Excellent article! It is really helpful to put the names into the places to see how all of this will work next year, without hurting the ensuing years. Stubbornly trying to win now, instead of giving the looks that we need to give the looks to, is not integrity, but foolishness. This time, do not hurt the long term to help 2022. To me, do not trade MJ and Lynch for a current innings eater. Do not trade good long term pieces to fill a current hold with an average solution. Hitting it great in 2023 and beyond is better than a 2022 that ends up like 2021. Buckle down and figure out, and do, what needs to be done to get Lynch and Kowar making respectable progress in KC. Do not rush Witt or Pratto, plus, realize, that it will take them a year or two after they get here (like for Hosmer and Moose, etc.) to really hit their stride. Do not ignore reality. But do not ruin the future. Easy to say. Hard to do. But very important to do.
While I obviously agree with your general premise, part of winning long-term is determining which prospects are best to move. And I don't them moving MJ or Lynch or anyone for someone who is only under team control for a year or two, but if they can get a piece for three or four years, that's something they obviously need to look at. You can't just hoard every prospect; part of the point of the farm system is to trade them for big leaguers as well. So I'm okay with them moving anyone really, but just as long as it doesn't try to serve the 2022 and maybe even 2023 master and really looks at the longer-term.
I agree. If/when the time is right, and you know what you have and what you need (not just someone to eat innings for a year, but the long term pieces) then, if you are missing a rook, and they are missing a bishop, then I absolutely agree to trade your A prospect, in the position you need, for theirs, in the position they need.
I believe the Royals inadvertently set this losing spiral in motion on the final day of the 2017 season.
I can’t find the quote, but I remember Dayton saying something about how they’d never again do a Senior Day style sendoff for players like they did for the core four. It sent a clear message: The fun is over, and we aren’t going to be good for a very long time. The players took that to heart, and that played a big role in the 100-loss seasons in 2018 and 2019.
Look, talent matters more than anything. The Royals know that. But setting that expectation … that you’re going to win … has to come first. This is about culture and a slow build toward a sustained winner. The front office believes you do that by putting the best team on the field that you possibly can every single day.
I feel frustrated about how this year’s gone, but it isn’t NEARLY as bad as 18 and 19. This group is clearly much better, record be damned. They’ve clearly overhauled the approach toward development.
Something I’ve always thought: Dayton and his team made a ton of mistakes from 2006-2012, and they STILL won two pennants and a World Series, not to mention two guys breaking the team home record, and developing Gold Glovers and All Stars everywhere.
Imagine the amazing things that could happen in the second act, after they’ve learned from their mistakes. I can’t wait.
I agree that you have to set a tone. 100%. And that’s why I put the caveat at the beginning that talk is just that. But at the same time, I do hope the actions are realistic, which is why I went through this exercise of what needs to happen for them to compete and also the conclusion that I don’t especially care what they do to win in 2022 as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the longer-term window. So I think we’re on a similar page if not the same one.
I do completely agree that they are heading in the right direction developmentally in the minors. That’s where the depth can begin to come from moving forward.
Witt at 3B, Mondi at SS, Nicky at 2B, Pratto at 1B, and Sal at C means essentially gold glove caliber defense at every infield position, and our starters need every bit of help they can get.
Isbell has started to heat up big time lately, and even tho his overall numbers aren't great, he's hit the ball hard. K% seems to be dropping.
The Royals never have the budget to bring in big time FA starters but the addition of some innings capable vets, a la Edison Volquez, Jason Vargas would be wise.
Excellent article! It is really helpful to put the names into the places to see how all of this will work next year, without hurting the ensuing years. Stubbornly trying to win now, instead of giving the looks that we need to give the looks to, is not integrity, but foolishness. This time, do not hurt the long term to help 2022. To me, do not trade MJ and Lynch for a current innings eater. Do not trade good long term pieces to fill a current hold with an average solution. Hitting it great in 2023 and beyond is better than a 2022 that ends up like 2021. Buckle down and figure out, and do, what needs to be done to get Lynch and Kowar making respectable progress in KC. Do not rush Witt or Pratto, plus, realize, that it will take them a year or two after they get here (like for Hosmer and Moose, etc.) to really hit their stride. Do not ignore reality. But do not ruin the future. Easy to say. Hard to do. But very important to do.
While I obviously agree with your general premise, part of winning long-term is determining which prospects are best to move. And I don't them moving MJ or Lynch or anyone for someone who is only under team control for a year or two, but if they can get a piece for three or four years, that's something they obviously need to look at. You can't just hoard every prospect; part of the point of the farm system is to trade them for big leaguers as well. So I'm okay with them moving anyone really, but just as long as it doesn't try to serve the 2022 and maybe even 2023 master and really looks at the longer-term.
I agree. If/when the time is right, and you know what you have and what you need (not just someone to eat innings for a year, but the long term pieces) then, if you are missing a rook, and they are missing a bishop, then I absolutely agree to trade your A prospect, in the position you need, for theirs, in the position they need.
How about this year at the trade deadline, or over the winter, the tables turn, and we get someone's Sean Manea, for our Whit Merrifield/Ben Zobrist?
I’m all for that.
I believe the Royals inadvertently set this losing spiral in motion on the final day of the 2017 season.
I can’t find the quote, but I remember Dayton saying something about how they’d never again do a Senior Day style sendoff for players like they did for the core four. It sent a clear message: The fun is over, and we aren’t going to be good for a very long time. The players took that to heart, and that played a big role in the 100-loss seasons in 2018 and 2019.
Look, talent matters more than anything. The Royals know that. But setting that expectation … that you’re going to win … has to come first. This is about culture and a slow build toward a sustained winner. The front office believes you do that by putting the best team on the field that you possibly can every single day.
I feel frustrated about how this year’s gone, but it isn’t NEARLY as bad as 18 and 19. This group is clearly much better, record be damned. They’ve clearly overhauled the approach toward development.
Something I’ve always thought: Dayton and his team made a ton of mistakes from 2006-2012, and they STILL won two pennants and a World Series, not to mention two guys breaking the team home record, and developing Gold Glovers and All Stars everywhere.
Imagine the amazing things that could happen in the second act, after they’ve learned from their mistakes. I can’t wait.
I agree that you have to set a tone. 100%. And that’s why I put the caveat at the beginning that talk is just that. But at the same time, I do hope the actions are realistic, which is why I went through this exercise of what needs to happen for them to compete and also the conclusion that I don’t especially care what they do to win in 2022 as long as it doesn’t negatively impact the longer-term window. So I think we’re on a similar page if not the same one.
I do completely agree that they are heading in the right direction developmentally in the minors. That’s where the depth can begin to come from moving forward.
Witt at 3B, Mondi at SS, Nicky at 2B, Pratto at 1B, and Sal at C means essentially gold glove caliber defense at every infield position, and our starters need every bit of help they can get.
Isbell has started to heat up big time lately, and even tho his overall numbers aren't great, he's hit the ball hard. K% seems to be dropping.
The Royals never have the budget to bring in big time FA starters but the addition of some innings capable vets, a la Edison Volquez, Jason Vargas would be wise.
Based on this past offseason, they might actually sign both of those guys. Kidding. Sort of.
Lol
Imagine how sleepy Jason would be in 2021.
Other than that, they have to stay healthy and produce at at least career average levels.
Mondesi in center would clear up the log jam, at least until he got hurt again. Or let Whit play 2nd and have Lopez be super sub.
Squint really hard, seems like that may apply to most mid to bottom feeders. :-)
Rivera has earned being in the conversation as making them earn positions could be perhaps the biggest cultural shift they need (accountability).
SP seems like a very long way off vs the top shelf teams.