The international signing period is open, which means it's time to add some very young talent to the organization. Plus, a look at who's coming to camp and a tribute to a great.
Question- going to AZ for spring training March 16 and 17 for the first time. Are there any tips or tricks to know? I’m likely only going to either the Sunday game or the Monday game. Any reason to pick one or the other?
Just a quick glance at the schedule, I'd probably go Sunday because Monday is the Diamondbacks and tickets are a bit tougher to come by. Plus, Talking Stick is great for Sunday and a lot closer to action in the area after the game than Surprise is. If you want to hit Surprise, though, you only really have the one option. I wrote up some other tips in a mailbag two years ago that you can check out - https://insidethecrown.substack.com/p/itc-mailbag-kansas-city-royals-questions
I usually don't pay too much attention to "who's who" in Spring Training, but I'll be watching the catchers this year with interest; I'm convinced there will be a major "shake-up" at the catcher position in the next couple of years...and I think the Royals future there looks bright.
Having said that, I'm also hoping someone "steps up" at the OF position sooner than later, because the Royals desperately need an upgrade at both corner spots; I'm cautiously optimistic that they have a solution (or platoon) in CF.
Agreed that catchers are interesting this year. Jensen is going to get actual play while Mitchell will probably be more seen by people who show up early on the back fields, but it'll be nice to see him in camp.
But 100% on the outfielders. Someone has to step up. Gentry is a 40-man guy, but whether it's him or Cross or Cags moves to right field, they need to find an internal answer soon.
Since you mentioned it, I don't see how they can play Cags at 1B with Vinnie here long-term (unless I'm way off on that). We also have to acknowledge the elephant in the room (literally): if Perez is going to play out his career in KC...it's going to involve a lot of time at 1B/DH. I'm ok with that (he's a better 1B than I ever imagined), but that doesn't allow for a "third wheel" at 1B, and that also means Vinnie is going to get some DH time as well. Good problems to have (for a change).
Hopefully it's something they have to account for sooner than later. You're right though. Vinnie can't play anywhere but first. Salvy can't play anywhere but first and catcher. So unless Cags is in the outfield, the only way they can all be in the lineup at once is if Salvy is catching, which he already doesn't do nearly as much as he once did. They've already dangled Vinnie in trade talks once, obviously before they had Cags, but I could see them selling high after 2025 (assuming Vinnie has a good year) if Caglianone in right field doesn't work out like they hope.
David, it will be Cags tearing the cover of the ball like the movie The Natural to win the starting RF job this spring training. I have received steakhouse recommendations in Kansas City for you to pay off our bet!!!
I actually still like Hereford House, though the little issue the Leawood location had last year hasn't done well for them. I haven't been to Jess & Jim's for years, but man was it good when I used to go.
I make that they don't think he's worthy of an invite. To this point, he's absolutely been a bust. I'm not going to pretend that I think he's going to figure it out, but he's also still only 21 years old, so hope isn't lost on him.
I've been meaning to re-watch Major League for ages. My friends and I probably watched it fifty times back in the day. It was one of the VHS tapes we had on hand and popped in whenever we were just sitting around doing nothing. But I haven't seen it for probably twenty years at this point--not entirely because I didn't want to, though. It hadn't been available on streaming any of the times I had looked for it the past few years, but now it's on Prime! Definitely sitting down with it this weekend. Love that movie. So many stupid little phrases in my life that come from that movie that I say off-handedly. "Too high" I throw out there just about any time a ball is in the air in a sport. "Who are deez effin guys?" comes out WAY more than it should. "Up your butt, Jobu" is just fun to say for no reason whatsoever. I will probably be surprised as I watch it again to find a half-dozen other things I randomly say that I'd completely forgotten came from there. Truly one of those handful of movies that had far too much of an impact on my life!
It really is amazing how many random little things we say come from Major League. I'm the same way, only I watch it so much that I remember they're from there haha.
David, it will be Cags tearing the cover of the ball like the movie The Natural to win the starting RF job this spring training. I have received steakhouse recommendations in Kansas City for you to pay off our bet!!! Also, loved Bob and he will be missed!
All is fresh again in Spring, which means hope again for us Royals fans. Gotta say, feels a helluva lot more solidly founded than in years past. Definitely grateful for that!
I think we can all agree that Bob is finally 'in the front row' as he rightly deserves. Thank you for the memories and RIP Mr. Baseball!
