That means Whit is in his natural position and we might have found a second baseman for the first time since Frank White. Thank God about time.
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Also means Isbel will be the RF
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It’s the right move. Isbel earned a spot and honesty Lopez did not.
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Thank god. Just put Whit and 2B and be done with it. Quit jerking him around. Lopez is a utility player, thats it at least at this point.
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Royals not farting around
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Absolutely
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Didn't think they would make this move, but given the circumstances, they are pressing all the right buttons for winning now. Their lineup - if Taylor continues as he's looked and Isbel is able to duplicate at the MLB level - will have no holes. I'm guessing Alberto makes it as the UTIL and right hand bat off the bench and O'Hearn as the leftie off the bench. Lots of roster flexibility with this move and it's the right thing to do to have Lopez play every day at Omaha.
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Royals lineup?

1. Whit Merrifield, 2B

2. Andrew Benintendi, LF

3. Carlos Santana, 1B

4. Jorge Soler, DH

5. Salvy Perez, C

6. Adalberto Mondesi, SS

7. Hunter Dozier, 3B

8. Kyle Isbel, RF

9. Michael A Taylor, CF


I prefer Santana in the 3 hole over Mondesi.
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If you're going to drop Mondesi you need to drop him all the way down. You can't put a guy who could legitimately steal 70 bases behind Soler and Salvador Perez.
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From what I've observed this Spring, Beni is still finding his old stroke. I would much rather go Whit, Mondi, Santana, Salvy, Soler, Dozier, Isbel, Beni, Taylor. I'm not sure Beni has earned the 2 spot at this point after last year's performance. I actually like the speed at the bottom of the order in that scenario as well.
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Thank God they moved Nicky down. I don't have much hope for him improving.
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Stolen bases are most valuable ahead of high-contact singles hitters, who are more likely to hit at the bottom of the lineup. So a base-stealing threat who doesn't deserve a spot higher in the lineup is optimized in the 6 hole, followed by the singles hitters.
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Put Mondesi at 9.
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Here’s where I’m at with Mondesi: where he hits is all about how he hits. The way he performed to close 2020 and the way he has hit in 21 demand he hit high in the lineup.

He and Matheny are apparently on the same page - that if Mondesi’s bat starts to slip or he slumps to start the year, they’ll move him down and switch it up. I would go:

Merrifield
Benintendi
Mondesi
Santana
Soler
Perez
Dozier
Isbel
Taylor

You’re a little RH heavy 5-7 but oh well!

If Mondesi struggles, drop him to 6 or 7 and move everyone else up a slot.
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They’re manipulating Lil Nicky’s service time
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