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:
How could he have predicted Yost would send up the amazing Ryan Goins as a pinch hitter?
How could you NOT predict that? Ned may sit Alcides at some point this year... .but ONLY to ensure he can PH him in a critical situation with the game on the line. [Reply]
Some housekeeping: The Royals are skipping Eric Skoglund in Detroit. It’ll be Hammel, Junis, Duffy. I thank @FlannyMLB for his help getting to the bottom of this.
Originally Posted by Fansy the Famous Bard:
How could you NOT predict that? Ned may sit Alcides at some point this year... .but ONLY to ensure he can PH him in a critical situation with the game on the line.
Oh, I could predict it. Just saying Soria probably would not have. [Reply]
Teams weren’t paying a premium for rentals. Look at the return of JD Martinez. Wasn’t a haul. The days of fleecing someone for a rental a few and far between (like the Cubs trading Torres for Chapman). That’s just not happening. We’ll see this year if that changes and what the returns are like. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
While we're *****ing, I'm a bit chapped that Ned benched Jorge "he needs 500 AB's this year" Soler for Paulo 32 years old Orlando.
I was happy. I thought Soler would tee off on Giolito since he had no location whatsoever. But Orlando did sting the ball a couple times. Just had to tip your cap to the defense. But I agree, Soler should’ve been playing. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
While we're *****ing, I'm a bit chapped that Ned benched Jorge "he needs 500 AB's this year" Soler for Paulo 32 years old Orlando.
I think we need to just need to finally accept Paulo for the great Prospect he is! [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
While we're *****ing, I'm a bit chapped that Ned benched Jorge "he needs 500 AB's this year" Soler for Paulo 32 years old Orlando.
