Royals *** Official 2018 Royals Offseason Repository *** - Page 144

duncan_idaho · 06:46 AM

It's the end of the world as we know it... and we feel... fine?

2018 is a season of transition for the Royals, or at least it is at this point. Dayton Moore is back. Will he swing full into THE PROCESS 2.0? Or will he try to load up again and make some reload magic happen?

Pending Free Agents:
1B | Eric Hosmer | San Diego Padres, 8 years, $144 million ($5 million signing bonus; $20 million/year in Yrs 1-5; $13 million/year in Yrs 6-8 wth player opt out)

Spoiler!

3B | Mike Moustaskas | Kansas City Royas, 1, $6.5 million

Spoiler!

CF | Lorenzo Cain | Milwaukee Brewers, 5 years, $80 million

Spoiler!

RP | Mike Minor | Texas Rangers, 3, $28 million

Spoiler!

SP | Jason Vargas | New York Mets, 2, $16 million

Spoiler!

SS | Alcides Escobar | Kansas City Royals, 1, $2.5 million

Spoiler!

2018 MLB Draft Picks
#18
#33 - Compensation (Eric Hosmer)
#34 - Compensation (Lorenzo Cain)
#40 (Competitive Balance Round A)

Comp picks explanation:

Spoiler!

2018 Draft Names to Watch

RHP Kumar Rocker, N Oconnee HS, Georgia.

Spoiler!

OF Jarred Kelenic, Waukasha West HS, WI

Spoiler!

1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL).

Spoiler!

RHP Carter Stewart, Eau de Gallie HS (Ga).

Spoiler!

ANY Any, Any (Any). Any current top projected pick who slides for injury concerns. Includes current top prospect prospect SP Brady Singer, U of Florida.

DeepSouth · 03-09-2018, 07:04 AM

Before the Moose signing, I envisioned Soler as the DH and Bonifacio in RF. Now that they don't have enough bats to go around, I wouldn't be surprised if Bonifacio ( who still has options ) starts the year in Omaha with Soler in RF. Moose and Cuthbert split between 3rd and DH. Otherwise, one of the young guys is NOT going to get at bats.

Deberg_1990 · 03-09-2018, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Again, what’s the end game?

77 wins doesn’t get you the first or second pick in the draft and the Royals likely finish 4th or 5th in the division.

MLB is set up for tanking under the current CBA.

Trying to win while rebuilding is a fool’s errand.

Maybe the Royals feel like they have a chance to compete this year because so many teams are tanking?

siberian khatru · 03-09-2018, 07:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Maybe the Royals feel like they have a chance to compete this year because so many teams are tanking?

This is it, combined with the market providing so much value.

tk13 said it best for me, expressed what I've been mulling the last 2-3 weeks as this was shaking out. It's hard to "succeed" at tanking when so many other teams are doing the same thing. You can construct a team to lose 95 games, and lose a third of your attendance, and still not draft in the top 5. So after all that pain, you're drafting ... 7th, or 8th. Yeah, it's better than 17th, but at that point, so what?

If everybody's going one way, it's often smart to go the other direction and take advantage of market inefficiencies.

At this point, if Arrieta or Cobb or Lynn are willing to sign a 1-year deal, the Royals should jump in.

Also at this point, I wish the Royals still had Alexander. He could help this contending team.

dallaschiefsfan · 03-09-2018, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Before the Moose signing, I envisioned Soler as the DH and Bonifacio in RF. Now that they don't have enough bats to go around, I wouldn't be surprised if Bonifacio ( who still has options ) starts the year in Omaha with Soler in RF. Moose and Cuthbert split between 3rd and DH. Otherwise, one of the young guys is NOT going to get at bats.

Makes more sense to play Cuthbert at 1B against lefties and take advantage of Duda's splits (his salary is small enough that it doesn't demand playing him everyday). Otherwise, Cuthbert can spell Moose at 3B a couple times a week and DH a couple of times. The at-bats can be manufactured. Nedger just needs to be willing to sit the older guys a minimum of once a week, regardless of performance.

