***Official 2019 Kansas City Royals Thread***

[r0yals2012]

World Series is over, time for a new thread. 2018 season stunk badly. Worst season ever. Do we make a splash in free agency this year? Is this Ned's last season (I am hoping so)? Is Whit, Duffman, someone else notable going to be traded in the offseason? I am hoping we make a few moves, maybe bring in a few low cost vets. I wouldn't be opposed to bringing Escobar back again, he'd be a nice bench piece or a pinch runner or something and he'd be very cheap. I'd say our outfield is shored up. I am hoping our bullpen is much improved. I'd like some starting pitching depth. I am hoping Maurer is non tendered. Here is a very early roster lineup for next year which I am predicting.

CF: Phillips/Goodwin
RF: Bonifacio/Soler (whoever is not playing will be DH)
LF: Gordon
1B: O'Hearn
2B: Merrifield
3B: Dozier
SS: Mondesi
C: Perez
DH: Perez/Bonifacio/Soler/Free Agent Guy (Depends on the opposing pitcher and who is playing the field that day)

SP: Duffy, Junis, Keller, Kennedy, Free Agent Signing (probably a bounce back candidate/workhorse guy. James Shields type guy would be a good example)

Bench: Free Agent Veteran Signing, Gallagher, Goodwin/Herrera

'Pen: Skoglund, McCarthy, Lopez, Lively, Fillmyer, Peralta, Lefty Free Agent Reliever

Battles in Spring Training for SP will be between: Free Agent Guy, Skoglund, Lively, Fillmyer, Lopez

[Skipscards]

Yeah, Ol’ Ned is gonna rode off into the sunset after this year. I’m sure of it.

Our bullpen...yikes.

[KCfan1985]

IF:
Bonifacio becomes as solid hitter w/20-25 HRs
Soler hits 30 HRs
Gordon stays merely "bad" at hitting rather than horrible
O'Hearn keeps doing what he did last year
Whit keeps doing what he did last year
Dozier improves to a .270/20 HR bat
Mondesi keeps doing what he did last year
Perez hits 25 HRs

and

Duffy can be a near All-Star type
Junis keeps improving
Keller keeps going well
Kennedy doesn't completely suck
Peralta is a solid closer

AND

Virtually no injuries to anyone important

then, they might be decent.

I think all of the above is possible, even if unlikely.

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by KCfan1985

IF:
Bonifacio becomes as solid hitter w/20-25 HRs
Soler hits 30 HRs
Gordon stays merely "bad" at hitting rather than horrible
O'Hearn keeps doing what he did last year
Whit keeps doing what he did last year
Dozier improves to a .270/20 HR bat
Mondesi keeps doing what he did last year
Perez hits 25 HRs

and

Duffy can be a near All-Star type
Junis keeps improving
Keller keeps going well
Kennedy doesn't completely suck
Peralta is a solid closer

AND

Virtually no injuries to anyone important

then, they might be decent.

I think all of the above is possible, even if unlikely.

And the bullpen. Yeah, the pen.

[r0yals2012]

We have brought back Wily Peralta

[r0yals2012]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

And the bullpen. Yeah, the pen.

Well I hope our bullpen does not include Flynn, Maurer, Hill, or Burch Smith. Flynn and Maurer are likely to be non tendered and I hope Hill and Smith are in Omaha

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by r0yals2012

Well I hope our bullpen does not include Flynn, Maurer, Hill, or Burch Smith. Flynn and Maurer are likely to be non tendered and I hope Hill and Smith are in Omaha

Truth.

Also, we’ve said goodbye to Hammel and Karns.

[r0yals2012]

Maurer, Ramon Torres, and Orlando are now free agents. I would think we could bring Orlando and Torres on a minor league contract for depth


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[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by r0yals2012

Maurer, Ramon Torres, and Orlando are now free agents. I would think we could bring Orlando and Torres on a minor league contract for depth


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Best news of the day right here.

[Skipscards]

Salvy and Gordo with Gold Gloves!

[KCfan1985]

Originally Posted by Skipscards

Salvy and Gordo with Gold Gloves!

