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
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Kelenic is the top prep bat, toolsy OF. Royals would be ecstatic to have shot at him.
1B Triston Casas, American Heritage HS (FL).
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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 Chiefspants:
I'd be all about adding Volquez or Vargas on cheap "show-me" deals as well. Jeeze, If either Soler or Mondesi could reach their potential, suddenly that lineup looks far better than it did at the beginning of the offseason.
You really think Dayton Moore made moves based on Hosmer liking someone? If those guys being dicks in the clubhouse played a part in moving them, then Moore came to that decision on his own, probably with input from Ned, not because Hosmer told him to. [Reply]
You really think Dayton Moore made moves based on Hosmer liking someone? If those guys being dicks in the clubhouse played a part in moving them, then Moore came to that decision on his own, probably with input from Ned, not because Hosmer told him to.
:-) ok
Just because you don't know doesn't mean it isn't so.
You probably told me the rams were staying in stl. Over 10 years ago too. .:-) [Reply]
Originally Posted by Hog's Gone Fishin:
Also Gordo needs eyeglasses
Back when Alex first started sucking, I said that I thought he needed LASIK.
Unfortunately, if that was the issue, I assume he would have addressed it by now. [Reply]
Originally Posted by cosmo20002:
Volquez had TJ surgery near the end of last season.
I'm aware. Give him a 2 year "show me" deal like Hoch and see how it goes. He's loved in the clubhouse and at this point, let's see how it goes! [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
Not in the way most think. Hos and Valencia were actually super close...
And word was Valencia's epic douchebaggery was influencing Hos in the wrong ways. I.E. bullying Billy, not respecting "the process", etc.
I thought I remembered Valencia getting blackballed from the team after he told the media about the team boycotting 810 because Hosmer and Dyson couldn't get in to an 810 Zone to see a Mayweather fight. They they traded him a month or so later. [Reply]
Originally Posted by WhawhaWhat:
I thought I remembered Valencia getting blackballed from the team after he told the media about the team boycotting 810 because Hosmer and Dyson couldn't get in to an 810 Zone to see a Mayweather fight. They they traded him a month or so later.
I would think Hos was on Valencia's side on that one. All indicators are that Hos had/has a big bromance with Valencia.
This was right after Valencia gave Billy a concussion...
Don't understand all the negativity towards Danny Valencia. One of the better teammates/friends I've had in this game.
Hos made a choice here to defend one of the most reviled players in the MLB (both by FO's and by fans) instead of Billy - a teammate he had for years. This is while Billy was still relatively high regard by the KC community.
The word was that GMDM was concerned about the effects Valencia was having on Hosmer (they were both Miami guys and had an instant friendship). I could be wrong, but the story that Hosmer demanded Valencia to be traded is a complete 180 from what everything I heard before. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
I would think Hos was on Valencia's side on that one. All indicators are that Hos had/has a big bromance with Valencia.
This was right after Valencia gave Billy a concussion...
Don't understand all the negativity towards Danny Valencia. One of the better teammates/friends I've had in this game.
Hos made a choice here to defend one of the most reviled players in the MLB (both by FO's and by fans) instead of Billy - a teammate he had for years. This is while Billy was still relatively high regard by the KC community.
The word was that GMDM was concerned about the effects Valencia was having on Hosmer (they were both Miami guys and had an instant friendship). I could be wrong, but the story that Hosmer demanded Valencia to be traded is a complete 180 from what everything I heard before.
Originally Posted by jd1020:
He doesn't strike me as the kind of player that has reached the status of being able to demand roster changes.
I'd have a hard time making a guy like Hosmer more comfortable. I'd probably just trade him instead.
Hosmer has earned near unlimited equity with our franchise, i.e. DM, for what he's done here. He's been involved in so many huge moments that if he wants a Shithead gone, then the Shithead be gone.
The triple vs Oak in the WC game, the winner game 2 vs ANA in extras, the ASG HR/MVP, the gold gloves, the 2-run HR game 4 vs Hou, the mad dash in the WS clincher. He's done more for the fans than no-names could ever dream of.
The triple vs Oakland is probably the single best AB I've seen in 35 years of watching the Royals. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
Hosmer has earned near unlimited equity with our franchise, i.e. DM, for what he's done here. He's been involved in so many huge moments that if he wants a Shithead gone, then the Shithead be gone.
The triple vs Oak in the WC game, the winner game 2 vs ANA in extras, the ASG HR/MVP, the gold gloves, the 2-run HR game 4 vs Hou, the mad dash in the WS clincher. He's done more for the fans than no-names could ever dream of.
The triple vs Oakland is probably the single best AB I've seen in 35 years of watching the Royals.
