Thanks David. I take a pretty similar burnout schedule as you do. The only real difference is I move on from the Royals and start paying attention to other teams when they are out of it. I box score it up, but don’t watch ever game like you. So thanks for keeping me informed and able to pay attention to other things than work!
I’m off it today. No reason to fret about the front office. It is what it is. I’m guilty of lazy analysis with these guys I’ll admit it. But all I really care about is win/losses and talent that is being built up. And they have continued to lose so I get to do lazy analysis as a fan. Someone has to go to prison Ben (name that movie)…nobody ever does for the Royals. I guess DM finally…anyway Lol. If I trust anything…..the literally only thing that I trust in the FO right now is that JJ can trade. So whatever process that is…..please try to make that process everywhere. Shoot, I said I wasn’t getting into it.
Back to baseball. I was very glad to hear Sherman say the year of evaluation was over. I figured that was going to be the route but hearing that always helps. I’m very curious…and don’t want to wish time away….to see how this thing comes together with the team and the stadium. I mean, they don’t have the pitching….I don’t see a route with the pitching yet. I am a little worried that the stadium is item 1 on the list for Sherman. Which as the owner so be it. So its spend on Witt Jr? Would you agree that if you don’t sign Bobby this offseason…..he probably is waiting till FA? I only say that because if anything will make the Royals come with a big offer….that Stadium push is a big thing behind this.
Oh I pay attention to other teams too. Less this year with a kid now, but still watch plenty of other baseball.
Love me some National Treasure! And I do think they didn't make enough moves, but I also think it's interesting that a big deal was made about Ontiveros promoted while the report is that Goldberg remains in the organization. Maybe there isn't anywhere to go for him, but that seemed interesting to me.
I haven't listened to the full Sherman audio yet, just haven't had time, but am going to today, so I can't speak to anything he said, but yeah, very encouraging. I'm not sure how it all works out just yet. Things have a funny way of working in no way how you expected, though. What if they sign a starter, trade a guy and get back a starter and a reliever, sign three reliever flyers with two working out and they uncover someone in their organization? Suddenly, you're sitting with Ragans, signed starter, acquired starter, uncovered starter and Singer along with a bullpen of two free agents, McArthur, maybe Kowar, Cruz, McMillon, Klein, etc. I'm not saying that will happen, but that doesn't even seem that crazy to get there. I think the stadium is absolutely the top of Sherman's list, but he can write a check pretty fast while still focusing on the stadium.
On Bobby, I don't quite think this is the only chance to get him signed. It's one of the last major ones if he's not willing to negotiate in season probably, but it's not the last. I still think there are two more big points - 24/25 offseason and the push at the trade deadline in 2025. If he's not signed then, he's probably moved.
So what if the Royals went into next year with two designated “bulk” guys with Marsh and Lyles? I honestly think Lyles is very usable with a 4 innings or so…twice through the batting order. I’m still befuddled by the middling results with Marsh for all the good I see. The question is if you have enough pitching…but you can always find relievers. A Ragans, Singer, bulk, sign, bulk…..is by no means good. But I’m actually a believer that they can get more quality innings from Lyles if they would just actually use him in the way that maximizes his innings instead of literally just getting “innings” from him arm.
I think you can live with one opener/bulk guy every fifth day, but two is pretty tough over the course of a long season. Now if you go into it with the idea that he can do it long enough to look good and get traded or else you just DFA, I'm probably fine with that.
I know you would have gone this route. I would have as well. But with this stadium push. Sometimes I think to myself. If you thought this was going to be a rough year…..not even as bad as it has been. But just say a losing year. Do you know how much easier it would have been to sell the stadium with a new FO in place? You throw all the blame on the last group, start fresh, give yourself a 1-2 year window of previous regime’s fault, sell a new vision including stadium to the fans. Then if you top it off with a Bobby Witt signing….. Man, I have to wonder if Sherman has the right people around him because that’s pretty much 101 in the PR world.
