KC Royals - Offseason

[SubGod22]

It sure is.

Opening day roster: The Pitchers

Rotation:

1- I do believe the Royals want to get a ace for this staff….but, I guarantee you they will not get a TRUE ace even if they add a Royals ace. TRUE aces are very elite and a handful of them exist in baseball today. The next TRUE ace of the Royals will be developed and we won’t see that P become a true ace until 2015 at the earliest.

If they acquire a SP this off season I think it will be one of the following ( to get this SP a name or two listed in this group will no longer be a member of the Royals: Billy Butler, Lorenzo Cain, Melky Cabrera, Joakim Soria, Wil Myers, Chris Dwyer, Danny Duffy)

Here is the list…let me know (in order) who you would want this group?

1- James Shields

2- Gio Gonzalez

3- Jair Jurrjens

4- Tommy Hanson

5- Brandon Beachy

6- Wade Davis

* please add anyone else you think we have a shot at

FA: This is a very thin market this season and please stop believing that CJ Wilson or Yu Darvish will end up here because they won’t

Edwin Jackson ( he will cost you at least 30 million over 3 years) and Paul Maholm are possibilities.

[ShockTalk]

OK, Sub and other Royals fans. Please tell me why KC would need to give up a quality player(s) to get better pitching (although moving Soria might not be a bad move).

In 2009, the Royals team salary was around $70 mill and $72 mill in 2010. This year, they were dead last in the majors at between $35-40 mill. I'm sorry, but spending the kind of money they did in '09 and '10 for no hope and no future type teams and now that they have a future, the coffers run dry?!?!? Even resigning some of their players this year should leave $20-25 mill to put to good use, that is if they are really serious about being at least competitive.

If they don't see the writing on the wall and strike while the iron is hot over the next few years, there is no hope for this franchise. If they can't pull the trigger now, what are they going to do when it comes to signing all these quality rookies? KC has had one, that's ONE winning record in the last 17 years. It's time to stop being a AAA club or sell and/or move the team.

[RoyalShock]

I don't think they see any of the free agents to be as good candidates. With the low number of front-of-the-rotation guys there is likely to be a bidding war and if KC would have to normally overpay, they'll have to REALLY overpay in this market. So the next best thing is to make a trade.

[ShockTalk]

I don't think they see any of the free agents to be as good candidates. With the low number of front-of-the-rotation guys there is likely to be a bidding war and if KC would have to normally overpay, they'll have to REALLY overpay in this market. So the next best thing is to make a trade.

If that's the case with free agents, I'd be hard pressed to think just how much in quality and how many players they'd have to give up to get that "front-of-the-rotation" guy. Maybe Butler and Soria, but then you need to replace Butler or the offense suffers and I don't think a team trading away a quality pitcher will take on the payroll of those two. More likely others would hold out for 2 or 3 quality youngsters (including one arm) as to reduce their payroll and get the biggest bang for the buck.

[SubGod22]

If that's the case with free agents, I'd be hard pressed to think just how much in quality and how many players they'd have to give up to get that "front-of-the-rotation" guy. Maybe Butler and Soria, but then you need to replace Butler or the offense suffers and I don't think a team trading away a quality pitcher will take on the payroll of those two. More likely others would hold out for 2 or 3 quality youngsters (including one arm) as to reduce their payroll and get the biggest bang for the buck.

Most speculation has included a couple of youngsters including an arm. I've seen things like Myers, Monty/Duffy, Dwyer and Crow for an arm. Don't know how much the Royals are really willing to give up but that may depend on who the arm is. The FA market doesn't look good at all and the Royals aren't going to be players for the top names there.

And the reason the payroll is so low right now is because of all the rookies making rookie money. They know they're going to have to pay to keep some of those kids around and are prepared to do it. No sense in wasting money when you know what's coming. They also start making more money as attendance rises with winning and they hype of the youngsters. I don't see money being a big issue here.

[SubGod22]

Making the Leap - Part 3

The Detroit Tigers will not play in the World Series this year, but they did win 95 games and the American League Central: the same total as they did in 2006. The 2011 Tigers topped the .500 mark for the fifth time in the past six seasons, but the 2006 squad was the first Detroit team to best 81 wins since 1993. Between the two strike shortened seasons and 2006, the Tigers failed to win SIXTY games three times.

Given that dismal stretch, the 2006 Tigers truly did make a dramatic leap from bad to contenders (and more), just as the Twins and Rays did as detailed in previous columns. So, how did they do it?

