Great article, David. I would be a no on Arrenado and again I'm just hoping for bounce backs from MJ and Garcia. I agree with you on getting one more bullpen piece i really like Estevez or if he stays in the pen Hoffman.
Arenado's trend is going down as a ball player. He is 34 - that's getting up there. He seems like a player whose best years are behind him and some team is going to be disappointed by picking him up. Hard pass for KC.
Oh I completely agree. That's why I wouldn't give up anything of real value and I wouldn't pay him much. The defense is hanging on, though, so there's at least some value from him, but Garcia plays good defense already and has upside.
I agree, there are too many relievers without homes and the Royals could use another good reliever too much for them to not manage to snag one of those guys.
I'm still more concerned about adding that bat to the lineup. But maybe that's just because my reputation is on the line...
Any rumors on whether FO and ownership is willing to bump the budget if the right player is available to them. Going to be some bargains in the next month if KC is willing to add little more to payroll.
What was last years opening number? 105,110? and number after trade deadline?125? I know you have written many times but i cant remember or find on google
David Robertson is the guy I really want. Dude has just been so consistent over the last 15 years as a closer or setup man. He's been signing one year deals for the past couple of seasons, maybe the Royals can get a discount/edge on competition by offering him 2 years.
The only reason I even hesitate on him is age and the fact that he doesn't throw hard. He's at the age where it just goes poof sometimes, and he's already starting at a spot where he's only throwing 93-94, which is hard enough, but if that drops, I worry about the effectiveness of that cutter. Still, you're right, it's year after year of consistency.
I’ve thought the same about 3B. We’ve a plethora of 2Bs and no real 3Bs. The obvious signing or trade is for an OF but surely one of India, Garcia, Gentry, Massey, Wiemer, et.al. Could produce as well if not better than MJ. Platoon MJ in RF with Renfroe and see how it falls out the first half. WTF.
I thought from the start of the winter that they'd go out and get a third baseman, but as time has passed and I've heard less and less, I kind of thought they had exhausted that market, but maybe I gave up on that too quickly.
I still think that Garcia can be a .260 hitter with a better than average glove. He just won't provide any power AND he is the cousin of Ronald Acuna, Jr. So there is that :) I like that he can fly around the bases and can steal bases making that single (a two bagger). However, if the Royals could get someone with some power (17-20 homers), that would be better for sure.
I think it's certainly possible they do both. I would think outfield is more likely, but if they were to get a third baseman, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least a platoon option like Austin Hays.
I’m still on the Baty bandwagon. I think it gets done. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they have the framework done. It’s just all dependent on Alfonso and or Bregman. I just don’t see the outfielder. Which is odd as you’d think there would be more outfield options.
I know you have said another move will be made. I’m being patient yet. But my concern for just “running it back” is going up a little. Lol. It’s all the same crew as last year. Which can work….but a lot of times doesn’t with same results.
Oh, I get it. There is definitely some concern with Baty yet. It’s more just about the pedigree and he really hasn’t had a lot of time in the majors to get adjusted. It’s almost as much as I don’t see it with Garcia and MJ and maybe Baty can resolve that. Garcia is a super utility guy…that’s his best fit in my eyes. MJ has the pedigree….but I just don’t see it. So who knows, it’s not as much about Baty as it is I just don’t see that many options right now and he seems available. If they don’t get him I won’t lose sleep or anything….so maybe they find something we all aren’t thinking about yet.
I think you could 100% see both and I do see you'll continue to doubt me when I tell you something is going to happen. I guess it's nice to be pleasantly surprised in the end.
Oh David, I don’t doubt you that something will happen. I actually think it will too. It’s just something for me to stew over. It’s SLOWWWWW right now in the baseball world as I can only imagine you are all too aware of. We are talking about arb numbers…..blah. Lol. Until something happens it hasn’t so we can look at. But I’m with you in that more will go down. Hopefully before the start of spring training. Only like a month away now or so I think.
I feel Arenado could have a bounce back year, but not for the money he's owed. Always loved his defensive skills, but again, the dollars. Good stuff, David!
Isbel and MJ got close to their projections, but why is MJ projected almost 1 million/ 30% more than isbel? Certainly not based on WAR. Potential slug?
I was wondering about that, too. Neither one of them is that great with the bat, but Isbel is far greater as a fielder, although I have no real complaints about MJ's fielding. Sure, he makes mistakes, but so does everyone. People just seems to take more notice if it's MJ than, say, Witt Jr. If I remember correctly, two years ago, MJ was tied for third in the majors in outfield assists; so the talent is there.
I feel like we’re getting Isbel for such a reasonable amount, living with his streaky bat is nothing to complain about. Obviously we can’t do it when the other two OF’s are just as bad and their defense doesn’t even match Isbel.
Great article, David. I would be a no on Arrenado and again I'm just hoping for bounce backs from MJ and Garcia. I agree with you on getting one more bullpen piece i really like Estevez or if he stays in the pen Hoffman.
I'd only be a yes on Arenado at the right price, which I'm not sure the Cardinals would come down to. But yeah, give me a reliever or two.
Arenado's trend is going down as a ball player. He is 34 - that's getting up there. He seems like a player whose best years are behind him and some team is going to be disappointed by picking him up. Hard pass for KC.
