1) I like the Taylor signing. No, it's not a world-changer, but it is the Royals proactively addressing the centerfield situation. With no certain replacement currently on the roster or in the minors, and the trade and free agent markets iffy, you've at least bought great defense. If Isbel or someone suddenly blossoms, Taylor is a (slightly expensive) Jarrod Dyson-type fourth outfielder, or traded.
2) Why do the Royals insist on the contact play with a man on third?!?!?! When Benintendi hit that ball, I automatically looked at home, expecting to see Lopez gunned down.
3) Salvy should get more consideration than he will for MVP. The only reason Ohtani should beat him is that he is an anomaly; a two-way player. Vlad, Jr. is probably the third candidate, and Salvy's stats are equal or better. If they truly voted for the Most Valuable Player for his team, it is hands-down Salvy. Possibly leading the league in homers, and probably leading in RBI aside, his hitting has been incredibly clutch, and his defense (runners thrown out) is top-notch.
Agree with your thoughts on Taylor. He's that good defensively and the money isn't enough to be upset with it.
As for the contact play, no clue, but it happens all the freaking time. I don't watch every other game, but I watch a lot of other games and I see the contact play both on and backfiring with the Royals more than any other team.
As for Salvy MVP, I wouldn't say his stats are equal or better to Vlad's. Vlad is hitting .313/.403/.597. Salvy is hitting .277/.318/.553. The home runs are roughly equal and Salvy has a few more RBI, but Guerrero also has scored 33 more runs because he's on base all the time (and has a better supporting cast). I think there's something to be said for a catcher doing this, which is why that record of 45 was such a big deal, but I also wouldn't say they have similar stats. That said, I think in a year without Ohtani and with the Blue Jays having a couple candidates, I could see a scenario where Salvy sneaks in and gets some top votes. Sadly, I don't see it happening. My guess is Salvy finishes fourth or fifth.
The royals have done the contact play all year with one out. Very consistently. To the point that I think it has to be coming from the analytics department say "Hey, this is the best play with a man on third and one out." Which maybe that's what the numbers say but it is interesting that you don't notice it as much with teams the royals are playing. But maybe I'm just not paying attention either.
Ohtani is the MVP in my eyes. One roster spot that can hit like he does and the innings he provides. Its quite amazing really. The only thing more amazing is the Angels inability to do anything with Ohtani and Trout on the same team! That said, Perez has been amazing!
Salvy has been amazing this year and super fun to watch. Still the MVP is a one horse race as it should be. Ohtani is hands down the best player in the game this year. And though I don't watch their games unless we're facing him, I'm happy that I'm getting a chance to watch history unfold. I always think this is our modern day Babe Ruth - if Ohtani keeps it up, in 100 years or so he'll be that guy in baseball history.
As much of a homer as I am, I'd still have to slot Salvy three on my ballot as, right or wrong, I always look at the MVP as "best in the game" not most valuable to his particular team.
I'm a big fan of the Taylor signing for one reason - it's the best option available for all the reasons you pointed out; the FA market is expensive or dry, the trade market is very expensive and Taylor's price is right. The other thing you didn't mention here is that he appears to be by all accounts, a damn good teammate as well. We're the Royals, we won't have All-Stars up and down the lineup, but, as you did point out, if he's our 8 or 9 hitter that will play.
Like everyone else who bleeds Royal blue, I'm interested to figure out what is going to happen to this roster. I'm all for hoarding assets and glad that we have them - but I'm not sure where we're going to put them all. With the Taylor signing I'm pretty sure we return every position player we have. Santana probably won't get cut b/c of salary alone - we'll look to get something from him and we still need room for BWJ, Pratto, Isbel looks here to stay, Melendez looks ready to come up, etc.
Even if we run Santana (unlikely) and move on from O'Hearn (also unlikely given the fact that we can't seem to separate from him), you'd still need spots.
In the arms race I also agree with you on Holland and he stays. I also think Santana has earned another curtain call. Davis obviously has to go but he's the only one for certain that I see that won't be back. Kowar will start in AAA. Past those two certainties there's still gonna be a lot of worthy arms to slot.
Thankfully, trimming this roster for next year looks much more challenging than in years past.
Personally, I feel like we finally have an owner who will spend and the player collateral that we can package together something exciting and swing for the fences on a trade for another MVP level talent or a true Ace. Payroll is only $90M and Sherman's comfort level seems to be North of that by another 20M or so based upon what I've gathered.
Regarding the payroll, I had heard they were prepared to go up to about where you mentioned this past offseason, but the opportunity just didn't present itself, so I would say they have some funds to spend. The issue, as I said, is what they really need isn't there on the free agent market or isn't especially attainable. But they can always take on some money in a trade to help get what they need.
