As much as I would love to add Manea, and would like to aquire him, only if we could extend for about 5 years. But, all things being equal I personally would like a righty. I think we are going to be pretty left handed strong wit Bubic and Lynch sticking as starters. As a result I would rather go after Bassitt, if we could extend him for 4 or 5 years.
I hope they do not let Santana drag us down for too long at 1B or, better yet, it really was because of his injury, he rakes, and we get something for him when Pratto is breaking the door down. You raise a very interesting question, if we do get a legit RF, as to where Mondi who, perhaps besides Witt, is the most talented position player on our team, IF healthy, will play. I do not see keeping our Acuna/Tatis guy blocked, or on the bench, if he can finally take off a la Byron Buxton, as I believe he should be given the chance to do. I wonder if, as a result, we do not sign an Avisail, and instead have Mondi or Whit go to RF, with Isbel as legit backup guy?
Nobody doubts Mondesi's insane talent, but he also has a .283 career OBP and just .293 if you take out 2016 and 2017 when he had no business in the big leagues. He's a fantastic defender and has game-changing speed, but at some point, you have to produce at a higher level to be more than a backup. It's been 1300 PA and 1100 not including the first two years. I don't think you can just say it's inexperience or he needs time. Without a drastic change in approach, this is likely who he is.
I respectfully disagree. And hope you are wrong. We will see. I think it is just as important to "finally, if possible" get Mondesi healthy and relaxed and stable this year (the Byron Buxton Jr story), as it is to bring up the Big 3 and to sort out how to best use our young pitchers as starters and relievers.
Big difference between Mondesi and Buxton is that Buxton figured it out with four years of team control left. Mondesi has two left now and hasn't figured it out yet. They're both super athletic and neither can stay on the field so I understand the comparison, but Buxton is one of the exceptions to the rule. Mondesi might be too, but the Royals need to operate as if he's not and try to improve if possible. Constantly trying to squeeze something out of players who can't provide what they need is not something good organizations do. They find guys who can do what they need.
As I said, we will see. I have not given up on Mondi yet, and hope that the Royals have not either. I see it as encouraging that they are trying to give him the full "keep Lorenzo healthy" approach to see if they yet can strike that lightning that we have seen the bottle. I do agree with you that it is nowhere near a sure thing. I am just thinking that maybe Mondi/Whit/Isbel RF is a way to not block him from his breakout, with a decent (though not as good as Avisail) backup plan if he fails, and maybe trade for Avisail or someone like him at the break if we are otherwise hitting on all/most cylinders.
I haven't given up on him either, and I hope he comes out of the gates and is the star his tools say he can be. But the reality is that the clock is ticking. At this point, he's a guy that you don't let potential get in the way of improvement. His presence allows them to not go out and sign just any random player but if someone is available who can be a benefit to the team, a guy who will be a free agent in 324 games and has had one good half-season shouldn't block that is my whole point.
So, based on your Opening Day lineup, they get Avasail, where does Mondi play, can he count on an everyday or most days spot, hopefully in the infield where his tremendous skills shine, so he does not have to be distracted by that, and have a last a good long chance to stay healthy and break out? It seems to me like we are blocking him, or at least blocking giving him a nice, stable chance, by starting out in the way you suggest. Reasonable minds can differ. I still think that 2022 will be enough of a "get them ready" year to not have the Avasail like move made too soon, especially if it pushes Mondi into a relief or rover mode. I do agree with your point that my Buxton comparison has a flaw with the two less years of control. But I still think that he can be the very best player on our team. Even if a bit of a late bloomer, like Alex, to really get it going.
Thank you for answering my question David! Hadn't thought about the Kennedy comparison when talking about the Rodriguez contract. I would agree with you regarding the potential Benny extension. I feel like Isbel could put up similar numbers and cost us a whole lot less which would give us more money to spend on our current pitching in the future and/or a pitching free agent or trade candidate.
Since the Dayton Moore era, the Royals hate wasting an asset. Even if its one they don't see a future with. I like your lineup, but believe they will fill opening day with last years talent. If for no reason other than to showcase the assets they plan on discarding one way or another. The Royals will try to acquire talent for them if they can. That said, barring a trade to thin the ranks, I expect to see Mondi, Santana and Dosier to get significant time on the field to start the season. I believe of the expected rookies, only Bobby Witt will get the opportunity to make the team out of spring training. This will especially be true if the CBA talks break down and Baseball is shut down along with all transactions in the league.
