*** 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.

[Prison Bitch]

Yeah but what about the poor kids in Oakland who were devastated by it?

[ChiefsCountry]

It's a shame that the Wild Card game wasn't a World Series game. It would have went down as one of the greatest of all time then. I know how Cardinal fans felt in Game 6 of 2011 after the Wild Card game.

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by fahrenheit

That WildCard game was the first time I ever had all my children fully attentive at the TV screen watching the Royals. All 3 girls and my son... and wife even. They were jumping and cheering like I had never seen them before. It will definitely be a memory I keep for the rest of my years.

I was by myself; my wife and son were upstairs sleeping. When that ball cleared Donaldson I jumped off the couch and screamed at the top of my lungs, over and over. That woke them up and they came rushing down to see what in God's name had happened. No joke -- I could barely talk for a week after that, I blew out my voice.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

That's a solid deal for Moss.

I probably would have preferred Alvarez, but they're very similar players and would be deployed similarly. Moss does have a little more defensive versatility - he's a solid 1B and can passably play a corner OF spot.

He hasn't been quite the same since his hip injury in 2014 (midseason), but he could be a nice fit hitting 6th or 7th in KC's lineup.

Random thought on the lineup with Moss: I'd flip up the order, since Ned is so obsessed with balance.

Trade you Matt Adams for him - he'll cost way less than $12 million.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Trade you Matt Adams for him - he'll cost way less than $12 million.

As long as Garcia isn't involved.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Trade you Matt Adams for him - he'll cost way less than $12 million.

I'll trade you this guy, good 2b defender, grinder, puts the ball in play. Has had as many as 8 RBI in a game...




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[C3HIEF3S]

What do you guys think Cheslor Cuthbert's role is on the 2017 squad? From what I can see there isn't a role for him whatsoever if Moose's knee is back to 100%. The Royals have little need for him this year and, IMO, I think he should be on the trade block for a pitcher. He's young with plenty of upside, and I think that the Royals would get the most value of him by trading him for a starter.

Has anyone heard if he has been able to pick up second base? If he hasn't, then I believe we should utilize our current surplus in third basemen and fill a need in our rotation. Cuthbert was worth 0.2 fWAR last year, I think his development would benefit heavily from being able to sustain success over a full 162 (slumped hard last couple months, IIRC), and he's going to be riding a lot of bench next year if he's in KC. There isn't even much room for him to DH now with Moss. If the Royals utilized a platoon, Moss would take RHP, Soler could rotate in every now and then with LHP. Not sure where Cuthbert would fit in... anywhere.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

What do you guys think Cheslor Cuthbert's role is on the 2017 squad? From what I can see there isn't a role for him whatsoever if Moose's knee is back to 100%. The Royals have little need for him this year and, IMO, I think he should be on the trade block for a pitcher. He's young with plenty of upside, and I think that the Royals would get the most value of him by trading him for a starter.

Has anyone heard if he has been able to pick up second base? If he hasn't, then I believe we should utilize our current surplus in third basemen and fill a need in our rotation. Cuthbert was worth 0.2 fWAR last year, I think his development would benefit heavily from being able to sustain success over a full 162 (slumped hard last couple months, IIRC), and he's going to be riding a lot of bench next year if he's in KC. There isn't even much room for him to DH now with Moss. If the Royals utilized a platoon, Moss would take RHP, Soler could rotate in every now and then with LHP. Not sure where Cuthbert would fit in... anywhere.

He's been on GMDM's "untouchable" list for a while. IIRC Beane wanted to make a play for him a couple of seasons ago and GMDM rebuffed the offer. He offers the Royals the type of plate discipline that balances out the free swingers on the roster.

If there's anyone expendable in our system, I believe it would be Dozier. Dozier is actually older than Cutty (25 vs 24) and had far less Major League experience than Cutty. I think Cutty is being groomed to take over for either Moose or Hos after 2017, while this year will be a litmus test for him at 2B.

He was the most reliable bat in our lineup until July and consistently saw more pitches than anyone else on the team. I'll be interested to see if he will be able to maintain his approach now that he's more accustomed to the rigors of a full major league season.

In the end, I think the Royals will have to move either Dozier, Boni or Cutty if Cutty can't stick at 2B. Ut's also possible GMDM now has his eyes on 2017-2020 and wants to keep as many cost controlled pieces as possible. It'll be interesting to see how the Royals handle the logjam.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

What do you guys think Cheslor Cuthbert's role is on the 2017 squad? From what I can see there isn't a role for him whatsoever if Moose's knee is back to 100%. The Royals have little need for him this year and, IMO, I think he should be on the trade block for a pitcher. He's young with plenty of upside, and I think that the Royals would get the most value of him by trading him for a starter.

Has anyone heard if he has been able to pick up second base? If he hasn't, then I believe we should utilize our current surplus in third basemen and fill a need in our rotation. Cuthbert was worth 0.2 fWAR last year, I think his development would benefit heavily from being able to sustain success over a full 162 (slumped hard last couple months, IIRC), and he's going to be riding a lot of bench next year if he's in KC. There isn't even much room for him to DH now with Moss. If the Royals utilized a platoon, Moss would take RHP, Soler could rotate in every now and then with LHP. Not sure where Cuthbert would fit in... anywhere.

