Royals *** Official 2017 Royals Offseason Repository - Page 50

duncan_idaho · 09:07 PM

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!

Rooster · 12-07-2016, 01:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

Since we have Herrera we can spare one, and this trade looks even to me. 1 year of an elite closer with health concerns for 4 years of a former top prospect who is marginal defensively but has huge potential on offense. The fact that Wade had an injury scare last season probably harmed his trade value so this is probably about what he's worth.

You stop being rationale and get pissed.

ChiefsCountry · 12-07-2016, 01:47 PM

This board sucks Dorsey's dick hard who hasn't won shit yet gets pissed at Dayton who has actually won shit.

Discuss Thrower · 12-07-2016, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

This board sucks Dorsey's dick hard who hasn't won shit yet gets pissed at Dayton who has actually won shit.

I'm not pissed.

Mr. Laz · 12-07-2016, 01:51 PM

Royals changed the league by having a fantastic bullpen with several guys that can constantly shut the game down after the 6th inning.

That formula is pretty much gone if we don't keep our "spares"

DJ's left nut · 12-07-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth

To be fair, the value of a closer goes up dramatically when you think you can make the playoffs. If you are rebuilding or a .500 team, then it makes more sense to trade a good closer rather than keep him in the hopes of finishing 3rd in your division instead of 4th.

Since we have Herrera we can spare one, and this trade looks even to me. 1 year of an elite closer with health concerns for 4 years of a former top prospect who is marginal defensively but has huge potential on offense. The fact that Wade had an injury scare last season probably harmed his trade value so this is probably about what he's worth.

Two words knocked the prospects that Duncan is looking for out of the equation:

"flexor bundle"

That's a common 'overuse' injury and it's right where the UCL attaches (more precisely, the medial epicondyle). If you're straining the pronator muscle there via overuse, you're also almost certainly straining the UCL as well.

The dude's a ticking time bomb. Maybe he makes it through 2017 healthy, maybe he doesn't. But nobody was going to give up a Chapman style package as soon as those whispers started.

Rooster · 12-07-2016, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedated

I don't hate the trade as much as many here, but I don't think KC could "spare" a closer. The bullpen really struggled last year, bullpen was the key to the 2014-2015 teams, and the price has skyrocketed on relief pitchers since then so its not like they can go out and buy another.

Didn't the bullpen go 41.2 scoreless innings setting a new MLB record without Davis?

Soria struggled but the group as a whole was strong.

siberian khatru · 12-07-2016, 01:52 PM

Soler is basically Wil Myers a year ago - 25-yo RF with 4 years of club control. Dayton traded Wil, got him back, won a title in between. 👍🏻
— Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) December 7, 2016

Myers MiL career: .299/ .389/ .521
Soler MiL career: .295/ .379/ .519

Myers ML career: .257/ .331/ .429
Soler ML career: .258/ .328/ .434

Halfcan · 12-07-2016, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

fans of both teams hate the deal, which is usually a sign it was a pretty even deal.

Soler could hit .238 and break Balboni's record and be a well-above-average performer. Hitting .238 doesn't automatically mean a player is bad.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

They could have kept Wade and plugged Bubba in there- He could hit 12 homers and .238. I guess this means they have given up on Bubba the Great?

You need a DH that is going to put the ball in play and drive in runs. He is still young though so lets hope he turns into more of a rounded hitter.

.315 with 40 homers would work.

siberian khatru · 12-07-2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

They could have kept Wade and plugged Bubba in there- He could hit 12 homers and .238.

No he could not

Prison Bitch · 12-07-2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

@jazayerli: And the Cubs wouldn't have traded Soler for Davis after 2014 even with 3 years of control. Soler is a great post-hype sleeper. https://twitter.com/stillbigwill/sta...80642028912640

Great. Now Rany is stealing from me. These people have no shame

http://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showp...&postcount=647

duncan_idaho · 12-07-2016, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Two words knocked the prospects that Duncan is looking for out of the equation:

"flexor bundle"

That's a common 'overuse' injury and it's right where the UCL attaches (more precisely, the medial epicondyle). If you're straining the pronator muscle there via overuse, you're also almost certainly straining the UCL as well.

