I think because of his contract, he would still be on this team if he batted left-handed. Teams don't generally cut bait with two years left. I maintain that he'll be off the team one way or another after the trade deadline.
David, I’m ALL aboard the bullpen train this year. All aboard that ship. They will be good. They will be good in a way that I don’t think the offense or starting pitching will be yet. Everything to do with depth. Everyone looks good in spring when “hopefully” everyone is healthy. But everyone is playing the top guys right now. That rarely happens come July and as the season progresses. I’m not pooping on the offense. I think they will be an average unit this year with some real potential to be above that with the young guys. But we have somewhat unproven on top of unproven depth on offense. Anything can happen there. Starting pitching, I know you like Bubic, and Lynch, and these talented players. And I’m fascinated with them in the experiment they are running this year. But it’s also hard to keep selling these guys as the solution if they struggle again this year. Basically, this is a long winded way to say I believe in the bullpen, think I believe in the offense for the most part, believe a little less in the starting pitching….which will come up to a 73-76 win team. But then when I pull myself out of the spring roses….I look at the roster and it is a lot of the same guys as last year. At least they have made this year interesting for not expecting to be competitive. But its spring, what the hell, I’ll believe for now in a semi competitive team.
I might be saying the same thing you are, but I think the offense can be good while I believe the bullpen will be good. And I agree that the starting pitching will be the downfall of this team if (when?) there is a downfall. But it's kind of interesting to think about because while a good rotation can boost a bad bullpen, I think a deep enough bullpen can boost a bad rotation some and I do believe the right people are in charge to put them in the right spots to get that result. I don't think it's sustainable long-term, but for a year, maybe?
For me, they went from a 68-win team before their flurry of moves to maybe 73-75-ish with bringing in all the bullpen depth and I could be persuaded to go a little higher if they look good together once everyone is back from the WBC and they're playing a little more similar to regular season style.
The absolute highest I can get too is a .500 team. That would be great…but that would require some luck (they are probably due) and generally just a year where everything goes right….which coming off a year where about everything went wrong isn’t that far fetched. I’m in the 70’s for wins this year…..stretch is 81….but I can’t really get anymore above that even in best case scenario.
The thing about luck that I think about a lot is how much of their lack of good luck has come from being so poorly run? Preparation and good leadership could theoretically lead to some good luck.
FWIW, I'm right there with you on my expectations for the season. I think .500 is within reach, but unlikely - mid 70s will make me happy as long as it includes steps forward for the starting pitchers. If that happens, they can contend in '24.
Glad to hear I am not alone as a newer royals fan. I mean there are only a few telecasts so far, can you just at least show the first few innings? Brutal to have no play by play AND just showing the guys in the booth. FWIW I like Hud as a color guy, just need someone to bring in the reigns and let me know what has happened this inning
Every game is broadcast either on KCSP or MLB.com and, at least for spring training, is available to everyone. I don't blame any television provider to not broadcast every spring game. Ratings would be terrible after the freshness of spring training is worn off.
I watch/listen on mlb. I keep an eye on the Rays who have a ton more televised broadcasts by ballysports. This week alone they have had all five games with video. Would I watch that many games? No, but nice to have on while doing other things and be able to see what the pitchers are doing the first few innings. That being said I would have rather not seen ANY of todays game
My hope would be that the Royals have enough guys with successful seasons that they feel justified in going out and spending some money on SP for 24. The problem with the starters isn't so much depth as it is the quality. Singer is the only guy who is likely to be a #2 or better starter this year, much less two years from now- and they haven't extended him yet. Barring a miraculous turnaround from Asa Lacey, or Jon Bowlen fulfilling the potential he showed prior to TJ, they have some depth guys in Heasley and Zerpa and little else. So that is 8 guys you can hand the ball to and have a chance. 7 of them are 4-5 starters in good MLB rotation. Lyles is ok. Greinke is 40+. Are Lynch and Bubich any good? Time to find out. If not, the Royals have to fix their SP this off-season with FA.... and that is assuming a lot of what we hope will happen offensively does. The Royals seems to do a good job of finding arms for the bullpen. One of the few things they've done well consistently this decade and that falls far short of off setting the failure to develop front of rotation starters.
Inevitably someone or multiple someones in the rotation will go down. Bubich will be in the rotation at some point. If both Heasley and Zerpa get a lot of starts, it probably won't be a good winning pct for the Royals season.
I can tell you with certainty that the front office understands what this season is for the young guys. Partly because many will be out of options and partly because it’s just time to put up or shut up. Assuming they don’t find three or four guys to put with Singer internally this year, I imagine they’ll spend some money or make some trades that hurt next winter.