Trade bait for Matt Adams.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

He's been on GMDM's "untouchable" list for a while. IIRC Beane wanted to make a play for him a couple of seasons ago and GMDM rebuffed the offer. He offers the Royals the type of plate discipline that balances out the free swingers on the roster.

If there's anyone expendable in our system, I believe it would be Dozier. Dozier is actually older than Cutty (25 vs 24) and had far less Major League experience than Cutty. I think Cutty is being groomed to take over for either Moose or Hos after 2017, while this year will be a litmus test for him at 2B.

He was the most reliable bat in our lineup until July and consistently saw more pitches than anyone else on the team. I'll be interested to see if he will be able to maintain his approach now that he's more accustomed to the rigors of a full major league season.

In the end, I think the Royals will have to move either Dozier, Boni or Cutty if Cutty can't stick at 2B. Ut's also possible GMDM now has his eyes on 2017-2020 and wants to keep as many cost controlled pieces as possible. It'll be interesting to see how the Royals handle the logjam.

The difference between Cuthbert from Bonifacio and Dozier is that Cuthbert has had some success in the big leagues and could net you a return. I don't think Bonifacio or Dozier would net the Royals anything to help in 2017. There shouldn't be one player not named Mondesi that should be deemed untouchable, IMO. Also I don't believe that we should overrate his plate discipline. He walked 6.3% of the time last year with an OBP of .318. He put up a solid couple months, but I don't see why that would put him as untouchable. Just my opinion.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

The difference between Cuthbert from Bonifacio and Dozier is that Cuthbert has had some success in the big leagues and could net you a return. I don't think Bonifacio or Dozier would net the Royals anything to help in 2017. There shouldn't be one player not named Mondesi that should be deemed untouchable, IMO. Also I don't believe that we should overrate his plate discipline. He walked 6.3% of the time last year with an OBP of .318. He put up a solid couple months, but I don't see why that would put him as untouchable. Just my opinion.

Solid take, but my thoughts on his plate discipline come from his minor league numbers, I'm thinking that with more AB's (as you suggest he needs) the plate discipline we saw in the minors as well as the amount of pitches he took in the majors will start transitioning into more walks.

I do agree that trading Cutty would net us the best return of those three - but it would also be a massive risk for the Royals to take if they want to have any hope of contention from 2018-2020.

If they're in a similar spot to 2015 and one or two pieces get them over the top, I think it is a move worth making. However, in this spot, where even a #3 starter still likely puts us behind the Indians, I am unsure if such a move would be worth throwing in the towel on the next three seasons.

It's a fun discussion to have, though, and I can't imagine how the conversations in the FO have gone - especially with the pressure from Glass to reduce payroll.

[SPchief]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Trade bait for Matt Adams.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

What do you guys think Cheslor Cuthbert's role is on the 2017 squad? From what I can see there isn't a role for him whatsoever if Moose's knee is back to 100%. The Royals have little need for him this year and, IMO, I think he should be on the trade block for a pitcher. He's young with plenty of upside, and I think that the Royals would get the most value of him by trading him for a starter.

Has anyone heard if he has been able to pick up second base? If he hasn't, then I believe we should utilize our current surplus in third basemen and fill a need in our rotation. Cuthbert was worth 0.2 fWAR last year, I think his development would benefit heavily from being able to sustain success over a full 162 (slumped hard last couple months, IIRC), and he's going to be riding a lot of bench next year if he's in KC. There isn't even much room for him to DH now with Moss. If the Royals utilized a platoon, Moss would take RHP, Soler could rotate in every now and then with LHP. Not sure where Cuthbert would fit in... anywhere.

I think Cuthbert's role is as a reserve who gets a decent amount of playing time.

He should probably get a start a week at 3B, just to rest Moustakas's knee. That's 20-25 games.

Figure he gets 5 games subbing for Hosmer.

If Moss is the primary DH vs RHP, that still leaves 40-50 starts vs lefties at that spot. Cuthbert figures to be part of that solution as well. And he also is insurance if Moss, who is not the most durable guy out there, misses some time.

I haven't heard anything about him as a 2B option/solution. I know the team was planning to go that way before Moustakas's injury last year, but I am skeptical he can stick there. If he does, obviously you run with that and give him 120+ starts there.

Otherwise, I think he's a 75-90 game piece for you in 2017, who provides nice insurance at 3B and DH while also giving you a platoon option for Moustakas and Moss.

[Rasputin]

So I just got this as a late Christmas perezent


This is freaking awesome. Salvador Perez the greatest catcher in the history of history

[nychief]

Originally Posted by KC Tattoo

So I just got this as a late Christmas perezent


This is freaking awesome. Salvador Perez the greatest catcher in the history of history

He looks like Jim Sundberg.