Royals went from 56-106 to 86-76.
Made the playoffs. Took out the Orioles on the road.
Lost in four games to the Yankees by 4 runs.
Finally got a bullpen.
Had two pitchers who will finish in the top five for the Cy Young.
Bobby Witt jr turned into a superstar likely being an MVP #2 to that phag in NY.
Salvy just kept doing Salvy stuff.
Vinnie came back from shoulder surgery and had a helluva year.
Cole Ragans had a full season. His arm didn’t fall off. He’s probably top five for Cy Young.
Seth Lugo is gonna finish top five for Cy Young. He’s like Rick Reed. And he’s ours for at least another season.
Brady Singer will get his next time with arbitration. And I’m ambivalent, but I know it’s damn hard to find healthy arms who could be be better as a 3/4 starter.
Michael Wacha was more than everything we could’ve ever wanted, but I say let that man fly unless he wants to take a dumb contract, which he won’t do.
That gives us Alec Marsh who was pretty great for his role.
And we have Wright coming in, plus Bubic who could start.
But this team needs another bat and wingman for Bobby. It’s perfect that Juan Soto would fill many roles, but it ain’t happening.
Adames is someone I like. And we can dangle Massey/Garcia. Just a thought.
This team…. I hope they go into the offseason working hard, and I hope they got the glitter out of their eyes.
Good team with obvious weakness, and a perennial superstar ready to erupt….
Sherman and JJ should be on the phone soon
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Originally Posted by TLO:
I think you can live with Isbel in CF if he provides excellent defense. He would be fine in the #9 spot, IMO.
Melendez... I don't know. He doesn't play great defense in left, and his bat doesn't warrant an everyday spot in the lineup.
MJ going to end up with the yank, o’s or ray’s and hit 40 homers for three straight years.
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Originally Posted by nychief:
I'm not so sure wacha opts out... 16 million is about his market, I would think.
Well, I would be happy if Wacha comes back, he pitched very well after early season struggles.
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I have a feeling Garcia is your 3B next year, good (enough) defender, good baserunner, and the hopes he hits near .270 next yr with 13-15 HRs. Infield appears set...they need a cleanup hitter (think Kendrys Morales) that will give them quality, vet ABs and consistent RBIs (JD Martinez?), that would push Salvy and his K streaks down to 5 or 6 and would be a much more productive middle. They have to also get one solid corner OF, and maybe sign Pham another year and see what John Rave can do? I doubt they make a big splash though...
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Originally Posted by Woogieman:
I have a feeling Garcia is your 3B next year, good (enough) defender, good baserunner, and the hopes he hits near .270 next yr with 13-15 HRs. Infield appears set...they need a cleanup hitter (think Kendrys Morales) that will give them quality, vet ABs and consistent RBIs (JD Martinez?), that would push Salvy and his K streaks down to 5 or 6 and would be a much more productive middle. They have to also get one solid corner OF, and maybe sign Pham another year and see what John Rave can do? I doubt they make a big splash though...
I really hope you're wrong re: Garcia. While I like him as a player in general, at third base he's... just so bad offensively... a .281 OBP? Shoot me. No power. Glad he is good with the glove over there, but he's a shortstop playing third, he should be good.
We just have too many black holes in the line up - which was laid bare in the playoffs. Have to at least try and upgrade over there.
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