Ah, spring, when flowers bloom and hope is in the air . . . I'd like to think otherwise, but this could all be an Arizona mirage. We won't really know anything until we've seen 30 or 40 regular season games. On the identity of the '14-15 Royals, I'd add a couple things to your description. One is speed, with Dyson, Cain and Gore. The other, which does not get mentioned enough in my opinion, is DH. Both seasons, the Royals essentially had one guy whose whole job was DH. In 2015, it was Billy Butler, who was really good. And in 15 it was Kendrys Morales, who was out of the world: .362 OBP, 106 RBIs, led the team in doubles, tied with Moose for lead in homers. I feel like he is largely forgotten now, probably because he was not with the Royals for very long, but I think he was the 2015 offensive MVP for sure.
I'd still move Witt to third and put Lopez back at short and leave him alone then keep Massey at second. It's almost a can't miss situation. Lopez will bounce back offensively and is by far the best defense shortstop on the team and one of the best defensive in the league. Witt is not. I don't think he ever will be. I think he'll make a be 3rd baseman than shortstop. I can understand them wanting dozier to make it at 3rd but I don't think it's going to make a difference if they use him or move Witt to 3rd. I do believe that with Witt, Lopez, and Massey the infield will be much better than dozier, Witt and Massey. I think the latter combination will be pretty bad defensively.
I, contrary to many, have always loved HUD on tv.I like his enthusiasm and I think he really knows the ins and outs of the game of baseball. But, last night it seemed like he didn't want to be there. He seemed wasn't his usual self. Also the beard did nothing for him. Monty is the one who I think really brings a broadcast way down. No more Monty, please.
If his incessant advice to "GO UP THERE HACKIN' " represents the ins and outs of baseball then yes he knows them. Otherwise not so much.
And would somebody please tell him there's no such thing as a "Tommy hawk" or as "tommyhawking?" The first 10,000 times he mispronounced a word it was almost vaguely amusing. But by now his act has grown very old and extremely tired.
Have you heard from sources if they are refusing to move Melendez off catcher because that is what he wants? I’m kinda done with the Melendez at catcher thing and I think I was done with it by the end of last year. Chances are he’s not quite as bad as his numbers showed last year. But I felt like I got sold a bill of goods on his defense last year by the Royals. He wasn’t any good with the eye test and his metrics backed that up. I really think he is a solution in the outfield…at least with the bat side. And I know we’ve gone over this…but part time at either isn’t a good solution to me. I’m just curious if this is all to appease Melendez or just trying to keep his value its highest….to which point I’d say his value was highest before the entire league got to see his defense at catcher…but maybe everyone else already knew already at that point. I just don’t quite understand the thinking on this one. Role with Fermin in my eyes.
I don't know that they're refusing to or if they're doing their due diligence on someone they've believed was better behind the plate. They have a new catching instructor now, so I don't think there's any harm in having that versatility. That said, it sort of feels like Fermin is locking up a spot as the backup and the Royals weren't exactly upset that Melendez was basically told he wouldn't be catching for Puerto Rico.
For me, the last two weeks of spring training is where you get the best look at your team before the season. Pitchers stop experimenting with new pitches and start pitching more like they will during the season. Starters of all types play more each game.
This year is tough with so many players at the WBC. For the Royals team it may work out better so the new coaches can evaluate the talent in the system. For us fans, it's hard to judge what you have.
I'd amend that and say the week and a half before the last few days are the best, but yeah, for sure. WBC years are a bit different and for the Royals especially, like you say. We'll get a better idea of the bullpen when we start to see them on back to back days. A lot of guys can be effective throwing an inning every three days. It's when the workload starts getting up there that things change.
Great piece Mr.L. I have one quick question. Is there any chance we see Gavin Cross any time this season. Boy, does he have a good looking swing or what!!!!!!!
Thanks Paul! Any chance? Yeah, I'd say there's some chance. I'd bet on 2024, though. He does have a very nice swing and I wouldn't mind seeing some balls hit into the drink soon.
Great article David, Are you worried any about the rotation & lack of depth there if one or two go down with an injury? The bullpen would possibly get stretched thin if any starters can’t go very deep into a game
Mr. L, Bottom line: Would Dozier still be sucking up a roster spot, let alone a starting position, if he batted left?
I think because of his contract, he would still be on this team if he batted left-handed. Teams don't generally cut bait with two years left. I maintain that he'll be off the team one way or another after the trade deadline.
