Great column, David. You're right, it got convoluted, but that is the current reality. I am generally trade-averse, as I hate to give up pieces of value. Truth is truth, though, and you give to get. I see two possible scenarios here, but it all starts with one premise; prospects that are or near major league-ready need to be in KC now. Do what you need to make that happen, starting with dumping Santana, O'Hearn and maybe Taylor. Whit, Salvy, Lopez and Dozier get more days off while the kids play, and WE SEE WHAT WE HAVE. That's the key. At that point, one of two things happens. Either it works itself out for now, or we find out where we have surplus to trade from. Works itself out example: Pratto slumps and heads back to Omaha, Vinnie shines and moves in at first, Salvy gets hurt and MJ prospers at catcher, etc. Sometimes it really does work itself out. However, the flip is that the youngsters all appear ready, and we have too many players for most positions. That's when you start exploring trades...after you know what you have. Will it hurt to trade an MJ or Pratto? Sure, but we'll just have to get excited about the return, and hopefully a better future. But it starts with taking out the garbage and letting the kids play. Just my humble opinion.
That was incredibly positive David! I guess my take on this problem is a little different but I’m looking at it from a different angle. That’s from the angle that this is not a good team. Therefore you play your young kids and move on from the older guys. Benentendi is not making a difference on this team. Trade him. Dozer, same. DFA Santana and Ohearn. You have no choice but to move on sell this as going young. You have a chance to change the narrative and your best players right (Benentendi, Dozier, Barlow) most likely aren’t going to be on the next good Royals team. The most frustrating part to me is they have some good things going. I can see actual talent that hasn’t been there in years and I would argue that the pieces are better than the sum of the whole right now. But what does it matter if the sum of the whole sucks? I don’t need you to be the Rays or the A’s….but you need to be more than what you’ve been from a moving pieces standpoint. I’m afraid they overvalue “there” guys so much….which isn’t necessarily bad I guess but it keeps you from doing what is needed until it is too late. Keller is an interesting one. Probably should try to sign him. The solution seems so simple, and for all the good will that has been lost, I honestly think people would be onboard with it and as a front office you buy yourself more time. I just don’t understand how I can see the plan forward but they refuse to do it. I don’t get it.
Great column, David. They definitely have too many promising prospects and good players, which is why Santana and Ohearn need to be gone yesterday. The kids need to all be playing now. They got what they can do at the major league level. Some trades are going to be necessary. I have my personal favorite players, but my opinion doesn't matter. The last thing I will say is, the fact that they should have traded Whit is much clearer now. I hope they make the right decisions.
As far as Nicky goes, I think more and more like last year's .365 OBP and high BABIP looks like outliers, compared to, now, parts of three other seasons. Making him a UTIL is a great call.
It's a tough nut to crack and the Royals seem to mostly be refusing to try. I'm well acquainted with that strategy personally and I have to tell you it doesn't usually work itself out.
For this exercise I think EVERYONE, except Royals management of course, gets the point - it's better to lose with the youngins' and see what we got that lose with the oldies b/c we already know what we have - a terrible baseball team.
Which brings to me to a question I've been pondering for a few weeks now and I'm interested to get your take - Is Vinnie still down b/c we are manipulating service time??? And, under the new CBA (if it changed at all), when could he come up and us not lose a year of control?
I know Royals management is historically dreadful, but even they have to see that there is NO other reason to give up two outs, back-to-back no less, and keep Carlos and ROH in the lineup day in and day out... It has probably cost us 5 W's this year.
Now back to your exercise: I think you start with the 'untouchables' (I'm gonna do this based upon what I think Royals management thinks, not what I think b/c I'm not the GM and they aren't listening to me or you or anyone on this thread or all the kids would be up already lol).
So that is Perez, Jr., Melendez, Whit, Dozier and probably MAT (I'm in favor of keeping for the reasons you suggested). With that you slot them in and the rest are expendable. The definite trade guys are AB, Olivares (hopefully he's back soon and hot again and they don't like him anyway for the defensive reasons you mentioned), Gallagher (who I believe has some value). If Perez is healthy so he's playing so b/t him and Melendez you have C and DH and 3b. Pratto, Isbel, MAT and Olivares (if not traded) are the outfield with Vinnie, Whit, Jr and the aforementioned 3b lineup above.
As for the arms, with Greinke it is deja vu all over again - he's gonna want to be moved to a winner if it's available and we will accommodate. So you take the trade pieces above to find a PROVEN starter and re sign Keller. That gives you 4 starters (with the three you mentioned above) and you find a 5th somewhere along the line. You also probably pick up a few other Minor League kids to attempt to backfill what we're bringing up and what injuries (thank God) have forced us to bring up.
I appreciate the hard work Lesky, along with all the thoughtful comments of the readers on here. It's been a miserable season and nearly impossible to watch. I haven't watched a game since last week and just dread checking the results in the morning b/c as long as ROH and Santana have a job with the Royals, along with the guy filling out the lineup card that includes them, along with the guy who hired the guy filling out the lineup card - it is damn hard to sacrifice time away from my family to justify watching this train wreck. Very hard indeed.