I don't think a new front office would have mattered much, honestly. Maybe I'm totally making this up, but I remember reading something awhile ago that like 65% of voters couldn't care less about the team wanting the money. All they see is the record and it would have likely been the same either way.
Whether we like it or not, it takes time to rebuild an organization, any organization. It is more important to get the right people in place than meet anyone's timeline. The Royals have squandered so much of my time since the door closed with the death of Yordano Ventura, that waiting another draft to get the right guy in charge or in place is worth it in my opinion. Sherman is taking a systematic approach to rebuilding this team that seems to be based on goals other than expediency, and I think it is the right way to go. Or so I hope!
I think the one thing you can say for certain is he's doing what he thinks is right rather than what he thinks he should be doing (which might be the same thing, for what it's worth). I personally think there's been a lot of change in the organization even without seeing many of the names change. Some definitely disagree with that.
I wouldn't be surprised if Bowlan gets a start in place of Lyles. Sort of a reward for working his way back from TJ. Not much chance of cracking the rotation next year unless he's a lot better at Omaha, and in fact he may not even be on the 40 next year. It conceivably could be his only appearance in the majors. The results just haven't been there since his return from surgery. Idk what the deeper level stats show as far as his stuff but...
I honestly forgot Bowlan was up. Yeah, could be. Or maybe he and Lyles both get four innings or something. I think I'd be semi-surprised if they non-tendered him, but it's certainly possible.
I've written about Velazquez here and there. Talked about him quite a bit this week on the radio too. I think he's a guy who has made himself a member of the 2024 club. You can't turn away that kind of power. I'd like to see maybe a little more contact, but he has a nice, easy swing that obviously generates insane pop. I'm not sure he'll ever be more than below average defensively, which is a bit of a concern, but the DH exists for a reason.
Thanks David. I take a pretty similar burnout schedule as you do. The only real difference is I move on from the Royals and start paying attention to other teams when they are out of it. I box score it up, but don’t watch ever game like you. So thanks for keeping me informed and able to pay attention to other things than work!
I’m off it today. No reason to fret about the front office. It is what it is. I’m guilty of lazy analysis with these guys I’ll admit it. But all I really care about is win/losses and talent that is being built up. And they have continued to lose so I get to do lazy analysis as a fan. Someone has to go to prison Ben (name that movie)…nobody ever does for the Royals. I guess DM finally…anyway Lol. If I trust anything…..the literally only thing that I trust in the FO right now is that JJ can trade. So whatever process that is…..please try to make that process everywhere. Shoot, I said I wasn’t getting into it.
Back to baseball. I was very glad to hear Sherman say the year of evaluation was over. I figured that was going to be the route but hearing that always helps. I’m very curious…and don’t want to wish time away….to see how this thing comes together with the team and the stadium. I mean, they don’t have the pitching….I don’t see a route with the pitching yet. I am a little worried that the stadium is item 1 on the list for Sherman. Which as the owner so be it. So its spend on Witt Jr? Would you agree that if you don’t sign Bobby this offseason…..he probably is waiting till FA? I only say that because if anything will make the Royals come with a big offer….that Stadium push is a big thing behind this.
Oh I pay attention to other teams too. Less this year with a kid now, but still watch plenty of other baseball.
Love me some National Treasure! And I do think they didn't make enough moves, but I also think it's interesting that a big deal was made about Ontiveros promoted while the report is that Goldberg remains in the organization. Maybe there isn't anywhere to go for him, but that seemed interesting to me.
I haven't listened to the full Sherman audio yet, just haven't had time, but am going to today, so I can't speak to anything he said, but yeah, very encouraging. I'm not sure how it all works out just yet. Things have a funny way of working in no way how you expected, though. What if they sign a starter, trade a guy and get back a starter and a reliever, sign three reliever flyers with two working out and they uncover someone in their organization? Suddenly, you're sitting with Ragans, signed starter, acquired starter, uncovered starter and Singer along with a bullpen of two free agents, McArthur, maybe Kowar, Cruz, McMillon, Klein, etc. I'm not saying that will happen, but that doesn't even seem that crazy to get there. I think the stadium is absolutely the top of Sherman's list, but he can write a check pretty fast while still focusing on the stadium.
