Here's my fear David - The fact that O'hearn is still around just means DM is really still running the show and we aren't going to see any real change from the prior couple of years. I think that is the frustration in the royals standing pat as well here the last week. Other teams are trying to improve. The optics of it are the royals aren't trying to improve. Keeping EVERYONE from a 74 win team and not adding anything isn't going to get you to 85+ wins next year because not every prospect is going to work out or the path isn't going to be a straight trajectory upward. Sigh.
I wish I could be as optimistic as you on the CBA outcome. However, the actions and tone the league has had with the union since the last contract was signed, doesn't make me think this is going to end well. The covid era aside, several rule changes without much if any approval or discussions with the players, has led to very few warm feelings between the two sides. Both sides seem resolved to a long and bitter fight. Otherwise, why all the signings before the lockout. If they believed this will be over soon, there would be no reason to get these contracts finished. Teams would have just waited for deals like they have since the last contract took effect. I don't expect a contract before spring training. My guess is the season will start in May. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see a lot of change until it hurts both parties.
Here's my fear David - The fact that O'hearn is still around just means DM is really still running the show and we aren't going to see any real change from the prior couple of years. I think that is the frustration in the royals standing pat as well here the last week. Other teams are trying to improve. The optics of it are the royals aren't trying to improve. Keeping EVERYONE from a 74 win team and not adding anything isn't going to get you to 85+ wins next year because not every prospect is going to work out or the path isn't going to be a straight trajectory upward. Sigh.
I wish I could be as optimistic as you on the CBA outcome. However, the actions and tone the league has had with the union since the last contract was signed, doesn't make me think this is going to end well. The covid era aside, several rule changes without much if any approval or discussions with the players, has led to very few warm feelings between the two sides. Both sides seem resolved to a long and bitter fight. Otherwise, why all the signings before the lockout. If they believed this will be over soon, there would be no reason to get these contracts finished. Teams would have just waited for deals like they have since the last contract took effect. I don't expect a contract before spring training. My guess is the season will start in May. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see a lot of change until it hurts both parties.
So if you are currently booked to attend your first Royals spring training ever, no need to cancel that and reshift to another vacation?