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 siberian khatru:
I think he's waiting for a third team to swoop in and top the Padres and Royals.
Seems unlikely that will happen. If you're willing to sign a guy for 7-9 years at 20-25M per, it seems like you wouldn't screw around with a plan to swoop in at the last moment and risk losing him if he takes an offer already on the table.
But we don't know the behind-the-scenes stuff going on...anything is possible, I guess. [Reply]
Originally Posted by SAUTO:
Someone says the padres offered 8 years. And hos wanted someone cut. Supposedly they did it and are going to announce the signing tomorrow.
Originally Posted by SAUTO:
Someone says the padres offered 8 years. And hos wanted someone cut. Supposedly they did it and are going to announce the signing tomorrow.
No link.
Padres fans are going to be furious. The meltdown on reddit about the previous rumors was already fantastic.
I wish him all the best if he ends up there. [Reply]
Padres beat writer who just moved to the Athletic said yesterday that SD has had regular communication with Hosmer recently. They at least appear to be making an effort. [Reply]
As for Moose, Jon Heyman says he's been in touch with the Yankees, but the Yankees people think it's a long shot they sign him. They don't want to go over the luxury tax and they don't want to lose the draft pick. Says it's unlikely they sign him. [Reply]
Originally Posted by SAUTO:
Someone says the padres offered 8 years. And hos wanted someone cut. Supposedly they did it and are going to announce the signing tomorrow.
No link.
he demanded someone get cut? I wonder what reason there could possibly be? [Reply]
