We can pay for a closer next season for the 13M saved by trading Davis. If you can get a return with near-mlb prospects that can supplement the current core for Davis/Volquez/Hoch/Morales, you do that. Maybe it even establishes a new core that opens the window well past 2017 if you end up with some game-changing prospects and a little luck from your own system.

In 2016:
Trading Davis saves 3.2M
Trading Volquez saves 3.8M
Trading Hoch saves 2.2M
Trading Morales saves 3.6M

That's a lot of scratch that could enhance our roster next year.

A bucket of practice balls.

Honestly, not much. He's replacement level right now

Volquez and Hoch definitely have to go at this point. I am a little uncertain on Morales but if he makes for a good package somewhere and it helps get a good deal done so be it. Keeping Davis does not prevent the team from remaining competitive beyond 2017. It's not an if/then proposition.

If we all agree Davis is one of the two best closers in baseball then there is basically no way anyone can argue the team is stronger in the bullpen next year by losing him. I hope we try to get Holland back as well.

I know people are afraid of the drop off potential after 2017 but that fear shouldn't hamper our all in push for next season. Also, the more we see of the young guys now, the more it looks the team even as currently constructed we will be competitive even without Hosmer, Moose, and Cain once Mondesi and Dozier come up. I believe losing Davis unnecessarily weakens us next season. What we are really going to need is starting pitching and we can get that with all the extra World Series revenue from next season.

Wow.

If we'd put Soria and Kennedy in on any trade offer as a salary dump we'd be in a great spot to extend somebody and sign a decent starter next year.

Kennedy is awful with this juiced up ball.

I wish. No way anyone takes on those contracts.

@matthewpouliot: Paulo Orlando
2015: .249, .444 SLG in 241 AB
2016: .317, .391 SLG in 243 AB
2015: 53/5 K/BB in 241 AB
2016: 52/5 K/BB in 243 AB

Was just about to say I didn't know the analytics guys project injury, but you got it covered.

With the rest of MLB emulating the great bullpen approach the Royals have ridden the past two seasons, KC would be smart to look at cashing in.

If, for example, they could get a guy with all-star ability at 2B (Trea Turner) who could be the everyday 2B in 2017 and be a major upgrade as well as someone who can slide into the MLB rotation in 2017 and be league average or better (Lopez, AJ Cole), that probably is more helpful than having the most dominant closer around.

They're not talking about trading Davis for long term prospects multiple years away from MLB (if they were, he already would have been traded). It would be for hole-filling assets that help immediately.

Re: Morales, in a sellers market, he has value for sure. The slow start hurts, but the guy is .330/.430/.567 over his past 150 ABs (nearly two full months dating back to June). That's a bat that would help a lot of teams.

He, Volquez and Hochevar can be traded for best return available, since they likely were not part of the plan for 2017, anyway. Would be ideal if at least part of that returns a SP who could be in the rotation by at least midseason 2017, and maybe sooner...


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Not Royals related but...
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sources: <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BlueJays?src=hash">#BlueJays</a> agree to acquire Melvin Upton Jr. from <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Padres?src=hash">#Padres</a> for Class A prospect. Financial terms not known. Likely finalized today.</p>&mdash; Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/757881759266643968">July 26, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

BJ

ROFL

Pwned!

He's been prone to the gopher ball his whole career. Let's not pretend this is a new thing. He was getting bombed in Petco Park which is a canyon. His K rate has saved him his career and it's helped him his 1st month here, but no more. He's one of the worst starters in MLb

I actually agree with this. Put Moose at 1B and sign him to an extension.

Moose looked to be in better shape than normal during the trip to the White House.