*** Official Royals Repository, Part 3 ***

[duncan_idaho]

In this thread: All things related to the AL Champions.

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
One month in: Looking strong
All Star Break: Looking strong, probably should adjust up to 93-94 wins.
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer
One month in: Upstaged by his best friend MIKE MOOTACOS, MAN. Tell us bout your hittin, bro!
All Star Break: Lorenzo Cain starting to run away with this one.

Division Preview
Clearly, overlooking the Twins was a mistake at this point. I still don't believe in that team long-term, but they're starting to get that Magic Season twinkle about them.

Detroit is toast. Garbage rotation beyond Price and Sanchez, Miggy out.

And Cleveland... Cleveland still is dangerous if it ever clicks offensively, because the starting pitching is good enough for them to real off a 15-5 stretch and get right back into the playoff picture.

The Royals will be a division winner IF ...
1) Ventura and Duffy combine for 375+ innings of high-quality work
2) Eric Hosmer delivers on his potential with a FULL season of success rather than bursts
3) The deeper bullpen lessens the critical load on Herrera, Davis and Holland
4) Lorenzo Cain stays healthy
5) Either Alex Rios or Kendrys Morales bounces back to 2013 form

The first of these is clearly not going to happen. The second looked good through the end of May but is now eating Cain's dust (Hosmer has still been improved this year, though, lessening his valley. If he has a really hot second half, he can get right back in it). Item three is definitely the case. Item four should probably be first at this point. And Morales has more than bounced back.

Duncan’s Top 20 for mid-season 2015:

Spoiler!

1. Raul Adalberto Mondesi, SS, BOTH: Tools, tools, tools. RA has tools galore. At his best, he’s an All-Star SS who plays elite D, hits 15-20 HR, swipes 40 bags, and is an ideal 1, 2 or 3 hitter. At his worst, I think he looks a lot like Alcides Escobar. Plate discipline is his biggest challenge at this point, but evaluators are confident that will come with time. Clear No. 1
2. Sean Manaea, LHP: I still believe in the upside here, even with the abbreviated start. 6-5 lefties with his combination of stuff and deception have the ability to pitch at the front of a rotation for a long time.
3. Kyle Zimmer, RHP: He’s pitching again and staying healthy, which is nice. He’s pitcing out of the bullpen to build back his arm strength, which is less nice. But still has that high upside, just a lower floor now. Ideally, the team will use him as a bullpen weapon in September (because he has earned it) and then give him a chance to transition back to starting for 2016.
4. Miguel Almonte, RHP: Still love the body, FB/CH combo. Results aren’t eye popping, but he’s still low enough and early enough in the development to prize those things over performance. Still a solid No. 3 starter upside, and just a year and some change away from potentially being ready to contribute at the MLB level.
5. Cody Reed, LHP: Reed has popped up this year, forcing an early promotion to Northwest Arkansas. His stuff is legit, with mid-90s heat and a wipeout slider. Control still needs work, but a promising young arm (that makes Almonte much more tradeable)
6. John Lamb, LHP: Lamb has had a career resurgence in 2015, putting him back on the prospect map. He’s dominating at AAA and will be in the rotation mix in 2016, unless he suffers another setback. Fastball is back, changeup is improving, still working on the ability to throw the slider and curve for strikes when down in the count.
7. Jorge Bonifacio, RF, RH: Emilio’s little brother got off to a horrible start in 2015 but has heated up as the season went on. He also is translating BP power to game power for the first time, with 15 HR just past the mid-way point of his season. Despite his disappointing 2014, he has a chance to build his way back into legit prospect status – and still is only 22. Next challenge for him should be Omaha, but that may wait for the start of the 2014 season.
8. Scott Blewett, RHP: Blewett has a nice two –pitch mix already and is off to a strong start. With his size (6-6) and a good fastball/curveball combo, Blewett could eventually turn into a good No. 3 starter, with a MLB-average changeup.
9. Nolan Watson, RHP: The Royals’ 2015 sandwich pick is a polished prep arm who is adding velocity and explosiveness to a good, polished base. Likely to move quickly.
10. Ashe Russell, RHP: The 2015 top pick probably needs more work than Watson, but the upside is really nice. Again, advanced two-pitch mix that will depend on him adding a changeup. Could be a very good NO. 2 if it all adds up.

Spoiler!