Someone up the thread mentioned this, but there's no way Moose is going to play 1B - for a one year deal, it makes no sense for him to learn another position. Only 3B, DH and the bench.

Chiefspants · 03-09-2018, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

This is it, combined with the market providing so much value.

tk13 said it best for me, expressed what I've been mulling the last 2-3 weeks as this was shaking out. It's hard to "succeed" at tanking when so many other teams are doing the same thing. You can construct a team to lose 95 games, and lose a third of your attendance, and still not draft in the top 5. So after all that pain, you're drafting ... 7th, or 8th. Yeah, it's better than 17th, but at that point, so what?

If everybody's going one way, it's often smart to go the other direction and take advantage of market inefficiencies.

At this point, if Arrieta or Cobb or Lynn are willing to sign a 1-year deal, the Royals should jump in.

Also at this point, I wish the Royals still had Alexander. He could help this contending team.

If we’re all in on contending, I’m a bit sore that we gave away Alexander so cheaply.

If we’re not, then I don’t see why Duda should be taking at bats away from Cuthbert.

But, at the beginning of the offseason, I never would have guessed we would have pulled the last four free agents for less money than what we’re paying Hosmer this year. It’s great feeling to have Moose back, even if I’m unsure of what it does to our outlook this season.

siberian khatru · 03-09-2018, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Before the Moose signing, I envisioned Soler as the DH and Bonifacio in RF. Now that they don't have enough bats to go around, I wouldn't be surprised if Bonifacio ( who still has options ) starts the year in Omaha with Soler in RF. Moose and Cuthbert split between 3rd and DH. Otherwise, one of the young guys is NOT going to get at bats.

Only way I can maybe see it work is if Cuthbert rotates 5-6 times a week between 3B, 1B and DH, platooning with Duda, giving Moose a day off a week and maybe giving Gordon a day off a week (with Soler going to LF). Or maybe when they give Jay a day off, move Gordon to CF, Soler to LF and Cuthbert at DH. Maybe Cuthbert gets 400-450 ABs that way.

But that flies in the face of Ned's history of not platooning. He likes stable lineups.

siberian khatru · 03-09-2018, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

If we’re all in on contending, I’m a bit sore that we gave away Alexander so cheaply.

If we’re not, then I don’t see why Duda should be taking at bats away from Cuthbert.

But, at the beginning of the offseason, I never would have guessed we would have pulled the last four free agents for less money than what we’re paying Hosmer this year. It’s great feeling to have Moose back, even if I’m unsure of what it does to our outlook this season.

All offseason, I had myself mentally prepared to tank. Then they signed Duda and Jay, and I was like, OK, we're not tanking, but we're still rebuilding. Now they sign Moose, and I don't know what to prepare myself for.

duncan_idaho · 03-09-2018, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeepSouth

Before the Moose signing, I envisioned Soler as the DH and Bonifacio in RF. Now that they don't have enough bats to go around, I wouldn't be surprised if Bonifacio ( who still has options ) starts the year in Omaha with Soler in RF. Moose and Cuthbert split between 3rd and DH. Otherwise, one of the young guys is NOT going to get at bats.

Bonifacio to Omaha makes a lot of sense out of the gate. Hadn't thought about that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaneMcCloud

Again, what’s the end game?

77 wins doesn’t get you the first or second pick in the draft and the Royals likely finish 4th or 5th in the division.

MLB is set up for tanking under the current CBA.

Trying to win while rebuilding is a fool’s errand.

The end game is that they were never tanking. They were never going to try to be as awful as possible.

That was never an option. Disagree with it? I think it's fair. But tanking is no guarantee of anything.

They have a few guys they need to "find out" on - Soler, Bonifacio, and Cuthbert - but the other blocked guys all have options and could benefit from more experience at Omaha (Mondesi, Dozier).

Building up a prospect isn't a linear process in baseball.

