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 [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
India doesn't really move the needle but better than doing nothing. Are we unloading Garcia?
Why? Garcia can play all 4 infield positions, and play them well. He's 24 years old and cheap. While he didn't hit well this season, he hit well enough in his first full season at the ML level the year before and he has produced in the minors. He's a perfect super utility guy with positive WAR, steals a shit ton of bases, and plays superb infield defense anywhere you need him. Those are the type of guys you don't simply unload because he's not throwing around gaudy numbers at the age of 24. He is extremely valuable to this team... even moreso as a utility player than as a starting Thirdbaseman. [Reply]
Originally Posted by duncan_idaho:
He’s a career .354 OBP guy who can play 2B and has been a little above average offensive player his whole career.
He’s not a star, but a .350 OBP guy in front of the Royals 2-3-4 is going to help a lot.
Do you actually see India even playing Second base for KC? I don't. He the starter at third from day 1, imo. He had almost 1200 innings at 3B in the minors, with less than 100 innings at 2B. I'm not sure the deets on why exactly he never played an inning there for Cincy, but it's obvious he can. Massey showed a lot of promise for KC this year at 2B.
We've now got a good amount of youth/talent on the infield. And you've got another in Nick Loftin who gives you your 2nd utility guy extending into the OF as well (bye adam frazier). [Reply]
Originally Posted by Fansy the Famous Bard:
Do you actually see India even playing Second base for KC? I don't. He the starter at third from day 1, imo. He had almost 1200 innings at 3B in the minors, with less than 100 innings at 2B. I'm not sure the deets on why exactly he never played an inning there for Cincy, but it's obvious he can. Massey showed a lot of promise for KC this year at 2B.
We've now got a good amount of youth/talent on the infield. And you've got another in Nick Loftin who gives you your 2nd utility guy extending into the OF as well (bye adam frazier).
He could play either. Or some of both.
Primary 3B who slides to 2B when you sit Massey or he DHs is fine.
The big thing is the fit as a guy who gets on base. [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
India doesn't really move the needle but better than doing nothing. Are we unloading Garcia?
Garcia becomes the likely utility infielder. Can play 2B, SS and 3B and can provide some offense with the bat in a utility role. He’ll likely get some starts at 3B again when India is at 2B. [Reply]
Originally Posted by Fansy the Famous Bard:
Why? Garcia can play all 4 infield positions, and play them well. He's 24 years old and cheap. While he didn't hit well this season, he hit well enough in his first full season at the ML level the year before and he has produced in the minors. He's a perfect super utility guy with positive WAR, steals a shit ton of bases, and plays superb infield defense anywhere you need him. Those are the type of guys you don't simply unload because he's not throwing around gaudy numbers at the age of 24. He is extremely valuable to this team... even moreso as a utility player than as a starting Thirdbaseman.
I like Garcia but he may be worth more to other teams than us since his best position is shortstop and we have that position filled. [Reply]
It is tough to give up on homegrown guys but it's a good move. We just sat there and complained about our offense for the entire last month of the season.
It's definitely a different era of Royals baseball. The only players with more walks than India last season were Judge, Soto, Schwarber and Ohtani. That's it. And now we get to put him in front of Witt and Vinnie instead of trying to make guys like Garcia and Adam Frazier work. The only catch is he's not the base stealer or defender someone like Garcia is, but he takes a ton of walks and he is top 10 in HBP every single year. He just gets on base. [Reply]
Originally Posted by tk13:
It is tough to give up on homegrown guys but it's a good move. We just sat there and complained about our offense for the entire last month of the season.
It's definitely a different era of Royals baseball. The only players with more walks than India last season were Judge, Soto, Schwarber and Ohtani. That's it. And now we get to put him in front of Witt and Vinnie instead of trying to make guys like Garcia and Adam Frazier work. The only catch is he's not the base stealer or defender someone like Garcia is, but he takes a ton of walks and he is top 10 in HBP every single year. He just gets on base.
It will turn those Bobby doubles into steaks [Reply]
Originally Posted by BWillie:
Kris Boobitch to the rotation then?
For what it's worth, Roster Resource projects Alec Marsh and Kyle Wright as the Royals' fourth and fifth starters, while Bubic is projected to be the eighth-inning setup man to Lucas Erceg.