Watched Major League yesterday on my last full day of bug recovery. I think its "free" on AppleTV+. I will definitely be missing Ueck's voice this season.
The Royals getting an mlb outfielder via international money is intriguing, but what happens to the kids they have been promising? Would another team pick up or do they just wait another year?
Do you think this is one of Tolberts last chances? Heck of an athlete and lots of fight, but I wonder if he will age out before the bat is big league ready. Vaz is fun to watch, another dude with huge heart.
I guess I’m not sure what kids they’ve been promising. They all but told us straight up last year that the talent in AAA wasn’t good enough. Cross is close, Cags could be an outfielder, Gentry still has potential, but you need options.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Tolbert leaves as a minor league free agent at some point soon, but I find it hard to say anything is a last chance for a guy who probably hasn’t had and won’t have a first chance. He’s a nice organizational piece but there aren’t many Terrance Gores out there.
the kids i was referring to were the ones in international pool that we havent seen an official signing for yet. Just not sure how the international thing works
Ohhhh I get it. Well, they've officially signed now, so I don't think there's anything to it. But if I had to guess, it wouldn't have taken anything off the top of the class, just the lower bonus guys.
Saw in your post that you mentioned betting. I do the CBS NFL picks every year and had a decent year this year. I think the winner had 176 winners and I had 146. It’s fun, no money involved, but it’s frustrating too when you miss on 7 out of the 16 and 4 of the 7 you miss by .5 points and my teams lose the game. My best week was #16, I scored 13 out of 16. They only do the regular season games so it’s finished this year. Being a baseball and Royals fan, that CBS Pick’em is my main interest in the NFL. My wife is the Chiefs fan in our house. I’m ready for baseball! Go Royals!
Question- going to AZ for spring training March 16 and 17 for the first time. Are there any tips or tricks to know? I’m likely only going to either the Sunday game or the Monday game. Any reason to pick one or the other?
Just a quick glance at the schedule, I'd probably go Sunday because Monday is the Diamondbacks and tickets are a bit tougher to come by. Plus, Talking Stick is great for Sunday and a lot closer to action in the area after the game than Surprise is. If you want to hit Surprise, though, you only really have the one option. I wrote up some other tips in a mailbag two years ago that you can check out - https://insidethecrown.substack.com/p/itc-mailbag-kansas-city-royals-questions
Thank you
I usually don't pay too much attention to "who's who" in Spring Training, but I'll be watching the catchers this year with interest; I'm convinced there will be a major "shake-up" at the catcher position in the next couple of years...and I think the Royals future there looks bright.
Having said that, I'm also hoping someone "steps up" at the OF position sooner than later, because the Royals desperately need an upgrade at both corner spots; I'm cautiously optimistic that they have a solution (or platoon) in CF.
Agreed that catchers are interesting this year. Jensen is going to get actual play while Mitchell will probably be more seen by people who show up early on the back fields, but it'll be nice to see him in camp.
But 100% on the outfielders. Someone has to step up. Gentry is a 40-man guy, but whether it's him or Cross or Cags moves to right field, they need to find an internal answer soon.
Since you mentioned it, I don't see how they can play Cags at 1B with Vinnie here long-term (unless I'm way off on that). We also have to acknowledge the elephant in the room (literally): if Perez is going to play out his career in KC...it's going to involve a lot of time at 1B/DH. I'm ok with that (he's a better 1B than I ever imagined), but that doesn't allow for a "third wheel" at 1B, and that also means Vinnie is going to get some DH time as well. Good problems to have (for a change).
Hopefully it's something they have to account for sooner than later. You're right though. Vinnie can't play anywhere but first. Salvy can't play anywhere but first and catcher. So unless Cags is in the outfield, the only way they can all be in the lineup at once is if Salvy is catching, which he already doesn't do nearly as much as he once did. They've already dangled Vinnie in trade talks once, obviously before they had Cags, but I could see them selling high after 2025 (assuming Vinnie has a good year) if Caglianone in right field doesn't work out like they hope.
David, it will be Cags tearing the cover of the ball like the movie The Natural to win the starting RF job this spring training. I have received steakhouse recommendations in Kansas City for you to pay off our bet!!!
Is one of them Hereford House? Or I have I been gone too long! My favorite is Jess & Jim's (still the best baked potatoes I've ever had).
