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]
So it sounds like the Yankees will get Stanton. That will be bad for our pitchers when we go to Yankee Stadium, but the only bright side is I can't imagine they'd make a huge offer to Hosmer now. Yankees are eating $265 million of Stanton's salary. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
So it sounds like the Yankees will get Stanton. That will be bad for our pitchers when we go to Yankee Stadium, but the only bright side is I can't imagine they'd make a huge offer to Hosmer now. Yankees are eating $265 million of Stanton's salary.
Jesus, Stanton and Judge in the 3 and 4 hole. Work on your sliders, major league pitchers. Or just intentionally walk them every at bat, whichever.
And I would guess that puts an end to the hope of Hosmer coming back. I assume Boston is going to blow his doors off with an offer in an attempt to offset Stanton to New York. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Bowser:
Jesus, Stanton and Judge in the 3 and 4 hole. Work on your sliders, major league pitchers. Or just intentionally walk them every at bat, whichever.
And I would guess that puts an end to the hope of Hosmer coming back. I assume Boston is going to blow his doors off with an offer in an attempt to offset Stanton to New York.
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
@JonHeyman: Red Sox seeking a big hitter. Looking at JD, Hosmer and possible trade candidates (Schwarber, via @ScottLauber)
I think he goes to the Red Sox. Get back in the AL where he can play some DH as well. Plus I think they need a power bat now to match the Yankees and that isn't Hosmer. [Reply]
I still think Hosmer will be back in Kansas City, but Boston is the only other choice. Especially since his pussy is in Boston right now working. [Reply]
"The Royals, contemplating a further teardown to rebuild, are fielding interest in closer Kelvin Herrera, who drew interest from the Astros, among others, at the trade deadline last July.
Herrera, who can be a free agent after the 2018 campaign, is coming off his worst season. He had a 4.25 ERA and allowed nine homers in 59 1/3 innings." [Reply]
@jcrasnick: The #Indians and #Royals have both inquired on 1B Matt Adams. In Cleveland's case, he could be a fallback if Tribe can't bring back Carlos Santana. #Nationals have also inquired on Adams, but as more of a bench bat. Adam Lind, who hit .303 with 14 HRs this year, is a free agent. [Reply]
I like both of those updates. I don't think Adams is ever going to be what the Cardinals thought he could be, but he's low-cost and may turn into something you can trade for future value.
I also think trading Herrera makes a ton of sense, even coming off the down year. Soria, too.