I've been expecting Melendez to get traded ever since Picollo said he wanted to improve the outfield and name checked Velazquez and Isbel as guys he liked out there.
I think I could do without Clevinger. There is just a lot of questionable off-the-field stuff for me to be excited for him to don a KC cap.
I want nothing to do with Clevinger either, but I feel like I’d be doing a disservice to not at least mention him as a possibility. Of course I also totally blanked on Dylan Coleman and Jake Brentz when talking about the bullpen (maybe rightfully so), so I could be long last doing readers a disservice!
Couple things get my antenna up. Honestly they make me more nervous than excited. And yes, this is just entirely ingrained skepticism after years of Royals baseball. But the fact you mentioned they may not trade MJ yesterday and now they are talking about him as an outfielder. Now the comments of being better than 106 losses. Believe it, don’t believe it….doesn’t really matter. I tend to believe you are what you record says you are but that’s not the concern for me. It’s that it feels like they are walking back some things and we may not see any big moves. The longer this stays quiet the more this becomes my fear and maybe we are starting to see JJ walk back some things here. IDK, how you can’t make a trade and get this roster to fit better. I’m still hopeful it’s coming. I was expecting it….starting to just be hopeful now. Lol.
I just don’t see how you could possibly run it back with most of this roster in tact.
I only said they may not trade MJ yesterday because nothing is guaranteed. I think you’ve been reading me long enough to read between the lines here. I give it a 90% chance he’s moved but I also don’t think you just trade to trade. But also keep in mind that on Friday just seven of the MLBTR top 50 free agents had signed. Unless I’ve missed something in the last 20 minutes, it’s still seven. Just because they haven’t been one of like three teams to make big moves doesn’t mean anything has changed in the plan.
You haven’t missed anything. Lol. Like I said, this is just an ingrained habit as a fan here.
90% on Melendez I’d still take. I couldn’t tell in the article if you felt like Salvy wasn’t going to get moved now being a different kind of quiet. I worry a little with that one if the offseason here you get more time for new eyes on everything. Makes it a little harder than say Miami in the middle of a race. Wonder a bit if missed that boat.
So I think Salvy gets moved but I think the Marlins are out and I think the odds are lower than I thought before they hired Bendix. Timing just sucked there midseason, which is partially the fault of JJ and the front office for sure.
I don't know if it's the start of the winter meetings, your column, or a combination, but reading this I felt the first stirrings of interest for the off-season. Oh, I have been following the Ohtani "news" and so on, but this makes me start thinking Royals. For some reason I have this feeling that at least one starting pitcher will be acquired via trade, and maybe somebody unexpected. Yes, that means a trade that hurts, but so be it. Let's make a real move or two we believe in, put 'em on the field and play.
Also, I'm another "no" vote on Clevinger...but thanks for being thorough.
Every time I think about a trade that hurts, I just can’t imagine who they’re moving. Maybe Garcia, I guess. I just don’t know who else they move other than Witt and Vinnie (who aren’t going) who would hurt. I do think there’s a path to acquiring a starter via trade but I don’t see it hurting all that much.
I was thinking the same thing. If it’s not Witt or Vinny…it not hurting which is actually part of the problem in finding a trade partner. I guess I’d listen to Ragans hurting….but if you don’t me you could flip him for a good package of prospects….I’d probably do it to be honest. If someone would pay ace type package.
Ragans would hurt but also if you’re looking for pitching, you’re completely unserious if you’re trading him. Nobody is giving up multiple good big league pitchers for him so it’s a net negative there.
To seriously get that. Which is desperately what they need. Ragan probably has to have an ace type year and healthy all season before anyone would be serious about giving you a good package.
Good point. I guess I was excluding Witt, as that just seems ludicrous, and Ragans is a starter we're counting on, so trading him for another rotation-type doesn't make sense unless you are throwing in someone else and getting an obvious top guy. Much as I like him, I think I'd even listen to inquiries on Vinny provided it was a true ace. I actually love Garcia, but the knock is he doesn't have the power to stick at third, and Witt's at short, so...
But guys, would we rather win….or like the players on a 90 loss team? You don’t have to like every player. But how about a .500 season again. If Clevinger can help. Please bring him in. Lol. He’s not great, but his career mid 3’s era would sure look good in that rotation for a reasonable price. Aren’t we paying Q to handle that?
I haven’t heard a bad thing about Lyles being a clubhouse problem. I’m glad he is here from that perspective….except, you know…he’s not a good pitcher.
