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Nzoner's Game Room>*** Official 2017 Royals Repository ***
Chiefspants 10:55 AM 04-05-2017
Chiefsplanet’s (Proposed) 2017 Season Title: One Last Ride

Midish-Season Update (Royals 51-47, 2nd Wild Card, 1.5 GB of ALC):

We're halfway through 2017, and fittingly to the Chiefsplanet's 2017 Season Title, the Royals are all-in on what will likely be one final run with the current core. While many are worried the Royals will take a 2004 style tumble after this year, the farm system is hardly the barren wasteland it was during the Baird years. To see what's in the pipeline and what we have to look forward to, check out this exceptional list and analysis that Duncan put together of our system.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...htmlview#gid=0

While I had the honor of starting this thread this year, Duncan will always have a VIP pass to this OP, and can add more content at any time.

2017's Burning Questions Revisited:

1. What is the threshold between being “buyers” and “sellers” at the deadline?

We're buyers, baby.

In April, I argued that it would be a wise strategy for us to sell if we were 5 GB or worse, but that Dayton would likely add supplemental pieces for us to load up for another run if we were 1-2 GB. On July 24th, the Royals found themselves in sole possession of the 2nd wild card spot and 1.5 games back of the division. In April I said the Royals might pull the trigger on someone like Alex Cobb and resign Luke Hochevar, but since the Rays are also buyers and Luke's shoulder hasn't rebounded, this prediction hasn't come to fruition. Luckily, Dayton Moore again proved much more adept and creative than me by adding Trevor Cahill (good call, Duncan), Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter in a single trade. Giving us a solid starter to compete in 2017, and two relievers whom we will control through 2019 and 2021, respectively, keeping Moore's new vision through 2019-2020 intact. Moore has hinted that the Royals will continue to pursue the right deals if they're there, so the fun may not be over just yet. While we may not have the bullets to pull in a "star" like Cueto or Zo, Moore's adeptness may yet again net us what we need for another run in October.

2. Can Gordo and Moose bounce back to 2015 levels?

In April I asked if Gordo could at least set the table at a 265/325/425 clip and if Moose could deliver damage around a 265/335/500 clip for an entire year. This season Mr. Moustakas has been the prospect that was promised, delivering at a 277/307/568 clip as of this update. Gordo, on the other hand, has put up an unbelievably abysmal line thus far. But, if there is a silver lining, it's that Gordo has performed at a 246/311/432 line since June 1st, and if he can continue to perform near that mark, he will be more than a valuable asset at the bottom of the lineup while he continues to provide the best LF defense in the league.

3. Can Ned Yost manage a bullpen?

In April, I felt that despite the poor start, Royals bullpen would ultimately be "solid" this year, but the question was whether "solid" was good enough for Ned. I argued that the Royals needed Soria to bounce back and that Ned would need to start being strategic in his L/L and R/R matchups. While Ned has still made at times baffling and frustrating decisions with his starters (such as allowing Travis Wood to try to "get the win" and still insisting on sending Hammel out for the 6th, he's mostly done a good job).

MASH: Minor/Moylan - Alexander - Soria - Herrera (Credit to C3HIEF3S for the origins of the phrase) have cemented into reliable pieces, and now that Herrera is showing signs of stabilizing, our dumping of Wood, our call up Flynn, and the acquisition of Buchter and Maurer, the Royals have the potential to enter October with one of the best and deepest bullpens in the postseason.

4. Will the Royals find a boost from an unexpected X-Factor to lift them to contention?

Cool-Whit, Boni, Mike ****ing Minor, and Alexander have come up huge thus far. Cool Whit is, incredibly, is second on the team in WAR and has more than replaced Zo's presence on the team. They, like the X-Factors on the 2014-2015 teams, have been critical cogs as we've raced back to contention, while Cool-Whit and Boni also have provided a rosier outlook for this team's future. It's worth noting that Salvador Perez and Jason Vargas has been beasts on offense and the mound (along with Sal providing his customary defensive excellence), but I am still a bit wary of Salvy's annual Yost assisted offensive drought as the team moves into August, along with Vargy regressing to his averages.

5. Can Jorge Soler and Brandon Moss be productive contributors in Kauffman’s dimensions?

Ouch, no, but the Royals shift to power-hitting in the juiced ball era looks like one that will pay off. Thankfully, Moss is showing signs of entering his seasonal hot streak where he becomes corn-fed Jesus for a month, and we'll need him hot to keep up with Cleveland down the stretch. While Jorge has been painful to watch in the majors, his scorching performance in AAA should give one a bright hope for the future. While some may disagree, I offer Moose, Hos, Gordo, and Duffy's struggles as exhibit A for why it is far too early to give up on Soler's potential.

