I'm not convinced the Royals are going to be that bad after 2017.
Cains is replaced by Starling
Moose is replaced by Dozier
Escabar is replaced by Mondesi

Gordon and Perez will still be here.
Ventura, Kennedy, Zimmer, and Almonte are here.

You need RF, 1st, and 2nd. Hopefully, there are guys in the minors to fill those spots.

You're taking a LOT on faith.

Almonte needs to develop at least one more consistent off-speed pitch to be a starter; a high hurdle at this level. Zimmer needs to manage to stay healthy. Gordon will be into his decline years as will Perez given his position and workload. Hunter Dozier is a guy who's never managed an OPS above .650 in AA despite never being significantly under-aged for his level - I'd hold off on annointing him as a surefire replacement for an All-Star level player.

Starling's a fascinating player but again, you're talking about a kid that's still never truly had a good full season now 4 years into his professional career. The talent appears to be there but you're asking him to replace a truly elite CFer. Even if he does fulfill that ability, you're setting the bar remarkably high for him.

Mondesi is an exceptional talent but still hasn't ever had a truly standout season (though unlike Dozier, I don't really care because he's just so young). He's a guy that could develop into a true upgrade on Escobar but I'd say that's no better than a 50/50 proposition given just how far away he is right now.

Now I'm not saying some of those things can't occur, but all of them absolutely will not.

Yeah, Kinsler. Fixed.

I admit, I am an optimist.

Upton is proj 3.4 wins on Steamer, edging them slightly past us at 33.2-32.7 (Upton's replacement option was essentially worthless, so it's all him). Now its

Cleve: 86
Det, KC, White Sux 81
Twinks 78

If that was at all accurate then signing Upton was prob necessary for Detroit to have a chance to contend.

What's hilarious is they can sign these bigger name guys to $100+ million contracts, but continue to have a pitiful bullpen, weak rotational pitching in their back end, and mediocre defense. Now, they’re not Cleveland level defense bad, but they seem to be of the mindset of stacking their order, having 2 ace pitchers, and band aid the rest.
Baseball is such a streaky game, it's my opinion that a team of high quality guys is going to payoff as opposed to having 3 or 4 megastars. Over 162 games it's not feasible to have to rely on a few guys to carry you day in and day out.
The Royals have a lot of good "solid" players and often times a different guy did step up and help the team when another guy or guys had an off night.

All the talk about the Mets having 4 ace quality starters couldn't match a Royals team that had no real weakness. Our D, and bullpen were outstanding, but overall everything the team did in every aspect of the game was mostly average to good, but more importantly there was no weak link in the chain.

You're making some huge assumptions that any of those guys will be good.
I think the recent success of having several home-grown guys turn out so well recent years is making people think it happens so easily all the time.

Eh, it works both ways.

The Marlins that knocked off the Yankees several years ago were the best example I can recall of a team that was sound but not spectacular across the board. The Red Sox teams in the mid 2000s, OTOH, had holes everywhere and a spotty bullpen but won with a killer middle of the order and a couple of aces.

Both approaches works so you have to build around what you have. The Tigers have too many holes to just fill them all with sound guys so they're trying to build around a couple of stars.

It might work. It probably won't. But you can say that about every team and every approach - nobody's a better bet than the field in baseball.

I don't remember Dayton Moore's exact quote but, he wants the Royals to be good for the long haul. Not just a few years. I think he has a plan to feed the major league team with rookies to keep them winning. Maybe not the World Series every year but, they'll never be the door mats they used to be.

A yearly payroll off 110-125 mil doesnt hurt either.

I'm putting myself on the 60-Day Message Board DL. See you dudes in a couple months for Spring Training.

https://media.giphy.com/media/yoJC2t...cg8M/giphy.gif

Not getting boned in the competitive balance draft every year would help.

ICYMI, Rustin Dodd is the Star's new Royals beat writer. He's leaving the Beaker beat.

Of all things related to the Royals minor league team, I do feel confident saying Mondesi's floor is Escobar's current level of contribution: Great defensive player whose offense is driven by average year to year but is just OK for the position.

He's going to be a quality big-league regular even if he's a .250 hitter because of his defense and base running. Obviously, there is more in the tank there because of his tools.

Only thing I'd quibble with is that I'd have to give Starling credit for having a good minor league season in 2015, his first since his first season in the minors. He OPS'd .750ish in his first go at AA while playing excellent defense and then performed well in the Fall League.

