David, are you hands cramping? I’m pretty certain that was 5 articles in 5 days! That may not have happened since the first two weeks of the season.
I’m getting the sneaky feeling we are going to look up at the end of the year and Singer is going to have a 4.25 era with slightly less peripherals than he has had throughout his career but pretty darn close to his career numbers. Trade him, don’t trade him, whatever they decide to do I just want them to realize he is what he is telling us he is. A 3.75-4.25 era range pitcher, a good 3-4 starter. A solid starter that’s fine, but not a top of the rotation piece. I was hopeful for more as well, but he is what he is. He can have an outlier 4.75 era (still could this year), or an outlier 3.15 era one year, but in general he is what his career numbers are telling us. As long as they don’t move him because they still think he is going to be an ace….which the fact that they even talked about moving him this deadline has me hopeful they acknowledge what he is too. That or they just know he’s a stubborn mule and are ok moving on now. The strikeouts are the only thing that give me pause right now. But as always, results are results.
I honestly don't know that I've written five in a week since before the season, but maybe!
Yeah, I said this a few weeks ago, but I think Singer is who he is and that's fine. Just reading between some lines, I get the impression that the Royals tried to work something out with him after they exchanged arbitration numbers and they couldn't. So they went to arbitration, which, whatever. And knowing that, he was available for the right deal this winter.
Maybe they revisit that extension, but I'd imagine after an uneven year and a year closer to free agency, it probably isn't going to be easier to get something done. So he may move this winter. Or he may not. Pitchers are different than hitters, so I think you can probably wait as long as you can wait to move Witt if he doesn't sign. I'm fine going year to year and trading once the right deal comes along. I'm fine if they want to give him 5/50 or something too. He's a legitimate big league starting pitcher who might give you a year like 2022 and he might give you a year like 2021 or this year.
You might know more about this than me but it seems pretty obvious that when Civale was traded for top 50 player….the royals said “there is the market” and held firm on wanting that back from a team. I think they still probably hold that line this offseason. Which, is fine, but I get the impression Singer only throwing 2 pitches (Civale’s 4) and stubbornness might be working against the Royals in the trade market a little bit. I could be wrong, but they are the same player…so can easily see the Royals using that trade as the market “or line in the sand” as they said.
Just get the most value out of him, as long as we stop wasting value on guys, we will get better and be competent. Just do it enough times, hopefully we have a couple down now.
You keep saying they're the same player, but I don't see any indication that the league values them that way. I think the general thought on Singer is better or at least more valuable than Civale (edit here for an explanation I meant to include: it's because of durability; Civale is solid but hasn't been able to stay on the mound), but the question is do you get a top-50 prospect (though I also talked to one scout who thinks Manzardo is drastically overrated) or do you want multiple guys?
The other side of that is that the Rays were willing to trade Manzardo, but I don't think the Royals really valued a first baseman like him and I'm also kind of thinking they're right if that's the case. It's just difficult to compare the two and the potential return.
I just mean, they should be valued about the same based on stats, contract, etc. The WAR for Singer is lik 7ish and Civale 6ish or so with eerily similar counting stats. It’s certainly possible the Rays knew what they were doing and Manzardo is overrated. It also seems likely the market doesn’t view them quite the same for whatever reason (wonder if it’s just the two pitch mix and I’m sure the league knows he’s stubborn). It’s just interesting to me they should be very comparable, but aren’t for whatever reason it seems like.
I guess, one hope is that the general thought isn’t that Singer is more valuable than Civale. I hope people view them about the same. Only meaning, if you have a realistic view of what you have, you can make better decisions. But you make a good point on durability. Anyway, you would think they are valued close to the same, and maybe they are the Rays just know exactly what they are doing. Seems very likely.
My guess is the Rays saw something they liked in Civale and had a prospect in a position of depth that Cleveland could really use and it all worked out. I wouldn’t be too surprised if they would have made the same deal with the Royals, but the Royals didn’t want to go down that road with a first base only prospect who has only been okay in AAA.
Sweeney said something in the last couple days about Singer being a little more willing to throw the changeup, and while I don't think the words "buying in" were used, I thought that was the gist of it; which makes me happy for both singer and the coaching
An undefeated home stand after I show up at the K for the first time in several years? Coincidence or Sungwoo like? Probably the first, but if John Sherman wants to provide me with use of a private jet and season tickets, it wouldn’t be the worst investment in this team.
