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
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. [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
He's younger and more athletic.
I can see signing Morrison to a 2-3 year deal. I don't see any value in signing Duda to a one-year.
I'm with you. Let's see if Cuthbert and/or Dozier are capable major league players.
He's 18 months younger, on a team going nowhere. More athletic? At 1B? For $3 million more this year (and much more over 2-3 years)? I just don't see it, duncan. I think that's really weak tea. I think signing either one is a blah move that doesn't move the needle one iota, and prevents us finding out more, and sooner, about a player(s) who could be part of the rebuild.
But so long as we agree on that last part ... :-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
He's younger and more athletic.
I can see signing Morrison to a 2-3 year deal. I don't see any value in signing Duda to a one-year.
I'm with you. Let's see if Cuthbert and/or Dozier are capable major league players.
They played an interview with Dayton on 810 a bit ago and he sounds like Dozier was going to start in the minors this year and then they would bring him up in June or July. Dayton said it was an easier transition with less pressure than starting from Day 1. I'm not saying I agree with that but that was his opinion.
My guess is that they try to trade or just dump Duda this summer and let Dozier fill those ABs. [Reply]
Dude (Duda?) is a monster vs. LH, with a career wRC+ of 132 (84 vs RH). Since RH are like 80% of pitchers he'll be a fine platoon option which I assume we're going to do. Had 3+ fWAR seasons in 2014-15 before falling off.
Logan Morrison has one 3+ fWAR season, last year. He's projected by Steamer to do 0.7, in more PA than Duda is at 1.2 fWAR. MOrrison prjo 111 wRC+ Duda 116
Hosmer is a creer 111 wRC+ guy. Had a few down years but even 2017 was 135 which is what Duda does vs RH. (Steamer has Hosmer at only 120 in 2018)
Final note: a 116 projection by Duda 2018 would've been our 2nd highest last year, behind Hosmer and ahead of Cain (115) and Moose (114). Then Whit (105) and Salvy (104). If used vs RH, he'll be one of our best hitters. [Reply]
Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat:
They played an interview with Dayton on 810 a bit ago and he sounds like Dozier was going to start in the minors this year and then they would bring him up in June or July. Dayton said it was an easier transition with less pressure than starting from Day 1. I'm not saying I agree with that but that was his opinion.
My guess is that they try to trade or just dump Duda this summer and let Dozier fill those ABs.
You’re crazy if you think there’s a chance they dump Duda for nothing. You’re almost as crazy if you think anybody would give anything of remote value up. The Rays gave up a bottom dwelling minor league pitcher for him last year at the deadline, and his value is only going down. [Reply]
Originally Posted by arrowheadnation:
So does Duda just have to put his fingers in his ears and close his eyes every time we show 2015 WS Highlights on Crownvision?
no way, he should get to enjoy it too, he helped [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bufkin:
You’re crazy if you think there’s a chance they dump Duda for nothing. You’re almost as crazy if you think anybody would give anything of remote value up. The Rays gave up a bottom dwelling minor league pitcher for him last year at the deadline, and his value is only going down.
With Dayton looking to replenish the the farm system, I think he would take a Single A lottery ticket. Although I guess you're right, why would any team want a guy with 30 HR power on the bench for a playoff run. [Reply]
Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat:
With Dayton looking to replenish the the farm system, I think he would take a Single A lottery ticket. Although I guess you're right, why would any team want a guy with 30 HR power on the bench for a playoff run.
Jay Bruce was traded for a AA guy, not a top 10Indians prospect [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
That straight up joyous cheer we gave Lucas Duda when he was introduced on Opening Day, 2016 was the stuff of legend.
That game may as well have been Game 6 of the World Series.
