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04-05-2017, 10:55 AM | |
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Join Date: Jul 2007
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*** Official 2017 Royals Repository ***
Chiefsplanet’s (Proposed) 2017 Season Title: One Last Ride
Midish-Season Update (Royals 51-47, 2nd Wild Card, 1.5 GB of ALC): We're halfway through 2017, and fittingly to the Chiefsplanet's 2017 Season Title, the Royals are all-in on what will likely be one final run with the current core. While many are worried the Royals will take a 2004 style tumble after this year, the farm system is hardly the barren wasteland it was during the Baird years. To see what's in the pipeline and what we have to look forward to, check out this exceptional list and analysis that Duncan put together of our system. https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...htmlview#gid=0 While I had the honor of starting this thread this year, Duncan will always have a VIP pass to this OP, and can add more content at any time. 2017's Burning Questions Revisited: 1. What is the threshold between being “buyers” and “sellers” at the deadline? We're buyers, baby. In April, I argued that it would be a wise strategy for us to sell if we were 5 GB or worse, but that Dayton would likely add supplemental pieces for us to load up for another run if we were 1-2 GB. On July 24th, the Royals found themselves in sole possession of the 2nd wild card spot and 1.5 games back of the division. In April I said the Royals might pull the trigger on someone like Alex Cobb and resign Luke Hochevar, but since the Rays are also buyers and Luke's shoulder hasn't rebounded, this prediction hasn't come to fruition. Luckily, Dayton Moore again proved much more adept and creative than me by adding Trevor Cahill (good call, Duncan), Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter in a single trade. Giving us a solid starter to compete in 2017, and two relievers whom we will control through 2019 and 2021, respectively, keeping Moore's new vision through 2019-2020 intact. Moore has hinted that the Royals will continue to pursue the right deals if they're there, so the fun may not be over just yet. While we may not have the bullets to pull in a "star" like Cueto or Zo, Moore's adeptness may yet again net us what we need for another run in October. 2. Can Gordo and Moose bounce back to 2015 levels? In April I asked if Gordo could at least set the table at a 265/325/425 clip and if Moose could deliver damage around a 265/335/500 clip for an entire year. This season Mr. Moustakas has been the prospect that was promised, delivering at a 277/307/568 clip as of this update. Gordo, on the other hand, has put up an unbelievably abysmal line thus far. But, if there is a silver lining, it's that Gordo has performed at a 246/311/432 line since June 1st, and if he can continue to perform near that mark, he will be more than a valuable asset at the bottom of the lineup while he continues to provide the best LF defense in the league. 3. Can Ned Yost manage a bullpen? In April, I felt that despite the poor start, Royals bullpen would ultimately be "solid" this year, but the question was whether "solid" was good enough for Ned. I argued that the Royals needed Soria to bounce back and that Ned would need to start being strategic in his L/L and R/R matchups. While Ned has still made at times baffling and frustrating decisions with his starters (such as allowing Travis Wood to try to "get the win" and still insisting on sending Hammel out for the 6th, he's mostly done a good job). MASH: Minor/Moylan - Alexander - Soria - Herrera (Credit to C3HIEF3S for the origins of the phrase) have cemented into reliable pieces, and now that Herrera is showing signs of stabilizing, our dumping of Wood, our call up Flynn, and the acquisition of Buchter and Maurer, the Royals have the potential to enter October with one of the best and deepest bullpens in the postseason. 4. Will the Royals find a boost from an unexpected X-Factor to lift them to contention? Cool-Whit, Boni, Mike ****ing Minor, and Alexander have come up huge thus far. Cool Whit is, incredibly, is second on the team in WAR and has more than replaced Zo's presence on the team. They, like the X-Factors on the 2014-2015 teams, have been critical cogs as we've raced back to contention, while Cool-Whit and Boni also have provided a rosier outlook for this team's future. It's worth noting that Salvador Perez and Jason Vargas has been beasts on offense and the mound (along with Sal providing his customary defensive excellence), but I am still a bit wary of Salvy's annual Yost assisted offensive drought as the team moves into August, along with Vargy regressing to his averages. 5. Can Jorge Soler and Brandon Moss be productive contributors in Kauffman’s dimensions? Ouch, no, but the Royals shift to power-hitting in the juiced ball era looks like one that will pay off. Thankfully, Moss is showing signs of entering his seasonal hot streak where he becomes corn-fed Jesus for a month, and we'll need him hot to keep up with Cleveland down the stretch. While Jorge has been painful to watch in the majors, his scorching performance in AAA should give one a bright hope for the future. While some may disagree, I offer Moose, Hos, Gordo, and Duffy's struggles as exhibit A for why it is far too early to give up on Soler's potential. Bonus Question - Is Raul Mondesi truly ready to be an everyday player? Ha! Not even close. However, like Soler, his progress in AAA is incredibly encouraging. With ceilings like Lindor and floors being Esky being thrown out there, it's hard not to be excited about his future. The Picture Forward There are many reasons to be excited, and not only for 2017. The Royals emergence of Cool Whit, Bonifacio, and Scott Alexander, and the fact that we have pieces like Salvador Perez, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera, Jorge Soler, Ryan Buchter, Brandon Maurer Cheslor Cuthbert, and Raul Mondesi until at least 2019 should leave one feeling pretty optimistic. Re-up Moose or Hos (and heck, re-sign Dyson while we're at it), and suddenly this team looks very much like one that could compete for the indefinite future. The Royals are all in again, buckle in and enjoy the ride. April OP:
Spoiler!