It will be interesting to see if he can build on that in 2016. His 2015 actually compares very closely with what George Springer did the year before he broke out, after struggling in years prior.

Like I said - Starling is intriguing, but if not for his draft position would his 2015 season do anything to make you take pause? Probably not.

You're absolutely correct that 2016 will likely tell the tale on him - but 2016 ain't here yet so that's why I'm saying that he was putting a lot on pure faith. Starling needs to have that breakout minor league season before I think you can consider him even a major league regular, let alone one of the most valuable CFers in the game.

His draft position supports the idea that the talent is there and his 2015 season suggests that maybe he's not completely lost, but he was damn near shipped away for a bag of magic beans after another underwhelming season in 2014 and a disastrous AFL stint because the Royals front office thought he was a bust.

So one seasons that was good but not great in AA (in the notoriously hitter-friendly Texas League, no less) and now we're penciling him in as a Cain replacement? And really, if the Texas League isn't the most hitter-friendly league in all of professional baseball, the PCL is - even Omaha may not give you a great idea of what he has. Obviously he can only play where his teams are situated, but man you'd like to get him a lap through the International League to get a better feel. The Carolina League is usually a pretty fair league but it took him a 2nd pass at it as a 22 yr old in A+ to finally get it figured out.

In the AFL, against the most advanced pitching he's faced (and in yet another hitter friendly environment), he struck out 25 times to only 6 walks in his 90 PAs. That's gotta make you nervous, especially in light of the 30-3 ratio over 85 PAs he put up in the AFL in 2014.

Starling has tools and maybe the breakout will come, but folks need to pump the brakes on the kid. There are some pretty substantial holes in his game still and until that breakout actually happens, I'd stand down on counting on him as much more than a 4th OFer, let alone an All-Star caliber player.

The Royals must release someone from their 40 man roster to make room for Ian Kennedy. Any idea who it might be? They lost Lane Adams to the Yankess when they made room for Gordon's return.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Cleaned, polished and engraved! After spending some time getting ready at Tiffany &amp; Co., the trophy is back home. <a href="https://t.co/PbmowUECza">https://t.co/PbmowUECza</a></p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/status/689860796252160000">January 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
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I can only get so erect.

Didn't see this posted yet but Rustin Dodd is the new Royals beat writer for the KC Star. He was covering KU previously.

Six posts down, brah. ;)

Didn't see this posted yet, but the Royals won the 2015 World Series

Nice, he's a good writer and does some really great stories that have some more depth than your typical beat writer. Actually, I think his writing is better than Andy's, but no one is going to top Andy's twitter.
I know his sister, very pretty girl.

Good to know. Me being a Mizzou man, I, uh, was not too familiar with Rustin's work. :D

So do the teams get a replica for permanent display?
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Post pics or GTFO. :D

They display the original. A new one is made each year.

I'd say "cute" more than pretty but she's definitely a 7

Poh-tay-toh / Poh-tah-toh

I'd say 7 is low, but beauty is in the eye of the beholder. She's got an infectious smile and personality. All things considered, I'd marry the girl.

Im guessing Mondesi rules out any chance we sign Howie Kendrick?

I'm not seeing Springers troubles in minor league play

Been erect since October. Should I seek medical treatment?

well, that's what I thought, but I guess I was surprised it needed maintenance already so I thought maybe I was wrong. But I suppose it probably has been handled quite a bit.

That's exactly it. Vahe Gregorian did a video and story on the trophy back in November or December and noted that not only was it smudged with fingerprints, but that you could still see champagne stains on it.

So it was sent off to be cleaned, polished and engraved, and will receive the white-glove treatment from now on.

I presumed he meant Springer's very brief struggles in AA during his age 22 season.

I don't think that's exactly a fair comparison given that it was his first full season as a professional and while Starling proceeded to have an okay AFL, Springer absolutely detonated the league at 22.

And if anybody's ready to say that Starling's set up for the kind of season that Springer had at 23....well I'll gladly take that bet. 37 bombs, 45 SBs, a .411 OBP and a strong BB rate to help off-set the relatively high K rate. Even more amazing is that the guy got better in AAA (which goes back to my position that the PCL isn't much better than the TX league to determine what you truly have in a hitter).

If the Royals are extremely lucky, they'll get a player similar to Chris Young in his D-Backs days, IMO. And again, that presumes a fair amount of development that still needs to come for Bubba. And also remember that the 20-25 HR seasons that Young had in AZ are probably 15-18 HR seasons in KC.

