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 BWillie:
Alright I'm ready for the suck guys. Go Royals. Lets go get Bobby Witt Jr.
I like him a ton. Think the O’s are going to take him, though.
Adley Rutschman is the college guy you want to watch. He’s clear 1/2 in this draft with Witt, and as we learned during the Heimlich debacle, KC has a strong relationship with Oregon State baseball. [Reply]
Man...I really think they have a shot at being pretty competitive. I'm not saying it's a play-off team or anything, but I don't think it's a 90 loss club. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
Man...I really think they have a shot at being pretty competitive. I'm not saying it's a play-off team or anything, but I don't think it's a 90 loss club.
Their ceiling at its peak is maybe .500 but they should keep us somewhat engaged until training camp starts. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Why Not?:
Their ceiling at its peak is maybe .500 but they should keep us somewhat engaged until training camp starts.
I'd say that's about right. It could go higher IF the youngsters that played well in August and September continue their development and a little luck in the bullpen.
but I'm guessing shouting distance of .500 [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
Why are you guys even ****ing fans? I mean really. This board is 50% full of whiners that hate every ****ing move the Chiefs or Royals make.
I mean really, is your life that ****ing miserable that you can't ever look at something in a positive light?
We have 2 or 3 negative Nellies that post in this thread. The rest of us arent so bad. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Chris Meck:
Why are you guys even ****ing fans? I mean really. This board is 50% full of whiners that hate every ****ing move the Chiefs or Royals make.
I mean really, is your life that ****ing miserable that you can't ever look at something in a positive light?
It still amazes me to read the Game 5 of the WS thread and see the people calling the team "quitters". [Reply]
It's kind of amazing the buzz for the team a few years ago that missed the playoffs compared to now. Back then it was basically sold out good luck finding a parking spot now I dont know a single person even going. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Titty Meat:
It's kind of amazing the buzz for the team a few years ago that missed the playoffs compared to now. Back then it was basically sold out good luck finding a parking spot now I dont know a single person even going.
You saw Nebraska's attendance this year, right? [Reply]