Year Two of the Matt Quatraro tenure. Time to take a step up this year. Active in free agency and trades this offseason. A new look pitching rotation and bullpen. Will the young players take the leap up offensively? Bobby Witt extension? New stadium? Will Vinny recover from injury? Salvy taking aim at the Royals record book? Will Cole Ragans turn into the best Royals starting pitcher since Greinke 1.0?
Free Agents/Trades Acquisitions
Seth Lugo, SP
Michael Wacha, SP
Kyle Wright, SP
Hunter Renfroe, OF/DH
Will Smith, RP
Chris Stratton, RP
Nick Anderson, RP
Adam Frazier, 2B
Garrett Hampson, INF/OF
Matt Sauer, RP [Reply]
This White Sox team has to be up there for worst team ever. I'd say the 03 Tigers is the worst team I've seen but let's see how many games the Sox win. That Tigers team had a couple okay hitters, but that's just like this Sox team has had a couple decent pitchers and not much else.
I'd have to go look at that Orioles roster again because they were horrible but they also had a couple of HOFers in Ripken and Eddie Murray. It's hard to rank them at the bottom just for that reason. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
I'd have to go look at that Orioles roster again because they were horrible but they also had a couple of HOFers in Ripken and Eddie Murray. It's hard to rank them at the bottom just for that reason.
The 1989 Orioles, under the direction of Frank Robinson, battled the Blue Jays until the penultimate game for the AL East crown in the days when only four teams made the playoffs in baseball. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Ocotillo:
The 1989 Orioles, under the direction of Frank Robinson, battled the Blue Jays until the penultimate game for the AL East crown in the days when only four teams made the playoffs in baseball.
1989 Royals might have been the one of the best team in club history but they finished second to a loaded Athletics team that year. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
That's really interesting.
This White Sox team has to be up there for worst team ever. I'd say the 03 Tigers is the worst team I've seen but let's see how many games the Sox win. That Tigers team had a couple okay hitters, but that's just like this Sox team has had a couple decent pitchers and not much else.
I'd have to go look at that Orioles roster again because they were horrible but they also had a couple of HOFers in Ripken and Eddie Murray. It's hard to rank them at the bottom just for that reason.
The White Sox only trail the 1916 Philadelphia A's for lowest w/l % of the modern era. So unless you're 120 years old they are the worst team you have ever seen. Now they could catch and surpass that 2003 Tigers team, but they would have to have a hell of an August or September. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Al Bundy:
The White Sox only trail the 1916 Philadelphia A's for lowest w/l % of the modern era. So unless you're 120 years old they are the worst team you have ever seen. Now they could catch and surpass that 2003 Tigers team, but they would have to have a hell of an August or September.
Connie Mack was known for bringing pennants and world championships to Philadelphia, but the 1916 team sure is a black mark on his Hall of Fame resume. [Reply]
#Royals first round draft pick Jac Caglianone is headed to High-A Quad Cities this week and will make his pro debut Tuesday for the River Bandits. After a week or so in Arizona, he’s ready for affiliate ball.
I love seeing him assigned to start that. It's just the right level of aggression. If he performs well out of the gate there, he could make it to AA by the end of this year.
Originally Posted by Mecca:
They were failed by a mixture of injuries, poor player development, bad decisions and some bad luck.
Since then they have an entirely new front office and a top 5 system again.
But lets be really honest here, Tim Anderson went from an exciting player to a giant pile of shit in the snap of a finger. Eloy Jimenez can't stop getting hurt, Dylan Cease really didn't take off till he got to San Diego this year.
They also screwed the pooch by paying Yasmani Grandal and it just didn't work on top of choosing not to pay Rodon.
Of all of their top prospects Luis Robert is about the only one that has been an actual hit.
The White Sox just didn't put good things in place around that whole farm system wave. They didn't fill in well behind it, they didn't help guys reach their upside, and several of those players were inconsistent disappointments. Robert can't stay healthy. Moncada is a severe disappointment who also can't stay healthy. Vaughn looks like a bust. They didn't keep enough of the pitching. Etc.
I think their farm system is a little overrated at the moment.
Originally Posted by cmh6476:
I assume people in the know, know way more than me. But man would it be nice not to be so reliant on Melendez/ Hampson/ Isbel/ etc. each night.
I don't know how Gentry's defense is - I believe he's regarded as a corner-only guy, and just an average one at best. And his K rate could be a concern (nearing the 1/3 mark this this and 25 percent over 23-24). I think he's kind of just more of the same ... [Reply]
I have purchased 17 tickets to the Seth Lugo show at Kauffman Stadium tonight and am going to give them away for free to Royals fans. Who wants to go tonight??? Talk to me⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/b766WFhMse
Fucking sucks to lose again, but there are still 47 games. We really need to win tomorrow night.
It'd be nice to see Bubic get more high leverage situation. He looks to be a pretty dominant RP since he's came back. He's pitched in 11 2/3 innings and has a 1.86 ERA - 0.93 WHIP - 14 SOs - 3 walks. He's just under 11 Ks/9.
He's also had an uptick in his velo for all of his pitches really.
4 seamer is averaging 93.6 mph and in 2023 it was at 91.7 mph. I know him coming out of the bullpen this year has quite a bit to do with it, but it's a welcome improvement. I really want him to be worked back into the rotation next year, but I think if all else fails, then I think he will be a damn good relief pitcher. I'd like to see him get some 8th inning or 9th inning work in a close game. [Reply]