Jay doesn't block anyone close. Nolasco is depth (expensive depth, but depth nonetheless. I can do with less Skoglund in the rotation).

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

This is it, combined with the market providing so much value.

tk13 said it best for me, expressed what I've been mulling the last 2-3 weeks as this was shaking out. It's hard to "succeed" at tanking when so many other teams are doing the same thing. You can construct a team to lose 95 games, and lose a third of your attendance, and still not draft in the top 5. So after all that pain, you're drafting ... 7th, or 8th. Yeah, it's better than 17th, but at that point, so what?

If everybody's going one way, it's often smart to go the other direction and take advantage of market inefficiencies.

At this point, if Arrieta or Cobb or Lynn are willing to sign a 1-year deal, the Royals should jump in.

Also at this point, I wish the Royals still had Alexander. He could help this contending team.

Agree on Alexander and on tanking.

SPchief · 03-09-2018, 07:54 AM

I think when the Alexander trade went down, they had zero intention of spending any money. Other than maybe Hosmer. Doesn't make it right.but that may have been the thinking.

siberian khatru · 03-09-2018, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SPchief

I think when the Alexander trade went down, they had zero intention of spending any money. Other than maybe Hosmer. Doesn't make it right.but that may have been the thinking.

Oh, for sure. They didn't know (or at least weren't supposed to know -- COLLUSION!) then what the market would be in March.

Mecca · 03-09-2018, 08:03 AM

Wonder how much of this is the "well lets be ok so people still show up"

Mecca · 03-09-2018, 08:04 AM

Also for the record I'm not a big fan of Dayton Moore the person, I'm fine if you want to be a conservative christian but is it needed to try to indoctrinate your players into your anti-porn ways?

ChiefsCountry · 03-09-2018, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

This is it, combined with the market providing so much value.

tk13 said it best for me, expressed what I've been mulling the last 2-3 weeks as this was shaking out. It's hard to "succeed" at tanking when so many other teams are doing the same thing. You can construct a team to lose 95 games, and lose a third of your attendance, and still not draft in the top 5. So after all that pain, you're drafting ... 7th, or 8th. Yeah, it's better than 17th, but at that point, so what?

If everybody's going one way, it's often smart to go the other direction and take advantage of market inefficiencies.

At this point, if Arrieta or Cobb or Lynn are willing to sign a 1-year deal, the Royals should jump in.

Also at this point, I wish the Royals still had Alexander. He could help this contending team.

Just hit on your draft picks no matter where you are picking and you don't have to tank.

ChiefsCountry · 03-09-2018, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KChiefs1

Opening Day lineup projection:

CF Jay
2B Merrifield
1B Duda
3B Moose
C Perez
DH Soler
RF Bonifacio
LF Gordon
SS Escobar
SP Duffy

CF Jay
2B Merrifield
3B Moose
C Salvy
1B Duda
DH Soler
LF Gordon
RF Bonifacio
SS Escobar

duncan_idaho · 03-09-2018, 08:28 AM

Mine:

CF -jay
2B - Merrifield
3B - Moustakas
1B - Duda
C - Perez
RF - Soler
LF - Gordon
DH - Cuthbert
SS - Escobar

