAR in 2016 before being injured. Moose is my favorite Royal and I think the front office needs to realize that he means to much to the franchise to let him walk.

Proposed Trade

Astros Receive: 3B Mike Moustakas

Royals Recieve: RHP Ken Giles, OF Daz Cameron (Astros #6 prospect via MLB.com)

Alcides Escobar:

Possible Trade Destinations: Los Angeles Angels, Baltimore Orioles, Los Angeles Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates

Esky is probably my least favorite on this list because of his lack of patience and uppercut swing. Escobar could probably be a top ten shortstop in baseball if he could lead off, but his inability to watch pitches during an at-bat is decreasing his value. Of course he'll go off for a .478 average in a playoff series because he'll face the same pitcher two or three times in a two week span and will figure out what he throws on the first pitch. He started hitting more home runs in 2016, but he also started popping out more. I believe that Escobar is the best fielding shortstops in baseball, but that won't get you very far in a league that is now driven by pitching and strikeouts. Escobar is the least likely to resign with KC and will most likely get the least in return. Raul Mondesi could be seeing playing time at shortstop in August if Yost and Moore don't like what they see from Esky.

Proposed Trade

Pirates Receive: SS Alcides Escobar

Royals Receive: LHP Taylor Hearn (Pirates #21 prospect via MLB.com)

Why to trade them:

The Royals success in 2014-15 was made from homegrown, young, exciting prospects. KC does not have this at the time, with their top prospect being a left-handed setup man or an up-and-down third baseman. KC needs some help down in the farm and that isn't going to come from magic. It is going to come from trades and top 10 picks as the Astros and Cubs showed us. Kansas City needs another key core, and that core isn't going to be led by Jorge Soler and Josh Staumont. The Royals depleted their farm system in their attempt to bring a World Series to KC, but now it's time to get younger.

Why to keep them:

If you ask a general KC Royals fan who has been with them since around 2012 who their favorite player was, 20% would probably say Salvy (who is the most untouchable player in baseball right now) and maybe a combination of 50-60% would say one of the four pending free agents. We would lose part of the fanbase that went through the rebuild and that fell in love with this team. I truly believe that the 2017 team has a postseason run in them. The chances of Moore and David Glass putting together the millions of dollars to keep this core together is maybe 10%, and they would have to break open the bank. Hoz will want 10/225M possibly, Cain will want 3/45M, Moose would take a 4/48M, and Esky might have to take a one year deal. Dayton needs to do everything in his power to keep the core together.

What do we do??

I would personally let Hosmer walk. Anyone on Earth above the height of 6'2 can play first base (Moneyball, anyone?), and with players like Hunter Dozier and Cheslor Cuthbert being stopped at third base, a transition to first would be an easy one. Resign Cain and Moose to hometown discounts (not Alex Gordon's idea of a "discount"), and they would probably take one. Letting Escobar walk is the obvious decision with Raul Mondesi being ready, possibly, by September. That would give KC a lineup like this:

2B Whit Merrifield
3B Mike Moustakas
CF Lo Cain
DH Brandon Moss
RF Jorge Soler
LF Alex Gordon
C Sal Perez
1B Hunter Dozier/Cheslor Cuthbert
SS Raul Mondesi



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[POND_OF_RED]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Hosmer is probably going to get paid monster bucks somewhere. But he has to also remember in Kansas City, it's his team. There is something to be said about being the main man in the clubhouse and the city. He essentially could have the George Brett lifestyle after his playing days here. Hosmer re ups, he is a Royal for life. Cush front office the rest of his life. Pretty much would be in the Brett and White of Royal lore.

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

I just dont think most players think this way anymore. Its all about the money. I cant really blame them. It is what it is..

Salvy thinks of it that way. He just has a love for the game and the city. He's definitely gonna have the George Brett lifestyle in KC I think. I could even see him coaching the Royals someday.