I pretty much had the same thought run through my head when I saw the Hampson signing. I thought, “well, they are trading Garcia.” Moving Loftin to third and Hampson as the utility infielder. All fine with it if it goes down that way. If they trade nobody….well, I’m not sure of the point….and yes, it’s peanuts I know. That’s my hope anyway. We’ll see what happens.
I do find it a little interesting that nobody really wants to win the central. The Twins suddenly have no starting pitching as well. Lol. Guardians are looking to move Bieber yet. It’s part of the frustration of the Royals sucking for so long. This is such a winnable division. That said, a little disappointed in no Gray or Maeda. I’d have been fine with both of them. I know you can’t get everyone…but was a little more hopeful on Gray after you said he liked KC.
It's absolutely a winnable division, which is definitely frustrating, but I also don't really see a lot of signs that'll become less winnable in the future, so at least there's that. But I would probably push back on the Twins having no starting pitching because they've still got Lopez, Ryan, Ober and Paddack, but they've definitely taken a hit.
On Gray, one thing I'd forgotten is that he had a qualifying offer, which is not a huge huge thing, but I don't love giving up a draft pick for a three-year deal where at least one is not likely to be a playoff year. I'd have loved getting him, yes, but I at least see some logic there.
Well, when you put it that way. Twins were deeper than I remembered. Still in decent spot actually. And you have to imagine they will go get one starter.
Oh, one thing I thought of as well…and maybe this is just me. But on the “uncertain” comments you are hearing from people and GM’s…..I just wanted to point out that is every year….in business and sports. I think it is really just more waiting for the dominoes to fall….and seeing if Soto gets traded and such. I don’t really think there is anymore uncertainty this offseason than past ones. Just the word they are using this time of year.
I think there's always uncertainty, but I don't remember there actually being this many legitimate reasons for it. Like a pandemic, a lockout and a regional TV deal crisis are all things you don't see that often and certainly not all in like a four-year span.
Baseball's new normal, I'm afraid. The TV gravy train is about to run dry, if it hasn't already. I have a feeling ESPN is going to snap up the regional rights for a fraction of what Diamond was paying.
Regarding the hitting coach position, a couple weeks ago you wrote “ the name I’ve heard they’re adding to the bench as a third hitting coach is someone who I think can actually make a difference.”
He was one of the two names I'd heard. At the time, I hadn't talked to anyone who didn't think he'd be a great fit, but after the hire a couple of people weren't quite as convinced. But, like I wrote, even those who are a bit skeptical thinks he fits well as a secondary hitting coach, so I'm intrigued to see what he can do with some game planning, mechanics and just general swing decisions.
The reality is that there are probably 100 coaches out there who are good at what they do and countless others who probably should get into coaching because they'd be great too. It's really just the matter of finding the fit.
Not to get too defensive about a trade that hasn't even happened yet, but the idea that Garcia is a surefire regular and Massey isn't is pretty silly to me. Luck is what it is, but the underlying numbers indicate that average-wise, they're a lot closer than the results were in 2023 and Massey clearly has a lot more power. But again, it also hasn't even happened and the likeliest trade piece of those two is neither. It's Nick Loftin.
To even out, you need some highs and lows. Massey has over 600 AB’s with a .233 BA. While he did hit 7 HR’s at home (big ballpark). He also curled 3 HR’s around the RF foul pole in the bandbox known as yankee stadium. When he is hitting 25-30 HR’s , then we can live with a .233 BA
You might have something out today…but man, that ATL/SEA trade irritates me quite a bit. For basically Kowar and cash they got Kelenic, a starter, and probably org depth…but still. It was pretty much just a salary dump. So does that mean the Royals didn’t even talk to SEA about something like that before? Or you think they were really interested in Wright even though he wasn’t going to pitch this year? IDK that I wouldn’t rather have the Kelenic/Gonzalez package. Oh well, only time will tell.