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

11-17-2017, 08:24 PM
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1400308	* Official 2018 Royals Offseason Repository * It's the end of the world as we know it... and we feel... fine? 2018 is a season of transition for the Royals, or at least it is at this point. Dayton Moore is back. Will he swing full into THE PROCESS 2.0? Or will he try to load up again and make some reload magic happen? Pending Free Agents: 1B \| Eric Hosmer \| San Diego Padres, 8 years, $144 million ($5 million signing bonus; $20 million/year in Yrs 1-5; $13 million/year in Yrs 6-8 wth player opt out) Spoiler! (DI's Guess: Texas Rangers, 6, $118 million) 3B \| Mike Moustaskas \| Kansas City Royas, 1, $6.5 million Spoiler! (DI's Guess: Los Angeles Angels, 5, $98 million) CF \| Lorenzo Cain \| Milwaukee Brewers, 5 years, $80 million Spoiler! (DI's Guess: San Francisco Giants, 4, $68 million) RP \| Mike Minor \| Texas Rangers, 3, $28 million Spoiler! (DI's Guess: Los Angeles Angels, 3, $35 million+ $12 million team option SP \| Jason Vargas \| New York Mets, 2, $16 million Spoiler! (DI's Guess: Baltimore Orioles, 2, $29 million) SS \| Alcides Escobar \| Kansas City Royals, 1, $2.5 million Spoiler! (DI's Guess: San Diego Padres, 1, $6.5 million) 2018 MLB Draft Picks #18 #33 - Compensation (Eric Hosmer) #34 - Compensation (Lorenzo Cain) #40 (Competitive Balance Round A) Comp picks explanation: Spoiler! In case I, picks would be #32, 33, and 34, if Alex Cobb of Rays signs for $50 million guaranteed. Kansas City will likely have 5 of the top 40-45 picks in the draft, and the bonus pool money should rival that of the teams drafting 1-3 in the 2017 draft. This should give KC tremendous flexibility in acquiring talent that otherwise might slip or not be "signable." 2018 Draft Names to Watch RHP Kumar Rocker, N Oconnee HS, Georgia. Spoiler! Possibly goes top 10 but is a big, physical SP with ace potential. Moore and co. will be all over him if he slips a bit and could offer top 10 money at No. 16 OF Jarred Kelenic, Waukasha West HS, WI Spoiler! Kelenic is the top prep bat, toolsy OF. Royals would be ecstatic to have shot at him. 1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL). Spoiler! Tremendous raw power, best in HS bats. Royals typically like HS arms or HS bats with "special" tools. He qualifies. RHP Carter Stewart, Eau de Gallie HS (Ga). Spoiler! Another big, physical specimen with huge upside. More likely to be available mid-first than Rocker. ANY Any, Any (Any). Any current top projected pick who slides for injury concerns. Includes current top prospect prospect SP Brady Singer, U of Florida. Last edited by duncan_idaho; 04-02-2018 at 06:46 AM..
Posts: 21,166

03-09-2018, 07:04 AM	#2146
DeepSouth War Eagle !!! Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Mobile, AL 36608 Casino cash: $9919387	Before the Moose signing, I envisioned Soler as the DH and Bonifacio in RF. Now that they don't have enough bats to go around, I wouldn't be surprised if Bonifacio ( who still has options ) starts the year in Omaha with Soler in RF. Moose and Cuthbert split between 3rd and DH. Otherwise, one of the young guys is NOT going to get at bats.
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03-09-2018, 07:54 AM	#2154
SPchief In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2004 Casino cash: $1542905	I think when the Alexander trade went down, they had zero intention of spending any money. Other than maybe Hosmer. Doesn't make it right.but that may have been the thinking. __________________ http://give.somo.org/site/TR/Plunge/...nal&fr_id=1244 ^^^^^^^^^^ Click here to help with a special cause. Please help me out
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03-09-2018, 08:03 AM	#2156
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2257050	Wonder how much of this is the "well lets be ok so people still show up"
Posts: 111,158

03-09-2018, 08:04 AM	#2157
Mecca Hockey Town Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Kansas City, Missouri Casino cash: $2257050	Also for the record I'm not a big fan of Dayton Moore the person, I'm fine if you want to be a conservative christian but is it needed to try to indoctrinate your players into your anti-porn ways?
Posts: 111,158	1 0

03-09-2018, 08:28 AM	#2160
duncan_idaho M-I-Z-Z-O-U Join Date: Apr 2001 Location: Kansas City Casino cash: $1400308	Mine: CF -jay 2B - Merrifield 3B - Moustakas 1B - Duda C - Perez RF - Soler LF - Gordon DH - Cuthbert SS - Escobar Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk __________________ "You gotta love livin', cause dying is a pain in the ass." ---- Sinatra
Posts: 21,166