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2014 Royals Repository (https://www.chiefsplanet.com/BB/showthread.php?t=279729)

Quote:

Originally Posted by alnorth (Post 10294026)

What if James Shields has absolutely no desire to extend, and wants to test free agency? You can't really blame a GM for not extending someone, unless you know for a fact that a player would have extended at a reasonable price, like with that Beltran debacle years ago.

James Shields did not grow up a Royals fan, and he has never had a choice about where he can play. He might like KC fine just as he tried to enjoy living in Tampa Bay, but if I were a player, I'd like to be able to choose where I play at some point in my career.

I understand that. To be honest, if I were James Shields, I'd probably test the free agent market. I'm assuming they could get get at a more reasonable price if they extend him now rather than letting him become a free agent, and I would just like to see Dayton try like hell to get it done.

We still don't have anyone to hit the ball out of the park!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainiac (Post 10294046)

He probably did "try like hell". I would assume that any good player that the Royals ever fail to retain, we always have several conversations about extensions, but if I were James Shields and I'm not scared of injury or ineffectiveness, I would resolutely but politely decline an extension every single time its brought up.

We don't hear about failures to extend, only successes. That absolutely fantastic Salvy Perez extension was utterly unexpected and just came out of nowhere. Some players want security more than others.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainiac (Post 10293982)

I'm lukewarm about what he's done regarding the pitching staff, primarily because he hasn't done anything about extending James Shields. I'm starting to think that he may deliberately let Shields walk after next season if any of the top 3 upside candidates (Ventura, Duffy or Zimmer) looks like a potential ace for 2015.

What would you offer James Shields in order to get him to extend his deal?

Starting pitching is gonna be our biggest question going into the season. Vargas as your #2 is scary. Odds would say that Guthrie should take a slight decline from last year. 4 and 5 Starters are still big ?'s.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigCatDaddy (Post 10294006)

How do you only have 6000 post in 13 years? Did you take a decade off?

I didn't post a lot until the past couple of years. College, then life as a sports journalist... neither conducive to posting a lot. Once I started working from home (and sitting in on a lot of conference calls), my posting spiked significantly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brainiac (Post 10293982)

So what grade do you give Dayton Moore for this offseason?

I like what he's done A LOT. We've upgraded at second base and in right field with players whose strengths are a good fit with the strengths of this team. Aoki looks like an excellent defensive right fielder with speed who can hit for average, and the upgrade to Infante at second base is sensational.

I'm lukewarm about what he's done regarding the pitching staff, primarily because he hasn't done anything about extending James Shields. I'm starting to think that he may deliberately let Shields walk after next season if any of the top 3 upside candidates (Ventura, Duffy or Zimmer) looks like a potential ace for 2015.

I'm practically giddy about the trade for Danny Valencia, simply because he's sending a message to Moose that it's time for him to shit or get off the pot. If Moose doesn't tear it up in spring training, he should start the season in Omaha. Valencia would be a more than adequate replacement, and he could very well be an improvement. I think we got pretty good value for our 6th outfielder, and by the way, I liked David Lough a lot. I just think we probably saw his ceiling in 2013.

As of right now, I would give Dayton Moore a grade between A- and B+. If he were to sign James Shields to a contract extension, I'd change that to an A.

I would give Dayton Moore a B+. The pitching signing isn't sexy, but he read the market correctly there and got a guy who is a top 50-75 starting pitcher in MLB over the past 3-4 years for below-market value.

I like all the trades. Lot of good pieces added.

It has the potential to jump up to an A- or A grade, depending on any additional moves he makes. He really should move one of Hochevar, Holland or Davis for a piece that can help, or even for prospects at this point (Hochevar and Davis, not so much on Holland).

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat (Post 10294081)

What would you offer James Shields in order to get him to extend his deal?

5/110

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefsfan4life1978 (Post 10294104)

Vargas is better if he's your No. 3, but he's been a pretty consistently solid pitcher over the past 4 years (his time as a full-time starter).

63rd in ERA amongst starters in that stretch.
33rd in IP
52nd in WHIP
47th in BB/9
75th in H/9 (impressive, considering he's a soft-tosser)
61st best Opponents OPS (tied with Ervin Santana, actually)

I wouldn't call it 'scary' in light of all of that. It's not ideal, but he's a good No. 3/borderline No. 2 starter.

As for Guthrie, I wouldn't really expect him to decline. He's pretty likely to give KC an ERA somewhere between 4.00-4.25 with 200 IP and a whip between 1.25-1.35. It's just kind of who he is. He'll give them a pretty similar performance, and it wouldn't surprise me if he's even a little bit better.

they will have questions at teh back end, but many teams do. And the potential answers include some big upside/big potential at those spots (Duffy, Ventura, even Davis could be big upgrades over what the Royals got from Mendoza and Davis last year).

Meet the new thread.
Same as the old thread!

Quote:

Originally Posted by theelusiveeightrop (Post 10294147)

5/110

I'll take "**** no" for $1000, Alex.

Dude turns 32 tomorrow. No thanks.

Time for the 2014 push!

Quote:

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho (Post 10294151)

Given Guthrie's age, I think a decline is very likely. I'd be surprised, albeit pleasantly, if he gives us 200 innings again. You're probably right on the ERA and WHIP though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeezNutz (Post 10294156)

I'll take "**** no" for $1000, Alex.

Dude turns 32 tomorrow. No thanks.

Problem with extending Shields is that anything KC can really afford to offer (which basically means a 3-year deal around $18-20 MM) is something he can likely surpass quite easily on the open market.

I think he's going to age well... he's got the frame to hold up to the innings load he has handled, his arsenal is one that should age well (fastball-changeup usually does), and he's a smart pitcher. But there's also a chance he turns into a Jeremy Guthrie sort before a 5 or 6 year deal is over.

Can't afford to take that risk if you're KC.