Great article and some interesting candidates. I fully agree that they need to sign at least 2 proven vets - even with an upgrade at pitching coach we don't currently have the horses to be relevant.
On a different note, outside of the Dusty Wathan rumors the manager search has been very much under the radar and quiet. Thoughts on a timeline? I know realistically they could search through December, but just don't see how that helps with significant rebuilding required on the pitching side of things.
I hope that the Royals don't sign any pitcher over 30 years old to a contract for more than two years. Why? There is a big risk to it, which bigger markets are easier to absorb when they turnout to be disasters. For the Royals to become a non-door mat team they need to learn how to develop pitching because it's the currency of baseball. and the lifeblood of a small revenue team. It's a shame that Dayton Moore except for a few exceptions was a pauper in that resource.
As for the managerial search, even if I'm in the minority, I hope that they choose Dusty Wathan because he has as impressive credentials as the presumed favorite bench coach for the Rays.
Spend some money on a good pitching and develop some of the talent they have. Perez and Melendez should be framing pitches better than they do, strikes not called because of floating mitts. Attack the plate and quit wasting pitches.
Certainly feel better about some of the language coming out now about them looking to buy a couple arms. You’ve said from the beginning you thought it was just posturing from JJ. I guess, I don’t think anyone expected them to be in the market for the top guys anyway. I’d still like Clevinger out of that group on a prove it deal. I mean, I like anyone out of that group really…but I see some of these guys being hard to get to come to KC after they are coming off a winning team and later in careers. Maybe the $$ means more who knows.
Here’s a serious question tho. Why don’t teams spend $5 million a year on pitching coaches. I don’t care if you get 30 of them for that payroll. One Singer being produced a year more than covers that cost. Seems like that’s the inefficiency anymore. Maybe teams actually do that and just don’t make it public…IDK. But can’t the Royals just get a stable of pitching coaches and have each work with a specific pitcher or two? $150K for a pitching coach is peanuts if they can get said pitcher to a 4.5 era and usable innings.
Two would be very nice. Greinke and Bassitt or Taillon would work. It's time for some of the Royals younger pitchers to go on their predictable one year sabbatical for TJ surgery. Some of them certainly will, so building depth is essential to being able to approach the .500 mark.
Thanks for the insight, as always! The need for several PITCHERS and not reclamation projects is necessary. Minimal risk with big reward is great, provided is not at the expense of the entire staff. Resigning Greinke would definitely aid a QUALITY pitching coach with a younger staff. And that coach could not possibly be worse than his predecessor.
How about the irony of signing Syndegard, especially after the world series.
Regarding coaching, what are your thoughts regarding the new coach and current staff remaining? Current hitting staff has done well with the youngsters. Grifol has a great relationship with the team, as does Wilson. Hope they can see the balance and what has started.
Good piece. I know that the stat guys love their spreadsheets but I'm old skool and figure we need SPs that can get 4.50 ERAs with 180 innings, then spend the extra money on the BP, which was a disaster this year.
You mentioned Jackson Kowar in trade for Bassitt earlier in season. How much trade value do you thin k he has? Would a team looking to trim some payroll take a guy like Kowar for a starter who is getting little too expensive for them? I like Manaea, Bassitt and Eflin. Thor will get some big market attention with name recognition. Not a fan of the rest - think teams are buying the past or one good season, not next 2-3 years.
Great article and some interesting candidates. I fully agree that they need to sign at least 2 proven vets - even with an upgrade at pitching coach we don't currently have the horses to be relevant.
On a different note, outside of the Dusty Wathan rumors the manager search has been very much under the radar and quiet. Thoughts on a timeline? I know realistically they could search through December, but just don't see how that helps with significant rebuilding required on the pitching side of things.
I hope that the Royals don't sign any pitcher over 30 years old to a contract for more than two years. Why? There is a big risk to it, which bigger markets are easier to absorb when they turnout to be disasters. For the Royals to become a non-door mat team they need to learn how to develop pitching because it's the currency of baseball. and the lifeblood of a small revenue team. It's a shame that Dayton Moore except for a few exceptions was a pauper in that resource.
As for the managerial search, even if I'm in the minority, I hope that they choose Dusty Wathan because he has as impressive credentials as the presumed favorite bench coach for the Rays.
Spend some money on a good pitching and develop some of the talent they have. Perez and Melendez should be framing pitches better than they do, strikes not called because of floating mitts. Attack the plate and quit wasting pitches.
Certainly feel better about some of the language coming out now about them looking to buy a couple arms. You’ve said from the beginning you thought it was just posturing from JJ. I guess, I don’t think anyone expected them to be in the market for the top guys anyway. I’d still like Clevinger out of that group on a prove it deal. I mean, I like anyone out of that group really…but I see some of these guys being hard to get to come to KC after they are coming off a winning team and later in careers. Maybe the $$ means more who knows.
Here’s a serious question tho. Why don’t teams spend $5 million a year on pitching coaches. I don’t care if you get 30 of them for that payroll. One Singer being produced a year more than covers that cost. Seems like that’s the inefficiency anymore. Maybe teams actually do that and just don’t make it public…IDK. But can’t the Royals just get a stable of pitching coaches and have each work with a specific pitcher or two? $150K for a pitching coach is peanuts if they can get said pitcher to a 4.5 era and usable innings.
Two would be very nice. Greinke and Bassitt or Taillon would work. It's time for some of the Royals younger pitchers to go on their predictable one year sabbatical for TJ surgery. Some of them certainly will, so building depth is essential to being able to approach the .500 mark.
Thanks for the insight, as always! The need for several PITCHERS and not reclamation projects is necessary. Minimal risk with big reward is great, provided is not at the expense of the entire staff. Resigning Greinke would definitely aid a QUALITY pitching coach with a younger staff. And that coach could not possibly be worse than his predecessor.
How about the irony of signing Syndegard, especially after the world series.
Regarding coaching, what are your thoughts regarding the new coach and current staff remaining? Current hitting staff has done well with the youngsters. Grifol has a great relationship with the team, as does Wilson. Hope they can see the balance and what has started.
Good piece. I know that the stat guys love their spreadsheets but I'm old skool and figure we need SPs that can get 4.50 ERAs with 180 innings, then spend the extra money on the BP, which was a disaster this year.
You mentioned Jackson Kowar in trade for Bassitt earlier in season. How much trade value do you thin k he has? Would a team looking to trim some payroll take a guy like Kowar for a starter who is getting little too expensive for them? I like Manaea, Bassitt and Eflin. Thor will get some big market attention with name recognition. Not a fan of the rest - think teams are buying the past or one good season, not next 2-3 years.