Eh on Holland and Ervin coming back. I guess it does no harm and they are cheap. But DM has shown the ability to "find" relievers "Tapia, Brentz, Payampa". Seems to me like Barlow is the elder statesmen now. I guess I'm guilty of caring the perception that with bringing Taylor, Holland, Santana back....your saying this roster is good enough to win. Give me some minimum league arms with money spent on a top end starter or someone that pushes Hernandez to your #2/3 rotation arm with Lynch, Singer, Bubic, Minor, Heasley, Kowar all figuring it out behind them. Can buy that a whole lot more and Hernandez as your #1 again next year. Maybe one day. But not quite yet.
I do not like the Taylor signing. As you probably know I am a Kyle Isbel supporter. I am afraid he'll end up in Omaha again. He has nothing left to prove in AAA. I do not like to young guys with upside playing in the minors, take Whit for example. He 27 or 28 before they gave him a chance. The league is full of 20 year old stars because they were given a chance. Soto, Devers, Albies, Ocuna, Trout and others. I am afraid they are going to leave Pratto in AAA next spring too. They are going to try to give Santana a chance to prove himself. I agree with Mr Hunt, I sure hope Salvy gets lots of MVP consideration. The contact play also drives me crazy along with the bunting. Lopez had me yelling at the tv last night in the first inning. At least he ended up walking. Thanks, as always I enjoyed your post, even though we do disagree on the Taylor signing.
We can only know what we know right now and at this moment, it does look like Taylor blocks Isbel to some extent. That said, we also don't know what the next move is and the move after that and the move after that. I don't know that the Royals believe Isbel is good enough defensively in center field at Kauffman Stadium to play him out there regularly, so it may also be that this does nothing for him and he's in right field on Opening Day. Maybe they move Benintendi or Mondesi (who I think will spend some time in RF next year). Or maybe they've already had conversations about acquiring an impact starter and the team wants Isbel, so they wanted to get the Taylor move done to ensure they had a center fielder. These are those things we really can't know, but I get the frustration over the perception that a guy who could be a contributor next year and beyond is being blocked.
I also think Mondesi is primary RF. leaving no room for Izzy. They are playing Izzy a lot this fall so they could be advertising him for a trade. Who knows, we will just have to wait and see.
Opening Day Lineup - Whit, Nicky, Salvy, Benny, Mondesi/MJ/Bobby/Pratto in some order 5-8, Taylor. On defense, depending on how they deploy Whit/Nicky/Bobby, and how they deploy/use Mondi, some time for Isbel in RF. Smart to sign Taylor, a bird in the bush, as #9 hitter, with all others (except maybe Mondi) expected to be average or above hitters (after some settling in time for our Omaha 3). I hope we will be smart to dump Carlos Santana (as we do not want to block prospects when they are ready, unless there is a legitimate reason to believe that Pratto may be a little behind the other two with his strikeout numbers). I like the idea that we keep Ervin Santana and Greg Holland to continue to mentor our young starters and relievers.
From what I've heard, and this may be a smokescreen, Pratto will start next year in AAA. The strikeout numbers are a bit of a concern, and it doesn't help him that Melendez has gone to AAA and exceeded what he has done, so it might cause a bit of a logjam.
With Erv and Holly, I think they will want a veteran, but there are only so many roster spots and this is a great problem to have, but I don't think there'll be room for both and maybe not room for either, though I would guess Holland is back next year just based on knowing how they operate.
In a way, it would seem wrong not to bring up the 3 musketeers at the same time, for their confidence and comraderie, but - they brought up the Big 4 new young starters at staggered times, even though some at once/close together - and Hosmer even leapfrogged Moose in coming up sooner - so I can see that, based on readiness, proving it, without allowing any serious blocking because Dayton's ego would be hurt to admit that the second year of Carlos was a (hindsight) waste, that it could be that way.
I don't think it has anything to do with ego as much as it has to do with just the way business is typically conducted. And don't forget that Witt and Pratto went to AAA and left MJ behind for a few weeks.
I am concerned that you may be right. Santana has been so bad for so long this year - much, much worse than Pratto has been doing. He looks finished to me, like (thankfully) Peyton in Denver when he finally hit the wall the day we intercepted all those passes from him. Out with the old - in with the new. But you are right, we will see, and they may stick with Carlos.
