It will be so interesting to see how they use Mondi, and if/when Vinny will beat the door down to arrive. If I was JJ, I would get the Big 3 up right away (unless someone looks awful in Spring Training), look nowhere outside the system for hitters (as it seems we have plenty who need to have the time to show us what they can do/settle in), and start thinking about what shifting will be needed to bring Vinny up when he is ready. So, instead of Opening Day, I guess I am (probably looking a bit later in the year, when Santana is gone and Dozier is on the bench or traded), but thinking "sooner the better" to get the rookies up, as we know it took Cain/Hosmer/Moose a year to so to get it going at the MLB level, so the sooner we start that, the sooner we can have another 2014 and 2015 - so don't let Santana, Dozier and others clog that process, bad contracts or not.
So, how do we get the Big 4 into starting roles as they do/will deserve? Where is Mondi's, MJ's, and Vinny's spots? How can we crowd/fit them all into our (hopefully the sooner the better this year) roster as starters to get their MLB at bats going? And assuming (and hopefully we will) keep our other worthy starters as starters. Knowing that Mathenty likes dependable/regular starters up the middle, that might take Mondi out as SS/2B and leave him at 3B. I am hoping that, like Lorenza, we can help Mondi to overcome his injury problems in which case, to me, he is most definitely to be considered as part of our next championship core. With all these variables, but the major goal being to get our next championship core up and settling in, that moves Whit to the outfield as he is declining and will only get worse over time, so he may or not be part of the next core, but he should not clog any of our new Big 4 (or clog Isbel if we is worthy to be part of our next championship core). Do not be quick to extend Benny as we may not need him (someone teach Olivares how to play an above average corner outfield spot). Long term, where can Vinny play? DH or 1B? Do you lose too much with 1B defense with Vinny over Pratto? Can MJ fit in a corner outfield spot until Salvy declines, without losing his catching skills. These are the kinds of problems you like to have my friends!
We are going to be treated to another year of a transitioning roster, and I love it. This time around seems even more exciting then the transition made when Hos and company rose to the big leagues. And, its coming from both sides of the ball. The roster we see on opening day will not be the roster we see on the last day, or even mid season. Weather and of course the CBA will have a determination on the timing. Honestly, as soon as the weather gets nice, I want to see as many New young players as soon as possible. I haven't been at the K since Covid started, but I can't wait to be out there this year.
Thanks David - It’s always interesting to me to see a 74 win team have all position players locked up before spring training even begins. No real position battles to be had here. It’s mainly on the pitching side. Now hopefully the improvements from the young guns carry them to some more wins this year. Is that your projection for Witt? .290/33/97 in his first year? If so…….damn. I can see a lot of pressure on the kid and him stressing early in the year but I hope those projections are right!!
Agree to disagree about Mondi :) . If (and I hope the lockout did not ruin the chance for this, because I do agree with you that his free agent clock is ticking) we can remove his health issues this year, as we did for Cain, I think he can be the most talented player on our team, or in a close heat with Witt. And, in a nod to your point about the agreed benefits of staggering, he can be a good part of the stagger, as we could solve his health concerns and still have time to lock him up long term, well before we would need to do so with some or all (probably can't afford that so just need to get Tampa Bay Rays/Belicheck good at moving one/some for next reload while the getting is good and someone good is ready to replace them) our Big 4. Now, if Mondi could be a great outfielder (in a perfect world, CF?), without injuring himself, and/or Pratto or MJ could be good enough for corner outfield, that would also be a great thing, and help solve the infield logjam for our next championship core. I just hope that Dayton lets JJ keep his eyes firmly fixed on that goal, and does not allow Santana or Dozier or Whit (or maybe even Salvy at some point?) clog them. A chess game. Eye on the prize is to figure out how best that all our best players can fit.