11. Bubba Starling, CF, RH: Starling has been up and down this year but put himself back on the map by greatly improving his K rate while also improving across the slash line as a hitter. His defense and baserunning are MLB ready; if Starling can work himself into a league average hitter, he can be a solid MLB regular who plays great D in CF while hitting 15 HR and swiping 20 bags.
12. Balbino Fuenmayor, 1B/DH, RH: The Balbino came out of basically nowhere in 2015 to earn a Futures Game spot. Big power and an improved two-strike approach have turned the late bloomer into a legit prospect. He’s blocked at the MLB level currently by Eric Hosmer and Kendrys Morales, but Fuenmayor’s combination of power hitting and good average/strike zone control makes him intriguing.
13. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, RH: Cheslor probably is not going to be the star KC was hoping for when signing him out of Nicaragua, but he does look like he can be a solid reserve for an MLB club. Good defense at 3B paired with a solid plate approach and some gap power plays fine off the bench. He becomes a lot more interesting if they think he can stick as a 2B, which they have experimented with.
14. Chase Vallot, C/DH/1B: I really like Vallot’s power and plate discipline combo. His bat will probably force him from behind the plate, but he’s held his own despite being extremely young for every level he has faced.
15. Alfredo Escalera-Maldonado, OF, RH: Escalera-Maldonado earned a promotion to Wilmington at age 20, which is pretty advanced movement for that age. He’s an athletic outfielder who has shown some plate discipline at an early age, which is encouraging. Doesn’t sound like he can stick in CF long term for KC, but his bat has become one to watch.
16. Pedro Fernandez, RHP: I haven’t seen much of him, but like the reports I’ve heard on his fastball and general makeup. Could become the next Almonte/Mondesi, though he’s more likely to land in the pen than either of them.
17. Elier Hernandez, OF, RH: Elier Hernanez teamed with Escalera-Maldonado in breaking out at Low-A and earning a promotion to Wilmington. It’s still early for this guy – he is just 20 years old – but he doesn’t take walks and hasn’t developed the prodigious power many thought he had the potential for. Still worth watching.
18. Hunter Dozier, 3B, RH: Dozier is reworking his swing mid-season, which generally will cause production to do what his has done: Nose dive. The changes he made entering the season (seemingly geared towards increasing his power production) were a disaster, and now he’s trying to get back to what he used to be. Still looks great and checks most of the scouting boxes, but the performance hasn’t matched, and it almost knocked him out of the list.
19. Christian Binford, RHP: After a breakthrough 2014, Binford struggled mightily at AAA and suffered a demotion. His upside remains similar – a back-end starter who can eat innings – but Binford’s lack of velocity and reliance on command have caught up to him so far.
20. Marten Gasparini, OF, SH: Gasparini is intriguing because of his speed and athleticism. He’s a LOOOOONG ways from the majors and young for his level, but reports on his bat speed, swing, and speed remain positive enough to keep him on the bubble.

[RollChiefsRoll]

Wow. AJ Burnett has a 2.11 ERA. Wtf?

[WhawhaWhat]

Originally Posted by RollChiefsRoll

Wow. AJ Burnett has a 2.11 ERA. Wtf?

If he gets too close to the Northeast then something happens to him, but anywhere else outside of that area he's been pretty good.

[KChiefs1]

http://m.clickondetroit.com/sports/p...igers/34246276

Pitching makes it impossible to believe in Tigers

Author: Rob Parker, ClickOnDetroit.com Sports Columnist, @RobParkerLocal4

DETROIT -If you hear a sports-talk radio guy this week tell you that the Tigers will be OK and still have a shot to make the playoffs, turn the station. That take is disingenuous.

The Tigers simply don't have enough pitching to win the American League Central for a fifth straight season. Or, for that matter, win a wild card spot.

It's so obvious. Since June 1, David Price and Anibal Sanchez are a combined 11-2. The rest of the Tigers' pitchers are a paltry 6-20.

"We need to get better starting pitching," Tigers' starter Justin Verlander said after the Tigers' 9-3 loss to the Baltimore Orioles at Comerica Park on Sunday afternoon. "I need to do a better job.

"A lot of guys need to do a better job, just being consistent. And really, it starts with looking in the mirror with myself. I need to be more consistent."

The Tigers, with their bloated $170-million payroll, had bigger goals than simply making the postseason in 2015. They had its sights set on winning their first World Series since 1984.

After the All-Star break, many fans wanted to believe the Tigers could finally right their ship.

