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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]
penbrook 12:19 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S:
He was a complete headcase.
I don't remember him ever being a problem.

In other news looks like Braves won't trade Adams. They will try and buy
[Reply]
C3HIEF3S 12:25 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
I don't remember him ever being a problem.

In other news looks like Braves won't trade Adams. They will try and buy
Cueto was absolutely awful in September 2015. Then proceeding to blame his failures on Salvy targeting too high in the zone.

It wasn't until game 5 of the ALDS that he picked his shit back up, of which he momentarily dropped again in Toronto during game 3.

I will never regret the Cueto trade, but he didn't make his time here easy in any regard whatsoever. His three months here were a rollercoaster, that fortunately ended on the highest possible moment.
[Reply]
RealSNR 12:30 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
Why not? He was crucial in our World Series win
How's he doing these days?
[Reply]
Chiefspants 12:37 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S:

I will never regret the Cueto trade, but he didn't make his time here easy in any regard whatsoever. His three months here were a rollercoaster, that fortunately ended on the highest possible moment.
There's also the possibility that Cueto doesn't opt out of his contract after this year, leaving us on the hook for 4/84 after this season. Seeing how his velocity has already dramatically declined since the start of 2015, we'd probably be wise to look for another rental.

Edinson Volquez, coincidentally, has outpitched Cueto this year and would be much, much cheaper (not advocating that move, just giving an example).
[Reply]
penbrook 12:42 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by RealSNR:
How's he doing these days?
Terrible but people come through in clutch moments. Just look at Hosmer his best moments are in the clutch. Seems like everytime we needed a hit he came
through. I think the moment his clutchness started was that triple off the wall vs the A's
[Reply]
CaliforniaChief 12:48 PM 07-05-2017
Now that the team is in the middle of this chase, they've gotta go all in and try to win this thing.

The return on half-year rentals isn't that great anyways, and it would be totally like this Royals' regime to completely buck conventional wisdom, do what everyone thinks you shouldn't do, and win the whole thing...in the process pissing off losers like Jason LaCanfora.
[Reply]
RealSNR 12:49 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by penbrook:
Terrible but people come through in clutch moments. Just look at Hosmer his best moments are in the clutch. Seems like everytime we needed a hit he came
through. I think the moment his clutchness started was that triple off the wall vs the A's
Yeah... you can go ahead and have "clutch." I'll take a better pitcher, thank you very much
[Reply]
Halfcan 01:48 PM 07-05-2017
Royals now sit at 66- 1 Odds to win World Series.

https://sports.yahoo.com/first-three...190838374.html

Kansas City Royals — 66/1
[Reply]
KChiefs1 01:54 PM 07-05-2017
I'd like to buy a pitcher we can have for a couple of years instead of a two month rental.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
[Reply]
penbrook 02:08 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by KChiefs1:
I'd like to buy a pitcher we can have for a couple of years instead of a two month rental.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
And who that be?
[Reply]
RealSNR 02:10 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by KChiefs1:
I'd like to buy a pitcher we can have for a couple of years instead of a two month rental.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
1. Tapatalk main page. Look at the bottom right. Find "Me"

2. Settings

3. Signature

4. Turn that shit the fuck off

5. Thank you
[Reply]
Sure-Oz 02:22 PM 07-05-2017
So if all the FA's move on to expected contracts what do the Royals get in terms of picks?
[Reply]
C3HIEF3S 02:25 PM 07-05-2017
Even though he has been injured lately, don't forget about Hunter Dozier.

Assuming his recovery is on-schedule, he should be back prior to the July 31 trade deadline with time to spare. He can play third base or a corner outfield position. Can easily be trade-bait, if he is 100% coming off of his wrist injury. He's still one of the most valuable prospects in the system. I think that would officially qualify as going "all-in", but he could be the front-piece of a package if the Royals are really looking for some value. Especially if the Royals have confidence in resigning Moustakas, and even if they don't Cuthbert has looked okay at third when given everyday AB's.

Dozier could provide some youth in the OF for a team like the Rangers who are aging heavily.

On the contrary, an OF consisting of a progressed Soler, Dozier, and Bonifacio could have some big upside at the plate down the road. Rotating one of the three through the DH spot, and signing a second tier CF.
[Reply]
Chiefspants 02:27 PM 07-05-2017
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
So if all the FA's move on to expected contracts what do the Royals get in terms of picks?
I would say Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas, and Lorenzo Cain are all in line for 50 million dollar deals. That would net us three sandwich picks, I believe.

If Jason Vargas continues his current dominence, he will easily pick up 50 million as well. An older and injury plagued Rich Hill only threw 110 innings in 2016 and got 48 million, and Vargas should easily get more if he keeps this up.

And this one might be more of a long shot, but if Ian Kennedy has the second half he did in 2016, he too may have a shot at 50 million.

If everyone stays healthy, we likely have 3 picks coming our way, with a bit of luck, that could be 4 or 5, though I won't complain if we opt to send Moose a fleet of Brinks trucks instead.
[Reply]
CaliforniaChief 02:28 PM 07-05-2017
I really hope we can sign Moose. I know it's probably wishful thinking.
[Reply]
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