You're right, David. Those are some bold predictions!
I have more confidence in your predictions regarding Vinnie and Zack than any of the others.
I can see BWJ stealing 30 bases and a whole lot more. But I'm not certain that he's a 30 HR guy. I think he will be in another couple of years but not quite yet.
Every year my Buddy and I write on the leg of a wooden work bench in my basement what we think the Royals record will be. Our perditions are fortified with a couple of pours of Bourbon. Then after the season we check back and realize how wildly wrong we always seem to be. The result is often soothed with a couple of more pours. Royals 75 wins in 2023. Now I can be wildly wrong here and in my basement. Cheers.
When I saw the headline, before I even read your article I figured that your bold prediction would be for the Royals to win 75 this year. I wasn't too far off. That would be my own bold prediction but I don't have much confidence in it.
Will they be buyers or sellers this year, and when? Break out that crystal ball, throw it away, and make a totally random guess.
Wow, I completely missed that Staumont got sent down to start the year. Had he not pitched very well over the spring. I’m surprised by that only because Carlos Hernandez appears to be ahead of him in the eyes of the coaching staff huh. As you mentioned….wonder if he becomes more of a trade chip this season then. I think it’s all a good thing….just surprised they see more in Hernandez right now than Staumont.
I'm always bullish on the Royals to start a season so I'll bump the wins up to 76 or 77. They will look better than last year and will actually do things at the trade deadline instead of just do nothing. We also will be Top 15(read this as 13-15) in strikeouts from the pitchers and may improve a bit in terms of strikeouts from the hitters (I had forgotten we were pretty good at not striking out last year).
I'm predicting a little closer to 500 ball than you. I think they will be right on the 500 number all year. I think a big difference with this club especially this season will be that our new coaching staff ,mainly Matt combined with JJ will be less tolerant with players that aren't performing. I don't think they will be hesitant to send a guy down that's 1for 17 ,hitting 168 or a pitcher that's 0-4 with 14 walks and a 7 Era. I think they will be very TRANSACTIONAL . Sending guys down and bringing guys up. Keeping I -29 very busy all season. I think Reyes will be huge for us early on. But two guys I don't think will be around very long because of their struggles at the plate. Lopez and Dozier. Also I think Gentry will be up before All star break. Hopefully Pratto as well. Bullpen will be just fine. But starting rotation will be our biggest issue all year. Just ZERO arms. Singer not enough. Definitely don't think he will even come close to duplicating last year. I think it's between the ears with Brady. Hes very hot headed, much like a very young Grenke. Zacks issues during his first three or 4 seasons here were 85 percent mental. Looking forward to this year and seeing what changes this new staff brings. Even in our minor league system, which is where I think we will notice biggest difference the quickest.
I hope all of this happens, except the Greinke part. Ironically, I just have this gut feeling Greinke could have a surprisingly good year. Nothing to support it, just a feeling, and I've been dead wrong before, but that is my bold Royals prediction. Although, as much as I love Zack, I would gladly concede that one to you if you're right about Vinnie P., BWJ, and Singer.
When you were predicting win total, did you factor in fewer games against AL Central teams? I'm assuming the schedule will be harder with fewer games against the Tigers, for example.
On last night's Kauffman Corner, Soren said he thinks you told him that Bobby Witt has told the team that he wants to play short. I think Soren was suggesting that it might tie into whether or not Witt would consider staying with the Royals if he can't play his preferred position. Anyway, what are your thoughts on the matter? Is Witt a lock at stay at short? If he's bad defensively (again), will he agree to move? Where do Garcia and Lopez fit into all this since it seems they are clearly better defensively? If the chances are remote that Witt would ever since a long-term deal, maybe commit to Garcia at short and dangle Witt in trade?
You're right, David. Those are some bold predictions!
I have more confidence in your predictions regarding Vinnie and Zack than any of the others.
I can see BWJ stealing 30 bases and a whole lot more. But I'm not certain that he's a 30 HR guy. I think he will be in another couple of years but not quite yet.
Every year my Buddy and I write on the leg of a wooden work bench in my basement what we think the Royals record will be. Our perditions are fortified with a couple of pours of Bourbon. Then after the season we check back and realize how wildly wrong we always seem to be. The result is often soothed with a couple of more pours. Royals 75 wins in 2023. Now I can be wildly wrong here and in my basement. Cheers.
When I saw the headline, before I even read your article I figured that your bold prediction would be for the Royals to win 75 this year. I wasn't too far off. That would be my own bold prediction but I don't have much confidence in it.
Will they be buyers or sellers this year, and when? Break out that crystal ball, throw it away, and make a totally random guess.
Wow, I completely missed that Staumont got sent down to start the year. Had he not pitched very well over the spring. I’m surprised by that only because Carlos Hernandez appears to be ahead of him in the eyes of the coaching staff huh. As you mentioned….wonder if he becomes more of a trade chip this season then. I think it’s all a good thing….just surprised they see more in Hernandez right now than Staumont.
I'm always bullish on the Royals to start a season so I'll bump the wins up to 76 or 77. They will look better than last year and will actually do things at the trade deadline instead of just do nothing. We also will be Top 15(read this as 13-15) in strikeouts from the pitchers and may improve a bit in terms of strikeouts from the hitters (I had forgotten we were pretty good at not striking out last year).
What is your bold prediction this year on where the walk rate will be in relation to the league?
Maybe a better question is….what does it NEED to be this year. Lol
I will predict with my heart above my head...82-80.
I'm predicting a little closer to 500 ball than you. I think they will be right on the 500 number all year. I think a big difference with this club especially this season will be that our new coaching staff ,mainly Matt combined with JJ will be less tolerant with players that aren't performing. I don't think they will be hesitant to send a guy down that's 1for 17 ,hitting 168 or a pitcher that's 0-4 with 14 walks and a 7 Era. I think they will be very TRANSACTIONAL . Sending guys down and bringing guys up. Keeping I -29 very busy all season. I think Reyes will be huge for us early on. But two guys I don't think will be around very long because of their struggles at the plate. Lopez and Dozier. Also I think Gentry will be up before All star break. Hopefully Pratto as well. Bullpen will be just fine. But starting rotation will be our biggest issue all year. Just ZERO arms. Singer not enough. Definitely don't think he will even come close to duplicating last year. I think it's between the ears with Brady. Hes very hot headed, much like a very young Grenke. Zacks issues during his first three or 4 seasons here were 85 percent mental. Looking forward to this year and seeing what changes this new staff brings. Even in our minor league system, which is where I think we will notice biggest difference the quickest.
I hope all of this happens, except the Greinke part. Ironically, I just have this gut feeling Greinke could have a surprisingly good year. Nothing to support it, just a feeling, and I've been dead wrong before, but that is my bold Royals prediction. Although, as much as I love Zack, I would gladly concede that one to you if you're right about Vinnie P., BWJ, and Singer.
When you were predicting win total, did you factor in fewer games against AL Central teams? I'm assuming the schedule will be harder with fewer games against the Tigers, for example.
Good bourbon , guy's with hi velo, light tower power, 78 wins
On last night's Kauffman Corner, Soren said he thinks you told him that Bobby Witt has told the team that he wants to play short. I think Soren was suggesting that it might tie into whether or not Witt would consider staying with the Royals if he can't play his preferred position. Anyway, what are your thoughts on the matter? Is Witt a lock at stay at short? If he's bad defensively (again), will he agree to move? Where do Garcia and Lopez fit into all this since it seems they are clearly better defensively? If the chances are remote that Witt would ever since a long-term deal, maybe commit to Garcia at short and dangle Witt in trade?
Correction Daddy Singer will WIN the Cy Young
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