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 a parallel universe, he doesn't get the DUI, we re-sign Hosmer and keep Duffy and we go for a run while rebuilding. Unfortunately, it's like trying to lose weight while gaining muscle and we just tread water for years.
In this universe, Duffy's DUI gives GMDM the ability to not see Duffy as the golden child, so he DOES trade him, lets all the free agents walk and trades other players too. In 5 years, the Royals are back in it, and we sign Duffy for a 3 year, 35 million dollar deal as our 4th starter and we make the playoffs 3 years in a row. [Reply]
Originally Posted by JohnDONsey:
It's disappointing but you can't put loyalty over building the team properly. It's why a team like the Red Wings are the trash heap they currently are.
The fact that they made the playoffs 25 years in a row and drafting low every year probably has more to do with it than what you suggested. [Reply]
Originally Posted by lewdog:
This is sad. We've gone decades with literally no one actually WANTING to stay a Royal for life.
We have one in Duffy who has clearly stated numerous times he just wants to stay here and pitch.
I don't give a shit about the DUI. I still like Duffy and hope he gets his wish.
Ain't about the DUI, it's the elbow. He had TJ in June 2012, and the average recurrence is 4.97 years later. He just passed that date.
His 5/65 was heavily backloaded too. He got 5 this year, with 4/60 left. Given his TJ risk and heavy salary, he's a great bet to be dead money in the future. [Reply]
@FlannyMLB: The Royals will pick 15th instead of 18th in the Rule 5 draft tomorrow morning because three teams in front of them are maxed out on the 40-man roster. Dayton Moore said they are definitely considering a Rule 5 pick but still might not see someone good enough to make a pick. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
Ain't about the DUI, it's the elbow. He had TJ in June 2012, and the average recurrence is 4.97 years later. He just passed that date.
His 5/65 was heavily backloaded too. He got 5 this year, with 4/60 left. Given his TJ risk and heavy salary, he's a great bet to be dead money in the future.
I won't disagree with that analysis either. Definitely something that's likely mentioned. [Reply]
23 min ago
@Haudricourt: Heard last night that #Brewers have talked to Royals about their available players but was given no indication if any traction resulted from it. #Brewers continue to look for starting pitching, relievers and possible 2B help.
1 hr ago
@BNightengale: The Baltimore #Orioles, who hope to trade Manny Machado by the end of the week, are also strongly pursuing #Royals starter Danny Duffy
@BNightengale: The San Diego #Padres have become clear-cut favorites to sign 1B Eric Hosmer after two face-to-face meetings with #Redsox still lurking [Reply]