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Nzoner's Game Room>*** Official 2017 Royals Repository ***
Chiefspants 10:55 AM 04-05-2017
Chiefsplanet’s (Proposed) 2017 Season Title: One Last Ride

Midish-Season Update (Royals 51-47, 2nd Wild Card, 1.5 GB of ALC):

We're halfway through 2017, and fittingly to the Chiefsplanet's 2017 Season Title, the Royals are all-in on what will likely be one final run with the current core. While many are worried the Royals will take a 2004 style tumble after this year, the farm system is hardly the barren wasteland it was during the Baird years. To see what's in the pipeline and what we have to look forward to, check out this exceptional list and analysis that Duncan put together of our system.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...htmlview#gid=0

While I had the honor of starting this thread this year, Duncan will always have a VIP pass to this OP, and can add more content at any time.

2017's Burning Questions Revisited:

1. What is the threshold between being “buyers” and “sellers” at the deadline?

We're buyers, baby.

In April, I argued that it would be a wise strategy for us to sell if we were 5 GB or worse, but that Dayton would likely add supplemental pieces for us to load up for another run if we were 1-2 GB. On July 24th, the Royals found themselves in sole possession of the 2nd wild card spot and 1.5 games back of the division. In April I said the Royals might pull the trigger on someone like Alex Cobb and resign Luke Hochevar, but since the Rays are also buyers and Luke's shoulder hasn't rebounded, this prediction hasn't come to fruition. Luckily, Dayton Moore again proved much more adept and creative than me by adding Trevor Cahill (good call, Duncan), Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter in a single trade. Giving us a solid starter to compete in 2017, and two relievers whom we will control through 2019 and 2021, respectively, keeping Moore's new vision through 2019-2020 intact. Moore has hinted that the Royals will continue to pursue the right deals if they're there, so the fun may not be over just yet. While we may not have the bullets to pull in a "star" like Cueto or Zo, Moore's adeptness may yet again net us what we need for another run in October.

2. Can Gordo and Moose bounce back to 2015 levels?

In April I asked if Gordo could at least set the table at a 265/325/425 clip and if Moose could deliver damage around a 265/335/500 clip for an entire year. This season Mr. Moustakas has been the prospect that was promised, delivering at a 277/307/568 clip as of this update. Gordo, on the other hand, has put up an unbelievably abysmal line thus far. But, if there is a silver lining, it's that Gordo has performed at a 246/311/432 line since June 1st, and if he can continue to perform near that mark, he will be more than a valuable asset at the bottom of the lineup while he continues to provide the best LF defense in the league.

3. Can Ned Yost manage a bullpen?

In April, I felt that despite the poor start, Royals bullpen would ultimately be "solid" this year, but the question was whether "solid" was good enough for Ned. I argued that the Royals needed Soria to bounce back and that Ned would need to start being strategic in his L/L and R/R matchups. While Ned has still made at times baffling and frustrating decisions with his starters (such as allowing Travis Wood to try to "get the win" and still insisting on sending Hammel out for the 6th, he's mostly done a good job).

MASH: Minor/Moylan - Alexander - Soria - Herrera (Credit to C3HIEF3S for the origins of the phrase) have cemented into reliable pieces, and now that Herrera is showing signs of stabilizing, our dumping of Wood, our call up Flynn, and the acquisition of Buchter and Maurer, the Royals have the potential to enter October with one of the best and deepest bullpens in the postseason.

4. Will the Royals find a boost from an unexpected X-Factor to lift them to contention?

Cool-Whit, Boni, Mike ****ing Minor, and Alexander have come up huge thus far. Cool Whit is, incredibly, is second on the team in WAR and has more than replaced Zo's presence on the team. They, like the X-Factors on the 2014-2015 teams, have been critical cogs as we've raced back to contention, while Cool-Whit and Boni also have provided a rosier outlook for this team's future. It's worth noting that Salvador Perez and Jason Vargas has been beasts on offense and the mound (along with Sal providing his customary defensive excellence), but I am still a bit wary of Salvy's annual Yost assisted offensive drought as the team moves into August, along with Vargy regressing to his averages.

5. Can Jorge Soler and Brandon Moss be productive contributors in Kauffman’s dimensions?

Ouch, no, but the Royals shift to power-hitting in the juiced ball era looks like one that will pay off. Thankfully, Moss is showing signs of entering his seasonal hot streak where he becomes corn-fed Jesus for a month, and we'll need him hot to keep up with Cleveland down the stretch. While Jorge has been painful to watch in the majors, his scorching performance in AAA should give one a bright hope for the future. While some may disagree, I offer Moose, Hos, Gordo, and Duffy's struggles as exhibit A for why it is far too early to give up on Soler's potential.

Bonus Question - Is Raul Mondesi truly ready to be an everyday player?

Ha! Not even close. However, like Soler, his progress in AAA is incredibly encouraging. With ceilings like Lindor and floors being Esky being thrown out there, it's hard not to be excited about his future.

The Picture Forward

There are many reasons to be excited, and not only for 2017. The Royals emergence of Cool Whit, Bonifacio, and Scott Alexander, and the fact that we have pieces like Salvador Perez, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera, Jorge Soler, Ryan Buchter, Brandon Maurer Cheslor Cuthbert, and Raul Mondesi until at least 2019 should leave one feeling pretty optimistic. Re-up Moose or Hos (and heck, re-sign Dyson while we're at it), and suddenly this team looks very much like one that could compete for the indefinite future.

The Royals are all in again, buckle in and enjoy the ride.

April OP:

Spoiler!