David, I’m ALL aboard the bullpen train this year. All aboard that ship. They will be good. They will be good in a way that I don’t think the offense or starting pitching will be yet. Everything to do with depth. Everyone looks good in spring when “hopefully” everyone is healthy. But everyone is playing the top guys right now. That rarely happens come July and as the season progresses. I’m not pooping on the offense. I think they will be an average unit this year with some real potential to be above that with the young guys. But we have somewhat unproven on top of unproven depth on offense. Anything can happen there. Starting pitching, I know you like Bubic, and Lynch, and these talented players. And I’m fascinated with them in the experiment they are running this year. But it’s also hard to keep selling these guys as the solution if they struggle again this year. Basically, this is a long winded way to say I believe in the bullpen, think I believe in the offense for the most part, believe a little less in the starting pitching….which will come up to a 73-76 win team. But then when I pull myself out of the spring roses….I look at the roster and it is a lot of the same guys as last year. At least they have made this year interesting for not expecting to be competitive. But its spring, what the hell, I’ll believe for now in a semi competitive team.
I might be saying the same thing you are, but I think the offense can be good while I believe the bullpen will be good. And I agree that the starting pitching will be the downfall of this team if (when?) there is a downfall. But it's kind of interesting to think about because while a good rotation can boost a bad bullpen, I think a deep enough bullpen can boost a bad rotation some and I do believe the right people are in charge to put them in the right spots to get that result. I don't think it's sustainable long-term, but for a year, maybe?
For me, they went from a 68-win team before their flurry of moves to maybe 73-75-ish with bringing in all the bullpen depth and I could be persuaded to go a little higher if they look good together once everyone is back from the WBC and they're playing a little more similar to regular season style.
The absolute highest I can get too is a .500 team. That would be great…but that would require some luck (they are probably due) and generally just a year where everything goes right….which coming off a year where about everything went wrong isn’t that far fetched. I’m in the 70’s for wins this year…..stretch is 81….but I can’t really get anymore above that even in best case scenario.
The thing about luck that I think about a lot is how much of their lack of good luck has come from being so poorly run? Preparation and good leadership could theoretically lead to some good luck.
FWIW, I'm right there with you on my expectations for the season. I think .500 is within reach, but unlikely - mid 70s will make me happy as long as it includes steps forward for the starting pitchers. If that happens, they can contend in '24.
Doggone it! I had been enjoying the telecasts SO MUCH! But then last night Hud showed up. We all knew it was coming but it's still annoying as hell.
Glad to hear I am not alone as a newer royals fan. I mean there are only a few telecasts so far, can you just at least show the first few innings? Brutal to have no play by play AND just showing the guys in the booth. FWIW I like Hud as a color guy, just need someone to bring in the reigns and let me know what has happened this inning
Every game is broadcast either on KCSP or MLB.com and, at least for spring training, is available to everyone. I don't blame any television provider to not broadcast every spring game. Ratings would be terrible after the freshness of spring training is worn off.
I watch/listen on mlb. I keep an eye on the Rays who have a ton more televised broadcasts by ballysports. This week alone they have had all five games with video. Would I watch that many games? No, but nice to have on while doing other things and be able to see what the pitchers are doing the first few innings. That being said I would have rather not seen ANY of todays game
My hope would be that the Royals have enough guys with successful seasons that they feel justified in going out and spending some money on SP for 24. The problem with the starters isn't so much depth as it is the quality. Singer is the only guy who is likely to be a #2 or better starter this year, much less two years from now- and they haven't extended him yet. Barring a miraculous turnaround from Asa Lacey, or Jon Bowlen fulfilling the potential he showed prior to TJ, they have some depth guys in Heasley and Zerpa and little else. So that is 8 guys you can hand the ball to and have a chance. 7 of them are 4-5 starters in good MLB rotation. Lyles is ok. Greinke is 40+. Are Lynch and Bubich any good? Time to find out. If not, the Royals have to fix their SP this off-season with FA.... and that is assuming a lot of what we hope will happen offensively does. The Royals seems to do a good job of finding arms for the bullpen. One of the few things they've done well consistently this decade and that falls far short of off setting the failure to develop front of rotation starters.
Inevitably someone or multiple someones in the rotation will go down. Bubich will be in the rotation at some point. If both Heasley and Zerpa get a lot of starts, it probably won't be a good winning pct for the Royals season.
I can tell you with certainty that the front office understands what this season is for the young guys. Partly because many will be out of options and partly because it’s just time to put up or shut up. Assuming they don’t find three or four guys to put with Singer internally this year, I imagine they’ll spend some money or make some trades that hurt next winter.
Ah, spring, when flowers bloom and hope is in the air . . . I'd like to think otherwise, but this could all be an Arizona mirage. We won't really know anything until we've seen 30 or 40 regular season games. On the identity of the '14-15 Royals, I'd add a couple things to your description. One is speed, with Dyson, Cain and Gore. The other, which does not get mentioned enough in my opinion, is DH. Both seasons, the Royals essentially had one guy whose whole job was DH. In 2015, it was Billy Butler, who was really good. And in 15 it was Kendrys Morales, who was out of the world: .362 OBP, 106 RBIs, led the team in doubles, tied with Moose for lead in homers. I feel like he is largely forgotten now, probably because he was not with the Royals for very long, but I think he was the 2015 offensive MVP for sure.
