*** Official 2015 Royals Repository ***

[duncan_idaho]

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

Duncan's Official Team Record prediction: 90 wins
Duncan's Official Team MVP prediction: Eric Hosmer

I can't wait for this season to start. The AL Central should be a very entertaining race. I'll give brief thoughts on each team the Royals must contend with to make it back to the postseason - strengths and weaknesses.

Detroit Tigers:
Strength: The offense is still full of powerful hitters, and Miguel Cabrera may be healthier.
Weakness: Rotation is questionable after Price and Sanchez, bullpen continues to be horrible.

Cleveland Indians:
Strength: Great manager and a deep, versatile lineup.
Weakness: The rotation is a question mark past Corey Kluber, and even he has a few questions about him.

Chicago White Sox:
Strength: 1-2-3 combo of Sale, Quintana and Samardzija is pretty formidable. Offense is anchored by Jose Abreu, too.
Weakness: Defense still has major questions, and this team has 20 games to improve by if it really wants to make the playoffs.

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

Let's get this started!

[tomahawk kid]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

someone needs to take the bat to the mound to end this hbp nonsense

I agree.

Start charging the a-holes. That'll end it real quick.

[KCUnited]

Originally Posted by alnorth

If a player took a bat to the mound and swung it at the pitcher, they might be banned from baseball for life and probably charged with a crime.

So we thinking Jirschele here?

[milkman]

Originally Posted by alnorth

If a player took a bat to the mound and swung it at the pitcher, they might be banned from baseball for life and probably charged with a crime.

Demonpenz.

[ChiefsCountry]

Originally Posted by DJJasonp

But with less seats now, compared to 1980, correct?

And while KC metro is larger now, we lost a bunch of our old territory in Colorado, Wyoming, Western Kansas, Dakotas with addition of the Rockies.

[Anyong Bluth]

What are people's thoughts on looking at another arm to strengthen the rotation maybe around the trade deadline? We've only had 2 quality starts in the last 13 games prior to last night- and last year I believe we led the majors in quality starts for all of MLB.

Assuming you get down to playoff baseball, a 4 man rotation is possible if you're unsure of your backend guys when the stakes are raised.

A guy like Zimmerman off the Nationals is a FA next year, and unless they quickly turn it around he could be an option to rent an arm for down the homestretch.

Hammels is another name already being floated- but word is that the Cubs, and now the Cards are keen on possibly making a move for him, so that might drive up the compensation not to mention you're adding future payroll since he still has, I believe, 3 more years on his contract.

Edison has been so far a very solid replacement for James, but Guts and Vargas have looked shaky at best. Guts has typically had a better 2nd half after the All Star break, and while Ventura hasn't been lights out, I have faith in him putting together a solid campaign over the course of the season.
I think Duffy will actually only keep getting better as he gets more and more into a routine after looking great prior to his injury, but that may be the homer in me because I ****ing love Duffy.

Somebody like Zimmerman seems like a decent upgrade whose finishing out his contract and would be easily justifiable for the organization looking to better the results from their 2014 postseason run.

Thoughts?

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

And while KC metro is larger now, we lost a bunch of our old territory in Colorado, Wyoming, Western Kansas, Dakotas with addition of the Rockies.

Not important. The Royals did a survey circa 2000 on their fan base (I took this survey as a season tix holder which I'm not any longer). The survey found something like 8% of attendees cam from outside the 9 county metro or whatever, and of that 8% a good chunk came from close areas like Topeka, St Joseph, etc. We had almost no fans from outside Kansas or Missouri, perhaps 1%

[Pitt Gorilla]

I think the appeals offer a wonderful opportunity to engage MLB. Questions focusing on what our plan of action should be to counter the unusually high number of HBP will be asked.

The fact that we've lost Rios and Escobar to this nonsense really stinks.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Anyong Bluth

What are people's thoughts on looking at another arm to strengthen the rotation maybe around the trade deadline? We've only had 2 quality starts in the last 13 games prior to last night- and last year I believe we led the majors in quality starts for all of MLB.

Assuming you get down to playoff baseball, a 4 man rotation is possible if you're unsure of your backend guys when the stakes are raised.