Last edited by Chiefspants; 08-02-2017 at 01:53 PM.. |
Posts: 18,353
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08-06-2017, 11:45 AM | #5416 |
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Join Date: Nov 2001
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They actually have the longest playoff drought in baseball. Haven't made it since 2001, which is amazing since that was the team that won 116 games. They seem to get into the playoff mix a lot but don't make it.
As for Billy Beane, not a good year for selling. Can you imagine if we'd traded Hosmer for Boog Powell? He is having a very good year in AAA this year, but he put up a .500 OPS in 23 games with the Mariners. He's a 5-10 outfielder with 15 HR in 400 minor league games, can steal bases but he's been caught a lot too. More importantly, he was suspended last year for PED use, so he has one strike against him. |
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08-06-2017, 12:56 PM | #5417 |
sorta mod-ish
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: KC North
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This team is the very definition of "frustrating" this year. They're like a big horsepower engine that stalls and sputters at times when you mash the gas pedal down.
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08-06-2017, 01:06 PM | #5418 | ||
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
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Quote:
Suzuki is having a pretty nice offensive year and has a much stronger offensive history than Butera. He's not going to make up for Perez, but he's a lot better option than Butera long-term. There are a few other vet catchers who have cleared waivers - AJ Ellis and Nick Hundley. Out of that group, I think Hundley and Suzuki would offer an upgrade. Quote:
You just send Gallagher back down. He's got options left and is an organizational type, anyway. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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08-06-2017, 01:18 PM | #5419 |
Veteran
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Kansas City
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Butera is worse than just another guy. The WBC play was almost unforgivable, but his weak arm, below average defense, and putrid hitting this year combined with questionable effort have me ready to call Tonya and see if she has any old tricks left in the bag.
Bring on Suzuki, Cam, or any other catcher not named Butera. |
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08-06-2017, 02:44 PM | #5420 | |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas
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Quote:
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08-06-2017, 03:32 PM | #5421 |
El Gato Gordo Loco
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Earth
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08-06-2017, 03:52 PM | #5422 |
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Join Date: Jan 2007
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Butera is plenty fine as a back up catcher. Have you seen some of the starters, let alone back ups that are out there?
I'd be ok with a Suzuki or a Hundley to replace Butera, but it's not like their light years better than him. Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk |
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08-06-2017, 04:13 PM | #5423 |
LEGEND!
Join Date: Feb 2013
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We don't hold a playoff spot anymore
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08-06-2017, 06:01 PM | #5424 |
I’m a Mahomo!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Mid-Missouri
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I'd put Gordon on the 10 day DL just to give him time to clear his head.
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08-06-2017, 06:09 PM | #5425 |
MVP
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Joplin, MO
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08-06-2017, 06:31 PM | #5426 |
LEGEND!
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Dave Holtzman @DHoltzy
As far back as @STATS_MLB can go (1974), Jakob Junis' 19 straight retired match Glendon Rusch (1997) for longest by a #Royals rookie. |
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08-06-2017, 06:38 PM | #5427 |
World's Best Boss
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bronco Country
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Going into this doubleheader, I would not have been surprised to learn that one of our starters gave up 1 run over eight and the other would be bombed for 7 in the first two innings.
But because baseball, I'd have had the starters backwards. Not a bad series, overall. Feliz continues to impress me and Melky's starting to party like it's 2011. However, as the biggest Gordo defender on the site, watching his AB's with RISP today was straight up painful. His time as a defensive replacement should be coming soon. Especially with what Boni, Cain and Melk bring to the lineup. |
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08-06-2017, 06:45 PM | #5428 |
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Join Date: Nov 2001
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I am just highly skeptical they are going to run Melky and Boni out there in the K everyday. We'll see. This organization has always valued defense higher than just about everyone else. Even that aside, that's a lot of ground for two subpar defenders to cover.
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08-06-2017, 06:53 PM | #5429 |
World's Best Boss
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bronco Country
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I agree with you, but it's becoming flat out impractical to trot out two sub .600 OPS guys at the bottom of the lineup. If Gordo could hit at least at Alex Rios levels, it's a different conversation.
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08-06-2017, 06:54 PM | #5430 |
#RIPAce
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: So Cal
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Behind the GB thing, keep in mind that we're two games better than TB and 3 better than SEA in the loss column. Just saying.
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