[Reply]
BigCatDaddy 10:52 PM 07-03-2017
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
For a ransom.

If stay away from Gray. He's a small RH guy who doesn't strike as many guys out as you'd expect a true ace to get.

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Last year and a half he has been pretty meh.
[Reply]
Hootie 10:57 PM 07-03-2017
'14 we trotted out Shields, Ace, Vargas and Guthrie

This team has never relied on SP to win playoff games - why start now?

I do think we need to find a guy, but we are pretty thin in the farm system, so unless we plan on dangling Ashe ... I don't know what we're expecting. It's not like we have Reed/Finnegan/Lamb or Manaea these days. I don't know who we're going to beat in a bidding war at the deadline for pitching. Everyone needs pitching. The Cubs desperately need pitching.
[Reply]
Hootie 10:58 PM 07-03-2017
I think we're ok with Duffy/Vargas/Kennedy ... but throwing another similar caliber pitcher into that mix would certainly do wonders.

It's too bad Dayton couldn't look into his crystal ball and resign Holland - a Minor/Soria/Herrera/Holland bullpen looks pretty elite to me.
[Reply]
Why Not? 11:48 PM 07-03-2017
If Kennedy keeps up his past couple performances we have a capable 1-3. Hammel and Wood are fine for 4/5 types. Another pitcher would be neat, but as has been mentioned, at what price? Mondesi? Dozier/Starling? Nah. Let's roll with who we have and see how it plays out.
[Reply]
TLO 11:51 PM 07-03-2017
Originally Posted by KCCHIEFS27:
Isn't it Duffy facing Hernandez tomorrow?
Yes
[Reply]
duncan_idaho 10:01 AM 07-04-2017
Originally Posted by Hootie:
I think we're ok with Duffy/Vargas/Kennedy ... but throwing another similar caliber pitcher into that mix would certainly do wonders.

It's too bad Dayton couldn't look into his crystal ball and resign Holland - a Minor/Soria/Herrera/Holland bullpen looks pretty elite to me.

They tried before signing Minor.

Basically, the contract Minor got is what they offered Holland. He wanted a guarantee to close when he came back.

They also looked hard when he was rehabbing this winter, but between the relationship cooling and him not telling people what was going on, too much damage to the relationship.


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[Reply]
ROYC75 10:02 AM 07-04-2017
Originally Posted by KChiefs1:
Sonny Gray available from the A's?


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I wish we could afford to get him.
[Reply]
tk13 11:13 AM 07-04-2017
Moose and Justin Turner lead the Final Vote tally so far. Bogaerts is in 2nd though, going to have to fend off the Red Sox fans for the next two days.
[Reply]
penbrook 11:15 AM 07-04-2017
Originally Posted by tk13:
Moose and Justin Turner lead the Final Vote tally so far. Bogaerts is in 2nd though, going to have to fend off the Red Sox fans for the next two days.
Yea all of Canada is going for Xander
[Reply]
Mama Hip Rockets 11:32 AM 07-04-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
Yea all of Canada is going for Xander
What? Why? Blue Jays fans hate the Red Sox.
[Reply]
penbrook 11:41 AM 07-04-2017
Originally Posted by thurman merman:
What? Why? Blue Jays fans hate the Red Sox.
No idea but last I saw Xander had 40% of the vote and Moose only had 10%
[Reply]
KChiefs1 11:52 AM 07-04-2017
Originally Posted by tk13:
Moose and Justin Turner lead the Final Vote tally so far. Bogaerts is in 2nd though, going to have to fend off the Red Sox fans for the next two days.




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[Reply]
duncan_idaho 11:52 AM 07-04-2017
Originally Posted by ROYC75:
I wish we could afford to get him.

He's not a real ace but will command ace prices.

Just lacks that dominant put-away pitch. He's a really nice no. 2/3 starter, but not as good as James Shields was when KC traded for him, for example.


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[Reply]
KChiefs1 12:21 PM 07-04-2017
Cubs going after Verlander?

MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: Cubs reportedly eyeing Tigers' Verlander, Avila

The reigning World Series champion Cubs are a disappointing 42-40 on the season (through Monday night), but thanks to the surrounding mediocrity in the NL Central they're still very much in the race. They do, however, need roster improvements, and that's why they're expected to be an active buyer leading up to the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline. On that point ...

#Cubs inquired to #Tigers on availability of Justin Verlander and Alex Avila, sources say, but sides have not engaged in trade negotiations.

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 4, 2017
Needless to say, the Cubs dealing for Justin Verlander and Alex Avila would qualify as a blockbuster.

The Cubs indeed need help in the rotation. At present, they rank seventh in the NL in rotation ERA and ninth in rotation WAR. Those aren't necessarily dismal numbers, but it's certainly something a team that aspires to make the postseason should seek to improve. As for Verlander, he has had a disappointing season. The 34-year-old has an ERA of 4.96 (87 ERA+) through 17 starts and his K/BB ratio of 1.96 is his worst such mark since 2008. Obviously, the Cubs wouldn't deal for Verlander unless they project significant improvement going forward. Also worth noting is that Verlander still has at least $70 million or so left on his contract. That is, if the Tigers want anything of long-term value in return, they'll need to throw in a lot of cash.

As for Avila, he's enjoying a career year at the plate thanks in part to some mechanical changes to his swing. After cutting bait on Miguel Montero, the Cubs might be looking for some additional catching depth. Avila could also spell Anthony Rizzo at first base on occasion.

Developing, possibly.


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[Reply]
penbrook 12:24 PM 07-04-2017
Eh Verlander has been ass this year. Avila would be a good get for the Cubs
[Reply]
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