Originally Posted by Chiefspants
Since losing out on Eric Hosmer (after we gave up legitimate pieces trying to cut costs so we could re-sign him - just think of the trade chips that Soria, Buchter, and Alexander could have been this season, smh). But since the Hosmer singing I would give GMDM between a B+ and an A- for his rebuilding efforts this year.
He got Brad Keller in the Rule 5 draft, a starter who's only 22. He picked up a promising prospect in the wake of the Atlanta Braves forced sell off of several of their valuable assets. Moore also loaded up on college pitchers in the draft, two of them being pitchers with "ace" potential.
While GMDM was also criticized for making several cheap signings this offseason, (Jon Jay, Lucas Duda, Moose, Esky, etc), he went on to take two of these dirt cheap signings and flipped them for legitimate prospects. Getting Arizona to overpay for Jay by sending two pitchers with legitimate potential (18-year old right-handed pitcher Elvis Luciano and 23-year old right-handed pitcher Gabe Speier.), while Moose netted a legit bullpen arm (Jorge Lopez) and outfielder Brett Phillips, who has already made dazzling plays at center field in his short time with the Royals.
GMDM was also criticized for his return for trading Kelvin Herrera, (Kelvin Gutierrez, outfielder Blake Perkins and right-hander Yohanse Morel). However, the most criticized piece in that trade (Guitierrez) is starting to turn it up in the minors, while Perkins profiles as a defensive savant in the outfield (perfect for the K) and Morel has ace potential.
I feel about 150% better about our system as it stands now compared to 2017. Sure, national heads are still going to take GMDM at face value and use his statements as confirmation that he doesn't know what he's doing, but there's something to look forward to, especially if the Royals land the top pick and another competitive balance pick this year.
The only thing that knocks the Royals from being perfect is their concerning fixation with admitted child molester Heimlich and their failure to retain Clay Buchholz in the minors despite the fact that he was tearing it up. Clay now has a 2.67 ERA for the D-backs and likely could have netted quite the return at the deadline. Ah, well.
Overall, I'm happy. If Moore keeps this up, 2021 should be the target for some non-suck baseball.
|