The Royals definitely have some interesting options this season. I keep seeing so many fans talk about BWJ as a third baseman and I don't understand that. I think the Royals showed a glimpse of what they are thinking in the second half of last season. When Mondesi was able to play, he played 3B. In AAA, they started getting MJM time at C and 3B. I think MJM starts the year back in Omaha working on this again. 3 games at C and 3 games at 3B per week. The Royals have to look past Opening Day and see a future with Pasquantino getting time at DH with Salvy and MJM splitting time at C and 3B. Pratto is a 1B and BJW at SS. That leaves what to do at 2B. I agree with your point David about Lopez being the most interesting Spring Training player. How will he hit? Where does he play? I think he plays most of the year at second. He might start Opening Day at SS but he will play 100 games or more at 2B. This pushes Whit into RF for most of his games. I see a more difficult path for Isbel to make the Opening Day roster. I think Oliveras is the fourth OF and they do not sign anyone for that job. Maybe JaCoby Jones or Dairon Blanco push for it as non-roster guys. The lineup in the second half of the year will be different and more exciting than the lineup on Opening Day. I think we see the team trade some players before the deadline to open up some roster spots both on the 26 man roster and the 40 man. If Bendi does sign an extension during ST, I think he is moved this summer and we see one of these starting pitchers moved or included in a larger deal. It is time for the front office to make some big decisions to setup the Royals for the next few seasons.
Also, I was encouraged to read on Royals Review that in our latest international class we have changed our approach look for people who can hit and field, instead of just great athletes who can't hit. What a great idea!
If they really would keep Mondesi as a super utility guy, that would be amazing! I believe his injuries have moved him off of a stranglehold on a starting position. His talent needs a chance to shine. If he gets hurt again, it doesn't upset the continuity of the infield. Perfect solution.
I actually think jacoby Jones is that 4th outfielder. He’s cheaper and unlike someone like pillar we don’t have to commit at bats to him. I think they will run with Isbel acting as the back up cf and dozier will get a lot of RF reps. Jones will be the 5th outfielder I’ll say
It will be so interesting to see how they use Mondi, and if/when Vinny will beat the door down to arrive. If I was JJ, I would get the Big 3 up right away (unless someone looks awful in Spring Training), look nowhere outside the system for hitters (as it seems we have plenty who need to have the time to show us what they can do/settle in), and start thinking about what shifting will be needed to bring Vinny up when he is ready. So, instead of Opening Day, I guess I am (probably looking a bit later in the year, when Santana is gone and Dozier is on the bench or traded), but thinking "sooner the better" to get the rookies up, as we know it took Cain/Hosmer/Moose a year to so to get it going at the MLB level, so the sooner we start that, the sooner we can have another 2014 and 2015 - so don't let Santana, Dozier and others clog that process, bad contracts or not.
So, how do we get the Big 4 into starting roles as they do/will deserve? Where is Mondi's, MJ's, and Vinny's spots? How can we crowd/fit them all into our (hopefully the sooner the better this year) roster as starters to get their MLB at bats going? And assuming (and hopefully we will) keep our other worthy starters as starters. Knowing that Mathenty likes dependable/regular starters up the middle, that might take Mondi out as SS/2B and leave him at 3B. I am hoping that, like Lorenza, we can help Mondi to overcome his injury problems in which case, to me, he is most definitely to be considered as part of our next championship core. With all these variables, but the major goal being to get our next championship core up and settling in, that moves Whit to the outfield as he is declining and will only get worse over time, so he may or not be part of the next core, but he should not clog any of our new Big 4 (or clog Isbel if we is worthy to be part of our next championship core). Do not be quick to extend Benny as we may not need him (someone teach Olivares how to play an above average corner outfield spot). Long term, where can Vinny play? DH or 1B? Do you lose too much with 1B defense with Vinny over Pratto? Can MJ fit in a corner outfield spot until Salvy declines, without losing his catching skills. These are the kinds of problems you like to have my friends!
