What are your thoughts on Spencer Steer? I was thinking of him as an offseason trade target earlier in the season when they said they were targeting a bat with position versatility. Don’t know if he should be our leadoff hitter necessarily but still like the fit. Some numbers were down but consistent k% & bb% shows he has a good idea of the strike zone. I think he has a bounce back year. My concern has always been the asking price.
I'm not a huge fan. But I do think he can make the team better, so from that lens, I'd be fine with a move for him. The issue I have is the batted ball metrics aren't especially good, so is there the upside he showed in 2023 for real? Maybe, but it's hard to feel really confident about it. I wonder some how much his ballpark helps him. He's also a liability in the field, so I'd give it a shot, but probably not for whatever the Reds would want.
Oh wow ok I didn’t know Steer wasn’t good on defense. I’ve seen his savant page is far from red but assumed it would be fine. In the mean time I’ll spend the rest of my day hoping we get a sliver of news saying the Angels would move trout.
So far, the moves the Angels have made have been more of the "going for it" variety. Don't get me wrong - I think them "going for it" is not realistic at all, but they have a delusional goober for an owner. So I wouldn't hold my breath on Trout going anywhere.
Arte is always "going for it" but he refuses to invest in the aspects of the organization that make "going for it" reasonable. Signing old guys who used to be great and surrounding them with replacement level players has never been a winning strategy but it's the one the Angels use because they used to be able to sell tickets on those names (Hamilton, Pujols, Rendon).
One of the bad things about following baseball which hasn't been as much of a problem in my football fandom is how unlikely it is that your favorite player is going to stick with the team forever. I will be absolutely devastated if the Royals trade Kris Bubic.
“J.J. Picollo stated that they don't expect to be in the market for a starting pitcher moving forward according to Anne Rogers.
Here is what the starting rotation will look like. Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Brady Singer will round out the first four spots. The fifth spot is likely to be Kris Bubic or Daniel Lynch IV.”
Comes from a Royals fan group on Facebook; I’m assuming we really haven’t closed the door on trading Singer and Bubic?
Apparently, he’s also said “Brady is a lock in this rotation.” That seems like a more committed statement than necessary. But I suppose GMs walk stuff like that back all the time.
It was from Anne's article on the winter meetings. I know what he said. I wouldn't be surprised if he's traded or kept. No GM of any team in the Royals position is going to say they're going to trade someone who hasn't requested it.
It's a shame that Blanco couldn't conjure up more of the "crayon bat" Blanco we saw for a series, because he has value as a base-runner/stealer and is at least adequate in the field. I still think the Royals have an OF piece in the minors (Gentry/Cross), but don't know if they could make the opening day roster.
I think Gentry *could* but I don't think there's a roster with him and Renfroe on it, so if they eat the contract or some of it to move him, sure. My guess is Cross starts the year in AAA, though I could see them leaving him in AA to hit in a lineup with Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone and see how that looks.
It moves fast once you get it right at the base of the organization. I’m pumped for the 2025 big league season, but I think the organization as a whole is really about to take off.
What are your thoughts on Spencer Steer? I was thinking of him as an offseason trade target earlier in the season when they said they were targeting a bat with position versatility. Don’t know if he should be our leadoff hitter necessarily but still like the fit. Some numbers were down but consistent k% & bb% shows he has a good idea of the strike zone. I think he has a bounce back year. My concern has always been the asking price.
I'm not a huge fan. But I do think he can make the team better, so from that lens, I'd be fine with a move for him. The issue I have is the batted ball metrics aren't especially good, so is there the upside he showed in 2023 for real? Maybe, but it's hard to feel really confident about it. I wonder some how much his ballpark helps him. He's also a liability in the field, so I'd give it a shot, but probably not for whatever the Reds would want.
I would love Steer. But hang on here, did you just casually hint at Trout? For any reason in particular? That would be something.
I just mentioned in the comment above why I'd Steer clear (get it?), but he'd also help.
I did casually hint at Trout, but more as a joke than anything. Though the Royals did say they'd take on a contract...
Oh wow ok I didn’t know Steer wasn’t good on defense. I’ve seen his savant page is far from red but assumed it would be fine. In the mean time I’ll spend the rest of my day hoping we get a sliver of news saying the Angels would move trout.
So far, the moves the Angels have made have been more of the "going for it" variety. Don't get me wrong - I think them "going for it" is not realistic at all, but they have a delusional goober for an owner. So I wouldn't hold my breath on Trout going anywhere.
Arte isn’t letting them trade Trout.
Arte is always "going for it" but he refuses to invest in the aspects of the organization that make "going for it" reasonable. Signing old guys who used to be great and surrounding them with replacement level players has never been a winning strategy but it's the one the Angels use because they used to be able to sell tickets on those names (Hamilton, Pujols, Rendon).
One of the bad things about following baseball which hasn't been as much of a problem in my football fandom is how unlikely it is that your favorite player is going to stick with the team forever. I will be absolutely devastated if the Royals trade Kris Bubic.
I love Bubic myself, though maybe not as much as you. I'll tell you this - I'd put it at less than 50/50 he gets traded.
That's reassuring!
What do you think of this take?
“J.J. Picollo stated that they don't expect to be in the market for a starting pitcher moving forward according to Anne Rogers.
Here is what the starting rotation will look like. Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha, and Brady Singer will round out the first four spots. The fifth spot is likely to be Kris Bubic or Daniel Lynch IV.”
Comes from a Royals fan group on Facebook; I’m assuming we really haven’t closed the door on trading Singer and Bubic?
Door feels pretty closed on trading Singer to me.
Nah, what's he supposed to say? "Yep, we're shopping this dude."
Apparently, he’s also said “Brady is a lock in this rotation.” That seems like a more committed statement than necessary. But I suppose GMs walk stuff like that back all the time.
Well yeah, if he’s on the team, he’s a lock. He’s not going to say that he isn’t.
It was from Anne's article on the winter meetings. I know what he said. I wouldn't be surprised if he's traded or kept. No GM of any team in the Royals position is going to say they're going to trade someone who hasn't requested it.
David, you do a good job of pumping me up about Royals baseball in 2025. Thank you.
It's what I'm here for!
It's a shame that Blanco couldn't conjure up more of the "crayon bat" Blanco we saw for a series, because he has value as a base-runner/stealer and is at least adequate in the field. I still think the Royals have an OF piece in the minors (Gentry/Cross), but don't know if they could make the opening day roster.
I think Gentry *could* but I don't think there's a roster with him and Renfroe on it, so if they eat the contract or some of it to move him, sure. My guess is Cross starts the year in AAA, though I could see them leaving him in AA to hit in a lineup with Carter Jensen and Jac Caglianone and see how that looks.
Can't wait until we get to see that line-up at the Major League level: the future looks bright!
It moves fast once you get it right at the base of the organization. I’m pumped for the 2025 big league season, but I think the organization as a whole is really about to take off.