Bonus Question - Is Raul Mondesi truly ready to be an everyday player?

Ha! Not even close. However, like Soler, his progress in AAA is incredibly encouraging. With ceilings like Lindor and floors being Esky being thrown out there, it's hard not to be excited about his future.

The Picture Forward

There are many reasons to be excited, and not only for 2017. The Royals emergence of Cool Whit, Bonifacio, and Scott Alexander, and the fact that we have pieces like Salvador Perez, Danny Duffy, Kelvin Herrera, Jorge Soler, Ryan Buchter, Brandon Maurer Cheslor Cuthbert, and Raul Mondesi until at least 2019 should leave one feeling pretty optimistic. Re-up Moose or Hos (and heck, re-sign Dyson while we're at it), and suddenly this team looks very much like one that could compete for the indefinite future.

The Royals are all in again, buckle in and enjoy the ride.

April OP:

Spoiler!

[Reply]
ChiTown 10:44 AM 06-03-2017
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
@rustindodd: The Royals have recalled Billy Burns from Omaha and optioned Jorge Soler.
Not surprised. With Boni hitting like he is, there's no space for Soler to play in this lineup unless he's playing DH. Burns at least gives you some speed and some flexibility to sit Cain and keep AG in left field
[Reply]
Unsmooth-Moment 10:47 AM 06-03-2017
Originally Posted by Sure-Oz:
@rustindodd: The Royals have recalled Billy Burns from Omaha and optioned Jorge Soler.
Good deal. Soler needs to play every day.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
[Reply]
Jerok 10:54 AM 06-03-2017
I'm confused about option years. We have Jorge Soler for 4 years (through 2020) plus he has 1 option year left.

Does this option year get added to his contract, so if we put him in Omaha for the year we have his contract through 2021?
[Reply]
Unsmooth-Moment 10:58 AM 06-03-2017
Originally Posted by Jerok:
I'm confused about option years. We have Jorge Soler for 4 years (through 2020) plus he has 1 option year left.

Does this option year get added to his contract, so if we put him in Omaha for the year we have his contract through 2021?
No. Option years are how many years you can send a player down without another team claiming them.

Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
[Reply]
C3HIEF3S 12:39 PM 06-03-2017
The only thing that could possibly make the Kyle Zimmer situation any worse is the fact that his younger brother is going to be shredding at the plate for years, and for a division rival no less.
[Reply]
KCUnited 12:40 PM 06-03-2017
That one stings more than usual.
[Reply]
lewdog 01:44 PM 06-03-2017
Found it.

EDIT
[Reply]
Buehler445 03:01 PM 06-03-2017
Yesterday's game was vintage. Grinding outs and hustling runs.

Hopefully Cain's hustling out that bag provides a spark and we can get back to Royals ball.
[Reply]
Why Not? 03:08 PM 06-03-2017
This is the best game of the year from the offense. Great hitting.
[Reply]
SBInfinity 04:52 PM 06-03-2017
Old friend Eddie Volquez just pitched a no hitter for Miami
[Reply]
PHOG 06:37 PM 06-03-2017
Originally Posted by Why Not?:
This is the best game of the year from the offense. Great hitting.
Yeah, just enough to think their really going to do something..be nice.
[Reply]
DaneMcCloud 06:53 PM 06-03-2017
This team is really frustrating this year.

They either look like a possible contender, especially since they're only 5 1/2 back, or they look like the worst team in the league.
[Reply]
penbrook 06:58 PM 06-03-2017
Volquez said he dedicated the game to Ventura and Fernandez. What a weird feeling Volquez got signed after Fernandez died and now throws a no hitter on the mound he pitched on and on Venturas Bday. The score was 3-0. Ventura wore #30
[Reply]
tk13 09:49 PM 06-03-2017
Pujols just hit a grand slam against the Twins for #600. There was a time not too long ago where this would seem like a much bigger deal. Still only the 9th guy to do it.

Better news is the Twins are getting blown out now.
[Reply]
penbrook 09:53 PM 06-03-2017
Originally Posted by tk13:
Pujols just hit a grand slam against the Twins for #600. There was a time not too long ago where this would seem like a much bigger deal. Still only the 9th guy to do it.

Better news is the Twins are getting blown out now.
He is one of my favorite players in the MLB. His days with the Cards were legendary. He is the 4th youngest to get to 600. Question is will
He get to 700?
[Reply]
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