I actually still like Hereford House, though the little issue the Leawood location had last year hasn't done well for them. I haven't been to Jess & Jim's for years, but man was it good when I used to go.
"Don't worry, nobody's listening anyway." - Bob was the best.
The dryest, most natural humor. I loved it.
What do you make of Mozzicato not being invited to Spring Training? Another first round draft choice bust?
I make that they don't think he's worthy of an invite. To this point, he's absolutely been a bust. I'm not going to pretend that I think he's going to figure it out, but he's also still only 21 years old, so hope isn't lost on him.
I've been meaning to re-watch Major League for ages. My friends and I probably watched it fifty times back in the day. It was one of the VHS tapes we had on hand and popped in whenever we were just sitting around doing nothing. But I haven't seen it for probably twenty years at this point--not entirely because I didn't want to, though. It hadn't been available on streaming any of the times I had looked for it the past few years, but now it's on Prime! Definitely sitting down with it this weekend. Love that movie. So many stupid little phrases in my life that come from that movie that I say off-handedly. "Too high" I throw out there just about any time a ball is in the air in a sport. "Who are deez effin guys?" comes out WAY more than it should. "Up your butt, Jobu" is just fun to say for no reason whatsoever. I will probably be surprised as I watch it again to find a half-dozen other things I randomly say that I'd completely forgotten came from there. Truly one of those handful of movies that had far too much of an impact on my life!
It really is amazing how many random little things we say come from Major League. I'm the same way, only I watch it so much that I remember they're from there haha.
With Henderson and now Uecker we're starting to enter the era where baseball figures I'm familiar with are passing.
I can't say I care for it.
Nope, don't like it one bit.
David, it will be Cags tearing the cover of the ball like the movie The Natural to win the starting RF job this spring training. I have received steakhouse recommendations in Kansas City for you to pay off our bet!!! Also, loved Bob and he will be missed!
I had a feeling you’d have a comment about Cags making the team. He won’t even likely be playing outfield in Surprise though, so…
All is fresh again in Spring, which means hope again for us Royals fans. Gotta say, feels a helluva lot more solidly founded than in years past. Definitely grateful for that!
I think we can all agree that Bob is finally 'in the front row' as he rightly deserves. Thank you for the memories and RIP Mr. Baseball!
So much easier to have hope after not only making the playoffs but winning a series!
Watched Major League yesterday on my last full day of bug recovery. I think its "free" on AppleTV+. I will definitely be missing Ueck's voice this season.
The Royals getting an mlb outfielder via international money is intriguing, but what happens to the kids they have been promising? Would another team pick up or do they just wait another year?
Do you think this is one of Tolberts last chances? Heck of an athlete and lots of fight, but I wonder if he will age out before the bat is big league ready. Vaz is fun to watch, another dude with huge heart.
Hope you feel better!
I guess I’m not sure what kids they’ve been promising. They all but told us straight up last year that the talent in AAA wasn’t good enough. Cross is close, Cags could be an outfielder, Gentry still has potential, but you need options.
I wouldn’t be surprised if Tolbert leaves as a minor league free agent at some point soon, but I find it hard to say anything is a last chance for a guy who probably hasn’t had and won’t have a first chance. He’s a nice organizational piece but there aren’t many Terrance Gores out there.
the kids i was referring to were the ones in international pool that we havent seen an official signing for yet. Just not sure how the international thing works
Ohhhh I get it. Well, they've officially signed now, so I don't think there's anything to it. But if I had to guess, it wouldn't have taken anything off the top of the class, just the lower bonus guys.
Saw in your post that you mentioned betting. I do the CBS NFL picks every year and had a decent year this year. I think the winner had 176 winners and I had 146. It’s fun, no money involved, but it’s frustrating too when you miss on 7 out of the 16 and 4 of the 7 you miss by .5 points and my teams lose the game. My best week was #16, I scored 13 out of 16. They only do the regular season games so it’s finished this year. Being a baseball and Royals fan, that CBS Pick’em is my main interest in the NFL. My wife is the Chiefs fan in our house. I’m ready for baseball! Go Royals!
Gambling on baseball in general is infuriating. I do a lot more betting on football, to be honest.
David, MJ posted a swing video.
Whoa. That’s a big change.
Yep. I’m certainly hopeful again