The 2005 Detroit Tigers went 71-91 in Alan Trammell’s third year as manager. They did so with this lineup:

Ivan Rodriguez C
Chris Shelton 1B
Placido Palanco 2B
Carlos Guillen SS
Brandon Inge 3B
Rondell White LF
Nook Logan CF
Magglio Ordonez RF
Dmitri Young DH

This lineup is a tad misleading in that Craig Monroe played in 157 games that year for the Tigers and basically played left and right as much as White and Ordonez, who was signed as a free agent during the off-season. Also, Omar Infante played in 121 games split between shortstop and second base. Palanco was acquired in a June trade for Ramon Martinez and Ugeth Urbina and hit .338/.386/.461 for the Tigers. Carlos Pena split time with Shelton at first and each slugged 18 home runs. As an offensive unit, the Tigers were not bad at all: 9 of the 12 players mentioned above posted OPS+ of 100 or better and one of the remaining three was Ivan Rodriguez who was an All-Star in his second season with the Tigers.

[SubGod22]

Mendoza looking to arm Royals' rotation

KANSAS CITY -- Right-hander Luis Mendoza came to Spring Training last February as just another arm in a large stable of pitching candidates. But when he reports to Surprise, Ariz., in less than four months, Mendoza will be a prominent candidate for the Royals' starting rotation.

That's what comes of being the 2011 Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Year for Omaha and then posting two victories in two starts for Kansas City.

A top priority for the Royals in 2012 is to improve a starting rotation that last season ranked second-to-last in the American League with a 4.82 ERA and had a 45-65 record. Making a trade is a possibility and signing a top free agent is unlikely, but searching within the organization is an obvious reality.

I have my doubts, but I can't say that he hasn't earned a look.

[SubGod22]

Royals Report Cards: The Position Players, Part 1

After the doom and gloom of grading some of the pitching staff, it’s time to hand out grades to one of the more effective offenses in recent Royals memory. I’ve had some thought about how to go through this because there’s a lot to say, so I’m just going to go by positional number, which means I’m talking about the catchers first and designated hitter last. Unfortunately, since I get a little wordy, you’re only going to get part of the grades today and hopefully I can wrap them up tomorrow. If I need a third day, well, then I apologize for talking so much. So Billy Butler fans, stay tuned. Before I get to the grades, I just have to say that watching this Royals team bat was as fun as any time since 2003. By the end of the season when guys like Salvador Perez and Johnny Giavotella were in the lineup, I can honestly say that I had a hard time finding an at bat that I was okay with missing to go to the bathroom. So, sorry pitching staff, I missed a few outs here and there.

On another, note, remember to follow Clint Scoles on Twitter and head to Pine Tar Press for pictures and insights from Arizona on all the Royals prospects down there. He’s doing a great job, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t a little bit jealous.

[SubGod22]

Herrera's control key to rise through KC system

Call Kelvin Herrera the exception to the rule.

Most pitchers don't miss the better part of two seasons and then suddenly have a breakout year afterward. Not all pitchers who go from starting to relief find immediate success in the bullpen. Find a dozen 21-year-old pitchers with good stuff who throw in the mid-90s and maybe two of them can consistently control the ball.

How about a pitcher who jumps from advanced Class A to Double-A to Triple-A and then the Majors in the span of one season? Good luck finding that guy.

Yet, here is Herrera, who did all those things in 2011, en route to being named the Paul Splittorff Award winner, given to the Royals' top Minor League pitcher each year.

Herrera pitched just one game in 2009 before being shut down with a stress fracture in his right elbow. He appeared in just eight games in 2010 before the same injury occurred.

"It's tough, because two years in a row you think, 'Maybe my career's done,'" Herrera said.

Hardly.

In order to utilize his velocity and protect his elbow, Herrera was converted from a starter to a reliever in 2011. While pitching at Class A Wilmington, he posted a 0.61 ERA in 14 2/3 innings, with 12 strikeouts and just two walks. He was then promoted to Double-A Northwest Arkansas for 23 games, going 4-0 with a 1.75 ERA and 40 strikeouts in 36 innings.

His performance for the Naturals was good enough to earn him a spot on the roster for the XM Futures All-Star Game. This was also a testament to a rejuvenated effort by the Royals to produce Latin American talent; the Dominican Republic-native is the first homegrown Latin American player to represent Kansas City in the Futures Game since Dayton Moore took over as general manager in 2006.

