*** Official 2016 Royals Repository, Version 1 ***

[duncan_idaho]

And so it begins: The Royals' second straight attempt to repeat as AL Champions, and first attempt to repeat as World Series champions.

In this thread, we'll track all non-gameday action. Roster moves, prospect news, etc.

I'll start the thread as usual, with division rivals thoughts. I still like KC to repeat as AL Central champs. Here's how I see the rest of it shaking out:

2) Indians - they have the pitching (and seem to have at least semi-Kluber-ed Cody Anderson, who added 3 mph to his fastball in the offseason). Will the offense hold up? I think this is a team that ends up looking a lot like the 2014 Royals. Francisco Lindor will solidify their IF defense over the full season, and is a help with the bat. I think this club is still a year away from really breaking through - the offense still has a lot of question marks - but I like them to nab a wildcard spot.

Key Player(s): Michael Brantley. When Brantley returns - and how he hits when he does - will be critical to the Indians' ability to be good enough on offense.

Jason Kipnis. Kipnis has been an enigmatic offensive performer for the past several years. If he finally has a good offensive campaign from start to finish, Cleveland could make real noise.

Something of interest to me: For all the acclaim the Twins' farm system gets, I look at the Indians young players, and would much rather have them. Brad Zimmer is going to be a very good all-around CF. Clint Frazier has huge power potential and should arrive soon (2017). Lindor is a young stud.

3) Tigers - Old and dependent on a few stars. If Verlander and Sanchez are healthy and effective, they will be playoff contenders. I'm sure JD Martinez will continue to hit roid-aided bombs. I'm also pretty sure Victor Martinez's days as a huge power threat are gone.

Key player: Justin Verlander. Detroit people would have you believe he figured out how to succeed without his big fastball in September of last year. If that's true, and he returns to dominant form, Detroit will likely contend again.

Something of interest to me: Will Jose Iglesias stay healthy and not try to kill teammates in the dugout? His defense makes the whole group much better.

4) Twins - They won't lead the division or be in playoff contention for as long this year, but Minnesota will avoid the cellar.

Key Player: Miguel Sano. Huge power, huge K rate. Can he continue to drive the ball and be a plus offensive player? Probably needs to cut that 35 percent K percentage to do so.

Something of interest to me: Will teams challenge Sano inside with hard stuff? Working away, away, just lets his power play up. Also - will Mike Berardino continue to be the biggest beat writer homer in MLB?

5) White Sox - still managed by a shitty manager who can't control his clubhouse (The blame for the LaRoche thing really should fall on him, not the GM). Still have a shitty overall defense and a lot of douchebags on the team. They will once again look better on paper than they actually perform.

Key player: Carlos Rodon. The White Sox need Rodon to take a big step forward to make an actual move this season. He's got the talent...

And, as always, here are the prospects.

Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016:

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. 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.
3. 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.
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. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. 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.

Spoiler!

11. 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.
12. 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.
13. 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.
14. 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.
15. 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.
16. 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.
17. 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.
18. Eric Skoglund, LHP: Skoglund had a nice year at Wilmington. I'm skeptical because his K rate is lower than I like to see for a guy at A+ - just 7/9, and usually guys lose a strikeout or two/9 as they move up the chain from there - but he has excellent control, walking 1.17 batters/9. 6-7 lefties with great control who get lots of ground balls - like Skoglund - have a chance to overcome bad K rates.
19. Ryan O'Hearn, 1B/LF: A lefty stick with power, O'Hearn was a savings signing as an 8th round pick, but a change in his approach increased his power - while increasing his K rate. After Vallot, probably the best pure power prospect in the Royals system.
20. Josh Staumont, RHP: I was terrified of this guy's control problems, and he walked nearly a batter an inning in his pro debut (32 BB in 40 1/3 IP). Staumont's nasty, nasty stuff (plus-plus fastball, plus slider) could make him a very good late-inning reliever who strikes out more than a batter an inning, if he can develop average or slightly below-average control. If he really masters the control, you're talking about a potential Greg Holland type, but that's a TALL task.

[Sure-Oz]

@McCulloughTimes: Dodgers have shown interest in Wade Davis, but unclear if willing to take on Ian Kennedy's salary in the package, as @JeffPassan mentioned.

[Prison Bitch]

I was in court today and Joey Gathright was called on the defendant roster, but he didn't show. Has to be him

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I was in court today and Joey Gathright was called on the defendant roster, but he didn't show. Has to be him

That would have been epic to see him jump over the judges desk.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

That would have been epic to see him jump over the judges desk.

Rep

[TomBarndtsTwin]

I doubt attendance falls off much next year. They'll only be two years removed from a World Title, Moose will be back, all the stadium seat fans will be optimistic about the team (including Gordo returning to career norm) and the young guys like Mondesi and Cuthbert, to go along with the heart of the regime that directed this wild 2 year ride.

