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.
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
well, you don't want to ruin the kid if he's not ready.
Doubt he's that fragile. They gave him the September promotion because they were confident he could make the jump. The more important considerations are Lopez, Keller and Fillymyer. If a vet is better for those guys, then so be it. [Reply]
I don't think anyone seriously thought we were going to compete this year - but of course it's always possible.
Maybe this is the best, he can avoid one more year of wear and tear then be healthy for a few years when theoretically we can be playoff contenders. [Reply]
Cal 1B Andrew Vaughn is a 1B-only prospect. But he’s clearly the best college bat and is putting up numbers that exceed Pail Goldschmidt and Kris Bryant’s college performances.
If you’re going pure bat in the draft, he’s the best one and it isn’t particularly close.
He has good power, but the real calling cards are his contact skills and plate discipline.
Not a very Royals-y pick because he isn’t an athlete and is carried entirely by his bat. But he’s interesting, and you can make an easy case he’s the best player available. [Reply]
Cal 1B Andrew Vaughn is a 1B-only prospect. But he’s clearly the best college bat and is putting up numbers that exceed Pail Goldschmidt and Kris Bryant’s college performances.
If you’re going pure bat in the draft, he’s the best one and it isn’t particularly close.
He has good power, but the real calling cards are his contact skills and plate discipline.
Not a very Royals-y pick because he isn’t an athlete and is carried entirely by his bat. But he’s interesting, and you can make an easy case he’s the best player available.
I watched a few videos on him and it may just be the footwork and pre-swing motions, but it reminded me a LOT of Billy Butler. [Reply]
Cal 1B Andrew Vaughn is a 1B-only prospect. But he’s clearly the best college bat and is putting up numbers that exceed Pail Goldschmidt and Kris Bryant’s college performances.
If you’re going pure bat in the draft, he’s the best one and it isn’t particularly close.
He has good power, but the real calling cards are his contact skills and plate discipline.
Not a very Royals-y pick because he isn’t an athlete and is carried entirely by his bat. But he’s interesting, and you can make an easy case he’s the best player available.
As much as we love Salvy, I'm starting to get worried about his playing time. I know the knee was a fluke, but these two things happening so close together just sucks...
The good news is he's attacking the problem, and not stringing the team along. [Reply]