The dude's a ticking time bomb. Maybe he makes it through 2017 healthy, maybe he doesn't. But nobody was going to give up a Chapman style package as soon as those whispers started.

I'm guilty of underestimating the injury impact and probably also underestimating Soler's potential moving forward. For sure.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Halfcan · 12-07-2016, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

This board sucks Dorsey's dick hard who hasn't won shit yet gets pissed at Dayton who has actually won shit.

I don't think anyone is down on Dayton at all-but after his moves last year, I think you have to at least question things a little. Not that it makes a bit of difference.

Most of the board wanted to keep Ben- Dayton let him walk and he was a key part in winning the WS for the Cubs.

It is not like Dayton has been batting 1000 since the WS win. Lets hope he does better than last year.

sedated · 12-07-2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rooster

Didn't the bullpen go 41.2 scoreless innings setting a new MLB record without Davis?

Soria struggled but the group as a whole was strong.

The bullpen needs to be so good that it makes up for little starting pitching and an inconsistent offense. That's a higher standard than most.

Unsmooth-Moment · 12-07-2016, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Halfcan

They could have kept Wade and plugged Bubba in there- He could hit 12 homers and .238. I guess this means they have given up on Bubba the Great?

You need a DH that is going to put the ball in play and drive in runs. He is still young though so lets hope he turns into more of a rounded hitter.

.315 with 40 homers would work.

Look at OPS instead of AVG.. It's a better indicator of what a player is capable of. His career OPS is .001 lower than Hosmer. He's had limited PA, so it could go either way still.

Chiefspants · 12-07-2016, 02:01 PM

Game 6 of the 2015 ALCS may be what limited to us to Soler.

Ain't even mad. After reading that Dayton sent Davis to the Cubs without a physical I'm suddenly feeling 110% better about this. How do you even bring that up to the GM you're trading with?

In GMDM I trust.

11-03-2016, 09:11 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1590308	* Official 2017 Royals Offseason Repository * 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. Last edited by duncan_idaho; 02-22-2017 at 09:07 PM..
Posts: 21,139

12-07-2016, 01:47 PM	#737
ChiefsCountry The Insider Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Lake of the Ozarks Casino cash: $2158752	This board sucks Dorsey's dick hard who hasn't won shit yet gets pissed at Dayton who has actually won shit.
Posts: 49,693

12-07-2016, 01:51 PM	#739
Mr. Laz Don't Tease Me Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: KS Casino cash: $11047037	Royals changed the league by having a fantastic bullpen with several guys that can constantly shut the game down after the 6th inning. That formula is pretty much gone if we don't keep our "spares" __________________
Posts: 95,626

12-07-2016, 01:52 PM	#742
siberian khatru 21st Century Schizoid Fan Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: The Gates of Delirium Casino cash: $2384950	Soler is basically Wil Myers a year ago - 25-yo RF with 4 years of club control. Dayton traded Wil, got him back, won a title in between. 👍🏻 — Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) December 7, 2016 Myers MiL career: .299/ .389/ .521 Soler MiL career: .295/ .379/ .519 Myers ML career: .257/ .331/ .429 Soler ML career: .258/ .328/ .434
Posts: 69,253

12-07-2016, 02:01 PM	#750
Chiefspants World's Best Boss Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Bronco Country Casino cash: $5654654	Game 6 of the 2015 ALCS may be what limited to us to Soler. Ain't even mad. After reading that Dayton sent Davis to the Cubs without a physical I'm suddenly feeling 110% better about this. How do you even bring that up to the GM you're trading with? In GMDM I trust.
Posts: 18,353