And this brings me to my next two questions for you - how bad does it have to get for Sherman to make a change? And, can it get so bad that he would make it in-season? If the answer to the last question is yes - then I hope we lose out until it happens b/c this is like is simply not worth watching and I don't think it will change until DM, MM, CE are gone.
Feels like we could be looking at a Wil Myers situation between Pratto and Pasquantino. Just how he was held in the minors for longer than felt appropriate and then was packaged as part of a major trade. Not sure which one of those guys the Royals keep, but it's hard not to feel like the promotion is long overdue and this would be a rational explanation.
There's also a ton of pitching talent beyond Kowar, Bubic and Hernandez on its way up that could be ready between now and the end of the year with Marsh, Parrish, Zerpa, Lacy (if he could ever stay healthy), and Bowlan(ish). I don't recall the Royals dealing with this much potential major-league ready talent at once. I was much more optimistic about their ability to navigate it all it during the offseason than I am now.
It's all so interesting to follow. Fans just need to hurry up and wait I guess.
May 26, 2022·edited May 26, 2022Liked by David Lesky
Really good column breaking it all down. As to the decisions--oof, it is tough.
Let's start with what I feel we know for sure: Witt at SS, Melendez is the catcher of the present and future, Santana should be DFA's now to make room for youngsters, O'Hearn should go, we should pray that Merrifield gets hot for the next few weeks and we can get something for him by trade because the water is running out of the tub fast on his usefulness as a player.
I feel good but slightly less certain about these: Beni should be traded (he will never again be as good as he is now and so will bring max return, and he just doesn't have enough pop to justify him playing every day, long term, in RF); keep Taylor as a late inning def replacement/pinch runner and as a competent fill in if another outfielder gets injured.
Keller is maybe the toughest call, but I feel he should be traded. I just don't think he will improve or even maintain this level over the next 5 years.
I've become a Dozier believer. Let him DH most of the time, play once a week at first.
Concerns: I have a sinking feeling that last season was a one time, not to be repeated renaissance for Salvy, and that the sun is sinking fast on him both as a catcher and hitter. I really hope I'm wrong, because I love the guy like no other Royal of the past 20 years. But I've got a bad feeling about this.
Ditto Nicky Lopez. My sneaking suspicion is that last year was the best year he will ever have. Could still have a long, useful career as a utility infielder/late inning defensive replacement, however.
Great column, David. You're right, it got convoluted, but that is the current reality. I am generally trade-averse, as I hate to give up pieces of value. Truth is truth, though, and you give to get. I see two possible scenarios here, but it all starts with one premise; prospects that are or near major league-ready need to be in KC now. Do what you need to make that happen, starting with dumping Santana, O'Hearn and maybe Taylor. Whit, Salvy, Lopez and Dozier get more days off while the kids play, and WE SEE WHAT WE HAVE. That's the key. At that point, one of two things happens. Either it works itself out for now, or we find out where we have surplus to trade from. Works itself out example: Pratto slumps and heads back to Omaha, Vinnie shines and moves in at first, Salvy gets hurt and MJ prospers at catcher, etc. Sometimes it really does work itself out. However, the flip is that the youngsters all appear ready, and we have too many players for most positions. That's when you start exploring trades...after you know what you have. Will it hurt to trade an MJ or Pratto? Sure, but we'll just have to get excited about the return, and hopefully a better future. But it starts with taking out the garbage and letting the kids play. Just my humble opinion.
That was incredibly positive David! I guess my take on this problem is a little different but I’m looking at it from a different angle. That’s from the angle that this is not a good team. Therefore you play your young kids and move on from the older guys. Benentendi is not making a difference on this team. Trade him. Dozer, same. DFA Santana and Ohearn. You have no choice but to move on sell this as going young. You have a chance to change the narrative and your best players right (Benentendi, Dozier, Barlow) most likely aren’t going to be on the next good Royals team. The most frustrating part to me is they have some good things going. I can see actual talent that hasn’t been there in years and I would argue that the pieces are better than the sum of the whole right now. But what does it matter if the sum of the whole sucks? I don’t need you to be the Rays or the A’s….but you need to be more than what you’ve been from a moving pieces standpoint. I’m afraid they overvalue “there” guys so much….which isn’t necessarily bad I guess but it keeps you from doing what is needed until it is too late. Keller is an interesting one. Probably should try to sign him. The solution seems so simple, and for all the good will that has been lost, I honestly think people would be onboard with it and as a front office you buy yourself more time. I just don’t understand how I can see the plan forward but they refuse to do it. I don’t get it.
Great column, David. They definitely have too many promising prospects and good players, which is why Santana and Ohearn need to be gone yesterday. The kids need to all be playing now. They got what they can do at the major league level. Some trades are going to be necessary. I have my personal favorite players, but my opinion doesn't matter. The last thing I will say is, the fact that they should have traded Whit is much clearer now. I hope they make the right decisions.
