*** 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!

[Prison Bitch]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

If he does that, he probably accepts the mutual option and tries to rebuild his value next year. Or possibly is in position for the team to offer him an extension that's good for both sides.

Markakis wasn't much better than the line you just quoted (.276/14) last year and got 4 years/$44 million on the FA market. That's below Gordon's option year value.

Ah, forgot about that option. Yeah he'd take it and we would too obv.

[Hootie]

lmfao

yeah let's dump Gordon, brilliant insight from our brilliant 82 win predictor Prison Bitch

[C3HIEF3S]

Hahahah. The great New York Yankees.

Roster Moves: Sign RHP Kyle Davies to ML contract and selected to 25-man roster from @swbrailriders, designate LHP Matt Tracy for assignment

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) April 12, 2015

[CoMoChief]

Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S

Hahahah. The great New York Yankees.

Roster Moves: Sign RHP Kyle Davies to ML contract and selected to 25-man roster from @swbrailriders, designate LHP Matt Tracy for assignment

— Yankees PR Dept. (@YankeesPR) April 12, 2015

That pos is still in baseball? How?

Shit I better go find some desperate ML team to try out for if theyre just gonna sign anyone. I could use a ML contract in my budget lmao.

[ChiefsCountry]

.

[tk13]

ESPN with a very complimentary discussion about the Royals on Baseball Tonight. Buster Olney talking about how they have a chip on their shoulder, and want to prove all the prognosticators like him wrong. Karl Ravech talked about how everyone picked them to finish 3rd or 4th behind the Tigers/Indians/White Sox.

Aaron Boone said it feels like they've grown up from juniors to seniors, and how Moose and Cain and Hosmer have stepped up their game. Tim Kurkjian said if they hit, they will be in the playoffs because they have a great bullpen and the best defense in the league.

[Discuss Thrower]

Nedcuss Yosther:

Alcides - 6
Moose - 5
Cain - 8
Kendrys - 3
Gordo - 7
Rios - 9
Salvy - DH
Infante - 4
Kratz - 2
Duffy - 1






.......?

[alnorth]

Here's a pretty nice article

Until further notice, Royals should be considered AL frontrunners

Excerpt:

As a lousy pickup basketball player, I’m well acquainted with the sensation: I’m open. I have a clear look at the basket. I catch the pass cleanly. I square up, release . . . and then realize, as soon as the shot leaves my fingertips, that I’ve chucked up a brick.

That’s how I feel about having predicted the Kansas City Royals will miss the playoffs.

[Prison Bitch]

Karros said the Royals are a team of young veterans. That's a good way of putting it.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Here's a pretty nice article

Until further notice, Royals should be considered AL frontrunners

Excerpt:

Nice.

[Mama Hip Rockets]

Originally Posted by tk13

ESPN with a very complimentary discussion about the Royals on Baseball Tonight. Buster Olney talking about how they have a chip on their shoulder, and want to prove all the prognosticators like him wrong. Karl Ravech talked about how everyone picked them to finish 3rd or 4th behind the Tigers/Indians/White Sox.

Aaron Boone said it feels like they've grown up from juniors to seniors, and how Moose and Cain and Hosmer have stepped up their game. Tim Kurkjian said if they hit, they will be in the playoffs because they have a great bullpen and the best defense in the league.

Word.

[BWillie]

Originally Posted by Prison Bitch

Alex picked a shitty time to have a shitty start. Not gonna help his contract demands.

I've always said to dump him anyway after the season. Hopefully DM doesn't fall for the whole "clubhouse character" scheme.

Six games bro. Its six games. Come on man.

[KevB]

Originally Posted by alnorth

Here's a pretty nice article

Until further notice, Royals should be considered AL frontrunners

Excerpt:

Morosi said much the same thing when he was on with Hud and Ryan yesterday. He knows his stuff, I was impressed with him during their conversation.

[Sure-Oz]

Heard the game on radio...what did trout do to piss off Ventura? It'd be dumb to talk shit down 6-2

[Prison Bitch]

Morosi repents, declares Royals the AL fave:

http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/k...trunner-041215