*** Official 2014 AL Champion Royals Off-season Repository ***

[Anyong Bluth]

So, I didn't see a thread started, and all the others are pretty maxed out to the point where a fresh thread would be needed soon either way.

Time to share the run up to ST & and another memorable year in the making!

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

I always liked Craig in StL but his production did fall off last year but I still think he is a good player. Now would be the time to get him if interested.

Thanks for your insight.

Boston has an OF glut, and Craig is probably the most movable/most cheaply movable player. He's available at a fraction of the cost of a Cespedes or someone similar.

It's not something to dismiss out of hand. KC would need to be convinced his struggles this year were due to lingering issues with his foot and not something that was chronic.

Of course, he's also already 30 (yeah, he's 2 years older than Butler). So this could just be the end for him.

[Sure-Oz]

@BenBadler: Congratulations to the Kansas City Royals, Baseball America's 2014 Organization of the Year: http://bit.ly/11JALac

[ChiefsCountry]

Victorino and Craig in a package deal for prospects, Boston would probably look at.

[SPATCH]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Victorino and Craig in a package deal for prospects, Boston would probably look at.

Said before that Victorino really fits the bill. Brings a good RH bat, winning pedigree, veteran presence.

Victorino + Morse

Victorino gives you a great platoon partner with Dyson and a good insurance plan in the event of a Cain DL stint.

Morse gives you good RH pop in the middle of the lineup against both lefties and righties, backs up Hos at 1B, and can play RF in a pinch (and, yes, Duncan I know how much you hate the idea of Morse in RF. I'm not that worried about it, though. I think the best defense in baseball can afford to have a shitty RF for 15-20 games). He's a very good bat for the price. Not sure we'll do much better.

I also like the Rasmus/Gomes idea. Victorino/Morse gives you a little more big dick WS champion swagger, though.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Victorino and Craig in a package deal for prospects, Boston would probably look at.

If we are granting them salary relief for massively overpaid benchwarmers, we ain't giving squat back in return.


The Cruz deal will be hilarious year 4 when he's a hobbling Kendrys Morales playing about 75 games with about 6 HR. all for $14m. And that assumes PEDs weren't responsible for the few he hits out

[lewdog]

Nick Markakis now no longer likely to sign with O's.

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/1...h-orioles.html

[tk13]

I'm assuming Cruz wasn't on PEDs this year, you think he would've been tested.

Either way. Robinson Cano was a solid 25-30 HR guy, and he hit 14 or 15 HR this year. Cruz is going to miss that 365 foot LF power alley.

[CaliforniaChief]

I wouldn't give Markakis 4 years either. I really think our best chance of getting a legitimate bat is via trade at this point.

[Sure-Oz]

@Buster_ESPN: The Rangers have been making a push for Torii Hunter, who would help to balance out their lineup.

[Great Expectations]

Infante should be much better next year. Moose can't be worse, Hosmer should improve some. I'd still like somebody with some pop in the middle of the order.

[Sure-Oz]

@MLBRosterMoves: The @Braves do not tender 2015 contracts to RHPs Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Gus Schlosser; they are now free agents.

I'd think the Royals have to take a look.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Sure-Oz

@MLBRosterMoves: The @Braves do not tender 2015 contracts to RHPs Kris Medlen, Brandon Beachy and Gus Schlosser; they are now free agents.

I'd think the Royals have to take a look.

The one I'd like to take a stab at is Kris Medlen.

His WAR is 3.3 in 2014 and 4.5 in 2013.

FIP was 3.48 in 2014 and 2.42 in 2013.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...edlekr01.shtml

That's a intriguing player, unless there's a injury that I am not aware of?

Edit: Now I see it.

Kris Medlen has found himself among the candidates to be non-tendered prior to tonight’s deadline thanks to the uncertainty that surrounds when he’ll be ready to pitch in 2015.

Medlen is recovering from his second Tommy John surgery after undergoing the procedure last March. He missed the entire 2014 season and may not be available to the Braves until the All Star break.

http://calltothepen.com/2014/12/02/k...two-year-deal/

Damn. Still, I'd take a chance on this guy.

[Prison Bitch]

He's been injured several times but why does this mean they are getting rid of him? Seems doubtful, maybe they're working out a contract to avoid arb. He isn't free

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

He's been injured several times but why does this mean they are getting rid of him? Seems doubtful, maybe they're working out a contract to avoid arb. He isn't free

Duh.

Jeez.

He is a free agent though. I'd give him a year, with a option. At some point, the R's are going to have to find a contingency plan when Guthrie falls off of the cliff in 2016.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Coach

The one I'd like to take a stab at is Kris Medlen.

His WAR is 3.3 in 2014 and 4.5 in 2013.

FIP was 3.48 in 2014 and 2.42 in 2013.

http://www.baseball-reference.com/pl...edlekr01.shtml

That's a intriguing player, unless there's a injury that I am not aware of?

Edit: Now I see it.





http://calltothepen.com/2014/12/02/k...two-year-deal/

Damn. Still, I'd take a chance on this guy.

Medlen and Beachy have both had two Tommy John surgeries but have enough service time to start getting expensive in arbitration. It wouldn't surprise me if one of those guys is brought back by Atlanta.

I actually think Beachy has more upside, as he's a bigger guy with much better strikeout stuff. Medlen is a tiny RHP who is more control based... just not a huge believer.