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]
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
But the wheels fell off immediately and they can't be put back on. He's our Konerko. Our Victor Martinez, our Mauer. And not in a good way.
This might be true...but it's not as dire as you say. Gordon's end of the season surge had everything to do with taking the ball the other way. IF he continues to do that, things can turn around for him. He won't ever hit homers at like he did, but the gap power will still be there if he's willing to continue changing his approach. [Reply]
@jonmorosi: Eric Hosmer’s camp has continued pushing for a contract of more than 7 years, source says. [He is a young free agent at age 28.] The #Royals’ need to re-sign him (and capacity to pay him) increased with this week’s Brandon Moss trade. @MLBNetwork @MLB [Reply]
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
@jonmorosi: Eric Hosmer’s camp has continued pushing for a contract of more than 7 years, source says. [He is a young free agent at age 28.] The #Royals’ need to re-sign him (and capacity to pay him) increased with this week’s Brandon Moss trade. @MLBNetwork @MLB
Originally Posted by tk13:
It's no secret at this point that he's the guy they want.
Even if Hos shoots them down, Dayton just traded the guy who would be the opening day 1B. Right now it's either Dozier or a free agent. I can't believe they'd just hand the job to Dozier with no competition. The team website currently lists Cuthbert as both the starting 1B and 3B on the depth chart.
I mean, it's 1B. Who gives a shit. Fill in the rest of your positions, and just put a fat guy over there who can hit. There is not a least important position defensively than 1B. [Reply]
Eh, I'm ok giving him 7/140. We don't have much in out-year payroll, he will be at least good, he is durable as hell, competitive....I know we won't win for a few years but we have to spend some $$....and Alex/Ian will come off the books by then [Reply]
Jorge Soler better play EVERY SINGLE DAY. Yes he will be atrocious on the field. But he has a chance to become OFFENSIVELY close to Aaron Judge. He probably won't. But he could.
Originally Posted by BWillie:
Jorge Soler better play EVERY SINGLE DAY. Yes he will be atrocious on the field. But he has a chance to become OFFENSIVELY close to Aaron Judge. He probably won't. But he could.