This was a nice little piece on what may end up being one of our most valuable young relievers over the next few years

[SubGod22]

Royals Report Cards: The Position Players, Part 2

I’m going to try to wrap this up today. I know I talk too much, you don’t have to tell me. My sisters used to tell me that all the time. No more pre-grade commentary. Let’s move!

Left side of the infield, the outfield and DH in this one. I disagree a bit with Escobar and hope he's wrong about #countrybreakfast.

Royals Report Cards: Coaches and Front Office

This is probably the hardest installment to write of my report cards because other than wins and losses there isn’t much of a metric to judge the coaches and front office. Still, I think there are ways that you can look at their successes and failures. Unfortunately, due to the nature of the organization at this time, a C grade today could look incredibly silly in five years if the Royals have rifled off four straight division titles, two American League pennants and a World Series win. By that same token, if that happened, I don’t think I’d be too upset if all that happened, so I guess we’re all winners here. Well, except for the 2011 Royals. Zing! Thank you folks, I’m here all week.

But seriously…I decided not to get too deep into the coaching staff because I quite frankly have no way of knowing if Eddie Rodriguez does a good job. I guess the fact that I don’t remember complaining about him being a windmill at third base is a pretty good indication that he’s not that bad, but I’ll leave the grading of him more qualified people. Anyway, let’s get going.

Can't really argue with this.

[SubGod22]

Projecting Payroll - An interesting read to see where everyone stands, more or less, for next year.

Bold Flavors 10/21/11

I’m conflicted… On one hand, I don’t want baseball to end. But on the other hand, the Royals aren’t playing, so what do I care. And on the other hand, I’m ready for the Hot Stove to fire up and get moving.

(Three hands? What the hell? Which one would I pitch with if I had to face Allen Craig?)

It’s still quiet in the Royals Universe. You know Dayton Moore is itching to pull the trigger on that first post World Series move.

So I think I’m going to steal the title of a link roundup from @DadBoner. It’s beginning to creep into my conversation. The other night I told my wife I was hungry and was looking for some bold flavors. She told me to leave her alone and write about baseball. OK… Consider this a weekend open thread…

[SubGod22]

Royals' Giavotella undergoes hip surgery

KANSAS CITY -- Second baseman Johnny Giavotella underwent hip surgery on Thursday but is expected to be ready for Spring Training, the Royals announced on Friday.
The arthroscopic surgery to correct a labral tear in Giavotella's right hip was performed by specialist Dr. Marc Philippon in Vail, Colo. Recovery time is estimated to be 10-12 weeks. Spring drills will begin in February at Surprise, Ariz. The Royals' Alex Gordon underwent similar surgery on April 17, 2009 -- after the season began -- and missed 79 games.

Hosmer nominated for Players Choice honors

KANSAS CITY -- Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer is one of three candidates for outstanding American League rookie in the 2011 Players Choice Awards.
Hosmer, who joined the Royals on May 6, batted .293 with 27 doubles, 19 home runs and 78 RBIs in 128 games. Also nominated were Los Angeles Angels first baseman Mark Trumbo, who hit 29 homers, knocked in 87 runs and batted .254, and Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson, who went 13-10 with a 2.95 ERA in 29 starts.

[SubGod22]

The Chen Question

Bruce Chen has started 48 games for the Kansas City Royals over the last two seasons. In 2010, Chen threw 131 innings as a starter, posting an ERA of 4.26 and an xFIP of 4.73. He struck out 6.11 batters per 9 innings and walked 3.37. In 2011, Bruce threw 155 innings with an ERA of 3.77 and an xFIP of 4.68. Along the way, Chen struck out 5.63 batters per 9 innings and walked 2.9. It was his best season since 2005. He will turn 35 next June.

So, do you resign Chen as a free agent?

The Royals, whether they intend to resign Chen or not, will almost certainly offer him arbitration. Doing so, will net the Royals a sandwich pick as compensation should Bruce, a Type B free agent, sign with another team. Notable sandwich picks on the Royals’ 40 man roster are Mike Montgomery and Mitch Maier. Another Royals notable, who happened to be a sandwich pick in the same draft as Montgomery, is Jake Odorizzi.

Going back to the 2007 draft, here are some notable sandwich picks: Brett Cecil, Julio Borbon and Travis d’Arnaud. Obviously, there is value to be had in that range of the draft. Value, of course, that will likely take four or five years to be realized.

