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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]
C3HIEF3S 02:13 PM 04-11-2017
Royals wasting no more time on this bullshit. Just optioned Strahm to Omaha. No corresponding moves have been made, but there are two open roster spots. Word going around is that two relievers will be making their way to KC.
[Reply]
tk13 02:41 PM 04-11-2017
I'd bet money on two relievers too. We're already leaning too much on Moylan and Minor. They have to try and save Young for long relief opportunities, and Wood hasn't been great either.
[Reply]
WhawhaWhat 02:44 PM 04-11-2017
Originally Posted by tk13:
I'd bet money on two relievers too. We're already leaning too much on Moylan and Minor. They have to try and save Young for long relief opportunities, and Wood hasn't been great either.
Zimmer time?
[Reply]
mr. tegu 02:53 PM 04-11-2017
Why not O'Brien?
[Reply]
Chiefspants 02:58 PM 04-11-2017
Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S:
Royals wasting no more time on this bullshit. Just optioned Strahm to Omaha. No corresponding moves have been made, but there are two open roster spots. Word going around is that two relievers will be making their way to KC.
Good.
[Reply]
kgrund 03:27 PM 04-11-2017
Originally Posted by Chiefspants:
It's almost like 7 games isn't enough of a sample size to judge an entire season.

We'd almost be through one half of a single football game right now. We'd be down a touchdown.
That really underscores just how valuable each football game and how insignificant each individual baseball game is. In a nutshell each NFL game is 10 times more important than a MLB game.
[Reply]
sedated 03:49 PM 04-11-2017
Originally Posted by kgrund:
In a nutshell each NFL game is 10 times more important than a MLB game.
Hope that math didn't give you a headache
[Reply]
KChiefs1 05:37 PM 04-11-2017
Martinez is starting for the Cardinals & got a hit.


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[Reply]
Prison Bitch 06:31 PM 04-11-2017
Originally Posted by kgrund:
That really underscores just how valuable each football game and how insignificant each individual baseball game is. In a nutshell each NFL game is 10 times more important than a MLB game.
That doesn't work. The final standings shown minimal separation at the end between playoff teams and those who just miss it. You can't just say "oh who cares we are 2-5, that's 1/23 a season". A couple this week could make the diff on October 1. Look at the 2014 Royals, 2 more losses they don't get in. 1 more, and they'd have played at Oakland not KC for the wild card
[Reply]
Chiefspants 06:59 PM 04-11-2017
Originally Posted by Prison Bitch:
That doesn't work. The final standings shown minimal separation at the end between playoff teams and those who just miss it. You can't just say "oh who cares we are 2-5, that's 1/23 a season". A couple this week could make the diff on October 1. Look at the 2014 Royals, 2 more losses they don't get in. 1 more, and they'd have played at Oakland not KC for the wild card
It goes both ways. In football there are often three or four 9-7 teams with only 1 or 2 wildcard spots for them to get in - only those slots are decided by things such as their divisional or conference record.
[Reply]
C3HIEF3S 09:23 PM 04-11-2017
Kyle Zimmer moving from AA-NWA to AAA-Omaha, where he will continue to start. He pitched pretty well in his first start in NWA - 4 IP 6H 1 ER 6 K's 0 BB. From what I can see he has been touching 95 on the gun. Encouraging, and if he's healthy, I bet he gets at least a cup of coffee with the Royals by September.

Other pitchers on the 40-man eligible to be recalled following the demotions of Gore and Strahm are:
Scott Alexander (L)
Miguel Almonte (R)
Andrew Edwards (R)
Jake Junis (R)
Kevin McCarthy (R)

In all likelihood two of the above five players are coming to KC.
[Reply]
nychief 07:55 AM 04-12-2017
Originally Posted by C3HIEF3S:
Kyle Zimmer moving from AA-NWA to AAA-Omaha, where he will continue to start. He pitched pretty well in his first start in NWA - 4 IP 6H 1 ER 6 K's 0 BB. From what I can see he has been touching 95 on the gun. Encouraging, and if he's healthy, I bet he gets at least a cup of coffee with the Royals by September.

Other pitchers on the 40-man eligible to be recalled following the demotions of Gore and Strahm are:
Scott Alexander (L)
Miguel Almonte (R)
Andrew Edwards (R)
Jake Junis (R)
Kevin McCarthy (R)

In all likelihood two of the above five players are coming to KC.

I think Alexander for sure. He almost made the team out of camp.
Don't you think they are also looking at the vet retreds like Parnell and Alberquerque?
[Reply]
C3HIEF3S 08:38 AM 04-12-2017
Originally Posted by nychief:
I think Alexander for sure. He almost made the team out of camp.
Don't you think they are also looking at the vet retreds like Parnell and Alberquerque?
If I had to guess it would be Alexander and Junis.

Parnell and Alburquerque are not on the 40-man roster, which is currently full IIRC. So for one of them to be eligible to be called up, someone on the 40-man would have to clear waivers or be traded.
[Reply]
C3HIEF3S 08:41 AM 04-12-2017
no walks

Matt Strahm made his debut at Omaha last night: one hit, no runs, one strikeout, no walks in one inning.

— Jeffrey Flanagan (@FlannyMLB) April 12, 2017


[Reply]
duncan_idaho 08:41 AM 04-12-2017
Man, tough on Strahm. I really like his Arsenal and hope he can get his fastball command straightened out. They're going to need him pitching well.

Sommer's first turn was encouraging. Wouldn't be surprised to see them put him in the pen in Omaha to prep him for the big league club. He needs to limit his innings this year, anyway, and could be a major weapon out of the bullpen with his arsenal.

Expect Alexander and one of Kennedy or Junis to get the big-league call. Most likely Kennedy, I think, since they probably would like to keep Junis stretched out as SP depth.


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[Reply]
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