*** 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.

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Lol you are such a homer

No I'm not at all. Quintana has 4 years of control and is a goddamn good number 2 LHP. You don't package him with Eaton.

[Mother****erJones]

This is why I don't get the Royals. Should've spent money because the Sox and Twins are irrelevant. It's there for the taking. Detroit is aging but can still hit. Indians are the main threat.

[siberian khatru]

The Nationals were down on Lucas Giolito, and the entire industry knew it. Put Giolito together with Don Cooper, and good things can happen.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) December 7, 2016

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Usually, but re: KC 2017. You can't lump KC with all small markets for this season. We are not the Reds or Rays playing in a rough division. This thing is very winnable. Our window is open even with a team that looks .500 on paper


With Cain we were +13 last year. Really if he stays healthy (if!) this roster is no diff than last year's.

Hey, I've changed my mind.

The Royals are 3 years away from getting strafed by the !@#$ing Chisox, might as well try to grab another playoff run and see if you get lucky. They just put together a brand new rotation full of guys that can throw 100. That's unreal. Giolito and Lopez with Kopech and Rodon...man, that's some friggen gas right there. And really, they could still move Robertson for value and install Nate Jones for the future.

And while Frazier/Abreu won't get much back, Quintana will. Get on the horn with Chicago as I have to believe the Cubs see this as a direct assault on them. As JD noted, their rotation thins out a great deal after this season so why wouldn't they give up Happ, Jiminez and Candelario?

Lord, the Chisox just friggen re-loaded.

[Mother****erJones]

With that said, prospects all have a bust chance. We'll see how it goes in 2 years.

[Mother****erJones]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

Hey, I've changed my mind.

The Royals are 3 years away from getting strafed by the !@#$ing Chisox, might as well try to grab another playoff run and see if you get lucky. They just put together a brand new rotation full of guys that can throw 100. That's unreal. Giolito and Lopez with Kopech and Rodon...man, that's some friggen gas right there. And really, they could still move Robertson for value and install Nate Jones for the future.

And while Frazier/Abreu won't get much back, Quintana will. Get on the horn with Chicago as I have to believe the Cubs see this as a direct assault on them. As JD noted, their rotation thins out a great deal after this season so why wouldn't they give up Happ, Jiminez and Candelario?

Lord, the Chisox just friggen re-loaded.

They can also hold onto Abreu for another few months or another year and let him mentor Moncada when he comes up.

[Mother****erJones]

I'm curious about Royals fans thoughts on Soler? Pumped?

[siberian khatru]

Originally Posted by Mother****erJones

I'm curious about Royals fans thoughts on Soler? Pumped?

Scroll back thru a hundred pages. Jeesh.

[KChiefs1]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

WOW

Source confirms: #Nationals, if deal is completed, will send Lucas Giolito, Dane Dunning and Reynaldo Lopez to #WhiteSox for Eaton.

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) December 7, 2016

Holy shit.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

And while Frazier/Abreu won't get much back, Quintana will. Get on the horn with Chicago as I have to believe the Cubs see this as a direct assault on them. As JD noted, their rotation thins out a great deal after this season so why wouldn't they give up Happ, Jiminez and Candelario?

I think the Cubs are more likely to sign an injury rehab player like Tyson Ross and hope he bounces back and ready to insert in the rotation for 2018.

[duncan_idaho]

All right, now that things have sunk in a bit and apparently we have a few quiet minutes ... Thought I'd break down what the Royals lineup/depth chart look like with the trade in mind.

General comment: OFfensively, I think you're improved even if Soler continues to be an enigmatic hitter. it's obviously a major improvement/boost if he lives up to the potential.

Would guess the lineup might look something like this (if Dyson is traded, it changes again):

Dyson (CF/RF)
Moustakas (3B/DH)
Cain (CF/RF/DH)
Hosmer (1B)
Perez (C - for now. If Soler hits, he'll take this spot quickly)
Gordon (LF)
Soler (RF/DH)
Merrifield (2B primarily, but also LF, RF, 3B)
Escobar (SS)

Rotation:

Duffy
Kennedy
Ventura
Vargas
Chris Young/Mike Minor/Strahm/16 other guys

Bullpen:

Herrera
Strahm (still think he ends up here for at least 2017)
FA signing (could be Hochevar, could be another scrap-heap guy they kind of resurrect) or internal option (Zimmer and Staumont both could be here, if Zimmer can stay healthy or Staumont can throw enough strikes)
Soria
Flynn

That's a team that still has a big question mark at the No. 5 spot in the rotation. If Moore can swing Jarrod Dyson for a guy to add some insurance at that spot, things start to look rosier.

Jharel Cotton is a guy that seems to be out of reach for JUST Dyson by himself, but I wonder what a sweetener like Hunter Dozier or Cheslor Cuthbert or Jorge Bonifacio would do for you.

I don't love giving up those guys, but in this case you'd be picking up a controllable young starter, and exchanging a controllable young position player. I'm going to dream and say they find a way to get Cotton (maybe they throw in a Miguel Almonte or Eric Skoglund to get the deal done).

Looking at 2018 and beyond, your core looks like this:

Position players:

SS - Mondesi
C - Perez
RF - Soler
LF - Gordon
3B - Dozier or Cuthbert

Starting Pitching:
Ventura
Kennedy
Cotton

Bullpen:
Herrera
Strahm
Staumont/Zimmer (or maybe even both)

Funny how adding one quality SP and one quality/high upside bat makes that look a lot different. If you want to dream a little, let's say the Royals also manage to extend Mike Moustakas and Danny Duffy and add them to the pool. Now you've got a team you expect to stay in it for the long haul.

[siberian khatru]

Duncan, Moore also has talked about rebuilding the bullpen. You think Dyson could fetch Sean Doolittle? The Royals previously have been linked to him, and he's under control for 4 years (that includes 2 team options) at reasonable prices.

[siberian khatru]

Also, here's a wild-ass idea: If Zimmer is A) healthy in the spring, and B) impressive, immediately put him in the ML bullpen to start the season so they can get SOMETHING out of him before he breaks down again.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Duncan, Moore also has talked about rebuilding the bullpen. You think Dyson could fetch Sean Doolittle? The Royals previously have been linked to him, and he's under control for 4 years (that includes 2 team options) at reasonable prices.

Doolittle is trending dangerously close to that 'his arm may be hamburger' stage of his career.

Guys with injuries that are never fully diagnosed scare the hell out of me. Baseball is littered with guys who feel 'a knot', spend some time on the DL, have 3 or 4 truncated comebacks and then just kinda suck for awhile before they disappear.

Doolittle, like the Cards own Michael Wacha, isn't there yet. But he's getting closer. Gimme a TJ surgery over those guys with 'stiffness' every couple of months every time.

[CaliforniaChief]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Also, here's a wild-ass idea: If Zimmer is A) healthy in the spring, and B) impressive, immediately put him in the ML bullpen to start the season so they can get SOMETHING out of him before he breaks down again.

Zimmer's like my 2008 Nissan Pathfinder that needs to get smog-checked. On one of those crazy days where the Check Engine light isn't on, I drive that thing to the smog shop so fast you barely see me...get it tested, then it breaks down again.