14 Comments

Are the rumors of Baty dead? What about buying low on a James Outman?

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Nope. Not dead. I still think that’s very possible. Problem is the Mets are still figuring a lot out, so they’re not quite ready to move.

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What about Randal Gruchick? or however you spell it.

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Sure. I have my doubts about him as I’ve outlined in past newsletters but he had a nice year and maybe he actually made some changes that would make the results sustainable. I also haven’t heard the Royals connected with him, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t interested.

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Draft content the first week of January? I both love it and am frustrated by the lack of moves that have you filling the newsletter with it. I am looking forward to a draft where it will be almost impossible for the Royals to pass on the consensus next star given their draft position!

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This is always a slow week regardless of anything else. I like looking at the draft way ahead just to have some thoughts down about it so I can see how dumb I was a few months earlier.

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This is what I keep preaching on the pod. I know it feels late in the offseason, but there are still a LOT of talented players available in free agency. Eventually they're going to run out of chairs. Or they're going to force someone currently in a chair out, and the Royals still have LOTS of options to improve the roster. I can't reasonably panic until like a week before Spring Training starts or a lot more guys come off the board.

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This is just an odd winter, it feels like. I just keep waiting for the dominoes to start falling because there are a handful of teams that feel like they have too many players and roughly the same number of teams who need something in the extras.

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I still think they'll sign a pitcher (like Lorenzen) and trade for a bat...although I'm not sure I'll be happy WHO they trade for that bat (another way of saying it could be painful).

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I think the fact that they are so disciplined in what they're looking for and what they're willing to pay for it will lead to it being a deal that's at least understandable. I also think it's an interesting combination of people being way down on the system and then being upset when someone from that system is traded. I wouldn't be surprised to see one of the catchers moved, for example, but also a trade or a position move is likely necessary for one of them.

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Great article, David! What do you think about Austin Hays? He can play all three outfield spots.

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I like Hays enough. The issue is that he doesn't have especially good batted ball metrics and his speed is declining. I'm not sure I'd want him in center in a big park, but can certainly play there in a pinch.

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Just love seeing when your newsletter hits my inbox!! Keep up the great work keeping us Royals fans updated and “in the know”. :)

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I’ll do my best! Thanks for reading!

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