Quick thoughts:
1) I like the Taylor signing. No, it's not a world-changer, but it is the Royals proactively addressing the centerfield situation. With no certain replacement currently on the roster or in the minors, and the trade and free agent markets iffy, you've at least bought great defense. If Isbel or someone suddenly blossoms, Taylor is a (slightly expensive) Jarrod Dyson-type fourth outfielder, or traded.
2) Why do the Royals insist on the contact play with a man on third?!?!?! When Benintendi hit that ball, I automatically looked at home, expecting to see Lopez gunned down.
3) Salvy should get more consideration than he will for MVP. The only reason Ohtani should beat him is that he is an anomaly; a two-way player. Vlad, Jr. is probably the third candidate, and Salvy's stats are equal or better. If they truly voted for the Most Valuable Player for his team, it is hands-down Salvy. Possibly leading the league in homers, and probably leading in RBI aside, his hitting has been incredibly clutch, and his defense (runners thrown out) is top-notch.
Agree with your thoughts on Taylor. He's that good defensively and the money isn't enough to be upset with it.
As for the contact play, no clue, but it happens all the freaking time. I don't watch every other game, but I watch a lot of other games and I see the contact play both on and backfiring with the Royals more than any other team.
As for Salvy MVP, I wouldn't say his stats are equal or better to Vlad's. Vlad is hitting .313/.403/.597. Salvy is hitting .277/.318/.553. The home runs are roughly equal and Salvy has a few more RBI, but Guerrero also has scored 33 more runs because he's on base all the time (and has a better supporting cast). I think there's something to be said for a catcher doing this, which is why that record of 45 was such a big deal, but I also wouldn't say they have similar stats. That said, I think in a year without Ohtani and with the Blue Jays having a couple candidates, I could see a scenario where Salvy sneaks in and gets some top votes. Sadly, I don't see it happening. My guess is Salvy finishes fourth or fifth.
The royals have done the contact play all year with one out. Very consistently. To the point that I think it has to be coming from the analytics department say "Hey, this is the best play with a man on third and one out." Which maybe that's what the numbers say but it is interesting that you don't notice it as much with teams the royals are playing. But maybe I'm just not paying attention either.
Ohtani is the MVP in my eyes. One roster spot that can hit like he does and the innings he provides. Its quite amazing really. The only thing more amazing is the Angels inability to do anything with Ohtani and Trout on the same team! That said, Perez has been amazing!
Salvy has been amazing this year and super fun to watch. Still the MVP is a one horse race as it should be. Ohtani is hands down the best player in the game this year. And though I don't watch their games unless we're facing him, I'm happy that I'm getting a chance to watch history unfold. I always think this is our modern day Babe Ruth - if Ohtani keeps it up, in 100 years or so he'll be that guy in baseball history.
As much of a homer as I am, I'd still have to slot Salvy three on my ballot as, right or wrong, I always look at the MVP as "best in the game" not most valuable to his particular team.
I'm a big fan of the Taylor signing for one reason - it's the best option available for all the reasons you pointed out; the FA market is expensive or dry, the trade market is very expensive and Taylor's price is right. The other thing you didn't mention here is that he appears to be by all accounts, a damn good teammate as well. We're the Royals, we won't have All-Stars up and down the lineup, but, as you did point out, if he's our 8 or 9 hitter that will play.
Like everyone else who bleeds Royal blue, I'm interested to figure out what is going to happen to this roster. I'm all for hoarding assets and glad that we have them - but I'm not sure where we're going to put them all. With the Taylor signing I'm pretty sure we return every position player we have. Santana probably won't get cut b/c of salary alone - we'll look to get something from him and we still need room for BWJ, Pratto, Isbel looks here to stay, Melendez looks ready to come up, etc.
Even if we run Santana (unlikely) and move on from O'Hearn (also unlikely given the fact that we can't seem to separate from him), you'd still need spots.
In the arms race I also agree with you on Holland and he stays. I also think Santana has earned another curtain call. Davis obviously has to go but he's the only one for certain that I see that won't be back. Kowar will start in AAA. Past those two certainties there's still gonna be a lot of worthy arms to slot.
Thankfully, trimming this roster for next year looks much more challenging than in years past.
Personally, I feel like we finally have an owner who will spend and the player collateral that we can package together something exciting and swing for the fences on a trade for another MVP level talent or a true Ace. Payroll is only $90M and Sherman's comfort level seems to be North of that by another 20M or so based upon what I've gathered.
So what's it gonna be Lesky?
Regarding the payroll, I had heard they were prepared to go up to about where you mentioned this past offseason, but the opportunity just didn't present itself, so I would say they have some funds to spend. The issue, as I said, is what they really need isn't there on the free agent market or isn't especially attainable. But they can always take on some money in a trade to help get what they need.