Fun times ... of course at this point you can't stop writing until the streak ends (knock on wood). And I've watched that DP 25 times and still can't figure out how BWJ got that much velocity on the throw from the position he was in. Also, if the Royals ever stop winning (knock on wood again), maybe a piece on the new rules now that we're well over halfway through? Realize others have commented but maybe some hometown observations. Purely subjective, but I've enjoyed watching games this year, win or lose, more than at any time I can remember since I was a kid in the 80s.
I generally keep a running list of some offseason ideas and I figured I'd dive into the rule stuff after the year, but I like everything they've done quite a bit. I think there's some refinement opportunities that I'd like to see, but the quicker games are fantastic and I don't feel like I'm losing much of anything. I'm surprised baseball did something right for once!
Thanks for the first half vs. second half comparison. That puts things in context. It sure was a fun week. Playing in Philly and Fenway is unlikely to be as gratifying, but no matter what, my morale is boosted for the future.
Thanks for all the recent write-ups - I am consuming as much media as I can while the royals are riding high. I have watched the Massey-BWJ double play no less than a dozen times.
Of all the sweep games I thought yesterdays was the most fun, they looked downright dominant. And wow do I love Garcia, that kid is solid.
I am also loving Salvy at first. Does that increase his trade value? I thought Anne rogers piece on that was interesting, she seems to have the pulse of the team, so it makes me suspicious the Royals are trying to ease us into giving up a favorite slowly; but I am already all in if we can get some good pitching prospects.
Which leads me to BWJ. I have been a vocal supporter and fan even when most everyone was down on his defense, but if we could get some good pitching prospects for him at next years deadline so we start start seeing a decent team again in '25, I would happily suck up the tears. Saw your discussion with Joel how 2025 would be the year to trade, but I am for 2024 deadline. I know this won't happen with the stadium optics - but I think by this time next year they should trade or have signed longterm (and wow what optics that would be for them!). I just don't know if any one is worth signing a long term deal though in the state Royals are in.
The optics would be the reason not to in 24 though. I know the Royals don’t win the PR game….and Lesky will say it doesn’t matter…and he’s probably right. But if the Royals ever asked me what the PR move with Bobby is and the stadium situation. The best move they can make is sign him to a big ass deal this offseason…show your investment…and then immediately push the stadium. Because, realistically, I think they are going to have a hard time getting FA to sign here again and thats how they can show they are investing in this team. If they can’t sign him, wait till 25 like Lesky said and hope the stadium deal goes through before you trade him for A LOT.
If the right move is also great for PR, it's more reason to do it, but I just don't want to do anything for PR only. If they can sign Witt between now and Opening Day, it's both the right move and a PR monster move.
I don't think first base does a whole lot to Salvy's trade value, but I don't think it hurts it as long as he looks good enough there at least.
They could certainly trade before the 2024 trade deadline, but I've never heard that there's a demonstrable difference between two years and two months and three years and two months in terms of value for a return. So with that in mind, unless you're concerned about regression, there's no reason to trade early if the deal isn't there. But as for anyone being worth signing long-term, it would be an 8-10 year deal. How long ago does the World Series feel? Because it was eight years. A LOT changes in a much shorter amount of time than anyone realizes.
My biggest concern would be getting pitching prospects in ASAP, not really concerned about regression, and trust your assessment of roughly equal value '25 v '24.
Agree with Joel, and your knowledge (if I am correctly recollecting early season newsletters): Royals would have to pay a higher price for decent FA's. Even then I don't think a great FA would take double money over championships, as they are probably already set.
Which is why I am finally good with eating a bunch of Salvys contract, even tho the return will no way be $ for $. I have come around to trading our stars as it's probably the only way we can acquire some good pitching sooner than later. It doesn't seem to be in the farm in the next year at least.
I think? everyone (writers, invested fans, FO, mgmt) would probably agree pitching and pitching depth is the number one priority for turning the Royals around. So I am ok with whatever it takes
Yes they can get super creative with long term contracts with options and incentives, so yeah, I can come around to a long term deal even though I think they would get more trading one of my favorites
We were at the game yesterday and Singer was outstanding! The hitting was good, but let me say my favorite two plays were the defensive gems you showed. WOW! Fun at the ol' ballpark.
David, are you hands cramping? I’m pretty certain that was 5 articles in 5 days! That may not have happened since the first two weeks of the season.