That's not without value, but A) it requires additional positive development from Starling that can't be counted on and B) it's still not as good as Lorenzo Cain.

Seems like ur sorta beating a straw man here. Cain is elite, top 10 WAR past two years and 3rd in the MVP voting. I doubt you'll get any resistance to the idea a prospect won't match that.

True. I was mostly speaking to the one guy that said the Royals wouldn't drop off much if they lost Cain and Moose because they have Hunter Dozier and Bubba Starling. Even in the unlikely event that both of those guys develop into plus major leaguers, they aren't going to give you the 10-12 WAR that those 2 guys are capable of giving you. You'll be lucky to get half that from them. That's pretty substantial.

Well, shit. Was posting in foggy reference to a comparison of the two Fangraphs did this summer that compared them based on age and actually lined them up pretty closely.

Disregard said point.

With Starling, the HOPE would be he can be a Mike Cameron type at the high end (.260 hitter who drills 15-20 HR while stealing 25-30 bases and playing elite defense).

Chris Young is also a good offensive comparison to what you can realistically hope he can at this point, though his defensive value would project higher.

Overall, he still has much to prove... But has provided positive movement in that regard for the first time in several years.

Is this the season Hosmer becomes a superstar?

Sure

Just looking at the schedule...obviously April 3rd is going to be one of the greatest days ever, with Noah Syndergaard there to watch us get our rings and raise our flag.

But then a day off, then a game, then TWO days off before a 3-game series at the K against Minnesota.

I noticed they pushed the start times back as well this. 7:15 is the normal start time instead of 7:10. Make some more time slots for the tv and radio networks I assume.

My penis is still over 9000.

I should be able to make that one. My seats should be the same as opening day last year right by the flags in left field.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Manfred also said NL adopting DH is gaining momentum. Expect it to be addressed in upcoming CBA, so could be for &#39;17 season. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/mlb?src=hash">#mlb</a></p>&mdash; David Lennon (@DPLennon) <a href="https://twitter.com/DPLennon/status/690246814889422850">January 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
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They also moved the trade deadline to 8/1 this year because 7/31 is a Sunday and they don't want to have to pull guys out of the midday Sunday games.

Royals porn:

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2017

Here's another guy that I wonder if the Royals took any consideration. He would fit in the bargain bin for at least some depth.

Mike Minor.

Mike had surgery for a torn labrum in May 2015.

What's the recovery time and likelihood of returning to form?

While he is fully recovering, would KC need to put him on their 40 man roster?

Last year Minor made $5.6 M. What would it take to sign him?

So why does the MLB net ticker list Jonny Gomes as a 'key' free agent.

cause he is awesome on the stick

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Source: Cespedes deal with <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Mets?src=hash">#Mets</a> includes no-trade clause. Had higher offers. Pending physical. <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman">@Jonheyman</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/JimBowden_ESPN">@JimBowden_ESPN</a> on it.</p>&mdash; Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) <a href="https://twitter.com/Ken_Rosenthal/status/690747557849468928">January 23, 2016</a></blockquote>
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god damned dust in my eyes...........

Here watch this:

http://youtu.be/KP1p31QiXw8

The best call Jim Rome ever took:

http://youtu.be/aYgEzkseJKE

thanks. been watching highlight videos for 2 and a half hours now. i may have a problem.

on a side note, my 9 year old met john mayberry, darryl motley, dennis leonard, willie aikens, and jamie quirk at a meet and greet this past week.

wife said that they were sooooooo good to my kiddo. so glad that to have these ambassadors represent this team. is it april yet?

Recovery time depends upon a variety of factors, including things such as where the tear was located, how severe it was and how good the surgical repair was. Usually we hear six to eight months is quoted for the resumption of normal activity, with the appropriate use of physical therapy and strengthening exercises.

Of course, I don't know if "normal activity" is in baseball terms of throwing baseballs 90+ mph pitches with breaking ball stuff. It may be no guarantee he'd return to form like he did in the past.

As for the 40 man roster and how much it would take to get him, I have no idea since I don't know what is the market is or demand for him at this point, but it wouldn't hurt to try to go for the same route that the Royals treated Kris Medlen?

Would be interested to see what duncan and others would chime in on Minor.

I mentioned this before but I think Mondesi keeps us from signing Kendrick. That would block SS and 2nd for about 3 years.

