I am not as passionate about this as I am the starting position players. I do agree that it would be nice to trade Minor and get some better performing veteran to front the rotation, but I would rather pay for that for a free agent (anyone who could fill that role in our shopping cart?). I remember when Kowar was thought by some to have the highest ceiling of all our young starting pitchers, so would hate to lose him or any of our other top young guys. Yes, it may seem that we have too many, but I am guessing that with depth needs, not knowing for sure who will hit and who will bust, plus, did it not take Hosmer/Moose/Cain a year or two to really get it going at the big league level, so why trade away important young assets for a "James Shields" trade now if Witt/MJ/Pratto are going to scuffle a bit for a year or two anyway? If we can fill up the bullpen with our very best non-starters, including 2-3 multiple inning guys, then I think that Keller or Singer have the mindset to not fear filling that #1 or #2 spot, and will not mentally collapse from struggling a bit when going up against other team's aces.
Thanks David, love the work you, Max, and Alex all do. One thing that dawned on me that I haven't really seen talked or written about was the more time the royals allowed themselves with the Picollo promotion. I'm a fan of DM and Picollo....but its not lost on me that they just gave themselves more time to see results. I'm of the belief that by year 5 you NEED to be .500 or its not working. While I think they have better pieces in place I can see a world where the royals are a 75 win team again next year. Pitchers still figuring it out, rookie hitter struggling, no influx of FA talent, etc. My point is, now can't the organization now say "its Picollo's first year, we have the pieces in place, and need a little more seasoning." I can see a world where DM was in trouble if next years team was a 75 win team. Now he is off the hook a little bit. Or do you think this all goes hand in hand? At what point are they both in trouble regardless of Picollo's "time" in that role? I actually think it will work out but I did occur to me they probably bought themselves another couple years to make this work because DM's seat had to be getting warmer.
Late to the party but here are my crystal ball thoughts.
JJ Picollo will trade Whit Merrifield this offseason. He is still an effective league average hitter that is playing defense well enough to be considered for a gold glove and he steals a ton of bags. His best value is at second base and the Royals have a ton of middle infield options with more coming from the minors.
Mondesi will be your utility player playing 5 days a week at 4-5 different positions including CF.
Michael A. Taylor is going to get signed as a free agent for more than the Royals are willing to pay.
Cam Gallagher or Sebastian Riverio will be traded to the Miami Marlins.
The Royals, in an effort to monitor the number of innings the starters throw, will be the first team to implement a 6 man rotation for the entire season.
Mike Minor will become a bullpen arm again.
There will be no veteran free agent starting pitcher signed. Brad Keller will fill that role.
Kyle Zimmer will be non tendered.
Ryan O'Hearn is non tendered/DFA'd
2B Lopez
LF Benintendi
C Perez
DH Melendez
SS Witt Jr.
CF Isbel
RF Dozier
1B Santana
3B Rivera
Bench
Alberto
Gallagher or Riverio whoever is not traded
Mondesi
Olivares
Pitching
Starters:
Hernandez
Lynch
Keller
Bubic
Singer
Kowar
Junis - they need someone long to throw when the starter turns in a 2 inning clunker.
I am not as passionate about this as I am the starting position players. I do agree that it would be nice to trade Minor and get some better performing veteran to front the rotation, but I would rather pay for that for a free agent (anyone who could fill that role in our shopping cart?). I remember when Kowar was thought by some to have the highest ceiling of all our young starting pitchers, so would hate to lose him or any of our other top young guys. Yes, it may seem that we have too many, but I am guessing that with depth needs, not knowing for sure who will hit and who will bust, plus, did it not take Hosmer/Moose/Cain a year or two to really get it going at the big league level, so why trade away important young assets for a "James Shields" trade now if Witt/MJ/Pratto are going to scuffle a bit for a year or two anyway? If we can fill up the bullpen with our very best non-starters, including 2-3 multiple inning guys, then I think that Keller or Singer have the mindset to not fear filling that #1 or #2 spot, and will not mentally collapse from struggling a bit when going up against other team's aces.
Thanks David, love the work you, Max, and Alex all do. One thing that dawned on me that I haven't really seen talked or written about was the more time the royals allowed themselves with the Picollo promotion. I'm a fan of DM and Picollo....but its not lost on me that they just gave themselves more time to see results. I'm of the belief that by year 5 you NEED to be .500 or its not working. While I think they have better pieces in place I can see a world where the royals are a 75 win team again next year. Pitchers still figuring it out, rookie hitter struggling, no influx of FA talent, etc. My point is, now can't the organization now say "its Picollo's first year, we have the pieces in place, and need a little more seasoning." I can see a world where DM was in trouble if next years team was a 75 win team. Now he is off the hook a little bit. Or do you think this all goes hand in hand? At what point are they both in trouble regardless of Picollo's "time" in that role? I actually think it will work out but I did occur to me they probably bought themselves another couple years to make this work because DM's seat had to be getting warmer.
Late to the party but here are my crystal ball thoughts.
JJ Picollo will trade Whit Merrifield this offseason. He is still an effective league average hitter that is playing defense well enough to be considered for a gold glove and he steals a ton of bags. His best value is at second base and the Royals have a ton of middle infield options with more coming from the minors.
Mondesi will be your utility player playing 5 days a week at 4-5 different positions including CF.
Michael A. Taylor is going to get signed as a free agent for more than the Royals are willing to pay.
Cam Gallagher or Sebastian Riverio will be traded to the Miami Marlins.
The Royals, in an effort to monitor the number of innings the starters throw, will be the first team to implement a 6 man rotation for the entire season.
Mike Minor will become a bullpen arm again.
There will be no veteran free agent starting pitcher signed. Brad Keller will fill that role.
Kyle Zimmer will be non tendered.
Ryan O'Hearn is non tendered/DFA'd
2B Lopez
LF Benintendi
C Perez
DH Melendez
SS Witt Jr.
CF Isbel
RF Dozier
1B Santana
3B Rivera
Bench
Alberto
Gallagher or Riverio whoever is not traded
Mondesi
Olivares
Pitching
Starters:
Hernandez
Lynch
Keller
Bubic
Singer
Kowar
Junis - they need someone long to throw when the starter turns in a 2 inning clunker.
Minor - same as Junis
Lovelady
Staumont
Brentz
Barlow
Tapia