The struggling Orioles in town and the Tigers had their best three starters scheduled to pitch.

Instead of mopping the floor with the O's - who were just 3-7 in their previous 10 games - the Tigers dropped two of three games.

"We need to play better, consistent baseball," Verlander said.

The only thing worse than just another loss is that Verlander lost the game.

The Tigers' hopes for coming back in 2015 hinge on Verlander’s performance. The Tigers needed another stud starter to emerge with the struggles of Alfred Simon and Shane Greene.

In his six five starts after coming off the disabled list following a right triceps strain, JV was 0-3 with a 6.62 ERA. But Tigers' fans felt better after Verlander's last start.
Although he didn't get a win, JV looked like JV of old, allowing just one run on five hits in 7 2/3 innings of work against the Twins.

Verlander, however, couldn't build on that start. He was blasted by the O's. JV gave up seven runs on eight hits in 3 2/3 innings and he allowed two home runs.

Many thought JV had turned a corner. But one good outing isn't a significant sample size.

The Tigers entered the game with the second-worst ERA in the AL. Only last-place Boston was worse. Coming into the Red Sox's game against the Angels Sunday night, the Tigers had allowed a league-most 428 runs to Boston's 423.

Manager Brad Ausmus said he still believes in his staff: "We have to get it done."

The Tigers' lack of pitching has shown up at home, a place they used to dominate. The Tigers are now 23-25 at Comerica Park.

That's not good enough to make it to the postseason. The Twins are killing it at home with a 31-16 home record.

Worse, the Tigers have been basically a .500 team since last June. This season shouldn't totally come as such a big surprise.

The Tigers are now 45-46, below .500 after the All-Star break for the first time since Oct. 2, 2010.

"I'd definitely say I'm surprised," Verlander said. "I'd say this entire team is surprised.
"We expect to play better baseball. At the same time, you talk about the talent in this room, it allows us the opportunity to say that this isn't over."

No matter how much it hurts to accept it, the pitching spells doom for the Tigers.

The Tigers won't make the playoffs with the pitching staff currently assembled.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

http://m.clickondetroit.com/sports/p...igers/34246276

Current Tigers look an awful lot like the Phillies in 2012.

And I love it!

[gblowfish]

Have you guys mentioned what a gigantic dick Ed Farmer is? Go to this link to read the whole story:

http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/7/1...-of-the-royals

What an asshole...

[duncan_idaho]

Royals Review with an interesting look at Bubba Starling: Here.

TL; DNR

Basically, Starling compares pretty well with George Springer's path to the majors, even including the struggles at A+ and the strikeout issues last season.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Royals Review with an interesting look at Bubba Starling: Here.

TL; DNR

Basically, Starling compares pretty well with George Springer's path to the majors, even including the struggles at A+ and the strikeout issues last season.

I read a report that he had to be carted off the other day, what's the word about that?

Also, are the tigers potentially going to sell and what would they ask for price?

I'll hang up and listen

[suzzer99]

Duffy and Finnegan for Price and Cespedes.

[Prison Bitch]

Royals: Hamels, Revere, Blanco

Phillies: Rios, #voteOmar, JGuts, Finnegan, Zimmer, Fuenmeyer, Morin, Martinez


http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/7/1...ner-dark-horse

[Saul Good]

Originally Posted by suzzer99

Duffy and Finnegan for Price and Cespedes.

No way. Duffy had a good start.

I would be open to moving Colon to Detroit for Cabrera, Price, the Redwings, and the Pistons, though.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by O.city

I read a report that he had to be carted off the other day, what's the word about that?

Also, are the tigers potentially going to sell and what would they ask for price?

I'll hang up and listen

Bruised his right knee. He's OK and might play again tonight.

I don't know if the Tigers WILL sell, but they SHOULD sell. And Price's price should be similar to what Greinke cost in 2012 - top 50-75 prospect and a few interesting pieces, maybe one more in the top 100.

[Mizzou_8541]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

No way. Duffy had a good start.

I would be open to moving Colon to Detroit for Cabrera, Price, the Redwings, and the Pistons, though.

[KChiefs1]

http://www.royalsreview.com/2015/7/2...e-leake-rumors

Talking trade with Red Reporter's Brandon Kraeling
By Max Rieper @maxrieper on Jul 20, 2015, 10:00a

The Reds have fallen out of contention and with the All-Star Game in Cinncinnati in the rearview mirror, many feel the Reds are ready to begin their fire sale. The Royals have been rumored to be one of the "most aggressive" suitors for Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, a frontline pitcher they could sorely need, and may have interest in other Reds players available for trade.