Eh on Holland and Ervin coming back. I guess it does no harm and they are cheap. But DM has shown the ability to "find" relievers "Tapia, Brentz, Payampa". Seems to me like Barlow is the elder statesmen now. I guess I'm guilty of caring the perception that with bringing Taylor, Holland, Santana back....your saying this roster is good enough to win. Give me some minimum league arms with money spent on a top end starter or someone that pushes Hernandez to your #2/3 rotation arm with Lynch, Singer, Bubic, Minor, Heasley, Kowar all figuring it out behind them. Can buy that a whole lot more and Hernandez as your #1 again next year. Maybe one day. But not quite yet.
All the reasons you mentioned is why the Taylor signing didn't make sense
I do not like the Taylor signing. As you probably know I am a Kyle Isbel supporter. I am afraid he'll end up in Omaha again. He has nothing left to prove in AAA. I do not like to young guys with upside playing in the minors, take Whit for example. He 27 or 28 before they gave him a chance. The league is full of 20 year old stars because they were given a chance. Soto, Devers, Albies, Ocuna, Trout and others. I am afraid they are going to leave Pratto in AAA next spring too. They are going to try to give Santana a chance to prove himself. I agree with Mr Hunt, I sure hope Salvy gets lots of MVP consideration. The contact play also drives me crazy along with the bunting. Lopez had me yelling at the tv last night in the first inning. At least he ended up walking. Thanks, as always I enjoyed your post, even though we do disagree on the Taylor signing.
We can only know what we know right now and at this moment, it does look like Taylor blocks Isbel to some extent. That said, we also don't know what the next move is and the move after that and the move after that. I don't know that the Royals believe Isbel is good enough defensively in center field at Kauffman Stadium to play him out there regularly, so it may also be that this does nothing for him and he's in right field on Opening Day. Maybe they move Benintendi or Mondesi (who I think will spend some time in RF next year). Or maybe they've already had conversations about acquiring an impact starter and the team wants Isbel, so they wanted to get the Taylor move done to ensure they had a center fielder. These are those things we really can't know, but I get the frustration over the perception that a guy who could be a contributor next year and beyond is being blocked.
I also think Mondesi is primary RF. leaving no room for Izzy. They are playing Izzy a lot this fall so they could be advertising him for a trade. Who knows, we will just have to wait and see.
Opening Day Lineup - Whit, Nicky, Salvy, Benny, Mondesi/MJ/Bobby/Pratto in some order 5-8, Taylor. On defense, depending on how they deploy Whit/Nicky/Bobby, and how they deploy/use Mondi, some time for Isbel in RF. Smart to sign Taylor, a bird in the bush, as #9 hitter, with all others (except maybe Mondi) expected to be average or above hitters (after some settling in time for our Omaha 3). I hope we will be smart to dump Carlos Santana (as we do not want to block prospects when they are ready, unless there is a legitimate reason to believe that Pratto may be a little behind the other two with his strikeout numbers). I like the idea that we keep Ervin Santana and Greg Holland to continue to mentor our young starters and relievers.
From what I've heard, and this may be a smokescreen, Pratto will start next year in AAA. The strikeout numbers are a bit of a concern, and it doesn't help him that Melendez has gone to AAA and exceeded what he has done, so it might cause a bit of a logjam.
With Erv and Holly, I think they will want a veteran, but there are only so many roster spots and this is a great problem to have, but I don't think there'll be room for both and maybe not room for either, though I would guess Holland is back next year just based on knowing how they operate.
In a way, it would seem wrong not to bring up the 3 musketeers at the same time, for their confidence and comraderie, but - they brought up the Big 4 new young starters at staggered times, even though some at once/close together - and Hosmer even leapfrogged Moose in coming up sooner - so I can see that, based on readiness, proving it, without allowing any serious blocking because Dayton's ego would be hurt to admit that the second year of Carlos was a (hindsight) waste, that it could be that way.
I don't think it has anything to do with ego as much as it has to do with just the way business is typically conducted. And don't forget that Witt and Pratto went to AAA and left MJ behind for a few weeks.
Steve, I don't think Pratto will be in KC opening day. I don't think they will bail on Santana this quick.
I am concerned that you may be right. Santana has been so bad for so long this year - much, much worse than Pratto has been doing. He looks finished to me, like (thankfully) Peyton in Denver when he finally hit the wall the day we intercepted all those passes from him. Out with the old - in with the new. But you are right, we will see, and they may stick with Carlos.
You're probably right but I'm hoping not. Carlos, appreciate your efforts, but - you gots to go!