We are going to be treated to another year of a transitioning roster, and I love it. This time around seems even more exciting then the transition made when Hos and company rose to the big leagues. And, its coming from both sides of the ball. The roster we see on opening day will not be the roster we see on the last day, or even mid season. Weather and of course the CBA will have a determination on the timing. Honestly, as soon as the weather gets nice, I want to see as many New young players as soon as possible. I haven't been at the K since Covid started, but I can't wait to be out there this year.
Thanks David - It’s always interesting to me to see a 74 win team have all position players locked up before spring training even begins. No real position battles to be had here. It’s mainly on the pitching side. Now hopefully the improvements from the young guns carry them to some more wins this year. Is that your projection for Witt? .290/33/97 in his first year? If so…….damn. I can see a lot of pressure on the kid and him stressing early in the year but I hope those projections are right!!
Agree to disagree about Mondi :) . If (and I hope the lockout did not ruin the chance for this, because I do agree with you that his free agent clock is ticking) we can remove his health issues this year, as we did for Cain, I think he can be the most talented player on our team, or in a close heat with Witt. And, in a nod to your point about the agreed benefits of staggering, he can be a good part of the stagger, as we could solve his health concerns and still have time to lock him up long term, well before we would need to do so with some or all (probably can't afford that so just need to get Tampa Bay Rays/Belicheck good at moving one/some for next reload while the getting is good and someone good is ready to replace them) our Big 4. Now, if Mondi could be a great outfielder (in a perfect world, CF?), without injuring himself, and/or Pratto or MJ could be good enough for corner outfield, that would also be a great thing, and help solve the infield logjam for our next championship core. I just hope that Dayton lets JJ keep his eyes firmly fixed on that goal, and does not allow Santana or Dozier or Whit (or maybe even Salvy at some point?) clog them. A chess game. Eye on the prize is to figure out how best that all our best players can fit.
The Royals definitely have some interesting options this season. I keep seeing so many fans talk about BWJ as a third baseman and I don't understand that. I think the Royals showed a glimpse of what they are thinking in the second half of last season. When Mondesi was able to play, he played 3B. In AAA, they started getting MJM time at C and 3B. I think MJM starts the year back in Omaha working on this again. 3 games at C and 3 games at 3B per week. The Royals have to look past Opening Day and see a future with Pasquantino getting time at DH with Salvy and MJM splitting time at C and 3B. Pratto is a 1B and BJW at SS. That leaves what to do at 2B. I agree with your point David about Lopez being the most interesting Spring Training player. How will he hit? Where does he play? I think he plays most of the year at second. He might start Opening Day at SS but he will play 100 games or more at 2B. This pushes Whit into RF for most of his games. I see a more difficult path for Isbel to make the Opening Day roster. I think Oliveras is the fourth OF and they do not sign anyone for that job. Maybe JaCoby Jones or Dairon Blanco push for it as non-roster guys. The lineup in the second half of the year will be different and more exciting than the lineup on Opening Day. I think we see the team trade some players before the deadline to open up some roster spots both on the 26 man roster and the 40 man. If Bendi does sign an extension during ST, I think he is moved this summer and we see one of these starting pitchers moved or included in a larger deal. It is time for the front office to make some big decisions to setup the Royals for the next few seasons.
Also, I was encouraged to read on Royals Review that in our latest international class we have changed our approach look for people who can hit and field, instead of just great athletes who can't hit. What a great idea!
If they really would keep Mondesi as a super utility guy, that would be amazing! I believe his injuries have moved him off of a stranglehold on a starting position. His talent needs a chance to shine. If he gets hurt again, it doesn't upset the continuity of the infield. Perfect solution.
I think you meant a .365 OBP for Nicky instead of OPS!
I actually think jacoby Jones is that 4th outfielder. He’s cheaper and unlike someone like pillar we don’t have to commit at bats to him. I think they will run with Isbel acting as the back up cf and dozier will get a lot of RF reps. Jones will be the 5th outfielder I’ll say
Cristian Pache remains my White Whale. If the Braves lose Freddie, I’d immediately see if they’d be interested in Pratto.