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04-05-2017, 10:55 AM | |
World's Best Boss
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bronco Country
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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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05-08-2017, 09:21 PM | #901 |
(Sir/Yes Sir/Aye Aye Sir)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Diving
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More than BP, warm-ups, and the game.
Look, I'm not going to put an exact number out there, but you're apparent assertion that they should just go about their lives the same at 11/20 as they would at 20/11 seems pretty nuts. And to appear to show any concern at being 11/20 when you "super competitive guys" seems a bit out of whack. Some folks may want to claim it's a poker face, other that it's irrelevant, others might think it means they don't care, but it's hardly what ultra competitive people do. I'm not asking them to burn down the locker room, but a few more knee-broken bats after swinging at balls might help. Even if it means nothing more than they'll need a new bat. |
Posts: 116,006
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05-08-2017, 09:24 PM | #902 | |
Wasted away again...
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: in Margaritaville
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05-08-2017, 09:41 PM | #903 | |
(Sir/Yes Sir/Aye Aye Sir)
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Diving
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Quote:
And I had already done the "3....2....1..... They're trying too hard" thing. Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk |
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Posts: 116,006
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05-08-2017, 10:17 PM | #904 | |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: In Cosmos Head
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but while they are stinking so bad and so far under expectations maybe they shouldn't publicize such free time fun. its a 'look at me' moment at a time when people who invest time and money watching and going to games are frustrated with them. wearing the unis is just kind of corny. Going is fine. Hyping it on twitter is tone deaf is all. |
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Posts: 1,546
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05-08-2017, 10:26 PM | #905 | |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: In Cosmos Head
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and what, the pitching staff does care but the hitters don't? Makes no sense. My only opinion on the concert just that it isn't a great idea to PUBLICIZE and hype the appearance on twitter while playing so poorly. |
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Posts: 1,546
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05-08-2017, 10:34 PM | #906 |
Rabbi Goldmann
Join Date: Nov 2012
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But! What did you think of Garths song they came out to? Appropo?
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Posts: 87,025
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05-08-2017, 11:46 PM | #907 | |
Mahomes Dynasty
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Parts Unknown
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Quote:
Dude, its a ****ing game. These are adults who can make their own decisions. |
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Posts: 39,165
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05-08-2017, 11:52 PM | #908 | |
Banned
Join Date: Mar 2017
Location: In Cosmos Head
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Quote:
I didn't say they shouldn't go, I didn't say it is a huge deal, I didn't say they should be in the batting cage. I said its probably not a good idea to hype it when your customers are pretty frustrated with you |
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Posts: 1,546
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05-08-2017, 11:54 PM | #909 |
Woman should only make babies
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Apartment "G UNIT!"
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It does look like shit that they are out like nothing is wrong.
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Posts: 54,309
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05-09-2017, 04:54 AM | #910 |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
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Assertions that this group isn't trying hard enough/doesn't care are way off base. If anything, they're trying too hard and pressing as a collective.
Relaxing and blowing off some steam is probably more what the team needs than more work. I get he idea that the optics of that/publicizing that may be too much. But These guys are highly motivated for this year, between contract years for so many and Ventura's death. Re: Soler and Davis, way too early to draw any conclusions about that. It does indeed look like Wade Davis is healthy, which means he will be dominant. But that wasn't a one-year deal. Soler has three years of control beyond this one and huge upside. That's what KC was trading on/for. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Posts: 21,166
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05-09-2017, 05:28 AM | #911 | |
Stroking to the SB Champs!
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Flatlands of Kansas
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Also, thanks for putting together the positional breakdown in our Farm System. Very helpful. Hope you're felling better! |
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05-09-2017, 06:19 AM | #912 | |
Wasted away again...
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: in Margaritaville
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Posts: 51,179
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05-09-2017, 07:01 AM | #913 |
Stay positive, don't give up
Join Date: Dec 2001
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Agree with Duncan
Trying way too hard offensively...these guys care... hopefully they can right this ship by the end of the month...if not hope they produce well enough to bring in good prospects |
Posts: 46,187
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05-09-2017, 07:11 AM | #914 | |
MVP
Join Date: Mar 2010
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Quote:
**** you Trey Hillman, you ****ing ****! |
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Posts: 16,709
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05-09-2017, 07:19 AM | #915 | |
World's Best Boss
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Bronco Country
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Quote:
It helps teams from a budgetary standpoint and serves as a launching pad for the next part of a player's career. With Gordo's history in KC, I'd say there's an outside shot that something like this happens for his last year of his contract if he keeps up this production through next season. |
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