Oh I completely agree. That's why I wouldn't give up anything of real value and I wouldn't pay him much. The defense is hanging on, though, so there's at least some value from him, but Garcia plays good defense already and has upside.
I agree, there are too many relievers without homes and the Royals could use another good reliever too much for them to not manage to snag one of those guys.
I'm still more concerned about adding that bat to the lineup. But maybe that's just because my reputation is on the line...
They're going to add a bat. Whether people like it is a different story, but people hate everything.
Any rumors on whether FO and ownership is willing to bump the budget if the right player is available to them. Going to be some bargains in the next month if KC is willing to add little more to payroll.
Yep, mentioned that in the first point today:
I know they’ve said they want to end up around last year’s number, but I’ve continued to hear that they’d stretch for the right player.
What was last years opening number? 105,110? and number after trade deadline?125? I know you have written many times but i cant remember or find on google
They started the year somewhere like 116-120. I can't remember exactly. And ended at around 125.
Lol!! You’ve been hanging out on SM too much where People do hate everything 💯💯💯
David Robertson is the guy I really want. Dude has just been so consistent over the last 15 years as a closer or setup man. He's been signing one year deals for the past couple of seasons, maybe the Royals can get a discount/edge on competition by offering him 2 years.
The only reason I even hesitate on him is age and the fact that he doesn't throw hard. He's at the age where it just goes poof sometimes, and he's already starting at a spot where he's only throwing 93-94, which is hard enough, but if that drops, I worry about the effectiveness of that cutter. Still, you're right, it's year after year of consistency.
I’ve thought the same about 3B. We’ve a plethora of 2Bs and no real 3Bs. The obvious signing or trade is for an OF but surely one of India, Garcia, Gentry, Massey, Wiemer, et.al. Could produce as well if not better than MJ. Platoon MJ in RF with Renfroe and see how it falls out the first half. WTF.
I thought from the start of the winter that they'd go out and get a third baseman, but as time has passed and I've heard less and less, I kind of thought they had exhausted that market, but maybe I gave up on that too quickly.
I still think that Garcia can be a .260 hitter with a better than average glove. He just won't provide any power AND he is the cousin of Ronald Acuna, Jr. So there is that :) I like that he can fly around the bases and can steal bases making that single (a two bagger). However, if the Royals could get someone with some power (17-20 homers), that would be better for sure.
I think he *can* but I'm not entirely sure he will. As for speed, he's an excellent baserunner, but he's actually not that fast.
Do you think it's a left field OR third base upgrade or do you think it's somehow possible they'll do both?
I think it's certainly possible they do both. I would think outfield is more likely, but if they were to get a third baseman, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least a platoon option like Austin Hays.
I’m still on the Baty bandwagon. I think it gets done. I wouldn’t even be surprised if they have the framework done. It’s just all dependent on Alfonso and or Bregman. I just don’t see the outfielder. Which is odd as you’d think there would be more outfield options.
I know you have said another move will be made. I’m being patient yet. But my concern for just “running it back” is going up a little. Lol. It’s all the same crew as last year. Which can work….but a lot of times doesn’t with same results.
What do you like a about Baty? You definitely arent alone, but I just dont see it
Oh, I get it. There is definitely some concern with Baty yet. It’s more just about the pedigree and he really hasn’t had a lot of time in the majors to get adjusted. It’s almost as much as I don’t see it with Garcia and MJ and maybe Baty can resolve that. Garcia is a super utility guy…that’s his best fit in my eyes. MJ has the pedigree….but I just don’t see it. So who knows, it’s not as much about Baty as it is I just don’t see that many options right now and he seems available. If they don’t get him I won’t lose sleep or anything….so maybe they find something we all aren’t thinking about yet.
I think you could 100% see both and I do see you'll continue to doubt me when I tell you something is going to happen. I guess it's nice to be pleasantly surprised in the end.
Oh David, I don’t doubt you that something will happen. I actually think it will too. It’s just something for me to stew over. It’s SLOWWWWW right now in the baseball world as I can only imagine you are all too aware of. We are talking about arb numbers…..blah. Lol. Until something happens it hasn’t so we can look at. But I’m with you in that more will go down. Hopefully before the start of spring training. Only like a month away now or so I think.
Pitchers and catchers report a month from Sunday. I’d bet a lot of money there will be new players to discuss before then.
I feel Arenado could have a bounce back year, but not for the money he's owed. Always loved his defensive skills, but again, the dollars. Good stuff, David!
Yeah, I just don't see it for that cost.
Isbel and MJ got close to their projections, but why is MJ projected almost 1 million/ 30% more than isbel? Certainly not based on WAR. Potential slug?
I was wondering about that, too. Neither one of them is that great with the bat, but Isbel is far greater as a fielder, although I have no real complaints about MJ's fielding. Sure, he makes mistakes, but so does everyone. People just seems to take more notice if it's MJ than, say, Witt Jr. If I remember correctly, two years ago, MJ was tied for third in the majors in outfield assists; so the talent is there.
He has a great arm for sure, and that covers a bunch.
Generally arbitration looks at the counting stats and not really the advanced metrics, so home runs and RBIs reign supreme a lot of the time.
I feel like we’re getting Isbel for such a reasonable amount, living with his streaky bat is nothing to complain about. Obviously we can’t do it when the other two OF’s are just as bad and their defense doesn’t even match Isbel.