Sure, I’m not saying anyone said anything to be honest. I just noticed everyone that commented was “not Clevinger”. My only point was… Now wait a minute. Let’s win over being liked. That’s all. No worries.
I will say this on O’Neil with the Cards. I’d take the chance on that….but I wouldn’t expect a whole lot. Apparently that guy wants to be a body builder and nobody can seem to get him off that regiment. He pulls a muscle once a month at least. I just don’t know how you could count on that health staying in tact (said from a disgruntled fantasy baseball owner). That said….he’s better than what they probably have so you can take a shot I guess if the price is right.
Melendez in outfield full-time IS good. I know you think he's getting traded, and I am ok with that/kinda makes sense, but I kinda hope they keep him one more year. As you have noted, he was a different hitter post all star. Eye test tells me he improved in OF, a brand new position over the season, and thats not easy. I really think he will come on this next year defensively just as I thought Witt would be a good to great ss last year (but I also predicted 80 wins, so ...). MJ is a great baller, but isn't a catcher. I really think will make leaps and bounds defensively in OF overwinter thanks to his athleticism, dedication and coach dad. Maybe he doesn't fit completely with what the royals have going right now, but if we waited a season, I think the royals will get a much higher price, bc he is a dude in the making
Thanks for all the offseason content! (I've been following but too late to post)
SP - saw Anne rogers write jj looking for 2 rotation, but Jaylen Thompson writing 1 rotation and 2 bp. Do you know if one or two? Im with you on minimum two, hope JJ thinks so, but guess we will find out soon enough. maybe 2 mid tier for $30+ and a reliever in trades? Would love to see Stroman or Wacha or Heyward sporting powder blues
You might have something out on it later this week David. But I had one thought when I saw the draft results. Just win more and it isn’t even a discussion.
Not real interested in hearing about how it screwed the royals. Lol. Just win.
I've been expecting Melendez to get traded ever since Picollo said he wanted to improve the outfield and name checked Velazquez and Isbel as guys he liked out there.
I think I could do without Clevinger. There is just a lot of questionable off-the-field stuff for me to be excited for him to don a KC cap.
I want nothing to do with Clevinger either, but I feel like I’d be doing a disservice to not at least mention him as a possibility. Of course I also totally blanked on Dylan Coleman and Jake Brentz when talking about the bullpen (maybe rightfully so), so I could be long last doing readers a disservice!
If he helps you win, I’d deal with him for a year. Terrible to say but they just need talent.
I just don’t think he’s good enough for the headache, but I also thought that about Chapman and now they have Ragans.
Couple things get my antenna up. Honestly they make me more nervous than excited. And yes, this is just entirely ingrained skepticism after years of Royals baseball. But the fact you mentioned they may not trade MJ yesterday and now they are talking about him as an outfielder. Now the comments of being better than 106 losses. Believe it, don’t believe it….doesn’t really matter. I tend to believe you are what you record says you are but that’s not the concern for me. It’s that it feels like they are walking back some things and we may not see any big moves. The longer this stays quiet the more this becomes my fear and maybe we are starting to see JJ walk back some things here. IDK, how you can’t make a trade and get this roster to fit better. I’m still hopeful it’s coming. I was expecting it….starting to just be hopeful now. Lol.
I just don’t see how you could possibly run it back with most of this roster in tact.
I only said they may not trade MJ yesterday because nothing is guaranteed. I think you’ve been reading me long enough to read between the lines here. I give it a 90% chance he’s moved but I also don’t think you just trade to trade. But also keep in mind that on Friday just seven of the MLBTR top 50 free agents had signed. Unless I’ve missed something in the last 20 minutes, it’s still seven. Just because they haven’t been one of like three teams to make big moves doesn’t mean anything has changed in the plan.
You haven’t missed anything. Lol. Like I said, this is just an ingrained habit as a fan here.
90% on Melendez I’d still take. I couldn’t tell in the article if you felt like Salvy wasn’t going to get moved now being a different kind of quiet. I worry a little with that one if the offseason here you get more time for new eyes on everything. Makes it a little harder than say Miami in the middle of a race. Wonder a bit if missed that boat.
So I think Salvy gets moved but I think the Marlins are out and I think the odds are lower than I thought before they hired Bendix. Timing just sucked there midseason, which is partially the fault of JJ and the front office for sure.
I don't know if it's the start of the winter meetings, your column, or a combination, but reading this I felt the first stirrings of interest for the off-season. Oh, I have been following the Ohtani "news" and so on, but this makes me start thinking Royals. For some reason I have this feeling that at least one starting pitcher will be acquired via trade, and maybe somebody unexpected. Yes, that means a trade that hurts, but so be it. Let's make a real move or two we believe in, put 'em on the field and play.
