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M-I-Z-Z-O-U
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Kansas City
Casino cash: $-2079692
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*** Official 2016 Royals Offseason Repository ***
![]() Well, folks, it has happened. The Royals stand triumphant, atop the heap of MLB. In this thread, we'll track the action as Dayton Moore continues The Process and attempts to defend the long-awaited title. Before we get to the meet of it, let's take a minute to reflect ... and say "I'm Sorry" to Dayton Moore. We gave you hell. Many of us called for your head. But you were right. You got it done. Congratulations. Mea culpa. Now, let's talk about the offseason: LINK TO 2016-18 PAYROLL INFO COURTESY OF ROYALS REVIEW The Royals will have a few priorities: Corner OF (x2) and 1 SP, IMO. The rest of the core is solid and will need little tweaking. Looking at the increase in ticket sales, merchandising, concessions, parking, etc., I think it's fair to assume the Royals GROSSED $100 million more this season, or close to it. That gives Glass and Dayton Moore much more flexibility on payroll for 2016 (hopefully). First order of business will be gauging the Alex Gordon market. If he can be resigned for 4-5 years at around $75-80 million total, it would be hard for KC to pass on that. He's still an above-average corner OF bat, and the Royals will need to bring in at least one proven guy to play in a corner if Gordon walks... and the whole market looks a lot like Alex - guys in their early 30s looking for huge, final contracts. Second order of business: Make a decision on Zobrist. It sounds like KC will pursue him aggressively. At 34, he's at risk of declining in a big way after a few years. If they could find someone to take on Omar Infante for eating 1/2 of his deal, that would be a great start to things. If they decide not to spend on Zobrist, KC will need to cobble together some sort of plan for 2B/RF that involves some cheaper options like Orlando, Colon, Dyson, etc. I could see them deciding his ability to provide great insurance at either 2B or in RF is worth the risk. Third order of business: Add depth to the rotation with a FA SP. Duffy, Ventura, Volquez and Medlen are locks for 4 spots, it seems. Kyle Zimmer may finally be ready to make a MLB impact, but his innings will be limited. That means KC needs insurance. Will it kill two birds with one stone (and insure against Duffy/Ventura regression) by signing a more top-tier guy? Or does Moore look to Chris Young/someone like him for this depth? Personally, I think Mike Leake would be a great fit with KC's defense and park, and I know Moore has long coveted him. He's still young - just 28 - and has succeeded in bandbox Cincinnati for years. Ian Kennedy, Mat Latos, Marco Estrada, and Justin Masterson are some other names that may pique interest (a little further down the list). Other than that, I don't think KC makes any major moves. Greg Holland will be interesting to observe, as they have one more year of control of him, and he will obviously miss all of that season. I wouldn't be surprised to see a pre-arbitration deal that pays him something like $15 million over the next two seasons, and I wouldn't be surprised to see him turned loose, period. The bullpen will rest upon Wade Davis/Herrera/Hochevar, filling in pieces around them. Bringing Madson back wouldn't be a surprise, but he could get a big deal from another team that is willing to pay him as their top setup guy or even their closer. I think the biggest prospects to watch in Spring Training will be: 1) Kyle Zimmer. The hype has built, died down, built again, etc. If he's healthy, he's filthy and a potential ToR arm. But what does he look like in ST, and how many innings can you reasonably expect from him if he does earn a rotation spot? It seems like 120-130 innings would be his limit unless they really stretch (or unless he has a lot of hidden innings from simulated games/extended spring training, which might push him to 150-160). Having another cheap, home-grown pitcher would be a significant boon for this team as it tries to extend the competitive window (and potentially give KC a strong 1-2 to build its rotation around in Zimmer and Ventura) 2) Bubba Starling. I'm trying to remain skeptical, but I like what I hear about Bubba from this season, and the performance has picked up. If KC does not sign someone to fill the RF slot, I think that's a strong indication KC's front office believes Starling will be ready to contribute in 2016. Dayton Moore has long said that when Starling's light flips on, it will happen quickly and burn brightly. Time will tell. After his STRONG Arizona Fall League Performance, he shot up my prospect chart. 3) Miguel Almonte. His late-season stint out of the KC bullpen went poorly, but Almonte has a plus-plus changeup, a good fastball, and a decent curve ball. He may be the dark horse in the rotation competition, and unlike Zimmer, he's set up to pitch a full 180 inning season. 4) RA Mondesi. The only player to debut in the MLB World Series has incredible tools. He still needs to refine his game, but again... he may be KC's best cheap, plus alternative at a key position (2B). His defense would be a boon from Day 1, but he needs seasoning with the bat before he's asked to hold down 2B full time. And, as always, here are the Prospects: Duncan’s Top 20 for 2016:
Spoiler!
