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04-05-2017, 10:55 AM | |
World's Best Boss
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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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05-04-2017, 11:02 AM | #706 |
The Beast Inside Your Head
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05-04-2017, 11:24 AM | #707 | |
In Search of a Life
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05-04-2017, 12:00 PM | #708 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
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Quote:
Interesting. In looking at the Cards system, it seemed like they had several corner types but not a true CF with high upside, outside of Sierra. With Fowler on board long term, I suppose it might make Sierra less critical than I was thinking. Not sure he's good enough to be the main piece in a deal for Moustakas, but he'd be an awfully good second piece. Someone asked about the return for Cain/Herrera from Washington: if you can get Robles back, major coup. He's an absolute monster. It would be putting all your eggs in one basket on those guys (and one that still is pretty far away), but he's a potential superstar. I'd be pretty excited about that. Thrilled, even. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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05-04-2017, 01:00 PM | #709 |
World's Best Boss
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Cueto and Zobrist trade updates:
Manaea: DL (Shoulder) Finnegan: DL (Back) Reed: Minors (With concerns he's at a Monty like stall) Lamb: Minors Brooks: Out of baseball I recognize that Manaea, Reed, and even Finny could eventually be studs, but watching the trajectory of these gentleman since 2015 has been interesting to say the least. |
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05-04-2017, 02:58 PM | #710 |
In Search of a Life
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I needed a smile today.
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05-04-2017, 03:32 PM | #711 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
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Location: Kansas City
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I argued pretty strongly at the time that Reed and Manaea were the only two to worry about long-term, looking back. Still think Manaea is going to be a really good major league pitcher, if he can stay healthy. Not sure on Reed - probably would be best served moving to the pen, and blowing it out an inning at a time. His fastball/slider combo would play up into a major weapon there. Same with Finnegan. Lamb and Brooks were fodder. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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05-04-2017, 03:57 PM | #712 |
In Search of a Life
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Realistically what is the earliest we'd be sellers? Let's assume we win 3-5 out of 10 from here on. No big winning streaks. Nothing to give hope we're a playoff team. Would the Nats even be buyers at this point?
It would be awesome to get prospects for Moose, Hos, Herrera and Cain. Esky's worth nothing I assume. Also assuming Hos continues to wake up. |
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05-05-2017, 07:41 AM | #713 | |
M-I-Z-Z-O-U
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Location: Kansas City
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I'd say June-middle of June is the smart target. Moustakas, Cain, Herrera, Vargas, Hosmer would all potentially be on the block. I could see them being open to moving Kennedy, if someone wants to take on the contract or is convinced he's going to opt out after this year. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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05-05-2017, 08:30 AM | #714 | |
21st Century Schizoid Fan
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http://kansascity.locals.baseballpro...ough-5-4-16-2/
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05-05-2017, 09:12 AM | #715 |
Spiraling down the Drain
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The fall is so much faster than the rise. Sad.
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05-05-2017, 09:21 AM | #716 |
Veteran
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Location: MO
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Unless Hosmer just goes on a tear and finishes up the early summer blazing I'm getting more and more confident that he will be back in KC. I just read Keith Law's article about him being worth about 20 million over 2 years.. There isn't really a lot of options for him and he's just about all hype. I just hope we don't try to give him 15M AAV to try and sell fans that we are trying to keep the band together. I'd still rank him behind Moose AND Cain to resign, he's simply not worth more than 10M/year..
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05-05-2017, 09:23 AM | #717 |
World's Best Boss
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Where are they now? 2015 Edition
Starting Pitchers Johnny Cueto 4-1, 4.86 ERA, 1.324 WHIP, 4.50 FIP Edinson Volquez 0-4, 4.71 ERA, 1.814 WHIP, 4.92 FIP Yordano Ventura (RIP Yo - His loss can not be understated from an emotional and potentially competitive standpoint for this team). Jeremy Guthrie 0-1, 135.0 ERA 15.00 WHIP, 21.04 FIP Kris Medlen - Minors Bullpen Wade Davis 2-0, 0.00 ERA .600 WHIP, 1.69 FIP Greg Holland 0-0, 1.38 ERA, 1.000 WHIP, 1.88 FIP Ryan Madson 0-2, 1.80 ERA, 1.258 WHIP, 1.97 FIP Joe Blanton 0-2 10.64 ERA 1.818 WHIP, 9.49 FIP Luke Hochevar - Injured, Unsigned Franklin Morales - Out of Baseball Jason Frasor - Out of Baseball Offense Kendrys Morales 225/277/360 4 HR Ben Zobrist 233/347/395 3 HR Alex Rios - Retired I know some vocal fans (they tend to be of the "new wave" ~2013-2014 variety), have laid a lot of blame for the last two seasons at the feet of Dayton Moore. However, judging from the offensive and the starting pitching from those teams, it doesn't seem like retaining any of our offense or starting pitchers would have been the right move (an argument could be made for Zo, but as explained, he wanted to reunite with Maddon). In terms of the bullpen, a legitimate argument could be made that parting with Wade was the wrong move. However, with Holland looking like he could earn 2/29 from his Rockies contract (if not more), with Madson making 3/22 (and with a Soria like season in 2016), I can't really say the Royals made the wrong move on passing on either of the latter options. Last edited by Chiefspants; 05-05-2017 at 09:52 AM.. |
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05-05-2017, 09:23 AM | #718 | |
I'm with the Banned
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05-05-2017, 09:32 AM | #719 |
Veteran
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Define large contract. 4 years at 16.5? I might bite on that. An injury this year would make it pretty hard for him to get anything more than 3 years, which would be intriguing to me.
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05-05-2017, 09:34 AM | #720 | |
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