Also, I'm another "no" vote on Clevinger...but thanks for being thorough.
Every time I think about a trade that hurts, I just can’t imagine who they’re moving. Maybe Garcia, I guess. I just don’t know who else they move other than Witt and Vinnie (who aren’t going) who would hurt. I do think there’s a path to acquiring a starter via trade but I don’t see it hurting all that much.
I was thinking the same thing. If it’s not Witt or Vinny…it not hurting which is actually part of the problem in finding a trade partner. I guess I’d listen to Ragans hurting….but if you don’t me you could flip him for a good package of prospects….I’d probably do it to be honest. If someone would pay ace type package.
Ragans would hurt but also if you’re looking for pitching, you’re completely unserious if you’re trading him. Nobody is giving up multiple good big league pitchers for him so it’s a net negative there.
To seriously get that. Which is desperately what they need. Ragan probably has to have an ace type year and healthy all season before anyone would be serious about giving you a good package.
Good point. I guess I was excluding Witt, as that just seems ludicrous, and Ragans is a starter we're counting on, so trading him for another rotation-type doesn't make sense unless you are throwing in someone else and getting an obvious top guy. Much as I like him, I think I'd even listen to inquiries on Vinny provided it was a true ace. I actually love Garcia, but the knock is he doesn't have the power to stick at third, and Witt's at short, so...
I absolutely think Garcia could be traded though I wouldn’t go as far as to say I started an article about it.
But guys, would we rather win….or like the players on a 90 loss team? You don’t have to like every player. But how about a .500 season again. If Clevinger can help. Please bring him in. Lol. He’s not great, but his career mid 3’s era would sure look good in that rotation for a reasonable price. Aren’t we paying Q to handle that?
I haven’t heard a bad thing about Lyles being a clubhouse problem. I’m glad he is here from that perspective….except, you know…he’s not a good pitcher.
Just get in talent fellas. I don’t care how.
I didn’t say I wouldn’t take Clevinger over Lyles, but there are options who are both better than him and aren’t idiots.
Sure, I’m not saying anyone said anything to be honest. I just noticed everyone that commented was “not Clevinger”. My only point was… Now wait a minute. Let’s win over being liked. That’s all. No worries.
I will say this on O’Neil with the Cards. I’d take the chance on that….but I wouldn’t expect a whole lot. Apparently that guy wants to be a body builder and nobody can seem to get him off that regiment. He pulls a muscle once a month at least. I just don’t know how you could count on that health staying in tact (said from a disgruntled fantasy baseball owner). That said….he’s better than what they probably have so you can take a shot I guess if the price is right.
I just wouldn’t give up much for what might amount to a year and maybe not even a good one.
Melendez in outfield full-time IS good. I know you think he's getting traded, and I am ok with that/kinda makes sense, but I kinda hope they keep him one more year. As you have noted, he was a different hitter post all star. Eye test tells me he improved in OF, a brand new position over the season, and thats not easy. I really think he will come on this next year defensively just as I thought Witt would be a good to great ss last year (but I also predicted 80 wins, so ...). MJ is a great baller, but isn't a catcher. I really think will make leaps and bounds defensively in OF overwinter thanks to his athleticism, dedication and coach dad. Maybe he doesn't fit completely with what the royals have going right now, but if we waited a season, I think the royals will get a much higher price, bc he is a dude in the making
Thanks for all the offseason content! (I've been following but too late to post)
SP - saw Anne rogers write jj looking for 2 rotation, but Jaylen Thompson writing 1 rotation and 2 bp. Do you know if one or two? Im with you on minimum two, hope JJ thinks so, but guess we will find out soon enough. maybe 2 mid tier for $30+ and a reliever in trades? Would love to see Stroman or Wacha or Heyward sporting powder blues
I’m going to say something without saying something here. Read Anne.
You might have something out on it later this week David. But I had one thought when I saw the draft results. Just win more and it isn’t even a discussion.
Not real interested in hearing about how it screwed the royals. Lol. Just win.
Also, rule 5 today. Do the royals even have a spot open to pick someone?
They don't for now. I wrote about it today.
You're right. It's not a discussion if they win more. But they didn't and the past can't be changed.
Royals trade Salvador Perez and MJ Melendez to the Marlins for Edward Cabrera, Bryan de La Cruz, Victor Mesa, and Joe Mack.