As much as I would love to add Manea, and would like to aquire him, only if we could extend for about 5 years. But, all things being equal I personally would like a righty. I think we are going to be pretty left handed strong wit Bubic and Lynch sticking as starters. As a result I would rather go after Bassitt, if we could extend him for 4 or 5 years.
Bassitt will be 33 next year. Not sure you want to extend a pitcher to age-37.
Poor idea on my part. Didn't realize he was that old.
I hope they do not let Santana drag us down for too long at 1B or, better yet, it really was because of his injury, he rakes, and we get something for him when Pratto is breaking the door down. You raise a very interesting question, if we do get a legit RF, as to where Mondi who, perhaps besides Witt, is the most talented position player on our team, IF healthy, will play. I do not see keeping our Acuna/Tatis guy blocked, or on the bench, if he can finally take off a la Byron Buxton, as I believe he should be given the chance to do. I wonder if, as a result, we do not sign an Avisail, and instead have Mondi or Whit go to RF, with Isbel as legit backup guy?
Nobody doubts Mondesi's insane talent, but he also has a .283 career OBP and just .293 if you take out 2016 and 2017 when he had no business in the big leagues. He's a fantastic defender and has game-changing speed, but at some point, you have to produce at a higher level to be more than a backup. It's been 1300 PA and 1100 not including the first two years. I don't think you can just say it's inexperience or he needs time. Without a drastic change in approach, this is likely who he is.
I respectfully disagree. And hope you are wrong. We will see. I think it is just as important to "finally, if possible" get Mondesi healthy and relaxed and stable this year (the Byron Buxton Jr story), as it is to bring up the Big 3 and to sort out how to best use our young pitchers as starters and relievers.
Big difference between Mondesi and Buxton is that Buxton figured it out with four years of team control left. Mondesi has two left now and hasn't figured it out yet. They're both super athletic and neither can stay on the field so I understand the comparison, but Buxton is one of the exceptions to the rule. Mondesi might be too, but the Royals need to operate as if he's not and try to improve if possible. Constantly trying to squeeze something out of players who can't provide what they need is not something good organizations do. They find guys who can do what they need.
As I said, we will see. I have not given up on Mondi yet, and hope that the Royals have not either. I see it as encouraging that they are trying to give him the full "keep Lorenzo healthy" approach to see if they yet can strike that lightning that we have seen the bottle. I do agree with you that it is nowhere near a sure thing. I am just thinking that maybe Mondi/Whit/Isbel RF is a way to not block him from his breakout, with a decent (though not as good as Avisail) backup plan if he fails, and maybe trade for Avisail or someone like him at the break if we are otherwise hitting on all/most cylinders.
I haven't given up on him either, and I hope he comes out of the gates and is the star his tools say he can be. But the reality is that the clock is ticking. At this point, he's a guy that you don't let potential get in the way of improvement. His presence allows them to not go out and sign just any random player but if someone is available who can be a benefit to the team, a guy who will be a free agent in 324 games and has had one good half-season shouldn't block that is my whole point.
So, based on your Opening Day lineup, they get Avasail, where does Mondi play, can he count on an everyday or most days spot, hopefully in the infield where his tremendous skills shine, so he does not have to be distracted by that, and have a last a good long chance to stay healthy and break out? It seems to me like we are blocking him, or at least blocking giving him a nice, stable chance, by starting out in the way you suggest. Reasonable minds can differ. I still think that 2022 will be enough of a "get them ready" year to not have the Avasail like move made too soon, especially if it pushes Mondi into a relief or rover mode. I do agree with your point that my Buxton comparison has a flaw with the two less years of control. But I still think that he can be the very best player on our team. Even if a bit of a late bloomer, like Alex, to really get it going.
Thank you for answering my question David! Hadn't thought about the Kennedy comparison when talking about the Rodriguez contract. I would agree with you regarding the potential Benny extension. I feel like Isbel could put up similar numbers and cost us a whole lot less which would give us more money to spend on our current pitching in the future and/or a pitching free agent or trade candidate.
Since the Dayton Moore era, the Royals hate wasting an asset. Even if its one they don't see a future with. I like your lineup, but believe they will fill opening day with last years talent. If for no reason other than to showcase the assets they plan on discarding one way or another. The Royals will try to acquire talent for them if they can. That said, barring a trade to thin the ranks, I expect to see Mondi, Santana and Dosier to get significant time on the field to start the season. I believe of the expected rookies, only Bobby Witt will get the opportunity to make the team out of spring training. This will especially be true if the CBA talks break down and Baseball is shut down along with all transactions in the league.