20 Comments

Thanks for keeping me up to date on what's going on!! Always a KC Royals fan!!

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Thank YOU for reading!

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Well that was a bit depressing. After signing for Frazier, trading Samad Taylor for cash, and you reminding me of the state of the system….we have to get back to spring hope articles!

I agree in that I don’t think the system is terrible….but I also agree that it isn’t good. And I get it, if your higher upside guys aren’t performing then what do you want them to do? The debate is more if Cross, or some of the pitchers can actually get to the high upside. I have my doubts….but the Royals are due for some good luck. They’ve got a ways to go yet but they are due for one of the top 5 guys to breakout.

If BWJ doesn’t sign before the season…do you think it could happen in season? Or are we looking at next offseason at that point?

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I was actually just talking to someone else about how the Royals are due for a couple of guys to rise from the ashes. Hasn't happened in a few years (though I guess it sort of did with MJ and Pratto in 2021). I also have my doubts, but people who have no dog in the fight are optimistic on the swing changes for Cross and really like some of the arms in the system. Does that mean they can be the 9th best system by the end of the year? Eh, it's possible. I'd doubt it. But maybe they can do what the Brewers did and rise up in a year and a half or two years. Pretty important to get back there because it's not really sustainable to sign a bunch of veterans to short deals every year. Fine for now, not forever.

As for BWJ, I think it's important to remember that most of these deals don't get done in winter. They're generally in spring training after the work of the winter is done. I have no idea if he's willing to negotiate in season or not, so I don't know if it would happen during the year if it doesn't happen before the season starts.

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So I actually find myself at a weird spot with the royals here this offseason now. I know there is still for one of these to happen yet but IF nothing else really goes down before the season start. They did MORE than I imagined on free agent pitching side. I don’t have to like the Renfroe or Frazier signings but they spent money on pitching and as a fan all that I can ask. And yet, if they don’t make a trade to make this fit better or sign a BWJ or Vinny it’s like they did more than i expected but also not as much as I expected. Kinda a weird spot to see it from if that makes sense.

And yes, I know you are going to say not from lack of trying and they have time yet. I’m just saying the season started today is all.

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I get what you're saying, and I don't think you're wrong to say it or think it, but I also think the number of teams turning over this much of their roster is pretty crazy and means they did so much that it's tough to get upset if they don't do something else.

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Welp, I was hoping we were stockpiling Greinke's and Beltran's with a Hamelin thrown in there. But there does seem to be room for hope and maybe even optimism. Thank you for the update!

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Hey, there might be some of those in there!

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There's just enough "if things go right he could be a top prospect" in this article for me to want to feel toxically optimistic that the development changes will work out, so thank you for lifting my spirits this morning! :)

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It’s all in perspective, I guess. A lot have said this is depressing. I guess I straddled the middle line well!

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Thanks for all the work to put this list together, David! I don't always comment, but I ALWAYS read and enjoy your work, and the comments from others.

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I appreciate that, Scott!

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Spencer Nivens was so good down here in Springfield… A ton of energy and an infectious smile. He’s a coaches kid and is so much fun to watch. He’s not a big kid - and I worry about his power translating at the next level. But I shouldn’t underestimate him.

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My issue with Nivens is that if I was more sure the bat would play, he’d be top 10. But, like I wrote, if it doesn’t play, he’s a role player at best and likely not even that. It’s a tough profile and I do think he’s got a good chance to make it.

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Feb 1Liked by David Lesky

Great job, almost exhausting. Details.

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Thank you!

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Are you going to Royals Rally this weekend?

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I’m not. Just don’t have the time.

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Thanks David for the great writeup. I saw Keith Law has similar thoughts today in his Athletic system rankings...#25 but good depth with a lot of guys "who project to 2 WAR or so years in the majors." If our top end doesn't recover from the 2023 disaster, in your opinion, what steps do the Royals need to take to rebuild the farm?

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There’s theoretically not a quick fix other than what they’ve been doing with changes in their development program and strategically moving players at the deadline. The front office changes help quite a bit too because there’ll be new voices making decisions.

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