This team needs offense and starting pitching. 'My fine covering one rotation spot with Vargas/Minor/Strahm/Mills (not Young... Never again Young), but not two.

They need to make at least a mid-range investment in a starter on the FA market, unless they swing one in a trade.

They also need another proven bat to replace Morales (unless he comes back). I'd be looking for someone like Beltran... Vet bat with pop to stabilize the middle of the order.

I expect to see Cain primarily in RF next season. Keeping him healthy is probably the most critical item for 2017. That leaves some combo of Dyson/Orlando to cover CF.


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We aren't in the Playoffs this year primarily because of 3 things:
1. Soria/Poor Off-season Aquisitions
2. Injuries
3. Our Bullpen is now human

I think our SP looks like the following:

1. Duffy
2. Kennedy
3. Ventura
4. Vargas
5. FA or Strahm
Misc: Volquez is done - at least he's done in KC. No way they re-up with him at this point. Time to move on. Medlen says he wants to come back (he'd probably re-work his deal), but why we would we do that, unless Vargas's injury appears to have limited his comeback? Either way, I think we move on from Medlen as well

Closer - Davis
Set-up - Herrera
7th inning - Strahm/Holland
6th inning - Soria - They are heavily invested with Soria. They are going to give him some rope to figure it out in 2017 before they DFA him and the remainder of his $18MM contract. JMO
Long Relief - Flynn/Gee/Young
Misc - I think we cut bait with Hoch and look at signing Holland. His upside could be significant. If he could get back into a late inning role, that might allow the Royals to avoid dipping into the FA market if they feel Strahm is ready to look at a starting role (5th man).

Lineup Needs:
OF - FA? - It would be nice to have some power in the OF. I like what Paulo did for us this year, I just wish he had more power. I think Dyson remains as the UTIL OF'r.
2B - I'm not sold at all on Merrifield at 2B, but the FA market for 2b is complete dogshit. Plus, I like his value as a Utility player; Mondesi's bat isn't ready for the MLB; and Colon won't ever be an everyday player. I think we are stuck with Whit starting the year at 2B until Mondesi is ready to play everyday.
3B/1B: I assume Moose will be back, but who knows if the ACL injury limits his mobility at 3B. One thing we do know is that Cutty's offensive production and power was wearing down as the season progressed. I don't necessarily think we need to make a move, but it's certainly something to keep an eye on in Spring Training
C: I assume they will try and re-sign Butera on a 1-yr deal? He's making $1.16MM in '16. He's been reasonably solid this year as Sal's backup.
DH: I don't see the Royals re-upping with Ken Mo for $11MM. He's had a resurgence of power, but I just don't think he brings enough value to justify that sort of money. I think we hit the FA market, but maybe they look at Dozier, Cutty or Bonifacio to fill that role? It will be interesting to see how they address this in the off-season

My 25-Man Opening Day Roster:
Pitchers (13)
Duffy, Kennedy, Ventura, Vargas, FA Starter (I'd take a chance on a 1-yr deal with Colby Lewis, or maybe a 2-yr deal with Doug Fister??), Davis, Herrera, Strahm, Holland, Soria, Gee, Flynn, Young
Position Players (12)
Perez, Hosmer, Merrifield, Escobar, Moose, Gordon, Cain, Orlando, Colon, Butera, Beltran (my wildcard acqusition at DH), Dyson

FYP

Enjoy next year because after than they will be bad for 5+ years.

I'll savor every moment.

I've seen it discussed that Cuthbert could play second. If he can handle the extra range, that'd be a nice offensive upgrade. Moose returns, that's +1 bat. A mix of Gordon/Cain/Burns (if he hits like his rookie year) would be fine.

I think Strahm is penciled in at #5. Duffy, Ventura, Kennedy, Vargas/Medlin, Strahm should be decent to good if Ventura reaches consistency.

I agree it's time to let Volquez walk. I think any gains financially between letting Morales go and still replacing the production would be minimal.

Agree on letting Hoch walk and re-signing Holland. I think the Young and Soria experiments need to be over.

Actually, Dozier had a big year at the plate in the minors and has been playing some RF. Could be the answers are homegrown.

Frankly, Ventura has to be considered a fringe candidate for the rotation next year. He was awful in 2016. If you can have a Mike Minor give you 5 decent IP each start and if Vargas is healthy, might move Ventura to the pen where his stuff may play up. But he needs to earn his rotation spot, he lost it this year IMO.

You seem to take great joy in saying this. Congrats.

Kansas City will definitely have to rebuild/reload following 2017, but the extent necessary will be determined by what pieces, if any, are kept.

If Duffy is extended (I would bet on it happening) and Ventura's light switch comes on, that's a big start in that time period.

Perez will continue to be a plus catcher for 2-4 more seasons. Position players beyond him will determine how good the team can be. Mondesi reaching his ceiling or close to it with the bat would be a major boost. Keeping a Moustakas (who I believe ages the best due to his power and simplicity of his swing) would also help.

As for 2017...

I just don't think you can realistically say "we're going for it" if Vargas and Strahm are both penciled into rotation spots. I like Strahm's potential as a starter, but he has to prove he can get guys out a second and third time over the grind. Vargas is likely to be steady and would be a quality no 5 if he is what he was before.

They have to add a starter in FA, IMO. Doesn't have to be the best guy available, but they need someone.

A trade would also work, though it would need to be with pieces that are expendable for 2017 (pretty much Dozier or Cuthbert, Jorge Bonifacio, and lower level Minor's guys).

Beltran is going to be a popular suggestion for DH due to his availability, ties to KC, and strong 2016. I would like that move a lot - good teammate, fearless hitter who can influence the guys around him in a lineup positively.


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I think Strahm needs a third pitch.

Yay, Dozier!

Might as well see more of Burns. So far though he's made Jarrod Dyson look like Kenny Lofton.

Add this to the list.

"If we just went .500 in July, we'd be in the playoffs"

"If the team just went .500 when the 5th starter was pitching, we'd be in the playoffs"

"If Soria was just average, we'd be in the playoffs"

"If we were just .500 against the AL West, we'd be in the playoffs"

How many others are there?

Give Salvy the rest of the year off.

save those knees

And avoid concussions