I don't have anything coming out today, but I had the same thought on that trade at first. My guess is that they liked what Wright brings to the table beyond 2024 more than what Kelenic and Gonzales do. They may end up wrong, but I don't have much of a problem with that process. Kelenic had a bonkers April, but has hit .192/.277/.344 in 873 plate appearances outside of that. Gonzalez is a question mark (not that Wright isn't, obviously). I can see it both ways and because of that, I'm sort of indifferent to it, though I'm curious about how it turns out on both sides.
Edit: Just want to add that I'll be interested to see if the Royals do trade Melendez and what he brings back (and then subsequently how they replace him). Because if they don't move him, I think I'd rather ride with MJ and then in 2025, having MJ and Wright seems better than Kelenic and Gonzales. But that could also end up wrong. I wish my crystal ball was better.
Yeah, IDK that one is going to be much better than the other. That part doesn’t bother me as much as Kelenic and Gonzalez are exactly what you stated you were looking for this offseason. Are they good? IDK probably not, but they are better than what they have now. Kelenic I agree, I have no idea yet….Not a lot to go on this offseason so far so over-reacting to little things. But it was the first time i thought “they are talking to everyone…..right?” Lol. I’m sure they are just interesting.
I could actually see a world where the Royals would rather at least give guys like Marsh or Veneziano or even Lynch a shot over Gonzales. He's not young. He doesn't miss bats. He's coming off a bad year and a nerve issue. Of course, comparing what the Royals dealt Kowar for with the Braves, Wright isn't even going to pitch this year, so I don't know. Ultimately, yeah, I'm not sure there's much to think about here. Just a deal in a very quiet winter so it's magnified.
I pretty much had the same thought run through my head when I saw the Hampson signing. I thought, “well, they are trading Garcia.” Moving Loftin to third and Hampson as the utility infielder. All fine with it if it goes down that way. If they trade nobody….well, I’m not sure of the point….and yes, it’s peanuts I know. That’s my hope anyway. We’ll see what happens.
I do find it a little interesting that nobody really wants to win the central. The Twins suddenly have no starting pitching as well. Lol. Guardians are looking to move Bieber yet. It’s part of the frustration of the Royals sucking for so long. This is such a winnable division. That said, a little disappointed in no Gray or Maeda. I’d have been fine with both of them. I know you can’t get everyone…but was a little more hopeful on Gray after you said he liked KC.
It's absolutely a winnable division, which is definitely frustrating, but I also don't really see a lot of signs that'll become less winnable in the future, so at least there's that. But I would probably push back on the Twins having no starting pitching because they've still got Lopez, Ryan, Ober and Paddack, but they've definitely taken a hit.
On Gray, one thing I'd forgotten is that he had a qualifying offer, which is not a huge huge thing, but I don't love giving up a draft pick for a three-year deal where at least one is not likely to be a playoff year. I'd have loved getting him, yes, but I at least see some logic there.
Well, when you put it that way. Twins were deeper than I remembered. Still in decent spot actually. And you have to imagine they will go get one starter.
Oh, one thing I thought of as well…and maybe this is just me. But on the “uncertain” comments you are hearing from people and GM’s…..I just wanted to point out that is every year….in business and sports. I think it is really just more waiting for the dominoes to fall….and seeing if Soto gets traded and such. I don’t really think there is anymore uncertainty this offseason than past ones. Just the word they are using this time of year.
I think there's always uncertainty, but I don't remember there actually being this many legitimate reasons for it. Like a pandemic, a lockout and a regional TV deal crisis are all things you don't see that often and certainly not all in like a four-year span.
True….but at what point after a four year period do you start calling that normal?
Maybe not yet, but closer than before. Food for thought, food for thought. Lol. Happy Friday.
I think if it continues, sure, but there have been some odd things that just all happened sort of at once.
Baseball's new normal, I'm afraid. The TV gravy train is about to run dry, if it hasn't already. I have a feeling ESPN is going to snap up the regional rights for a fraction of what Diamond was paying.
Was Lucus Duda not available?
