2016 Kansas City Royals discussion

[WstateU]

How are the Cubs doing?

[ShockTalk]

I was uneasy about the Gordon signing, too, for the same reasons. Yes, his defense is stellar, but his declining offense can't be ignored.

Cuthbert has shown pretty well, but a productive Moustakas gives KC that "it" factor they've been lacking most of the season.

Starting pitching has been the biggest problem and will continue to be. That's where they are going to fall short again next summer, IMO. I hear the FA market for SPs is weak.

What I'd like to see for next year:

- Get Moose back at 3rd, move Cuthbert to 2nd, Mondesi to SS and trade Escobar.
- Hope Vargas and Zimmer can hold up the back of the rotation.
- Anyone can DH. Resign Morales, bring up Dozier, whatever.
- I would love to see Davis flipped for an ML-ready OF'er, but I think the OF is set with Gordon, Cain and Burns.

Here is a mix of what I hope and think we'll see:

1 - Burns
2 - Moose
3 - Cain
4 - Hoz
5 - DH
6 - Salvy
7 - Gordon
8 - Cuthbert
9 - Mondesi

SP
Kennedy
Duffy
Ventura
Zimmer (if he's ready to start the year)
Vargas

Bullpen:
Herrera
Davis
[Fill in the blanks]

I would be fine with trading almost any of the above, as long as Moore gets value in return.

Why should I be high on Burns? At this time, why is he better than Orlando? In fact, since I heard, but didn't read about the trade, why did either team make that move?

If KC cannot get any value for Volquez, he is worth the $7 mill difference between his contract and buy-out simply for back-up insurance (better than Young who their on the hook for next year).

I agree about Escobar, but is there any market for him?

Moose being productive is key in your statement. At least they have one more season to find out if 2015 wasn't a fluke.

[MoValley John]

At this time, why is he better than Orlando?

Paulo or Tony?

[DUShock]

Given that the Royal fans on here (myself included although they are my 2nd team) have not posted here in almost 2 months, I think it's safe to say we can stick a fork in them for this year. I think we are all surprised that they are not even in the hunt for a playoff spot.

The big question is where do they go after this year. Remember, I don't follow the Royals as closely as others on this board, but here is my: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly.

The Good: Salvy - They have him locked up for 5 more years and given the tight catcher market, I don't see them using him as trade bait.
Kennedy - A solid upper half of a staff pitcher, they have him under contract for 4 more years at what appears to be a reasonable price.
Cain - He's under contract for 1 more year, so they can work on Hosmer and others now and Lorenzo later.
Moose - Same as Cain, except he's got a lot farther to go to get a quality contract IMO.
Escobar - Club option for 2017 of $6.5 with $500,000 buy-out. No brainer at that price, but I wish they'd leave him in the 8/9 lineup slot.
Davis - Assuming he's healthy, Royals have a club option for next year.
Cuthbert, Colon, and Orlando - None are arbitration eligible yet.

The Bad: Ventura - His contract is for 5 more years (last 2 with a club option). This is a very reasonably priced contract, so if he gets it all figured out, it could turn out to be a good.
Long List of Contract Decisions This Year - Arbitration Year: 1) Hosmer: If you want him, better tie him up now. 2) Herrera: Same as Hosmer. 3) Duffy: Same as the first two. Club Option Year (Keep or Let Go): 4) Volquez - $10 mill, $3 mill buy-out (not a bad price to take a chance on) 5) Morales - $11 mill (mutual option), $1.5 mill buy-out 6) Medlen - $10 mill, $1 mill buy-out (gone). 7) Hochevar - $7 mill, $500,000 buy-out (restructure or gone).

The Ugly: Soria - Royals suck for another 2 years.
Gordon - I'm gonna take flack for this one, but, at the time the Royals signed him, I did not like a 4 year (5th year mutual option) $68-$91 mill contract for a 32 year old who has had only 2 real quality offensive years (2011 and 2012), is a .265 lifetime hitter who generally hits less than 20 HR. I know he's a fan favorite and is great in the outfield, but this money could have been put to better use. This year is even worse than I could have imagined. As a note, the Royals are 11-21 since his return and he did not play in one of those wins.

Comments anyone?

[RoyalShock]

Why should I be high on Burns? At this time, why is he better than Orlando? In fact, since I heard, but didn't read about the trade, why did either team make that move?

You shouldn't. I'm not. But he's the replacement for Dyson when they don't resign him. And due to his speed I suspect he will be slotted into the leadoff, with Orlando as the 4th OFer. That's the part of the lineup I think will happen, not what I hope will happen.

How about Duffy tonight?

[ShockerPrez]

I think the Royals are waiting to see what they can do with Hosmer.

If they can sign him, I think they keep their window open. They can then try and make some deals to add pitching and go with youth at some of the other positions.

If they can't sign him, I think they start the rebuilding process. I don't think that it would be a long rebuilding process, but will take some time. Maybe a season or 2 after this year.

[MoValley John]

Cubs won.

[Aargh]

[ShockerGorilla]

How about this guy? At the beginning of the season, I thought he would finish his career out in the bullpen. Who thought a simple thing of getting rid of the windup would produce this result?

[MoValley John]

Anyone catch the Cubs score?

[Shocker-maniac]

Anyone catch the Cubs score?

4-nil over the Athletics.

Arietta went 8 innings to get his first win in over a month.

68-41 Currently have a 10 game lead.

[MoValley John]

4-nil over the Athletics.

Arietta went 8 innings to get his first win in over a month.

68-41 Currently have a 10 game lead.

:yahoo::encouragement::yahoo:

[ShockerGorilla]

In 2014, Billy Butler's barbecue sauce got us into the playoffs. This year, will the praying mantis be enough to win?

[MoValley John]

Cubs and Royals win.

[MoValley John]

For being in last place, as of late the Cubs are doing okay.