David, you've worked a miracle: you have actually made me anxious for the regular season to start. It's been many years since that happened. Thank you!
Great stuff David, and these are good comments, too, Jeff. My thoughts as follow up:
--liked what I saw from Massey last year. May be a complementary piece, but a good one.
--Sorry, I still like Dozier more than most. While he's been inconsistent, his hitting can be timely. His speed is underrated, and I personally think he's not as bad as reputed at third. Still, a placeholder. Garcia may end up there.
--Loved Eaton last year. As Rusty would say, he's a PLAYER!
--I, too, am wondering about a trade, but less likely to be an OF with Waters hurt.
Thanks for the in-person updates! Yeah, I think that Massey is taking control of the job. I still think Lopez is making a bit of a mistake in not being in camp, but also I can't fault him for wanting to compete in the WBC.
As for Olivares, I think there may be a trade market that develops and I do think he could be the guy who goes to make some room for someone, but also the Royals are pretty lefty-heavy in their starting lineup, so they might be hesitant to move a right-handed bat like his.
Love the write-up, though the thought of Olivares playing a corner has me feeling the heebie-jeebies and I don't think my health plan covers that. Still, you have to hope that bat will compensate for the occasional misplayed routine flyball. Like the old adage, 'Who cares if you let in one run when you can drive in two!' which generally applied to Boog Powell. Love your work, don't you have a little one now? Can't keep up in the offseason.
Yeah, I think Olivares in a starting outfield spot is what makes Eaton so valuable (and maybe JBJ I guess). Not that they're a championship team, but I do wonder how many games weren't lost in 2014/2015 because of Dyson coming in late.
And yep, I do have a little one. She's 14 weeks today actually and (generally) so much fun!
Good projections especially as camp develops. Funny to me how a team that projects so poorly has so many roster spots locked down. I do like the middle of the order with Vinnie P, Perez and Reyes.
Am I reading too much into the potential Omaha infield of Loftin 3B, Garcia SS, Taylor 2B and Pratto 1B? That looks like a good AAA infield with upside - Beaty and/or Camargo as insurance policies.
I think part of why they have so much locked down, though, is because it's a lot of young guys.
But yeah, that's a really fun infield in AAA. Might be more fun some days than the big league group, though Vinnie, Witt and Massey is young and fun too.
I remember when the Minnesota Twins gave up on a no position hitter that had a lot of thump. He was DFA'd and I thought, man that guy had some power. Would love to see him in a Royals uniform. Now I'm not saying Franmil Reyes is the next coming of David Ortiz but I do love the signing and the fact that he has a few years of control beyond this one. I honestly do not care if he has to stand in LF once or twice a week as long as we have his legitimate power in the lineup on a daily basis. I welcome a problem of finding enough DH time for 3 quality hitters in Perez, Reyes, and Pasquantino. Just hit baby and we can find a spot for you.
I don't know that you've seen Reyes in the outfield if you're good with him out there 30-50 times, but I do agree that finding that kind of power can be huge for the team. He is only under team control through 2024, but it's a worthy flyer regardless.
More great stuff from David and Inside the Crown.
Thanks, Steve! I appreciate you reading and commenting!
David, you've worked a miracle: you have actually made me anxious for the regular season to start. It's been many years since that happened. Thank you!
It's a service I'm happy to provide.
Great analysis, David! I agree with your projections at this point of ST.
Some support of your logic from yesterday's game:
- Massey homered again (2) and made some nice defensive plays
- BWJ had two outstanding defensive plays
- Dozier had a nice diving stop and throw on a bullet down the line (but did strike out twice)
- Eaton threw out a runner at home from medium RF by 10 ft
- Garcia looked fine in CF, but struck out in his 2 plate appearances
- Fermin can hit! Lined one of the wall in CF for 2 RBI
- Olivares just hits (Is there a possible trade market?)
Great stuff David, and these are good comments, too, Jeff. My thoughts as follow up:
--liked what I saw from Massey last year. May be a complementary piece, but a good one.
--Sorry, I still like Dozier more than most. While he's been inconsistent, his hitting can be timely. His speed is underrated, and I personally think he's not as bad as reputed at third. Still, a placeholder. Garcia may end up there.
--Loved Eaton last year. As Rusty would say, he's a PLAYER!
--I, too, am wondering about a trade, but less likely to be an OF with Waters hurt.
Thanks for the in-person updates! Yeah, I think that Massey is taking control of the job. I still think Lopez is making a bit of a mistake in not being in camp, but also I can't fault him for wanting to compete in the WBC.
As for Olivares, I think there may be a trade market that develops and I do think he could be the guy who goes to make some room for someone, but also the Royals are pretty lefty-heavy in their starting lineup, so they might be hesitant to move a right-handed bat like his.
Love the write-up, though the thought of Olivares playing a corner has me feeling the heebie-jeebies and I don't think my health plan covers that. Still, you have to hope that bat will compensate for the occasional misplayed routine flyball. Like the old adage, 'Who cares if you let in one run when you can drive in two!' which generally applied to Boog Powell. Love your work, don't you have a little one now? Can't keep up in the offseason.
Yeah, I think Olivares in a starting outfield spot is what makes Eaton so valuable (and maybe JBJ I guess). Not that they're a championship team, but I do wonder how many games weren't lost in 2014/2015 because of Dyson coming in late.
And yep, I do have a little one. She's 14 weeks today actually and (generally) so much fun!
WHAT? You don't have heebie-jeebie insurance? How irresponsible of you!
Tom, I think you win the day by mentioning Boog Powell. (As an aside, you must be as old as dirt, like me!)
Can't help but think of Dick Howser & Quiz.
https://www.inquirer.com/news/inq2/astroturf-vet-artificial-turf-pfas-forever-chemicals-glioblastoma-cancer-phillies-1980-20230307.html
Good projections especially as camp develops. Funny to me how a team that projects so poorly has so many roster spots locked down. I do like the middle of the order with Vinnie P, Perez and Reyes.
Am I reading too much into the potential Omaha infield of Loftin 3B, Garcia SS, Taylor 2B and Pratto 1B? That looks like a good AAA infield with upside - Beaty and/or Camargo as insurance policies.
I think part of why they have so much locked down, though, is because it's a lot of young guys.
But yeah, that's a really fun infield in AAA. Might be more fun some days than the big league group, though Vinnie, Witt and Massey is young and fun too.
I love his columns!
I love Davids’ columns! Always a great read. I think this team is a lot closer than most people think.
I remember when the Minnesota Twins gave up on a no position hitter that had a lot of thump. He was DFA'd and I thought, man that guy had some power. Would love to see him in a Royals uniform. Now I'm not saying Franmil Reyes is the next coming of David Ortiz but I do love the signing and the fact that he has a few years of control beyond this one. I honestly do not care if he has to stand in LF once or twice a week as long as we have his legitimate power in the lineup on a daily basis. I welcome a problem of finding enough DH time for 3 quality hitters in Perez, Reyes, and Pasquantino. Just hit baby and we can find a spot for you.
I don't know that you've seen Reyes in the outfield if you're good with him out there 30-50 times, but I do agree that finding that kind of power can be huge for the team. He is only under team control through 2024, but it's a worthy flyer regardless.