It's a Free Friday, and I'll dig into what the Royals have internally for their rotation, how the AFL-goers are doing and how I'd have voted for awards.
Welcome to my no trade list Cags. Would strongly prefer he and Jensen stay in house. Cags/Mitchell/Jensen are the highest upside trio we’ve had since….?
The catching depth really is interesting, and to a lesser extent Caglianone's path to playing time in the bigs (as a college player he could move fast and where are you putting Vinnie and Salvy when not catching?). I heard Soren plead for the Royals to stop trying to make catchers into outfielders and I tend to agree without knowing just how athletic any of these guys are. Do you think moving positions is something that has to happen as early as possible in their professional career (i.e. rookie or A ball) or is it all just a function of athleticism and it doesn't really matter as much when? Obviously, Alex Gordon transitioned from 3B to LF well into his MLB career. But having played a lot of amateur ball, it feels to me like moving from 3B to LF is a much easier transition than C to anywhere else. Regardless, I think JJ needs to be open to dealing one of Jensen or Mitchell (or maybe Ramirez, but I assume his trade value is quite a bit less right now) for some MLB ready or near MLB ready SLG or OBP (both would be nice too!).
Moving off catcher is something that seems like it should be less difficult than it is. These are guys with generally quick feet and strong arms. I've long thought that third base makes so much sense for catchers, but you just don't see it much. I think maybe the difficulty does come in when the move is made. On one hand, it's so hard to find a good catcher that you don't want to move them until you have to. On the other hand, if you do it before you have to, they stand a better chance to figure out another position. That said, there are at least a few examples like IKF, Josh Donaldson, Carlos Santana and Daulton Varsho of guys who moved later and became really good to elite defenders. So I guess my answer is I don't know.
As for Caglianone, that'll be an interesting question if and when it comes up. Vinnie can't play anywhere but first. I think Jac could potentially slide to right field with his arm, but I've had more than a couple people say he's just not fast enough. It's a tough spot to be in, but you'd much rather have too many good players than not enough.
Good stuff! Would you look at an extension for Vinnie this offseason or do you think he's a year to year guy, at least until he plays ~150 games in a season? I personally would consider an extension with the assumption that DH will open up at some point in the next couple of years. (or maybe you're going to cover this later in your GM series)
He’s on my list to dig into this offseason for an extension. I looked at after 2022 and I think I landed on 7/55 or so, but that would be different at this point.
I think we're forgetting the obvious at this point: if Jensen is moving up that fast (and I'm on board with it), then the Royals deal Fermin (from a position of strength) this off-season for...who? I think Fermin would make someone a great starting catcher, so he has to be worth a decent OF. I still think Mitchell is a catcher long-term...and would slot-in around the time Salvy retires.
Here’s a thought experiment—what would it take for the Royals to get one of the Jacksons? Because that would be the best center fielder they’ve had since?
I don’t think they could get either of the NL Jacksons, honestly. I mean if they traded Bobby, but using guys who there’s even a remote chance they move, I’m not sure how it gets done. Ragans, I guess, would headline if there was a path.
J-Ram was a hair's breadth away from a 40-40 season. I think he'd be the third-place MVP vote getter if he got there. I was prepared to bump him above Henderson, but then I looked at his numbers even after he cooled off a bit and holy cow. He's got to be incredibly disappointed to have that year and finish somewhere 3-5 in the MVP voting and reasonably so.
I don’t think he’d have gone above Soto at 40/40. I feel like having three guys do it in two years would take some of the luster off it. Crazy year though. In a season without Judge, Bobby runs away with the MVP. In a season without Judge and Bobby, Soto runs away with it.
Soto is honestly a weird juxtaposition of just sort of getting it done in a truly elite way without ever seeming amazing. I've actually thought about this quite a bit. He's just so good at everything (but defense, yet he's a GG finalist) that it just feels routine.
I was convinced that JJ would magically trade for a RF who rakes, but looking at some www target lists I am not overwhelmed by options.
We may have to settle with Pham platooning with MJ, and hope MJ figures it out. Saying this not because I like it, but because of this recent blurb in "Injuries & Moves" on the royals site:
The Royals also liked the competitive fire Pham added to their clubhouse, and as they try to take a bigger step in their contention window next year, his personality and leadership could be a boon throughout a long season.
(I said I wasn't going to obsess about the offseason, but it has begun)
Welcome to my no trade list Cags. Would strongly prefer he and Jensen stay in house. Cags/Mitchell/Jensen are the highest upside trio we’ve had since….?
You won't like the answer, but if those three have a season like BWJ/MJ/Pratto did in 2021, they'd all be top-20 prospects heading into 2025.