Wouldn't the call up and actual appearance in the playoffs be a bit of an indication that they have some expectation that the kid will be with the team this season? He may not break spring training with the club, but I think he might be someone who is given time to spell either infield spot on some basis. Transition him slowly, and he certainly can't hurt you in the lineup if all he's replacing is Infante's bat.

Where does the kid project to likely bat in the order?

Sounds like he and Starling are in the same boat and it is a wait and see how they hit the first half.in AAA.

The Royals added another veteran pitcher to their list of spring training invites, signing right-hander Peter Moylan to a minor-league deal.

Moylan, 37, is a submarine-style reliever who appeared in 22 games last season for the Atlanta Braves, recording a 3.48 ERA in 10 1/3 innings. He had eight strikeouts and zero walks in limited action.

A native of Australia, Moylan returned from a second Tommy John surgery during the 2015 season. He didn’t appear in the big leagues in 2014.

Moylan previously spent seven seasons in the Braves organization, his best season coming in 2009, when he threw a career-high 73 innings while posting a 2.84 ERA.

He is the Royals’ 18th non-roster invitee heading to major-league spring training in February. The list is highlighted by veterans Dillon Gee and Chien-Ming Wang. Gee and Wang, both right-handers who signed minor-league contracts this offseason, are joined by left-handed pitchers David Huff and John Lannan and infielder Cody Decker.

The other non-roster invitees have experience in the Royals’ organization. They are: right-handers Christian Binford, Aroni Nina and Brooks Pounders, left-handers Jonathan Dziedzic and Sam Selman, catchers Zane Evans, Cameron Gallagher and Parker Morin, and infielders Orlando Calixte, Dusty Coleman, Hunter Dozier and Whit Merrifield.

The entire Royals’ 40-man roster, which includes right-hander Kyle Zimmer and outfielders Bubba Starling, Brett Eibner and Jorge Bonifacio, will also be invited to spring training.

The Royals will have to drop a player from the 40-man roster to add right-hander Ian Kennedy, who has agreed to a five-year, $70 million contract. The deal will become official once Kennedy completes a physical.

Pitchers and catchers report to Surprise on Feb. 18 with workouts starting the next day. The full squad reports Feb. 22 with the first full workout on Feb. 23. The Royals’ first spring training game is March 2.

http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb...e56253480.html

Not trying to add a long-term solution at2B to avoid blocking Mondesi makes sense... But they're going all in for 2016 and 2017, too.

I think that in an ideal world, Mondesi would hit well enough to get a call-up in September and get a chance to win the everyday 2B in 2017 before transitioning him to SS full-time in 2017 and letting Escobar walk

Lot of things must line up for that to work, but I think that's what the team is hopeful will happen.

As for his role... At his best, Mondesi would be an ideal 1-2 hitter, capable of hitting .300 with 15 HR, 40 2B, and 30-40 SB.

His floor is a similar hitter to Escobar... Good speed, good contact skills, bad plate discipline, empty average hitter whose average fluctuates based on his BABIP year to year.

I like the idea of giving Infante a chance to turn it around, if that doesn't work give WS hero Colon another chance (last chance?) to be an everyday player, then by the end of the season bring up Mondesi if those don't work out.

I really feel like if Infante stays healthy he's going to bounce back.

I believe that's the plan. Also helps make the decision on Escobar for 2018 and beyond.

Yeah, any pundit saying we should shell out for a 2nd baseman really isn't paying attention to the Royals at all. If we wanted to do that we'd have made a play for Zobrist.

We now need a kicking perspective?!

Jesus.

How do you know we didn't?

Well they said they wouldn't talk to Zobrist until the deal was done with Gordon.

So we wont talk to a guy that might and did sign before another guy signs with us or someone else?

Doubt it

Wade Davis was officially honored with the Babe Ruth Award today. Awarding him as the the most valuable player of the 2015 postseason.

http://mlb.mlb.com/r/video?content_id=540173083

He just looks so tiny for a guy that could hit 15 HRs. I know he's young, but he's built like Dyson. I'm probably wrong, but 55 extra base hits seems really unlikely.

Are you talking about Mondesi? He's about 4-5 inches taller, and weighs 30 or so pounds more than Dyson, currently.

He just looked like his jersey was hanging on a hanger when he stood in the box. Not saying you're wrong...just didn't look nearly that big. I was shocked at how skinny he was when he stepped in the box for the first time.

Oh he's skinny - being 20 that's not a shocker. He's got a decent enough frame to grow into.