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]
Man. Really thought Soria would be someone you could dump for a nothing prospect and his buyout money. His peripherals were actually really good last year.
I don't like dumping Alexander in the move at all. I think he's someone whose value is going to really increase as he refines that sinker, IMO. Think they could have moved the rest of the high priced members of the pen, given him the closer role, and sold much higher after he racked up some saves.
We also got back two minor leaguers, Oaks and Mejia. I doubt if anyone knows if they are good, but after 5 minutes of internet searching, you too can be an expert on two former dodgers minor league players. [Reply]
At least we won't have to watch Soria blow any games this upcoming year. Would have liked to keep Alexander, but we'll see what we got back from the Dodgers. Plus, now we get to hit against Soria! [Reply]
Dodgers show interest in Alexander for some prospects, Royals say ok, but we also want Soria gone, Dodgers find another team willing to take on Sorias contract from the Royals for a Dodgers prospect, Dodgers end up dealing 3 minor leaguers for Alexander.
I wonder how long this trade took to happen, I always find 3 team trades confusing. [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
Man. Really thought Soria would be someone you could dump for a nothing prospect and his buyout money. His peripherals were actually really good last year.
Were they? He had a career-low flyball rate, going from 36% to 23%. His HR rate on flyballs also plummeted from 9% to an absurd 2.9%. I'd bet anything I owned he'll regress badly next year, esp in this environment. DM sold high on Soria.
The counter to that is his Pitch FX data. Says he severely dropped his fastball percentage from 66% to 49%, and replaced it with his changeup. 31% changeups indicates he sorta became a junk-baller last year. Which - again in this environment - was probably a wise move from a fading vet. [Reply]
If Alexander turns into a mini-Britton this trade isn't going to look too hot.
But if this team is truly trying to rebuild and not win this year, then relievers are always the first to go. Strike while the iron's hot. They got rid of Soria's contract while getting a guy who could be a back of the rotation starter. That does have value. It would definitely take a load off the payroll to develop a 200 IP inning eater or two, as opposed to having to pay guys like Guthrie or Hammel 8 or 9 million a year to fill that role. [Reply]
Originally Posted by gblowfish:
At least we won't have to watch Soria blow any games this upcoming year. Would have liked to keep Alexander, but we'll see what we got back from the Dodgers. Plus, now we get to hit against Soria!
Don’t have to worry about blowing games when we field a 65 win team. I’m ok doing that next year too!
To the @Royals organization and its fans: I am so excited and thankful for this opportunity to build new relationships, compete, and win together! I’m looking forward to developing more as a pitcher and to meeting my new teammates, coaches, and staff at Spring Training!
If this helps us lock up Hosmer, fine. Whatever it takes. Trade Duffy if you absolutely have to. Hosmer is THAT important in my unpopular opinion. A much needed face on a team that will definitely lack identity. [Reply]