The catching depth really is interesting, and to a lesser extent Caglianone's path to playing time in the bigs (as a college player he could move fast and where are you putting Vinnie and Salvy when not catching?). I heard Soren plead for the Royals to stop trying to make catchers into outfielders and I tend to agree without knowing just how athletic any of these guys are. Do you think moving positions is something that has to happen as early as possible in their professional career (i.e. rookie or A ball) or is it all just a function of athleticism and it doesn't really matter as much when? Obviously, Alex Gordon transitioned from 3B to LF well into his MLB career. But having played a lot of amateur ball, it feels to me like moving from 3B to LF is a much easier transition than C to anywhere else. Regardless, I think JJ needs to be open to dealing one of Jensen or Mitchell (or maybe Ramirez, but I assume his trade value is quite a bit less right now) for some MLB ready or near MLB ready SLG or OBP (both would be nice too!).
Moving off catcher is something that seems like it should be less difficult than it is. These are guys with generally quick feet and strong arms. I've long thought that third base makes so much sense for catchers, but you just don't see it much. I think maybe the difficulty does come in when the move is made. On one hand, it's so hard to find a good catcher that you don't want to move them until you have to. On the other hand, if you do it before you have to, they stand a better chance to figure out another position. That said, there are at least a few examples like IKF, Josh Donaldson, Carlos Santana and Daulton Varsho of guys who moved later and became really good to elite defenders. So I guess my answer is I don't know.
As for Caglianone, that'll be an interesting question if and when it comes up. Vinnie can't play anywhere but first. I think Jac could potentially slide to right field with his arm, but I've had more than a couple people say he's just not fast enough. It's a tough spot to be in, but you'd much rather have too many good players than not enough.
Good stuff! Would you look at an extension for Vinnie this offseason or do you think he's a year to year guy, at least until he plays ~150 games in a season? I personally would consider an extension with the assumption that DH will open up at some point in the next couple of years. (or maybe you're going to cover this later in your GM series)
He’s on my list to dig into this offseason for an extension. I looked at after 2022 and I think I landed on 7/55 or so, but that would be different at this point.
I think we're forgetting the obvious at this point: if Jensen is moving up that fast (and I'm on board with it), then the Royals deal Fermin (from a position of strength) this off-season for...who? I think Fermin would make someone a great starting catcher, so he has to be worth a decent OF. I still think Mitchell is a catcher long-term...and would slot-in around the time Salvy retires.
Good choices on the awards. That NL rookie class is lit.
Here’s a thought experiment—what would it take for the Royals to get one of the Jacksons? Because that would be the best center fielder they’ve had since?
I don’t think they could get either of the NL Jacksons, honestly. I mean if they traded Bobby, but using guys who there’s even a remote chance they move, I’m not sure how it gets done. Ragans, I guess, would headline if there was a path.
You’re probably right, unfortunately. Sure would be fun to have a SS and CF franchise player duo.
Well, we know Tito's not available.
J-Ram was a hair's breadth away from a 40-40 season. I think he'd be the third-place MVP vote getter if he got there. I was prepared to bump him above Henderson, but then I looked at his numbers even after he cooled off a bit and holy cow. He's got to be incredibly disappointed to have that year and finish somewhere 3-5 in the MVP voting and reasonably so.
I don’t think he’d have gone above Soto at 40/40. I feel like having three guys do it in two years would take some of the luster off it. Crazy year though. In a season without Judge, Bobby runs away with the MVP. In a season without Judge and Bobby, Soto runs away with it.
Maybe you're right. I think maybe I temporarily forgot Juan Soto existed.
I wish I could forget him. Juan Soto gives me nightmares. He's so hard to get out.
Soto is honestly a weird juxtaposition of just sort of getting it done in a truly elite way without ever seeming amazing. I've actually thought about this quite a bit. He's just so good at everything (but defense, yet he's a GG finalist) that it just feels routine.
Why isn’t Frank Mozzicato playing in the AFL? Has his star fallen?
On a recent Kauffman Corner podcast, there was talk of his velocity stagnating. And a hint that there might be a work ethic issue.
I’d guess it has more to do with innings than that, but he’s also not a top prospect anymore.
Will GM DL divulge any potential trade targets?
I was convinced that JJ would magically trade for a RF who rakes, but looking at some www target lists I am not overwhelmed by options.
We may have to settle with Pham platooning with MJ, and hope MJ figures it out. Saying this not because I like it, but because of this recent blurb in "Injuries & Moves" on the royals site:
The Royals also liked the competitive fire Pham added to their clubhouse, and as they try to take a bigger step in their contention window next year, his personality and leadership could be a boon throughout a long season.
(I said I wasn't going to obsess about the offseason, but it has begun)
I’ll have more “JJ for a Day” newsletters and I’ll be looking at trade targets in one of those. Maybe even next week!
I saw that blurb about Pham. They might bring him back, but I doubt he’s their first choice.
"Chazz Martinez, LHP...Shane Panzini, RHP"
My only disappointment is these 2 aren't 1 dude named Chazz Panzini.
Yet.
And they called him..."The One Man Platoon".