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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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#6676 |
21st Century Schizoid Fan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Gates of Delirium
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Nice:
Bonus: Hearing Fred White call a HR. |
Posts: 69,382
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#6677 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas
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Very cool of Balboni.
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Posts: 22,038
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#6678 |
MVP
Join Date: Feb 2013
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Does Kennedy need surgery after the season and he's just been doing the best he can to finish the season? He's been a completely different pitcher before and after that DL stint back in May.
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Posts: 17,529
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#6679 |
The Insider
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Lake of the Ozarks
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Jon Heyman had a story on it as well. Heyman is well known for being Scott Bora's mouthpiece. He had the Royals right along with the Yankees and Red Sox. Hosmer resigning looks very good IMO.
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Posts: 49,980
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#6680 | ||
21st Century Schizoid Fan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Gates of Delirium
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Former KC Star-Times beat writer Tracy Ringolsby had a really good interview with Balboni this week:
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Posts: 69,382
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#6681 | |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Aug 2005
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Posts: 43,200
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#6682 |
21st Century Schizoid Fan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Gates of Delirium
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Posts: 69,382
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#6683 |
Special Teams ACE!!!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Where the hell is SNR
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How do we rebuild our bullpen? I want my cyborgs back!
![]() We'll see what a full offseason does for some of these guys. That San Diego trade really ended up biting us in the ass, because Matt Strahm would be a really nice piece to have right now. I still have hope that Buchter can improve and be more reliable. And I know I probably won't get my wish, but I really really really hope we give Soria the Omar Infante treatment. If he stays on the team, Ned's only going to be more convinced that he belongs in an 8th or 9th inning role. I guess Dick Lovelady FTW? |
Posts: 90,904
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#6684 |
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2013
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We're only 3.5 games back. Man that sucks.
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Posts: 2,410
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#6685 |
...
Join Date: Nov 2001
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Mike Minor looking like a closer out there.
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Posts: 55,078
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#6686 |
The Insider
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Lake of the Ozarks
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I was gone all night and just got home. No Royals posts tonight for our win.
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Posts: 49,980
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#6687 |
21st Century Schizoid Fan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Gates of Delirium
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Hey, you quitters, Royals won! 1-0!
Jays went about as meekly as you can in the 9th. |
Posts: 69,382
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#6688 |
Debunking your bullshit
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: KC area
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Ned should be fired for not using Gore to run for Salvy with no outs in the 9th up 1-0.
Don't care if they won anyway. Fireable offense. |
Posts: 52,592
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#6689 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
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Quote:
Matt Strahm blowing out his knee randomly was a major blow, as was not having him perform as well this year as he did last year. We'll see how he comes back, and if he can successfully move to the rotation. Buchter has been fine (not great, not good, but fine). Maurer and Cahill have been failures. Best thing for the Royals is a healthy and focused Soria. He was having a very nice year until the end of July. He'll get the infante treatment if he's still terrible at the ASB break next year, as he will be a true sunk cost at that point. Right now, there's no downside, really, to bringing him back and hoping he can handle the 7th. If I'm KC, I try to get back to that elite bullpen (if I'm trying to win in 18) by working to bring minor back and give him the closer job. Move Herrera and Soria back a slot and hope they perform better in less stressful roles. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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Posts: 21,223
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#6690 | |
Wasted away again...
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: in Margaritaville
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Posts: 51,302
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