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]
I don't see the point in signing numerous middling free agents to avoid being awful. Just tank and stockpile talent.
I think this year is going to be a really fascinating experiment, because of what it says right there in that article... a third of the league is trying to tank.
I 100% agree the Royals need to rebuild the farm system, but it puts you in an interesting spot. These teams are not ahead of the game anymore. When a third of the league is trying to tank, you could have a terrible season and still end up with the 11th or 12th pick. Is that going to work? That doesn't guarantee you'll get a Hosmer or Moose. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
Is there anyway we can get lucky enough that Ned will make Escobar a back up in fielder instead of starting SS this year? Mondesi NEEDS to play. EVERY ****ING DAY. It's time.
Hardly relevant, since Mondesi is injured and likely to start the season in extended spring training. [Reply]
"And it looks like Rule 5 draft pick Brad Keller, lefty submariner Tim Hill, and veteran reliever Blaine Boyer will be in the pen."
I think Tim Hill making the opening day roster is a big deal. If he's as good as they think, he could end up as the closer and be in that position for a long time. [Reply]
"And it looks like Rule 5 draft pick Brad Keller, lefty submariner Tim Hill, and veteran reliever Blaine Boyer will be in the pen."
I think Tim Hill making the opening day roster is a big deal. If he's as good as they think, he could end up as the closer and be in that position for a long time.
That would be awesome. Soria was a rule 5 guy right? [Reply]
Originally Posted by dlphg9:
That would be awesome. Soria was a rule 5 guy right?
Soria was a rule 5 guy. But, Tim Hill is not. He'll be coming from AA ball to the majors. The other rule 5 guy from this year is Burch Smith. Evidently, he did not have a good spring and they aren't sure if they are going to keep him or send him back to the Rays. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
Lovelady ended up not being as ready as fans thought he would be, I take it? Needs more time in the minors?
I forgot about Lovelady. If he develops like they think he can, this bullpen could be elite sometime in the near future. Maybe not this year, but soon. [Reply]
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
Lovelady ended up not being as ready as fans thought he would be, I take it? Needs more time in the minors?
I think it was more of a numbers game. He seemed to pitch fine. He's not on the 40, so why rush him to the bigs if you can keep team control for another year. If there weren't other options already on the 40, it might have worked out different. [Reply]