As far as Nicky goes, I think more and more like last year's .365 OBP and high BABIP looks like outliers, compared to, now, parts of three other seasons. Making him a UTIL is a great call.
It's a tough nut to crack and the Royals seem to mostly be refusing to try. I'm well acquainted with that strategy personally and I have to tell you it doesn't usually work itself out.
Nice column. I noticed you didn’t mention Mondesi. Could he be packaged with others on a trade, or put in the outfield?
Good stuff and I love the 'new look' home page!
For this exercise I think EVERYONE, except Royals management of course, gets the point - it's better to lose with the youngins' and see what we got that lose with the oldies b/c we already know what we have - a terrible baseball team.
Which brings to me to a question I've been pondering for a few weeks now and I'm interested to get your take - Is Vinnie still down b/c we are manipulating service time??? And, under the new CBA (if it changed at all), when could he come up and us not lose a year of control?
I know Royals management is historically dreadful, but even they have to see that there is NO other reason to give up two outs, back-to-back no less, and keep Carlos and ROH in the lineup day in and day out... It has probably cost us 5 W's this year.
Now back to your exercise: I think you start with the 'untouchables' (I'm gonna do this based upon what I think Royals management thinks, not what I think b/c I'm not the GM and they aren't listening to me or you or anyone on this thread or all the kids would be up already lol).
So that is Perez, Jr., Melendez, Whit, Dozier and probably MAT (I'm in favor of keeping for the reasons you suggested). With that you slot them in and the rest are expendable. The definite trade guys are AB, Olivares (hopefully he's back soon and hot again and they don't like him anyway for the defensive reasons you mentioned), Gallagher (who I believe has some value). If Perez is healthy so he's playing so b/t him and Melendez you have C and DH and 3b. Pratto, Isbel, MAT and Olivares (if not traded) are the outfield with Vinnie, Whit, Jr and the aforementioned 3b lineup above.
As for the arms, with Greinke it is deja vu all over again - he's gonna want to be moved to a winner if it's available and we will accommodate. So you take the trade pieces above to find a PROVEN starter and re sign Keller. That gives you 4 starters (with the three you mentioned above) and you find a 5th somewhere along the line. You also probably pick up a few other Minor League kids to attempt to backfill what we're bringing up and what injuries (thank God) have forced us to bring up.
I appreciate the hard work Lesky, along with all the thoughtful comments of the readers on here. It's been a miserable season and nearly impossible to watch. I haven't watched a game since last week and just dread checking the results in the morning b/c as long as ROH and Santana have a job with the Royals, along with the guy filling out the lineup card that includes them, along with the guy who hired the guy filling out the lineup card - it is damn hard to sacrifice time away from my family to justify watching this train wreck. Very hard indeed.
And this brings me to my next two questions for you - how bad does it have to get for Sherman to make a change? And, can it get so bad that he would make it in-season? If the answer to the last question is yes - then I hope we lose out until it happens b/c this is like is simply not worth watching and I don't think it will change until DM, MM, CE are gone.
Feels like we could be looking at a Wil Myers situation between Pratto and Pasquantino. Just how he was held in the minors for longer than felt appropriate and then was packaged as part of a major trade. Not sure which one of those guys the Royals keep, but it's hard not to feel like the promotion is long overdue and this would be a rational explanation.
There's also a ton of pitching talent beyond Kowar, Bubic and Hernandez on its way up that could be ready between now and the end of the year with Marsh, Parrish, Zerpa, Lacy (if he could ever stay healthy), and Bowlan(ish). I don't recall the Royals dealing with this much potential major-league ready talent at once. I was much more optimistic about their ability to navigate it all it during the offseason than I am now.
It's all so interesting to follow. Fans just need to hurry up and wait I guess.
Really good column breaking it all down. As to the decisions--oof, it is tough.
Let's start with what I feel we know for sure: Witt at SS, Melendez is the catcher of the present and future, Santana should be DFA's now to make room for youngsters, O'Hearn should go, we should pray that Merrifield gets hot for the next few weeks and we can get something for him by trade because the water is running out of the tub fast on his usefulness as a player.
I feel good but slightly less certain about these: Beni should be traded (he will never again be as good as he is now and so will bring max return, and he just doesn't have enough pop to justify him playing every day, long term, in RF); keep Taylor as a late inning def replacement/pinch runner and as a competent fill in if another outfielder gets injured.
Keller is maybe the toughest call, but I feel he should be traded. I just don't think he will improve or even maintain this level over the next 5 years.
I've become a Dozier believer. Let him DH most of the time, play once a week at first.
Concerns: I have a sinking feeling that last season was a one time, not to be repeated renaissance for Salvy, and that the sun is sinking fast on him both as a catcher and hitter. I really hope I'm wrong, because I love the guy like no other Royal of the past 20 years. But I've got a bad feeling about this.
Ditto Nicky Lopez. My sneaking suspicion is that last year was the best year he will ever have. Could still have a long, useful career as a utility infielder/late inning defensive replacement, however.