On Bobby, I don't quite think this is the only chance to get him signed. It's one of the last major ones if he's not willing to negotiate in season probably, but it's not the last. I still think there are two more big points - 24/25 offseason and the push at the trade deadline in 2025. If he's not signed then, he's probably moved.
So what if the Royals went into next year with two designated “bulk” guys with Marsh and Lyles? I honestly think Lyles is very usable with a 4 innings or so…twice through the batting order. I’m still befuddled by the middling results with Marsh for all the good I see. The question is if you have enough pitching…but you can always find relievers. A Ragans, Singer, bulk, sign, bulk…..is by no means good. But I’m actually a believer that they can get more quality innings from Lyles if they would just actually use him in the way that maximizes his innings instead of literally just getting “innings” from him arm.
I think you can live with one opener/bulk guy every fifth day, but two is pretty tough over the course of a long season. Now if you go into it with the idea that he can do it long enough to look good and get traded or else you just DFA, I'm probably fine with that.
I know you would have gone this route. I would have as well. But with this stadium push. Sometimes I think to myself. If you thought this was going to be a rough year…..not even as bad as it has been. But just say a losing year. Do you know how much easier it would have been to sell the stadium with a new FO in place? You throw all the blame on the last group, start fresh, give yourself a 1-2 year window of previous regime’s fault, sell a new vision including stadium to the fans. Then if you top it off with a Bobby Witt signing….. Man, I have to wonder if Sherman has the right people around him because that’s pretty much 101 in the PR world.
No need to respond. We’ve already been over it. Lol.
I don't think a new front office would have mattered much, honestly. Maybe I'm totally making this up, but I remember reading something awhile ago that like 65% of voters couldn't care less about the team wanting the money. All they see is the record and it would have likely been the same either way.
Love your dedication to letting me know the inside information on what is going on with the Royals. Looking forward to keep following you!!
Thanks so much for reading, Joe!
“Let’s make a promise to do it all again next year” - Great line, David. I’m in.
Whether we like it or not, it takes time to rebuild an organization, any organization. It is more important to get the right people in place than meet anyone's timeline. The Royals have squandered so much of my time since the door closed with the death of Yordano Ventura, that waiting another draft to get the right guy in charge or in place is worth it in my opinion. Sherman is taking a systematic approach to rebuilding this team that seems to be based on goals other than expediency, and I think it is the right way to go. Or so I hope!
I think the one thing you can say for certain is he's doing what he thinks is right rather than what he thinks he should be doing (which might be the same thing, for what it's worth). I personally think there's been a lot of change in the organization even without seeing many of the names change. Some definitely disagree with that.
I wouldn't be surprised if Bowlan gets a start in place of Lyles. Sort of a reward for working his way back from TJ. Not much chance of cracking the rotation next year unless he's a lot better at Omaha, and in fact he may not even be on the 40 next year. It conceivably could be his only appearance in the majors. The results just haven't been there since his return from surgery. Idk what the deeper level stats show as far as his stuff but...
I honestly forgot Bowlan was up. Yeah, could be. Or maybe he and Lyles both get four innings or something. I think I'd be semi-surprised if they non-tendered him, but it's certainly possible.
Thank you, David. Always enjoy your columns.
Thanks for reading, Mark!
David. Thanks for all you do. So glad I subscribed. What are your thoughts on Velazquez? I haven't seen your comments on him. Thanks.
I've written about Velazquez here and there. Talked about him quite a bit this week on the radio too. I think he's a guy who has made himself a member of the 2024 club. You can't turn away that kind of power. I'd like to see maybe a little more contact, but he has a nice, easy swing that obviously generates insane pop. I'm not sure he'll ever be more than below average defensively, which is a bit of a concern, but the DH exists for a reason.
I think if you dfa him, nobody picks him up and he returns to Omaha.