A guy like Zimmerman off the Nationals is a FA next year, and unless they quickly turn it around he could be an option to rent an arm for down the homestretch.

Hammels is another name already being floated- but word is that the Cubs, and now the Cards are keen on possibly making a move for him, so that might drive up the compensation not to mention you're adding future payroll since he still has, I believe, 3 more years on his contract.

Edison has been so far a very solid replacement for James, but Guts and Vargas have looked shaky at best. Guts has typically had a better 2nd half after the All Star break, and while Ventura hasn't been lights out, I have faith in him putting together a solid campaign over the course of the season.
I think Duffy will actually only keep getting better as he gets more and more into a routine after looking great prior to his injury, but that may be the homer in me because I ****ing love Duffy.

Somebody like Zimmerman seems like a decent upgrade whose finishing out his contract and would be easily justifiable for the organization looking to better the results from their 2014 postseason run.

Thoughts?

I'd love it if the Nats actually put Zimmermann on the market, but I doubt they do. They'll get back into the race and make a strong run, IMO.

Hamels cost will likely be prohibitively high and he still has a BIG contract. I can't see the Royals making that move. Reuben Amaro is a nutjob in terms of what he asks for back in trade.

You have to see how the market develops and certainly be open to making a move at some point.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I'd love it if the Nats actually put Zimmermann on the market, but I doubt they do. They'll get back into the race and make a strong run, IMO.

Hamels cost will likely be prohibitively high and he still has a BIG contract. I can't see the Royals making that move. Reuben Amaro is a nutjob in terms of what he asks for back in trade.

You have to see how the market develops and certainly be open to making a move at some point.

TK and I were having the discussion about the concern of Guthrie's velocity is dropping, and TK thinks that Chris Young would be a good person to move to the 5th rotation. He won't give us 8 innings right off the bat, and I agree, but I think Young would be a good option to use in the 5th spot, if Guthrie continues to struggle.

[Anyong Bluth]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

I'd love it if the Nats actually put Zimmermann on the market, but I doubt they do. They'll get back into the race and make a strong run, IMO.

Hamels cost will likely be prohibitively high and he still has a BIG contract. I can't see the Royals making that move. Reuben Amaro is a nutjob in terms of what he asks for back in trade.

You have to see how the market develops and certainly be open to making a move at some point.

With respect to Zimmerman, the talk has also been about that he isn't going to be back in 2016, and they are keen at getting something of value as opposed to just letting him walk in FA. It's a 2 fold reason for why he may be on the block, and while being in contention or not does factor into it, the front office is eager to get some value as opposed to simply hitting FA.

At this point, who knows what types of offers would be enough to entertain the thought of them trading him?

Last year, so many teams were still hovering around contention come the deadline that a lot of guys who were thought would become available for teams inquiring never panned out.

No doubt I'm ecstatic about their current record and play, but starting pitching over 162 games is a grinder, and 1 more high quality arm I think could really push this team over the edge of taking it the distance. Assuming there isn't a continual rash of injuries- which you can't do anything about.

[alnorth]

Escobar has been placed on the 7-day concussion DL. This is a fairly new type of DL that was introduced recently.

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Escobar has been placed on the 7-day concussion DL. This is a fairly new type of DL that was introduced recently.

Calixte back up?

[Al Bundy]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Calixte back up?

Yes.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Coach

TK and I were having the discussion about the concern of Guthrie's velocity is dropping, and TK thinks that Chris Young would be a good person to move to the 5th rotation. He won't give us 8 innings right off the bat, and I agree, but I think Young would be a good option to use in the 5th spot, if Guthrie continues to struggle.

Young is EXCELLENT depth/insurance.

I'd be fine with him getting time in the rotation if one of Guthrie or Vargas continues to scuffle.

Zimmermmann is interesting, Anyung. I hadn't thought about that aspect of it... I imagine the price would be fairly high (and probably titled to position talent because the Nats' pitching staff is in great shape with Roark, Strasburg, Gio, Fister and Scherzer for this year, and has studs like AJ Cole and Lucas Giolito on the way in the next year or two).

[BigCatDaddy]

Hopefully Medlen can contribute mid season.