I’m getting the sneaky feeling we are going to look up at the end of the year and Singer is going to have a 4.25 era with slightly less peripherals than he has had throughout his career but pretty darn close to his career numbers. Trade him, don’t trade him, whatever they decide to do I just want them to realize he is what he is telling us he is. A 3.75-4.25 era range pitcher, a good 3-4 starter. A solid starter that’s fine, but not a top of the rotation piece. I was hopeful for more as well, but he is what he is. He can have an outlier 4.75 era (still could this year), or an outlier 3.15 era one year, but in general he is what his career numbers are telling us. As long as they don’t move him because they still think he is going to be an ace….which the fact that they even talked about moving him this deadline has me hopeful they acknowledge what he is too. That or they just know he’s a stubborn mule and are ok moving on now. The strikeouts are the only thing that give me pause right now. But as always, results are results.
I honestly don't know that I've written five in a week since before the season, but maybe!
Yeah, I said this a few weeks ago, but I think Singer is who he is and that's fine. Just reading between some lines, I get the impression that the Royals tried to work something out with him after they exchanged arbitration numbers and they couldn't. So they went to arbitration, which, whatever. And knowing that, he was available for the right deal this winter.
Maybe they revisit that extension, but I'd imagine after an uneven year and a year closer to free agency, it probably isn't going to be easier to get something done. So he may move this winter. Or he may not. Pitchers are different than hitters, so I think you can probably wait as long as you can wait to move Witt if he doesn't sign. I'm fine going year to year and trading once the right deal comes along. I'm fine if they want to give him 5/50 or something too. He's a legitimate big league starting pitcher who might give you a year like 2022 and he might give you a year like 2021 or this year.
You might know more about this than me but it seems pretty obvious that when Civale was traded for top 50 player….the royals said “there is the market” and held firm on wanting that back from a team. I think they still probably hold that line this offseason. Which, is fine, but I get the impression Singer only throwing 2 pitches (Civale’s 4) and stubbornness might be working against the Royals in the trade market a little bit. I could be wrong, but they are the same player…so can easily see the Royals using that trade as the market “or line in the sand” as they said.
Just get the most value out of him, as long as we stop wasting value on guys, we will get better and be competent. Just do it enough times, hopefully we have a couple down now.
You keep saying they're the same player, but I don't see any indication that the league values them that way. I think the general thought on Singer is better or at least more valuable than Civale (edit here for an explanation I meant to include: it's because of durability; Civale is solid but hasn't been able to stay on the mound), but the question is do you get a top-50 prospect (though I also talked to one scout who thinks Manzardo is drastically overrated) or do you want multiple guys?
The other side of that is that the Rays were willing to trade Manzardo, but I don't think the Royals really valued a first baseman like him and I'm also kind of thinking they're right if that's the case. It's just difficult to compare the two and the potential return.
I just mean, they should be valued about the same based on stats, contract, etc. The WAR for Singer is lik 7ish and Civale 6ish or so with eerily similar counting stats. It’s certainly possible the Rays knew what they were doing and Manzardo is overrated. It also seems likely the market doesn’t view them quite the same for whatever reason (wonder if it’s just the two pitch mix and I’m sure the league knows he’s stubborn). It’s just interesting to me they should be very comparable, but aren’t for whatever reason it seems like.
I guess, one hope is that the general thought isn’t that Singer is more valuable than Civale. I hope people view them about the same. Only meaning, if you have a realistic view of what you have, you can make better decisions. But you make a good point on durability. Anyway, you would think they are valued close to the same, and maybe they are the Rays just know exactly what they are doing. Seems very likely.
My guess is the Rays saw something they liked in Civale and had a prospect in a position of depth that Cleveland could really use and it all worked out. I wouldn’t be too surprised if they would have made the same deal with the Royals, but the Royals didn’t want to go down that road with a first base only prospect who has only been okay in AAA.
Sweeney said something in the last couple days about Singer being a little more willing to throw the changeup, and while I don't think the words "buying in" were used, I thought that was the gist of it; which makes me happy for both singer and the coaching
An undefeated home stand after I show up at the K for the first time in several years? Coincidence or Sungwoo like? Probably the first, but if John Sherman wants to provide me with use of a private jet and season tickets, it wouldn’t be the worst investment in this team.
We can't be too sure. Better get you out there for every game.
No offense, but "The Summer Of Murray" doesn't have the same zip.
LOL
Fun times ... of course at this point you can't stop writing until the streak ends (knock on wood). And I've watched that DP 25 times and still can't figure out how BWJ got that much velocity on the throw from the position he was in. Also, if the Royals ever stop winning (knock on wood again), maybe a piece on the new rules now that we're well over halfway through? Realize others have commented but maybe some hometown observations. Purely subjective, but I've enjoyed watching games this year, win or lose, more than at any time I can remember since I was a kid in the 80s.
