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Nzoner's Game Room>*** Official 2017 Royals Repository ***
Chiefspants 10:55 AM 04-05-2017
Chiefsplanet’s (Proposed) 2017 Season Title: One Last Ride

Midish-Season Update (Royals 51-47, 2nd Wild Card, 1.5 GB of ALC):

We're halfway through 2017, and fittingly to the Chiefsplanet's 2017 Season Title, the Royals are all-in on what will likely be one final run with the current core. While many are worried the Royals will take a 2004 style tumble after this year, the farm system is hardly the barren wasteland it was during the Baird years. To see what's in the pipeline and what we have to look forward to, check out this exceptional list and analysis that Duncan put together of our system.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...htmlview#gid=0

While I had the honor of starting this thread this year, Duncan will always have a VIP pass to this OP, and can add more content at any time.

2017's Burning Questions Revisited:

1. What is the threshold between being “buyers” and “sellers” at the deadline?

We're buyers, baby.

In April, I argued that it would be a wise strategy for us to sell if we were 5 GB or worse, but that Dayton would likely add supplemental pieces for us to load up for another run if we were 1-2 GB. On July 24th, the Royals found themselves in sole possession of the 2nd wild card spot and 1.5 games back of the division. In April I said the Royals might pull the trigger on someone like Alex Cobb and resign Luke Hochevar, but since the Rays are also buyers and Luke's shoulder hasn't rebounded, this prediction hasn't come to fruition. Luckily, Dayton Moore again proved much more adept and creative than me by adding Trevor Cahill (good call, Duncan), Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter in a single trade. Giving us a solid starter to compete in 2017, and two relievers whom we will control through 2019 and 2021, respectively, keeping Moore's new vision through 2019-2020 intact. Moore has hinted that the Royals will continue to pursue the right deals if they're there, so the fun may not be over just yet. While we may not have the bullets to pull in a "star" like Cueto or Zo, Moore's adeptness may yet again net us what we need for another run in October.

2. Can Gordo and Moose bounce back to 2015 levels?

In April I asked if Gordo could at least set the table at a 265/325/425 clip and if Moose could deliver damage around a 265/335/500 clip for an entire year. This season Mr. Moustakas has been the prospect that was promised, delivering at a 277/307/568 clip as of this update. Gordo, on the other hand, has put up an unbelievably abysmal line thus far. But, if there is a silver lining, it's that Gordo has performed at a 246/311/432 line since June 1st, and if he can continue to perform near that mark, he will be more than a valuable asset at the bottom of the lineup while he continues to provide the best LF defense in the league.

3. Can Ned Yost manage a bullpen?

In April, I felt that despite the poor start, Royals bullpen would ultimately be "solid" this year, but the question was whether "solid" was good enough for Ned. I argued that the Royals needed Soria to bounce back and that Ned would need to start being strategic in his L/L and R/R matchups. While Ned has still made at times baffling and frustrating decisions with his starters (such as allowing Travis Wood to try to "get the win" and still insisting on sending Hammel out for the 6th, he's mostly done a good job).

MASH: Minor/Moylan - Alexander - Soria - Herrera (Credit to C3HIEF3S for the origins of the phrase) have cemented into reliable pieces, and now that Herrera is showing signs of stabilizing, our dumping of Wood, our call up Flynn, and the acquisition of Buchter and Maurer, the Royals have the potential to enter October with one of the best and deepest bullpens in the postseason.

4. Will the Royals find a boost from an unexpected X-Factor to lift them to contention?

Cool-Whit, Boni, Mike ****ing Minor, and Alexander have come up huge thus far. Cool Whit is, incredibly, is second on the team in WAR and has more than replaced Zo's presence on the team. They, like the X-Factors on the 2014-2015 teams, have been critical cogs as we've raced back to contention, while Cool-Whit and Boni also have provided a rosier outlook for this team's future. It's worth noting that Salvador Perez and Jason Vargas has been beasts on offense and the mound (along with Sal providing his customary defensive excellence), but I am still a bit wary of Salvy's annual Yost assisted offensive drought as the team moves into August, along with Vargy regressing to his averages.

5. Can Jorge Soler and Brandon Moss be productive contributors in Kauffman’s dimensions?

Ouch, no, but the Royals shift to power-hitting in the juiced ball era looks like one that will pay off. Thankfully, Moss is showing signs of entering his seasonal hot streak where he becomes corn-fed Jesus for a month, and we'll need him hot to keep up with Cleveland down the stretch. While Jorge has been painful to watch in the majors, his scorching performance in AAA should give one a bright hope for the future. While some may disagree, I offer Moose, Hos, Gordo, and Duffy's struggles as exhibit A for why it is far too early to give up on Soler's potential.

Bonus Question - Is Raul Mondesi truly ready to be an everyday player?

Ha! Not even close. However, like Soler, his progress in AAA is incredibly encouraging. With ceilings like Lindor and floors being Esky being thrown out there, it's hard not to be excited about his future.