Now 2018 may be a different story . . . . .

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

I was in court today and Joey Gathright was called on the defendant roster, but he didn't show. Has to be him

Joey Gathright lives in the Lee Scummit area? Who knew.

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Joey Gathright lives in the Lee Scummit area? Who knew.

I was at the JoCo courthouse

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

Unloading IK's salary to the Dodgers just to resign Hos would be the most hilarious thing DM has done yet. Not only would the Royals be taking themselves out of any hopes for a top prospect in return, but seriously who in their right minds wants Eric Hosmer here with his current numbers and a contract that he will never live up to? He is one of the most overrated players in the entire game.

Truth Bomb

[siberian khatru]

Calculating Ian Kennedy's Negative Trade Value

During 2017-2020, when Kennedy’s contract calls for him to be paid $62.5 million, he’s projected to be worth $26.6 million, a $36 million deficit relative to his contract. That’s a pretty big liability.

Of course, that’s not the whole story of Kennedy’s value, since that ignores the rest of 2016; at just $3 million and as an arm who provides depth, at least, he does have a little bit of value in a market where teams are starved for guys who can throw the ball. Even with his current struggles, Kennedy has some value above and beyond his minimal remaining 2016 salary. Let’s be generous and say he’s got $6 million in positive value remaining for 2016, mostly due to the current market for available arms; that puts his overall value at about $30 million in dead money over the remainder of his contract.

Even with the Dodgers financial resources, it’s almost impossible to imagine them valuing Davis highly enough to agree to take on $100 million in payments that would come with accepting Kennedy’s contract onto their books. And since the Royals aren’t going to be factoring in the luxury tax payments in how much they’ll save, there will be a mismatch of value between what the Royals are dumping and the Dodgers would be acquiring. With those luxury tax payments factored in, I don’t see how the two teams bridge the gap, getting to a point where both sides felt like this was a deal worth making.

Tying Kennedy to Davis is an interesting idea, but if the Royals are set on doing that, they’re probably better off trading the pair to a team that won’t have to pay a tax for taking on the money. Davis is a valuable trade chip, but he’s not worth paying $100 million for the right to watch Ian Kennedy decline even further.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

Unloading IK's salary to the Dodgers just to resign Hos would be the most hilarious thing DM has done yet. Not only would the Royals be taking themselves out of any hopes for a top prospect in return, but seriously who in their right minds wants Eric Hosmer here with his current numbers and a contract that he will never live up to? He is one of the most overrated players in the entire game.

Especially if it guts our return for Wade Davis. Wade could net us prospects that could set us up for 2019 and beyond, Eric "two hopper to second" Hosmer hasn't shown himself to be capable of the same.

[Demonpenz]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

Truth Bomb

Hosmer keeps the team together and takes pressure off the others. Inside the lines mayyyne he is sigh worthy.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by Demonpenz

Hosmer keeps the team together and takes pressure off the others. Inside the lines mayyyne he is sigh worthy.

I am suprised at how much some are under valuing his leadership and clubhouse role.

You sign him and Moose probably signs. Then you put Modesi at short, teach Cuthbert to play 2B, and stick Dozier in RF. That could be a very good team.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

I am suprised at how much some are under valuing his leadership and clubhouse role.

You sign him and Moose probably signs. Then you put Modesi at short, teach Cuthbert to play 2B, and stick Dozier in RF. That could be a very good team.

Not if we sign Hos to the 7 year, 150 million extension he's asking for. If that happens we're not resigning Moose or Cain. We'd likely slide Cutty to 3rd and hope that Starling et al will find a place in the outfield.

Our offer to Hos should absolutely max out at 6/90 (and that's pushing it). Anything significantly higher than Brandon Belt's AAV would be a misfire.

[ChiTown]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

Not if we sign Hos to the 7 year, 150 million extension he's asking for. If that happens we're not resigning Moose or Cain. We'd likely slide Cutty to 3rd and hope that Starling et al will find a place in the outfield.

This. Plus, we need pitching. That ain't going to be cheap, because we have precious little that is close to being able to transition from the Minors

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by ChiTown

This. Plus, we need pitching. That ain't going to be cheap, because we have precious little that is close to being able to transition from the Minors

I think Moose would be a much safer investment than Hos. His defense and offense will likely age better, and as Duncan has pointed out, his swing is much more compact that Hosmer's and his power is a bigger need on the offense.

If we're going to make a gamble, I'd rather it be with Lorenzo. Cain will likely be cheaper than Hos, and his defense will likely age well enough to slide him into RF (ala Hunter). He runs the risk of regression (similar to Gordon), but I think Hosmer's floor is much lower than Cain's at this point.

A lot of people argue that Hos is the heart and soul of this team, but that title belongs with Salvy, the man who's locked up in a team friendly deal until 2022(?)