I thought Cain would finally get one in the NL, but nope.
And its kind of interesting how Hosmer won so many with KC and he wasn't even a finalist in the NL. Must not have made enough friends in the NL willing to vote for him yet.

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by KCfan1985

I thought Cain would finally get one in the NL, but nope.
And its kind of interesting how Hosmer won so many with KC and he wasn't even a finalist in the NL. Must not have made enough friends in the NL willing to vote for him yet.

Yeah, me too. As for Hoz, I was rooting for him too but considering the tie between Freeman and Goldschmidt it’s less surprising.

[IowaCubs1]

This is the year, boys.

[Skipscards]

So, Bubba was non-tendered.

[r0yals2012]

Yeah, bet he comes back on a minor league deal. Also Burch Smith was DFA. Like that move a lot

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by r0yals2012

Yeah, bet he comes back on a minor league deal. Also Burch Smith was DFA. Like that move a lot

Agreed on all counts.

I also forgot to mention our hiring of Mike Matheny as a “special advisor”. I wonder if he ends up in the dugout next year when Ol’ Ned heads out to pasture.

[r0yals2012]

We have signed Chris Owings to a one year deal. Guess I can finally finish my dual rookie card with Matt Davidson already signed.


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[WSCards5]

Billy Hamilton Signed today on a 1 year deal with option for 2020

[r0yals2012]

I’m not a huge fan of the Hamilton deal. Would rather have pitching. We already have an abundance of outfielders


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[KCfan1985]

Originally Posted by r0yals2012

I’m not a huge fan of the Hamilton deal. Would rather have pitching. We already have an abundance of outfielders


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Sure do. Looks like Phillips is going to remain a bench guy until he shows he can hit some...which is of course hard to do when you're not playing much.
I assume they gotta keep playing Bonifacio--they need to get some power from somewhere (assuming he has any, post-drug suspension. Gordo of course seems untouchable. Soler - full-time DH.

Team is going to be blazing fast overall, although the speed of guys like Hamilton and Phillips is largely useless if they can't get on base.

In the end, barring a miracle and they're in contention, Hamilton is probably traded in July for a couple of lottery-ticket prospects.

[KUHawk]

A ballpark like ours is where a guy like Hamilton can really shine, not the bandbox that is the great american ballpark

[KCfan1985]

Originally Posted by KUHawk

A ballpark like ours is where a guy like Hamilton can really shine, not the bandbox that is the great american ballpark

He'll probably squeeze out a few more doubles and triples, but his hitting is pretty atrocious. He's basically Alcides Escobar with less doubles but a few more walks.
OPS+ of 66, 68, 77, 55 the last four seasons.
.626 OPS last year? .631 lifetime? YIKES

He can steal, but even then, his steals were down to 34 (prior 3 seasons were just below 60) despite playing more games.

Last 4 seasons - Steals, caught stealing
'15 - 57, 8
'16 - 58, 8
'17 - 59, 13
'18 - 34, 10

This looks like a terrible signing for the money.

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by r0yals2012

I’m not a huge fan of the Hamilton deal. Would rather have pitching. We already have an abundance of outfielders


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I love the signing. It’s not like 2019 will be any different than 2018 so, why not have some fun?

[r0yals2012]

Well, a few weeks ago we signed Gore to a Major League deal but we lost Rosie. I liked Rosell he was a decent, scrappy player who was fun to watch.

Also today we signed Zimmer to a Major League deal but we lost Ches. I liked Ches too he was always happy and had a smile on his face. But I guess with Owings signed he really wasn't needed.

Also is anyone else going to FanFest this month?

[Skipscards]

Originally Posted by r0yals2012

Well, a few weeks ago we signed Gore to a Major League deal but we lost Rosie. I liked Rosell he was a decent, scrappy player who was fun to watch.

Also today we signed Zimmer to a Major League deal but we lost Ches. I liked Ches too he was always happy and had a smile on his face. But I guess with Owings signed he really wasn't needed.

Also is anyone else going to FanFest this month?

I will miss Ches too but who knows? Maybe he’ll be back one day. Meanwhile, looks like we have a failed test...

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2019/...ames-peds.html