*** 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.

[tk13]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

I take it he means those they don't think will get $50 million deals. I would expect Hos and Moose to easily get that, based on length of contract alone.

Cain might be iffier given his age. He'll be 32 in April 2018. Will he get a 4-year deal for 2018-2021 with an AAV of around $13M? Or a 3-year deal with an AAV of more than $16M?

Davis I'm almost sure won't get $50M. So trade Cain and Davis now.

For Cain, it's really all about his health. If he stays relatively healthy and puts up another good year, I think he'll get much more than $50 million. He's only two years removed from being an MVP candidate. I think he'd be able to get an Alex Gordon contract, if nothing else. The Royals clearly played better with him in the lineup too.

[TambaBerry]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

.

sorry for spelling dick, not sure why people have to point stuff like this out. Does it make you feel better about yourself?

[BWillie]

So couldn't teams just cock block the previous team (the 50M contract for draft pick) by just making a contract with stupid bonuses. 4 year, 49million deal but said player gets 20million bonus for chewing gum etc.

[C3HIEF3S]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

So it basically will be like the pro bowl now

Pretty much. I think that the old format was okay because the ASG was generally worth the watch for the casual baseball fan. There was definitely a degree of competitiveness. Was it worth randomizing home field advantage for the WS? Probably not.. at all, but the MLB ASG is definitely one of the most enjoyable and traditional of the major sports. The new format just makes sense and should've been the rule the entire time.

[ChiefsCountry]

Ned kicked ass in the ASG managing.

[cosmo20002]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Terrible CBA. We get screwed on our draft picks when guys we can't sign become free agents. The ASG no longer decides anything. I loved the fact that the ASG meant something. Now it's just a sham, once again. How is that good?

Never made sense for the ASG to decide home field advantage for the WS. It's an exhibition game. Might as well have the home run derby decide home field.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by tk13

For Cain, it's really all about his health. If he stays relatively healthy and puts up another good year, I think he'll get much more than $50 million. He's only two years removed from being an MVP candidate. I think he'd be able to get an Alex Gordon contract, if nothing else. The Royals clearly played better with him in the lineup too.

Watch Fowler.

Roughly the same age. Cain's a better player (probably) though Fowler has a better health history.

I suspect that both Cain and Davis will beat $50 million if they stay healthy. Davis, when healthy, is on par with guys like Chapman and Jansen - those two guys are going to approach $80+ million, IMO. Hell, I think Melancon will approach $50 million and he's both older and nowhere near as good as Davis.

This diminishes KC's leverage and their draft compensation a little bit, but not by a ton. My biggest issue is that it's making it a tad easier for the big money teams to crush FA signings again.

But on the flipside it's making it harder for them to corner international FAs so there may be some benefit there. How much remains to be seen as when there's a cap across the board and everyone's offering max, it's situations/market that can sell a player and big market teams have an advantage there as they have their high-dollar academies set up and an international presence due to TV.

Personally I think this CBA is a small step backwards in terms of parity and big/small market distinction. I don't think it's an enormous one, but a step back nonetheless.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by TambaBerry

sorry for spelling dick, not sure why people have to point stuff like this out. Does it make you feel better about yourself?

I honestly had no idea what player you were talking about when your spelling is that bad.

[TambaBerry]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I honestly had no idea what player you were talking about when your spelling is that bad.

Kit Kat brah

[tk13]

We have acquired RHP Jared Ruxer from the Angels in exchange for RHP Brooks Pounders. #Royals

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) December 2, 2016

[Coach]

Well, that frees up a spot on the 40 man roster now.

[Discuss Thrower]

Royals get Jack Schitt!

[BWillie]

All I know is Staumont is going to be the mo***f****** man next year. #5 starter who comes in and tears it up.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by BWillie

All I know is Staumont is going to be the mo***f****** man next year. #5 starter who comes in and tears it up.

He has the ability to do it. Question is if he can throw enough strikes. He threw around 150 innings in the minors/Arizona Fall League in 2016, so he's positioned to handle 190-200 this season.

Originally Posted by tk13

We have acquired RHP Jared Ruxer from the Angels in exchange for RHP Brooks Pounders. #Royals

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) December 2, 2016

Interesting and sneaky little move. Quick review shows me the Angels drafted Ruxer out of Louisville right after he had TJ surgery in 2014.

Opens up a spot on the 40 man while also adding an intriguing arm entering only his second full season since getting 18 months clear of Tommy John.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

He has the ability to do it. Question is if he can throw enough strikes. He threw around 150 innings in the minors/Arizona Fall League in 2016, so he's positioned to handle 190-200 this season.



Interesting and sneaky little move. Quick review shows me the Angels drafted Ruxer out of Louisville right after he had TJ surgery in 2014.

Opens up a spot on the 40 man while also adding an intriguing arm entering only his second full season since getting 18 months clear of Tommy John.

But you traded a guy with one of the best names in baseball.

Not sure it's worth it.