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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]
Prison Bitch 02:59 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by Bowser:
And not a single one of those bastards can go with "He Hate Me"? Weak.
No, just add a "y" to the name and you too can make a retarded nickname like the Royals.


Bowsy
LewY
Darty
Suzy (actually that fits suzzer perfect)
Bitchy (fits me too)


Or just give up and go cut-off:
Chi
Dunk (for Duncan)
Brook (penBrook)
[Reply]
suzzer99 03:04 PM 08-09-2017
Fun fact, when you add a 'y' to Prison Bitch - 'self-loathing repressed homosexual' comes out. The English language sure is quirky sometimes.
[Reply]
FringeNC 03:06 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
Remember last week when I said he was 12th worst all time out of 12,728 qualifiers since 1901? Alshittys has actually dropped! He's now 7th worst.


I actually think he's going to be benched soon. This is the last run. If they'll bench Gordon, they'll bench Esky.
[Reply]
Unsmooth-Moment 03:18 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by FringeNC:
I actually think he's going to be benched soon. This is the last run. If they'll bench Gordon, they'll bench Esky.
I dunno. Esky has what appears to be the longest leash in the game. It's unbelievable.
[Reply]
siberian khatru 03:33 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by FringeNC:
I actually think he's going to be benched soon. This is the last run. If they'll bench Gordon, they'll bench Esky.
I'm not sure of that. They don't really have the handy replacement for him that they did for Gordon. After the way Mondesi flopped last year and in April, I bet they're not eager to throw him into the fire of a pennant race. Plus, they're babying him at Omaha after returning from that back injury, pulling him after three at-bats in games and resting him in the second game of a DH the other night.

And they're definitely not going to replace him with Torres. Now, if they could somehow get Cozart ...

But they've always had an insanely high opinion of Esky's defense, almost like he's Ozzie or Omar; I almost wonder if they have some kind of internal metric (Polk Points!) that tells them he's a top 2-3 defender. The flat-out refusal to EVER rest him indicates they think he's indispensable with the glove. He could hit .100 and they'd play him.















Now watch him get benched tomorrow. :-)
[Reply]
suzzer99 03:36 PM 08-09-2017
Esky was on a tear for a while there - until what about 3 weeks ago?
[Reply]
Fansy the Famous Bard 03:38 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
Esky was on a tear for a while there - until what about 3 weeks ago?
Yes, he had a pretty good 2 and a half day stretch awhile back.
[Reply]
siberian khatru 03:39 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by suzzer99:
Esky was on a tear for a while there - until what about 3 weeks ago?
About a month -- late June to late July. He raised his average from .199 to .236, his OPS from .479 to .583.

But he's 8 for 62 since.
[Reply]
siberian khatru 03:44 PM 08-09-2017

Ned said Sal Perez was re-examined last night. Swelling is down. Now looks like closer to 2-3 weeks instead of four.

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) August 9, 2017


[Reply]
penbrook 04:32 PM 08-09-2017
Seattle about to win. They now hold the wild card spot
[Reply]
Al Bundy 04:45 PM 08-09-2017
Good interview with David Lesky on 810 at 5 PM. He thinks 85% that Gordon is done.
[Reply]
BWillie 04:47 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by Al Bundy:
Good interview with David Lesky on 810 at 5 PM. He thinks 85% that Gordon is done.
Seems to be the opposite of what the FS1 commentator said last night. Indicated that they've verified swing speed and it's not any different. Think it's mental and having issues identifying breaking pitches and it's snowballed into a physical issue.
[Reply]
penbrook 05:11 PM 08-09-2017
Originally Posted by BWillie:
Seems to be the opposite of what the FS1 commentator said last night. Indicated that they've verified swing speed and it's not any different. Think it's mental and having issues identifying breaking pitches and it's snowballed into a physical issue.
Exactly I heard the same thing. Verducci said the mental aspect is affecting his game. He is way out in front of the off speed stuff which is causing him to ground out. Last night his stance was changed. He was standing up more instead of being crouched over
[Reply]
penbrook 05:13 PM 08-09-2017
No one wants to see Gordon fail. Everyone is rooting for him to succeed. I have faith he will get it turned around. He's too good not to.
[Reply]
tk13 06:03 PM 08-09-2017
Of course, there's no guarantee Gordon will get over that mental hurdle.

Verducci's comments go with what a lot of people have said though. Gordon supposedly still looks great in batting practice. His swing speed and ability to hit for power seems to be fine. It's just not translating to the game at all.
[Reply]
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