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]
In some ways, I sympathize with his "view". But his view is on the wrong side of how history is proceeding. Truth is, he'll tout metrics next year if it serves his players better. It's typical Boras-spin. [Reply]
@Ken_Rosenthal: #Royals GM Dayton Moore told KC radio station in November that payroll would be in $110M-$120M range. Sources now indicate number will be no more than $110M. Only way Hosmer fits is if #Royals trim in other areas. KC listening on everyone, getting significant interest in Duffy.
@rustindodd: The Royals are still fielding calls on Duffy, Alexander, Merrifield and Herrera, looking for controllable talent that would fit into rebuild. Also still seeking to unload contracts of Hammel and Soria.
10 min ago
@JonHeyman: Danny Duffy extremely popular on trade market. KC seriously thinking about trading. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
@Ken_Rosenthal: #Royals GM Dayton Moore told KC radio station in November that payroll would be in $110M-$120M range. Sources now indicate number will be no more than $110M. Only way Hosmer fits is if #Royals trim in other areas. KC listening on everyone, getting significant interest in Duffy.
@rustindodd: The Royals are still fielding calls on Duffy, Alexander, Merrifield and Herrera, looking for controllable talent that would fit into rebuild. Also still seeking to unload contracts of Hammel and Soria.
10 min ago
@JonHeyman: Danny Duffy extremely popular on trade market. KC seriously thinking about trading.
So trade everyone to re sign Hosmer and then have a trash team ? [Reply]