Sure there were other identities and Morales was huge.
I’ve been bullish on this bullpen for awhile, long before spring started and I think the results have just made me more optimistic.
I'd still move Witt to third and put Lopez back at short and leave him alone then keep Massey at second. It's almost a can't miss situation. Lopez will bounce back offensively and is by far the best defense shortstop on the team and one of the best defensive in the league. Witt is not. I don't think he ever will be. I think he'll make a be 3rd baseman than shortstop. I can understand them wanting dozier to make it at 3rd but I don't think it's going to make a difference if they use him or move Witt to 3rd. I do believe that with Witt, Lopez, and Massey the infield will be much better than dozier, Witt and Massey. I think the latter combination will be pretty bad defensively.
I, contrary to many, have always loved HUD on tv.I like his enthusiasm and I think he really knows the ins and outs of the game of baseball. But, last night it seemed like he didn't want to be there. He seemed wasn't his usual self. Also the beard did nothing for him. Monty is the one who I think really brings a broadcast way down. No more Monty, please.
I’m a fan of Hud. Mostly. He can drive me nuts sometimes, but he’s great in general. I’ve always thought Monty is too stiff.
If his incessant advice to "GO UP THERE HACKIN' " represents the ins and outs of baseball then yes he knows them. Otherwise not so much.
And would somebody please tell him there's no such thing as a "Tommy hawk" or as "tommyhawking?" The first 10,000 times he mispronounced a word it was almost vaguely amusing. But by now his act has grown very old and extremely tired.
Have you heard from sources if they are refusing to move Melendez off catcher because that is what he wants? I’m kinda done with the Melendez at catcher thing and I think I was done with it by the end of last year. Chances are he’s not quite as bad as his numbers showed last year. But I felt like I got sold a bill of goods on his defense last year by the Royals. He wasn’t any good with the eye test and his metrics backed that up. I really think he is a solution in the outfield…at least with the bat side. And I know we’ve gone over this…but part time at either isn’t a good solution to me. I’m just curious if this is all to appease Melendez or just trying to keep his value its highest….to which point I’d say his value was highest before the entire league got to see his defense at catcher…but maybe everyone else already knew already at that point. I just don’t quite understand the thinking on this one. Role with Fermin in my eyes.
I don't know that they're refusing to or if they're doing their due diligence on someone they've believed was better behind the plate. They have a new catching instructor now, so I don't think there's any harm in having that versatility. That said, it sort of feels like Fermin is locking up a spot as the backup and the Royals weren't exactly upset that Melendez was basically told he wouldn't be catching for Puerto Rico.
For me, the last two weeks of spring training is where you get the best look at your team before the season. Pitchers stop experimenting with new pitches and start pitching more like they will during the season. Starters of all types play more each game.
This year is tough with so many players at the WBC. For the Royals team it may work out better so the new coaches can evaluate the talent in the system. For us fans, it's hard to judge what you have.
I'd amend that and say the week and a half before the last few days are the best, but yeah, for sure. WBC years are a bit different and for the Royals especially, like you say. We'll get a better idea of the bullpen when we start to see them on back to back days. A lot of guys can be effective throwing an inning every three days. It's when the workload starts getting up there that things change.
Great piece Mr.L. I have one quick question. Is there any chance we see Gavin Cross any time this season. Boy, does he have a good looking swing or what!!!!!!!
Thanks Paul! Any chance? Yeah, I'd say there's some chance. I'd bet on 2024, though. He does have a very nice swing and I wouldn't mind seeing some balls hit into the drink soon.
I don’t care if they lost 2 games yesterday. I’m still drinking the kool aid!!!!!
Split squads when they started with a split squad already because of all the guys gone are always tricky. No reason to change your tune after one day.
Absolutely. I love my boys! Let’s get to the 30th and see how it goes then. Opening day should be a national holiday!
Spring Training Champions!!!
Great article David, Are you worried any about the rotation & lack of depth there if one or two go down with an injury? The bullpen would possibly get stretched thin if any starters can’t go very deep into a game
Yeah, I am worried about that. I do think there's enough bullpen depth that it should be fine for the bullpen, though.
What’s the status like for the rotation?
I wrote about it all last week - https://insidethecrown.substack.com/p/royals-roster-projection-3-the-pitchers
What is the status of Jake Brentz? Is he recovered from last year's arm injury?
If the Royals need to clear some roster space, which reliever do you think is most likely to be traded?
If I had to guess, I’d say Garrett. He’s superfluous and has the least team control among the guys who can be traded.
I would say possibly Taylor or Cus
What is the status of Jake Brentz? Will he pitch for the Royals sometime later this year?
He had Tommy John in July, I believe. I wouldn’t anticipate seeing him in 2023, but I suppose it’s possible late.