Negotiations take time, man. It's still early in the offseason.
David,
Regarding the hitting coach position, a couple weeks ago you wrote “ the name I’ve heard they’re adding to the bench as a third hitting coach is someone who I think can actually make a difference.”
Is Dillon who you were referring to?
He was one of the two names I'd heard. At the time, I hadn't talked to anyone who didn't think he'd be a great fit, but after the hire a couple of people weren't quite as convinced. But, like I wrote, even those who are a bit skeptical thinks he fits well as a secondary hitting coach, so I'm intrigued to see what he can do with some game planning, mechanics and just general swing decisions.
Your comment piqued my interest at the time - and I tried to figure out who it might be… I was just curious.
The reality is that there are probably 100 coaches out there who are good at what they do and countless others who probably should get into coaching because they'd be great too. It's really just the matter of finding the fit.
For a team that can’t hit or get on base, we trade Garcia and keep Massey. Yep, that’s a very Royal thing to do
Not to get too defensive about a trade that hasn't even happened yet, but the idea that Garcia is a surefire regular and Massey isn't is pretty silly to me. Luck is what it is, but the underlying numbers indicate that average-wise, they're a lot closer than the results were in 2023 and Massey clearly has a lot more power. But again, it also hasn't even happened and the likeliest trade piece of those two is neither. It's Nick Loftin.
As always, thank you for your updates. Looking forward to the Winter Meetings, but just don't expect much from KC. Hoping I'm wrong.
Afraid the back of Massey’s card will read “he was unlucky”
It could. Or he could end up like most and it’ll end up evening out.
To even out, you need some highs and lows. Massey has over 600 AB’s with a .233 BA. While he did hit 7 HR’s at home (big ballpark). He also curled 3 HR’s around the RF foul pole in the bandbox known as yankee stadium. When he is hitting 25-30 HR’s , then we can live with a .233 BA
You might have something out today…but man, that ATL/SEA trade irritates me quite a bit. For basically Kowar and cash they got Kelenic, a starter, and probably org depth…but still. It was pretty much just a salary dump. So does that mean the Royals didn’t even talk to SEA about something like that before? Or you think they were really interested in Wright even though he wasn’t going to pitch this year? IDK that I wouldn’t rather have the Kelenic/Gonzalez package. Oh well, only time will tell.
I don't have anything coming out today, but I had the same thought on that trade at first. My guess is that they liked what Wright brings to the table beyond 2024 more than what Kelenic and Gonzales do. They may end up wrong, but I don't have much of a problem with that process. Kelenic had a bonkers April, but has hit .192/.277/.344 in 873 plate appearances outside of that. Gonzalez is a question mark (not that Wright isn't, obviously). I can see it both ways and because of that, I'm sort of indifferent to it, though I'm curious about how it turns out on both sides.
Edit: Just want to add that I'll be interested to see if the Royals do trade Melendez and what he brings back (and then subsequently how they replace him). Because if they don't move him, I think I'd rather ride with MJ and then in 2025, having MJ and Wright seems better than Kelenic and Gonzales. But that could also end up wrong. I wish my crystal ball was better.
Yeah, IDK that one is going to be much better than the other. That part doesn’t bother me as much as Kelenic and Gonzalez are exactly what you stated you were looking for this offseason. Are they good? IDK probably not, but they are better than what they have now. Kelenic I agree, I have no idea yet….Not a lot to go on this offseason so far so over-reacting to little things. But it was the first time i thought “they are talking to everyone…..right?” Lol. I’m sure they are just interesting.
I could actually see a world where the Royals would rather at least give guys like Marsh or Veneziano or even Lynch a shot over Gonzales. He's not young. He doesn't miss bats. He's coming off a bad year and a nerve issue. Of course, comparing what the Royals dealt Kowar for with the Braves, Wright isn't even going to pitch this year, so I don't know. Ultimately, yeah, I'm not sure there's much to think about here. Just a deal in a very quiet winter so it's magnified.