I generally keep a running list of some offseason ideas and I figured I'd dive into the rule stuff after the year, but I like everything they've done quite a bit. I think there's some refinement opportunities that I'd like to see, but the quicker games are fantastic and I don't feel like I'm losing much of anything. I'm surprised baseball did something right for once!
That DP was stupid awesome.
Fingers crossed that sooner than later that can be the inspiration for a new season's marketing slogan : "Royals Baseball : Stupid Awesome!!!!!"
That feels painfully true sometimes!
Thanks for the first half vs. second half comparison. That puts things in context. It sure was a fun week. Playing in Philly and Fenway is unlikely to be as gratifying, but no matter what, my morale is boosted for the future.
Yeah, seems like there might be some big-time pitching regression, but hey, they took two of three from the Dodgers, so I guess you never know.
Thanks for all the recent write-ups - I am consuming as much media as I can while the royals are riding high. I have watched the Massey-BWJ double play no less than a dozen times.
Of all the sweep games I thought yesterdays was the most fun, they looked downright dominant. And wow do I love Garcia, that kid is solid.
I am also loving Salvy at first. Does that increase his trade value? I thought Anne rogers piece on that was interesting, she seems to have the pulse of the team, so it makes me suspicious the Royals are trying to ease us into giving up a favorite slowly; but I am already all in if we can get some good pitching prospects.
Which leads me to BWJ. I have been a vocal supporter and fan even when most everyone was down on his defense, but if we could get some good pitching prospects for him at next years deadline so we start start seeing a decent team again in '25, I would happily suck up the tears. Saw your discussion with Joel how 2025 would be the year to trade, but I am for 2024 deadline. I know this won't happen with the stadium optics - but I think by this time next year they should trade or have signed longterm (and wow what optics that would be for them!). I just don't know if any one is worth signing a long term deal though in the state Royals are in.
But for now HEYHEYHEYHEY!
The optics would be the reason not to in 24 though. I know the Royals don’t win the PR game….and Lesky will say it doesn’t matter…and he’s probably right. But if the Royals ever asked me what the PR move with Bobby is and the stadium situation. The best move they can make is sign him to a big ass deal this offseason…show your investment…and then immediately push the stadium. Because, realistically, I think they are going to have a hard time getting FA to sign here again and thats how they can show they are investing in this team. If they can’t sign him, wait till 25 like Lesky said and hope the stadium deal goes through before you trade him for A LOT.
If the right move is also great for PR, it's more reason to do it, but I just don't want to do anything for PR only. If they can sign Witt between now and Opening Day, it's both the right move and a PR monster move.
Yesterday was really fun and Garcia is a stud.
I don't think first base does a whole lot to Salvy's trade value, but I don't think it hurts it as long as he looks good enough there at least.
They could certainly trade before the 2024 trade deadline, but I've never heard that there's a demonstrable difference between two years and two months and three years and two months in terms of value for a return. So with that in mind, unless you're concerned about regression, there's no reason to trade early if the deal isn't there. But as for anyone being worth signing long-term, it would be an 8-10 year deal. How long ago does the World Series feel? Because it was eight years. A LOT changes in a much shorter amount of time than anyone realizes.
My biggest concern would be getting pitching prospects in ASAP, not really concerned about regression, and trust your assessment of roughly equal value '25 v '24.
Agree with Joel, and your knowledge (if I am correctly recollecting early season newsletters): Royals would have to pay a higher price for decent FA's. Even then I don't think a great FA would take double money over championships, as they are probably already set.
Which is why I am finally good with eating a bunch of Salvys contract, even tho the return will no way be $ for $. I have come around to trading our stars as it's probably the only way we can acquire some good pitching sooner than later. It doesn't seem to be in the farm in the next year at least.
I think? everyone (writers, invested fans, FO, mgmt) would probably agree pitching and pitching depth is the number one priority for turning the Royals around. So I am ok with whatever it takes
(again replying to my reply)
Yes they can get super creative with long term contracts with options and incentives, so yeah, I can come around to a long term deal even though I think they would get more trading one of my favorites
We have no choice but to trust the process and pray better in house development!
But a Witt extension is a no-brainer.
I mean an extension with a yearly opt out! He will be here as long as he wants to.
We were at the game yesterday and Singer was outstanding! The hitting was good, but let me say my favorite two plays were the defensive gems you showed. WOW! Fun at the ol' ballpark.