As the season comes to a close after an awful season, there is a possibility of some hope since the team played better in late August to the end of the season.
Here are all the important dates you need to know for the 2018-19 MLB offseason. Some of them do involve the Royals, such as:
Oct. 29: As of 9 a.m. ET on Monday, all eligible players are free agents (Escobar - good riddance).
Oct. 31: Most contract option decisions are due on this date (Hammel should be declined, resulting $2 million buyout and Peralta should be accepted, resulting $3 million increase to the payroll, and could be future flip for additional minor leaguers if he performs well).
Nov. 6-8: General manager meetings in Carlsbad, California.
Nov. 12: Deadline for free agents to accept or reject the qualifying offer.
Nov. 14-15: Owners meetings in Atlanta (possible future CBA discussions).
Nov. 20: Deadline for teams to add eligible minor leaguers to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.
Spoiler!
The Royals announced they've added RHPs Arnaldo Hernandez, Josh Staumont and Scott Blewett to the 40-man roster, protecting them from next month's Rule 5 draft. Blewett appeared to take a big step in the Arizona Fall League. The 40-man roster is full right now.
Nov. 26-29: MLB Players Association executive board meeting in Dallas (possible future CBA discussions).
Nov. 30: Non-tender deadline.
Dec. 9-13: Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. This is typically when all offseason hell breaks loose.
Dec. 13: Rule 5 Draft (could see the Royals taking a stab here).
Jan. 11: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit 2019 salary figures (I believe KC has some arb-eligible players).
Feb. 1-20: Arbitration hearings. You win some, you lose some.
Mid-Feb. : SPRING TRAINING!
As usual, let's have a good off-season discussion on ways that the Royals can/should/would do to improve. I will try to update the OP as the off-season goes along. And Duncan, you're more than welcome to provide us some information that I can add onto the OP. Just let me know.
I’ve been worried that GMDM will resign Alcides. Hopefully this signals that we are moving away from him. I couldn’t believe that we signed him to the one year deal last year. [Reply]
I had a friend who did this sorta thing with Andy Reid. We all bitched Fat andy was a coward on short + goals. My friend conjured up a theory that Andy fears loss due to the loss of his son to drugs and subconsciously avoids high-risk coaching moves. It all sounded sensible, we had (1) facts about Andy and (2) his coaching behaviors.
Then the last couple years Reid started gojng for it all the time when he had better players and shittier defenses, and the laughable theory went bust. You get the point. [Reply]
Royals' center field job is open: Could Billy Hamilton be a potential fit? You'll hear those rumors over the next week. https://t.co/H7Uxi2uEG4 via @MLB
Hearing the Royals are looking hard at center fielder Billy Hamilton, recently non-tendered by the Reds. Not a surprise considering they reportedly looked into trading for him in the past and he fits their stated profile of 'action-type' players. Looks like @FlannyMLB is on it.
So how does signing Chris Owings affect our roster crunch? We're now set at the middle IF with Merrifield, Mondesi, and Owings. I'm not sure I see a spot on the roster for Roselle Herrera. Phillips and Goodwin seem to be the options at CF. Cuthbert and Dozier are the two options for at least another year at 3B, although I suppose Kelvin Gutierrez could push for a spot at some point? Nicky Lopez appears to be blocked for the foreseeable future, unless Moore still possibly considers a Merrifield trade next week at the winter meetings or at the trade deadline? [Reply]
I read recently (can't recall where) that Lopez is effectively ticketed for another year at Omaha, regardless of the ST performance. He's not on the 40 and there's no reason to start his clock at this point. I tend to agree. Barring a crazy haul for Merrifield from another team (doubtful) or prolonged Mondesi injury, we won't see him in KC until 2020. [Reply]
Originally Posted by dallaschiefsfan:
I read recently (can't recall where) that Lopez is effectively ticketed for another year at Omaha, regardless of the ST performance. He's not on the 40 and there's no reason to start his clock at this point. I tend to agree. Barring a crazy haul for Merrifield from another team (doubtful) or prolonged Mondesi injury, we won't see him in KC until 2020.
And if they do get that Merrifield offer, Owings probably becomes your everyday 2B.
Wouldn’t surprise me to see Owings get some time in CF too. [Reply]