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04-05-2017, 10:55 AM | |
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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.. |
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07-24-2017, 10:59 PM | #4516 |
LEGEND!
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07-24-2017, 10:59 PM | #4517 |
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07-24-2017, 11:13 PM | #4518 |
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Maybe so. But, man, that would be up there with the all time one sided trades. I guess Cuthbert could develop into something but I'm amongst the folks who thinks he basically will be a glorified JAG.
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07-25-2017, 04:41 AM | #4519 |
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My hope would be that you don't need as much pen if Cahill is solid as the fifth starter, allowing them to carry another position player.
They're in a good spot on position players because of how flexible Merrifield, Torres, and even Moss are, but still, 14 pitchers is too many. Re: Cuthbert, they're going to milk his rehab assignment as long as possible to delay a decision. When that's over, he will be back with the MLB club, and I think we see the staff consolidated to: Duffy, Vargas, Kennedy, hammel, Cahill Herrera, Soria, Minor, Maurer, Buchter, Alexander, Moylan, Feliz. Flynn can be optioned, I believe. BTW, really like the depth of that pen if Herrera continues to right the ship. Good combination of strikeout guys and groundball guys. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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07-25-2017, 06:10 AM | #4520 |
Stay positive, don't give up
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@JonHeyman: even after acquiring cahill, royals are looking around for another starter. cahill's been effective as swing man in past, could go to pen.
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07-25-2017, 06:53 AM | #4521 |
Rabbi Goldmann
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07-25-2017, 06:56 AM | #4522 | |
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Quote:
That's really interesting and makes me wonder if they're willing to move Hammel as part of that deal. They have an awful lot of bullpen arms, not sure how they make room for Cahill down there, too. I do like the creativity displayed in that deal with the Padres. Unconventional approach, and because they get two controllable bullpen pieces back (Buchter isn't even arb eligible yet), as well as a cheap Cahill, even paying down Wood's salary is a somewhat even proposition when compared with bringing on a higher-price piece. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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07-25-2017, 06:58 AM | #4523 |
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07-25-2017, 07:00 AM | #4524 | |
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Quote:
There was a report a week or so ago, can't remember from where, that said the Royals were looking at "two starting pitchers," which I thought odd at the time. |
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07-25-2017, 07:18 AM | #4525 |
This is the way
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Just to remind you of the good times....
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07-25-2017, 07:38 AM | #4526 |
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It's actually not that terrible of an idea, even though on the surface gives that 'huh?' reaction.
Cuthbert is cheap, cost-controlled for a few years and has shown the ability to be successful at the Major League level when given regular playing time. Also, has been working a lot at second base, which helps with positional flexibility. Dee Gordon makes, what, $9-$10 million a year for at least 3-4 more years. The Marlins are looking to shed payroll before they sell the team. If they trade Gordon, they're going to want the team trading for him to absorb most, if not all that contract. That reduces the prospect haul significantly. I think Cuthbert and another prospect pitcher (not Staumont, Griffin or anyone like that) could get that deal done. Now, if you're the Royals and make this trade, you have to have a plan for third base going forward. Maybe Dayton really is going to make a significant push to re-sign Moose? Or you move Dozier back to 3B to see if he can stick there next season? Or you look at another cheap FA 3B option in off-season. I know the offense has been a little better lately but, man, would that lineup look scary with Gordon at the top alongside Whit. Gordon would obviously start at second, rotate Whit to the outfield. He could start in RF and could also sub in LF to give Gordon a day off occasionally, or to cover Gordon when he moves to CF to give Cain a day off. And you obviously still have Whit's positional flexibility to use in case of injury, etc. Boni would probably be the regular DH, with Moss getting occasional starts, based on matchups. If Boni struggles, you can platoon them or role reverse (ride the 'hotter' DH bat, so to speak). The lineup would be stacked top to bottom with a huge speed threat at the top. But, of course, all this is based on Glass' willingness to absorb more payroll. Don't know if he is willing to take on a Dee Gordon at this point . . . . |
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07-25-2017, 07:40 AM | #4527 | |
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07-25-2017, 07:41 AM | #4528 | |
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07-25-2017, 07:44 AM | #4529 |
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07-25-2017, 07:59 AM | #4530 |
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I am actually one of the few guys who like Hammel. He has been much better over the last couple months. He frustrates the hell out of me sometimes, but he is a very max effort guy, as mentioned.
I thought he was going along fine last night and would have gotten out of the 6th if given the opportunity. He has excelled all year in getting out of situations with runners is scoring position, one of the best in baseball, actually. Yes, I know he struggles 3rd time through the order and I certainly wouldn't have sent him out again for 7th, if he got out of sixth, but his inning wasn't that bad. He struck out Upton after the first two got on. He gave up the ground ball RBI single to Cabrera, which had it been just a tad more to the 3rd base side, its an inning ending double play to Moose. Then he gets Castellanos on the soft grounder. I think he could have gotten Victor, but Ned wanted to turn him around to the right side to hit, so he went and brought in Alexander. Oddly enough, Alexanders splits are much better against righties than lefties this year. And he is a guy you bring in when you want a ground ball. They didn't need a ground ball there, they just needed an out. Doesn't matter how you get it. Apparently, Hammel was pissed at Ned in the dugout afterwards and they had some words, presumably about just that. I could see why that 'pull' from Ned there didn't sit with Hammel. I thought he just had some bad luck that inning. He didn't look 'taxed' or like he was out of gas . . . . . |
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