Chen is a likeable guy, by all accounts a good clubhouse presence and certainly one to be admired for getting the most out of his ability. A lot of guys with a lot better stuff than Bruce would have packed it in several years ago: having a couple of guys (dare we say ‘gritty’?) on the roster is good for overall team chemistry. Sure, the very phrase ‘team chemistry’ is open for ridicule and impossible to truly define, but it is a factor (rightly or wrongly) that is considered by every general manager in baseball.

It makes you think. I like Chen and what he's done and he will be offered arbitration. Should they sign him or not is definitely a legit question. Do the Royals take their chances with a younger arm that has more promise or do they keep what they know for stability? Do they plan on competing this upcoming season or just growing more? Hmmmm

[SubGod22]

Free Agent Targets

I want to talk about a couple of veteran pitchers the Royals could go after this off-season and land relatively cheaply compared to the production they could potentially provide, but I kind of have to talk about last night’s game, right? I mean that was absolutely ridiculous the way it seemed like neither manager had any interest in winning that game. All those intentional walks? Sacrifice bunts? Bringing in a pitcher from the bullpen for the sole purpose of intentionally walking a batter and then blaming it on the noise so they couldn’t hear which pitcher to warm up in the bullpen? Insanity took over the game last night, and when it was all said and done, Mike Napoli delivered the big hit making two heralded managers, Tony LaRussa and Mike Scioscia look pretty silly at the exact same time. It was especially sweet justic for Napoli who was berated by Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter after narrowly missing hitting a three run homer in the sixth. Such sweethearts those Cardinals are.

Anyway, World Series antics aside, the Royals are working on their goal of getting to where both the Rangers and Cardinals are. I suppose it’d be a little repetitive to tell you again what it is they need to get there, but I’m probably going to do it anyway because, quite frankly, it’s that imperative. They need pitching. They preferably need two starting pitchers to round out their rotation, but I think it’s way more likely they only get one this offseason. I’m not sure I have a problem with that considering they have some high end pitching talent on the way to the big leagues. People are concerned about Mike Montgomery’s control, but I think he’ll be fine and I think Lamb will come back strong toward the end of next season and make a push for the big league rotation sometime in 2013. If Hochevar and Paulino continue to pitch the way they did in 2011, the rotation will be fine. Of course, filling a rotation with four “ifs” is typically not a good idea if you have your sights set on contending.

Two pitchers fit the bill for what the Royals might be looking for in 2012 to fill out their rotation and they cost nothing more than money. That means they get to keep Wil Myers in the organization. That means Mike Montgomery goes nowhere in return for an ace. That means Billy Butler continues to DH for the Royals. The more I think about it, the more I think that trading for a pitcher this offseason is somewhat shortsighted unless they can get someone like a Felix Hernandez and that is not happening. The reason I say that is because the free agent market is pretty bare this offseason, which means that for those trading starting pitching, it is a seller’s market. A team like the Rays knows that many teams have their eyes on James Shields and with very little in the way of free agent pitching, they can ask for an exorbitant price. The way I see it, though, the Royals just need a couple of stopgaps to get them to the real prize, which is the 2013 free agent pitching pool.

[SubGod22]

Royals hire Dave Eiland to be pitching coach - I hope this is the guy to work with our pitching staff and bring out their ability.

Royals Name Dave Eiland Pitching Coach

The Royals moved quickly to replace recently fired pitching coach Bob McClure by hiring Dave Eiland. I can pretend that I’m a baseball guru who is so much smarter than everyone else and suggest that this is somehow a bad or good hire, but I’m going to be honest and say I have no idea. My limited experience tells me that pitching coaches are more important than batting coaches, however figuring out what effects he has on a staff is nearly impossible.

What we do know about Eiland is that he pitched for 10 years in the Major Leagues for the Yankees, Padres and Devil Rays (they were named that then). He worked his way up through the coaching ranks with the Yankees until becoming a full-fledged pitching coach for them. Like the manager of the Yankees, but to a lesser degree, pitching coach has to be simultaneously one of the easiest and hardest jobs in baseball. It’s one of the easiest, because he gets to work with the most talented arms in the sport. It’s one of the most difficult, because you’re dealing with the largest egos and a very vocal media. If there is any misstep withing the staff, the blame comes hard and heavy.

Eiland dealt with that in 2010 when he left the team for a month for personal reasons which coincided with A.J. Burnett going 0-6 during that stretch. Subsequently, the Yankees pitchers struggled with the Rangers in the post season. Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman said that it had nothing to do with that, but even I can put together 1 and 1.