As the season comes to a close after an awful season, there is a possibility of some hope since the team played better in late August to the end of the season.
Here are all the important dates you need to know for the 2018-19 MLB offseason. Some of them do involve the Royals, such as:
Oct. 29: As of 9 a.m. ET on Monday, all eligible players are free agents (Escobar - good riddance).
Oct. 31: Most contract option decisions are due on this date (Hammel should be declined, resulting $2 million buyout and Peralta should be accepted, resulting $3 million increase to the payroll, and could be future flip for additional minor leaguers if he performs well).
Nov. 6-8: General manager meetings in Carlsbad, California.
Nov. 12: Deadline for free agents to accept or reject the qualifying offer.
Nov. 14-15: Owners meetings in Atlanta (possible future CBA discussions).
Nov. 20: Deadline for teams to add eligible minor leaguers to the 40-man roster to protect them from the Rule 5 Draft.
Spoiler!
The Royals announced they've added RHPs Arnaldo Hernandez, Josh Staumont and Scott Blewett to the 40-man roster, protecting them from next month's Rule 5 draft. Blewett appeared to take a big step in the Arizona Fall League. The 40-man roster is full right now.
Nov. 26-29: MLB Players Association executive board meeting in Dallas (possible future CBA discussions).
Nov. 30: Non-tender deadline.
Dec. 9-13: Winter Meetings in Las Vegas. This is typically when all offseason hell breaks loose.
Dec. 13: Rule 5 Draft (could see the Royals taking a stab here).
Jan. 11: Deadline for teams and arbitration-eligible players to submit 2019 salary figures (I believe KC has some arb-eligible players).
Feb. 1-20: Arbitration hearings. You win some, you lose some.
Mid-Feb. : SPRING TRAINING!
As usual, let's have a good off-season discussion on ways that the Royals can/should/would do to improve. I will try to update the OP as the off-season goes along. And Duncan, you're more than welcome to provide us some information that I can add onto the OP. Just let me know.
The Goodwin move is what's unexpected, but as we've talked about they have a ton of outfielders if you include Whit and Owings. They can certainly move guys around, we have a ton of lineup flexibility. This still leaves a spot open for another position player though, so you'd have to think it's Frank the Tank or Artaega. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
The Goodwin move is what's unexpected, but as we've talked about they have a ton of outfielders if you include Whit and Owings. They can certainly move guys around, we have a ton of lineup flexibility. This still leaves a spot open for another position player though, so you'd have to think it's Frank the Tank or Artaega.
Also means that Soler is going to be playing the outfield a lot. Also means Chris Owings piece of shit ass is going to be playing every day. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Al Bundy:
Also means that Soler is going to be playing the outfield a lot. Also means Chris Owings piece of shit ass is going to be playing every day.
Maybe. They have quite a few options. I'm sure Owings will play a lot but if it's Frank I'd bet him or Duda will get a lot of DH action. [Reply]
Not sure who on the 40 they'd keep on the roster for the last spot. With the long term in mind, I think they're banking on Phillips joining the 25 at some point. No way they add Artaega to the 25 because he's not on the 40 - plus he'd get very little playing time. With Lucas on the team, I'm super doubtful they add Schwindel either...besides, he would also need to be added to the 40. I can't see how the last spot is a position player - has to be another bullpen arm, even though we don't need it for a few weeks.
And I hate the Duda move.
Edit: Also, the above is even more true in light of the fact Bailey will eventually need to be added to the 40. I'd actually like another 40 spot given to Ynoa. He would be a nice addition to the bullpen. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Al Bundy:
Also means that Soler is going to be playing the outfield a lot. Also means Chris Owings piece of shit ass is going to be playing every day.
Owings would play on days Merrifield plays OF or if Mondesi/Dozier is getting a day off. Soler playing OF shrinks opportunities for Owings.
If Soler is playing RF, that means Merrifield and Mondesi are covering SS and 2B. 3B would be the only other spot to utilize Owings.
More on Duda:
If their plan is for Duda/Schwindel to split time at DH, whatever.
O’Hearn was good enough last year to get everyday playing time and a chance to hit vs lefties. Duda should not be playing 1B at all. [Reply]
@SamMcDowell11: After announcing it on the JumbTron earlier, George Brett said on the telecast that Frank Schwindel made the big-league team. "They told him he'll make the team, and he'll never forget that." Brett said Schwindel admitted he cried after he left. [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
Owings would play on days Merrifield plays OF or if Mondesi/Dozier is getting a day off. Soler playing OF shrinks opportunities for Owings.
If Soler is playing RF, that means Merrifield and Mondesi are covering SS and 2B. 3B would be the only other spot to utilize Owings.
More on Duda:
If their plan is for Duda/Schwindel to split time at DH, whatever.
O’Hearn was good enough last year to get everyday playing time and a chance to hit vs lefties. Duda should not be playing 1B at all.
What does this do to OH’s confidence? Sometimes you don’t want depth becasue it makes the incumbent know he’s the guy. Last thing we need is OH looking over his shoulder at that fat chode in the dugout [Reply]