Spoiler!
Last edited by duncan_idaho; 11-17-2015 at 09:49 AM.. |
Posts: 22,434
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#3616 |
Let's Get Weird
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Austin
Casino cash: $9910098
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I'm really pulling for Duffy to get it together in any capacity this year. Love him as a person and a player.
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Posts: 15,232
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#3617 |
MVP
Join Date: Feb 2013
Casino cash: $-688884
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The conversation was that at the same age Duffy is now, Cliff Lee was a half run worse in career ERA and on his way back to the minors. Then he came back and was one of the best lefties in baseball.
Cliff Lee had 443.2 IP, 354 Ks and a 4.38 ERA thru 26, Duffy has 443.1 IP, 352 Ks and a 3.80 ERA at the same point and he just turned 27 in December. It was a discussion on why they and the Royals won't give up on Duffy as a starter yet. Last edited by WhawhaWhat; 03-11-2016 at 01:46 PM.. |
Posts: 18,321
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#3618 |
21st Century Schizoid Fan
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: The Gates of Delirium
Casino cash: $-1315050
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Ex-Royal Willie Bloomquist retired today after 14 years (!) in the majors.
He will forever be remembered for Ned hitting him third in a game against the Tigers in 2010 -- and then whacking a game-winning HR in the 12th inning. Perhaps our first inkling of the charmed life Ned would later lead in 2014-15. |
Posts: 71,909
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#3619 |
Stay positive, don't give up
Join Date: Dec 2001
Casino cash: $1689383
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@FlannyMLB: About those rumors that #Royals were asked to leave Tim Lincecum's secret side session. Not true. They left because it wasn't productive
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Posts: 46,307
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#3620 |
Veteran
Join Date: Sep 2013
Casino cash: $3544092
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I read somewhere that ESPN or MLB network was doing a show on all 30 teams and that the Royals were just done. Anyone know the name of the show or where I can watch the Royals part or did I dream this?
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Posts: 2,420
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#3621 |
Special Teams ACE!!!
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Where the hell is SNR
Casino cash: $-1484792
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Any concern that the top two guys in position for the 2nd base job are 0-26 in spring training?
I mean, I'm not, but there is some concern starting to just slightly creep up |
Posts: 93,408
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#3622 |
Quit your bullshit
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Bored of winning
Casino cash: $10052799
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It's a huge concern.
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Today is not a good day to be a pussy. |
Posts: 41,870
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#3623 |
The Beast Inside Your Head
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Casino cash: $-1750878
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Anything still available on the market at 2nd?
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Posts: 26,271
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#3624 |
MVP
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Joplin, MO
Casino cash: $10772338
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__________________
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Posts: 7,307
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#3625 | |
I’m a Mahomo!
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Mid-Missouri
Casino cash: $6771021
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Quote:
Mondesi should be very close.
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Posts: 54,038
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#3626 |
The Beast Inside Your Head
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Parts Unknown
Casino cash: $-1750878
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Posts: 26,271
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#3627 |
Mod Team
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Valley of the hot as ****
Casino cash: $-1538100
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Posts: 46,338
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#3628 |
MVP
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Joplin, MO
Casino cash: $10772338
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I think he'd out hit what Infante did last year.
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Posts: 7,307
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#3629 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Kansas
Casino cash: $-641006
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With the awesome exception of Zobrist for a couple of months, the Royals haven't gotten shit from 2nd base for basically 2 years. I would love any production from that spot but we should be ok anyway.
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Posts: 23,869
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#3630 |
In Search of a Life
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: L.A.
Casino cash: $-745716
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In the last few months I've watched every 2015 postseason win on youtube. Right now i'm at the 11th inning of WS game 5. As fun as this has been, every time Zobrist gets a hit or makes a play, I get a sad.
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Posts: 28,361
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