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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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08-28-2017, 03:05 PM | #6061 | |
Rabbi Goldmann
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Quote:
I'm irked though that we aren't better THIS year. Don't understand why we keep shitting away games. Guess I got used to not seeing that for years. Cratering is fine if there's a plan. Problem: I don't see any plan. Or any farm. I don't wanna do a Phillies or Reds or White Sux reign of bulkshit |
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Posts: 87,025
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08-28-2017, 03:22 PM | #6062 | |
Banned!
Join Date: Sep 2000
Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201
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Quote:
That's a shitty plan for a low-revenue team, even if you believe one of these veterans might actually not stink. |
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Posts: 46,193
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08-28-2017, 03:49 PM | #6063 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
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Quote:
You remember the Gordon signing differently than I do. I think most saw that as a deal about $30 million under the expected price tag, one that he was likely to at least perform to (lot of projections of WAR during that time, which modeled him providing 7 WAR over the first two years of the contract (and paying for the deal then). I was one of few who liked Kennedy's signing (and he was every bit as good in 16 as I thought he'd be). Soria hatred seeped in quickly last year, when he got off to the horrid start pitching the 8th. Moore spent a little more freely in free agency than expected, in pursuit of the best available options. It didn't work out, but if he had gone with cheap guys instead and had the same results, people would be outraged about that, too. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Posts: 21,166
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08-28-2017, 05:25 PM | #6064 |
MVP
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Congrats to Dick Lovelady.
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Posts: 17,401
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08-28-2017, 07:34 PM | #6065 |
El Gato Gordo Loco
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Earth
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Remember when you guys mocked me because I was worried about our pitching staff next year? Ha.
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Posts: 46,409
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08-28-2017, 08:14 PM | #6066 |
Rabbi Goldmann
Join Date: Nov 2012
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Ian Kennedy is a complete joke
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Posts: 87,025
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08-28-2017, 09:42 PM | #6067 |
Devil's Advocate
Join Date: May 2014
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Posts: 8,679
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08-28-2017, 09:50 PM | #6068 |
I’m a Mahomo!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Mid-Missouri
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Let's set a MLB record tomorrow!
I know they have it in them. |
Posts: 54,038
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08-28-2017, 10:37 PM | #6069 |
...
Join Date: Nov 2001
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This idea that CP, or any Royals board, hated the Gordon deal is completely divorced from reality. Everyone was pumped they were spending money to keep the WS core together. I think there were several people who believed we'd probably be overpaying at the back end of that contract but the recent conversation in this thread is a 100% fantasy.
I think there is zero chance they trade Perez or Duffy. Fan favorites. I still think they'll make a run at some of our own free agents. But even if they don't sign any of these guys, it doesn't mean they can't sign other free agents to replace them. What this team is going to look like in 2018 is a complete mystery. But I have hopes that guys like Cuthbert and Mondesi can be solid major league players too. Much more worried about the pitching. |
Posts: 55,016
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08-28-2017, 11:38 PM | #6070 |
LEGEND!
Join Date: Feb 2013
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On the bright side at least we don't have to worry about Kennedy being a free agent next year!
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Posts: 16,409
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08-29-2017, 06:34 AM | #6071 |
Cheat Death
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Land of Drincoln
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#cratering
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Posts: 34,124
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08-29-2017, 06:50 AM | #6072 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
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Quote:
It will be an interesting reload. Even if the Royals fail to re-sign Hosmer, Moustakas, and Cain, they have a mix of enough solid and good players that they should not be awful. Mondesi and Soler are the only guys who are "close" with the type of upside that really moves the needle. It will be very interesting to see what the team does in FA with an eye towards 17 and 18. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Posts: 21,166
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08-29-2017, 06:52 AM | #6073 |
Rabbi Goldmann
Join Date: Nov 2012
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When does Ian Guthrie admit what he's doing ain't working? 17 home starts without a win now.
You could give a AA pitcher that and he wouldn't go that long |
Posts: 87,025
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08-29-2017, 07:22 AM | #6074 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
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Quote:
Based on the pitch chart data I looked at an Fangraphs yesterday, I'm not sure what he can change until he is able to execute his changeup again. The pitch has noticeably less drop and fade since the return from the DL, and he has ramped up use of his curve - which is his weakest pitch - as his changeup use has decreased. He needs that changeup to be effective vs lefties and to make his fastball play up a tick. His struggles at the beginning of 2015 were also hamstring related and also dinged his ability to effectively throw the changeup. So there's a glimmer of hope that he can get healthy and return to his normal pitch mix... Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Posts: 21,166
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08-29-2017, 09:39 AM | #6075 |
Damnit Peg
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Overland Park
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Duffy drunk driving?
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Posts: 23,334
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