The Picture Forward

There are many reasons to be excited, and not only for 2017. The Royals emergence of Cool Whit, Bonifacio, and Scott Alexander, and the fact that we have pieces like Salvador Perez, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera, Jorge Soler, Ryan Buchter, Brandon Maurer Cheslor Cuthbert, and Raul Mondesi until at least 2019 should leave one feeling pretty optimistic. Re-up Moose or Hos (and heck, re-sign Dyson while we're at it), and suddenly this team looks very much like one that could compete for the indefinite future.

The Royals are all in again, buckle in and enjoy the ride.

April OP:

Spoiler!

[Reply]
SBInfinity 05:16 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
Kennedy 0-6. Hasn't won in last 14 starts. Not quite the $15m/yr guy we hoped for eh? He has 3 years after this on his deal and he is 33. He might be another Alex re: dead $
You know win/loss is BS
He has sucked since DL return
he was decent before that wasn't he? There was talk of him opting out
[Reply]
Prison Bitch 05:53 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
The #Nats keeping close eye on #Royals closer Kelvin Herrera, who could be perfect fit for back end of bullpen

Not breaking but they def seem to have interest big time as it keeps coming up
They'll have to squint as far as they can if they wanna keep an eye on where his pitches end up
[Reply]
Why Not? 08:14 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
Interesting. Moose is the DH tonight while Cuthbert is playing third. This might be the best option unfortunately.
Best option is for Cuthbert to stay on the bench or go to Omaha and play daily. He sucks in his current role
[Reply]
Sure-Oz 09:31 PM 06-06-2017
Re-sign Moose.
[Reply]
WhawhaWhat 09:37 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
Re-sign Moose.
I think he goes to Anaheim.
[Reply]
Why Not? 09:41 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat:
I think he goes to Anaheim.
Yeah. The irony is the guy who the front office would probably prefer the most to keep, probably has the biggest desire to leave. Nothing to do with not wanting too play in KC, but I could see him as thinking "I want to be closer to my family and since Hoz will be gone and the core of the team disbanded, it's time to go home"
[Reply]
penbrook 09:43 PM 06-06-2017
I think we can re sign Moose and Hosmer but that means no free agents for us and a lot of AAA players contributing right away in the bigs
[Reply]
PHOG 09:47 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by Why Not?:
Yeah. The irony is the guy who the front office would probably prefer the most to keep, probably has the biggest desire to leave. Nothing to do with not wanting too play in KC, but I could see him as thinking "I want to be closer to my family and since Hoz will be gone and the core of the team disbanded, it's time to go home"
Most likely unfortunately...:-)
[Reply]
Prison Bitch 06-06-2017, 09:51 PM
This message has been deleted by Prison Bitch.
Why Not? 09:51 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
I think we can re sign Moose and Hosmer but that means no free agents for us and a lot of AAA players contributing right away in the bigs
That's a lot of money. And 2 Boras guys. I made fun of Hoz with the best of them, but at the end of the day he'll be close to a .300 hitter with a bunch of doubles and 15-20 homers. Plus post season experience and an AS game MVP. He's gonna get paid. I don't see anyway we can afford both. Highly doubt Kennedy opts out.
[Reply]
Prison Bitch 09:56 PM 06-06-2017
Alex finally hit one!

Some dude named Scooter Genett hit 4 tho.
[Reply]
Bowser 10:07 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by Hootie:
pussy lips Bowser

[Reply]
tk13 10:08 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by Why Not?:
Yeah. The irony is the guy who the front office would probably prefer the most to keep, probably has the biggest desire to leave. Nothing to do with not wanting too play in KC, but I could see him as thinking "I want to be closer to my family and since Hoz will be gone and the core of the team disbanded, it's time to go home"
I think if you trade him there's no chance he comes back. No way Boras is going to let him sign during the season given that he might hit 40 HR. You basically have to keep him and ride it out and hope you get lucky in free agency.
[Reply]
Why Not? 10:17 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by tk13:
I think if you trade him there's no chance he comes back. No way Boras is going to let him sign during the season given that he might hit 40 HR. You basically have to keep him and ride it out and hope you get lucky in free agency.
Yeah if they trade him, he's gone for good. My guess would be, pure speculation, that he has gone to Ned and DM and said "if you're breaking up the band, include me. If I can't stay with all my guys, I'm going to go home and play". If I'm off on that, my second guess is he is saying "I don't know what is going on with anybody else but I want to be closer to my family". Hope I'm wrong and he stays(if he has a say, which I'm guessing he at least kind of does)
[Reply]
DaneMcCloud 11:45 PM 06-06-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
I think we can re sign Moose and Hosmer but that means no free agents for us and a lot of AAA players contributing right away in the bigs
Not a chance in hell
[Reply]
duncan_idaho 05:19 AM 06-07-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
I think we can re sign Moose and Hosmer but that means no free agents for us and a lot of AAA players contributing right away in the bigs

They have an awful lot guaranteed to Perez, Duffy, Gordon and Kennedy already. Resign Moustakas and Hosmer and you're looking at $100 million or so in salary for just six players.

Kansas City just really can't do that and field a winner, unless it has half a dozen cheap, home grown, first division players.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
[Reply]
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