Brandon Kraeling, editor of Red Reporter, talked to us about what the Reds might do at the July trade deadline.

A lot of people seem to expect the Reds to be sellers at the deadline. Do you expect them to be sellers, and how aggressive will they be? Who will be made available?

Brandon Kraeling: I expect them to be sellers at this point. The word lately has been that ownership still thinks they can snag a wild card spot (despite Fangraphs showing a 0.1% chance of that happening at the All-Star break), but even now they seem to be coming to the realization that 2015 may not be the Reds' year. I'm holding out hope that they'll do the sensible thing and capitalize on expiring assets like Johnny Cueto and Mike Leake, and even consider shedding a few luxury pieces like Aroldis Chapman who still have years left.

I think you could make a sound argument that they could capitalize on the current seller's market and go full rebuild, similar to what the Astros did a few years ago. At least, you'd start with the expiring guys like Cueto, Leake, Brayan Pena, Manny Parra, and Burke Badenhop. There seems to be a lot of rumblings about Jay Bruce being available, as well as Chapman who expires after 2016. If they go full rebuild, I think they could get a haul back for Todd Frazier, as much as he's loved here, and if they can find someone to take either Brandon Phillips or Joey Votto, I think the Reds are listening.

Johnny Cueto will be one of the most coveted players at the trade deadline. What do you think the Reds would like to get in return for him as far as position and quality of prospect?

Brandon Kraeling: I'm a bit more pessimistic than most about what the Reds could get for Cueto. I've seen people point to Jeff Samardzija as a comp, but there was another year on his deal and the Cubs threw in another pitcher. I'd guess a package centered around a 50-75 prospect, and that might even be a little bullish. Personally, I'd like to see him packaged with someone like Chapman, and then see an elite prospect come back in return.

Jon Heyman reported that Jay Bruce may be made available. Why are the Reds looking to shop him and what kind of return do you think they would want for him?

Brandon Kraeling: I think the Reds are feeling the pressure from the fanbase on Bruce. A lot of the fanbase has soured on him in the past few seasons, as he came up as a top prospect and never really materialized into that 40 HR, 120 RBI superstar people thought he would be. For all of the talent he has, he's become prone to cold streaks and his defense has fallen off of a cliff in the past few seasons. At this point, he kind of "is what he is", which is a .250/.340/.470 guy who could use a change of scenery. I think he'd command more than people think. He's on a team-friendly deal ($12M this year, $12.5M next year, $13M team option for '17), and that would certainly drive his price up, and he could crack the middle of most lineups in MLB as a lefty power bat. Maybe you're not selling on him as highly as you could have 4-5 years ago, but he's still going to command a nice return.

The Royals have been rumored to be interested in Mike Leake as well. What kind of pitcher is he and what kind of return would you expect?

Brandon Kraeling: I'd describe Leake as an innings-eater type, but not with stuff that'll blow you away. He came up under the tutelage of Bronson Arroyo, and I think that's a pretty good comparison. He's been durable his whole career, will get you to the seventh or eighth in most games, and keeps the ball on the ground and (usually) in the ballpark. He's the kind of guy who you don't really pay attention to when he's pitching, and you look up and he's given up one run in seven innings.

He doesn't throw too hard, but his breaking stuff is good and he mixes it up well. I think if the Reds do trade him, they won't get as much as they will for Cueto, but it'll definitely take a nice package of prospects. The Reds will need to be blown away to an extent, and I could absolutely see them not seeing the value they're expecting on the trade market and holding on to him for the offseason to try to get an extension done.

You can follow the latest Reds news at Red Reporter. Many thanks to Brandon Kraeling for his help.

[O.city]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Bruised his right knee. He's OK and might play again tonight.

I don't know if the Tigers WILL sell, but they SHOULD sell. And Price's price should be similar to what Greinke cost in 2012 - top 50-75 prospect and a few interesting pieces, maybe one more in the top 100.

Was greinke an impending free agent like price?

[WilliamTheIrish]

Originally Posted by Saul Good

No way. Duffy had a good start.

I would be open to moving Colon to Detroit for Cabrera, Price, the Redwings, and the Pistons, though.