Daily Clips
February 10, 2018
LOCAL
Wide-open battles highlight Royals' roster
February 9, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Inbox: Could Mondesi take over at SS in '18?
Beat reporter Jeffrey Flanagan responds to questions from Royals fans
February 9, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Welcome to spring: Five stories that could shape the Royals’ 2018 season
February 9, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals head to Surprise determined to compete
February 9, 2018FSKC.com (via AP)
NATIONAL
MLB free agency: Where the eight elite unsigned players will land
February 7, 2018By Bob Nightengale/USA Today Sports
MLB TRANSACTIONS
February 10, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Wide-open battles highlight Royals' roster
February 9, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
For the first time in many years, the Royals will enter Spring Training with a 25-man roster that is excitingly wide open.
There will be camp battles everywhere, from the rotation to the bullpen to the outfield to even first base, where Eric Hosmer manned the position for the last seven years, but he remains a free agent (and still on the Royals' radar as of this writing).
So, here's a very early and very bold prediction of the Opening Day 25-man roster.
Catchers (2): Salvador Perez, Drew Butera
While the Royals have talked much this offseason about dealing virtually anyone to accelerate the rebuild, general manager Dayton Moore has made it clear that the return for Perez in a trade likely would never be enough to move him. Butera will be in the final year of his two-year, $3.8 million deal, and the club feels he remains one of the top backup catchers in baseball.
First base (1): Eric Hosmer
OK, this is why these are called early 25-man projections. But the longer Hosmer stays on the free-agent market, the greater the chances are that the Royals can land him. It's probably a long shot but, it's still a possibility if he remains unsigned by another club. The fallback plan is Hunter Dozier, a right-handed-hitting former first-round pick that put up nice numbers at Class A and Double-A before scuffing a bit at Triple-A.
Second base (1): Whit Merrifield
Merrifield exceeded all expectations, having a breakout year in 2017 at age 28. After being sent to Omaha to start the season, he laid claim to second base after being recalled, hitting .288 with 19 home runs while leading the American League in stolen bases with 34.
Shortstop (1): Alcides Escobar
The Royals recently signed him to a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the belief that Raul Mondesi isn't quite ready to take over for a full year at shortstop. And Moore believes that especially in a rebuilding process, the shortstop position is vital in terms of consistently getting outs when possible.
Third base (1): Cheslor Cuthbert
Cuthbert had a solid 2016 (.274/.318/.413 in 475 at-bats) filling in for the injured Mike Moustakas. As a backup in 2017, he played in 58 games and hit two homers with a .231 average. The Royals believe he will shine again in 2018 as a full-time starter getting regular at-bats.
Starting outfield (3): Alex Gordon, Paulo Orlando, Jorge Bonifacio
Gordon admitted he had an abysmal year offensively in 2017 (.208, nine homers), but he did win his fifth Gold Glove Award, so there was defensive contribution. And he was encouraged by a 20-game stretch in September when he slashed .317/.403/.587, with five doubles and four home runs. Orlando steps into the void of departed center fielder Lorenzo Cain. After hitting .302 with 24 doubles, four triples and five home runs in 2016, Orlando couldn't hold a starting job in 2017. Bonifacio was one of the pleasant surprises of 2017, emerging to hit 17 home runs in 113 games as a rookie. The right field job is his to lose.
Designated hitter/bench (3): Ramon Torres, Jorge Soler, Billy Burns
Manager Ned Yost likes Torres as a utility guy who can switch-hit and play anywhere on the infield. He didn't show it last year in just 33 games, but he has some pop in his bat. Soler -- who is out of options -- needs a breakthrough year after being acquired at the 2016 Winter Meetings for Wade Davis. Soler told The Kansas City Star recently that he shed 20 pounds and developed a change in his swing mechanics (loading his back leg more consistently) that could provide dividends in 2018 as the primary DH or part-time outfielder. Burns, another outfielder out of options, figures to land as the fourth outfielder -- he's a speedy switch-hitter who can pinch-run and play all three outfield positions well.
Rotation (5): LHP Danny Duffy, RHP Ian Kennedy, RHP Jason Hammel, RHP Nate Karns, RHP Jakob Junis
After having a procedure to clean out some "loose bodies" behind his left elbow last fall, Duffy said that he is throwing pain-free for the first time in a long time. If he's good to go, he's the best starter on the staff. Kennedy was hampered by an injured hamstring in 2017 that really destroyed his season (5.38 ERA). He said that he has made steps this offseason in his conditioning to prevent a repeat.
The final numbers (5.29 ERA) for Hammel were obviously not what he or the Royals were looking for when they signed him to a two-year, $16 million deal prior to last season. His name has come up a lot in trade talks as the Royals continue to look to shave payroll (especially if they re-sign Hosmer).
Karns showed flashes of dominance (29 strikeouts during a three-game stretch in May) and he is hoping that thoracic outlet syndrome surgery last summer could be the stepping stone to an injury-free 2018. Junis (9-3, 4.30 ERA) showed that his curveball could be an out pitch in his rookie season. He gave up three earned runs or less in 12 of his 16 starts. He has a bright future.
Bullpen (8): RHP Kelvin Herrera, RHP Wily Peralta, RHP Brandon Maurer, RHP Jesse Hahn, RHP Kevin McCarthy, RHP Brad Keller, RHP Burch Smith, LHP Brian Flynn
Herrera is the likely closer even though he lost his job to Mike Minor last September. Herrera could also be trade bait (he made $7,937,500 in 2017 and is headed toward arbitration). Signed as a free agent from Milwaukee, Peralta almost exclusively has been a starter in his career. He could get that chance again with the Royals, but don't be shocked if the Royals experiment with him as a late-inning guy, even as a closer. He can bring it at 96-98 mph.
Inbox: Could Mondesi take over at SS in '18?
Beat reporter Jeffrey Flanagan responds to questions from Royals fans
February 9, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
We're just a few days away from pitchers and catchers reporting for Spring Training (on Tuesday), so here's our last Royals Inbox before the fun starts.
We start with a question about shortstop Raul Mondesi and his immediate future with the Royals.
@ewieberg: If Mondesi has another solid start in AAA, do you think the Royals will call him up mid-season to play over Escobar? Or was Escobar signed to play another 162?
That's really a good question, Eric. General manager Dayton Moore seemed fairly adamant two weeks ago that Alcides Escobar was signed to play regularly again. But the truth is, Mondesi is the future. If Mondesi shines at Triple-A, the guess here is that the Royals wouldn't hesitate to start the future rolling now. But they have to be 100 percent convinced that Mondesi can withstand the rigors of everyday life in the bigs.
@BigSamMob: What do things look like for Richard Lovelady this year? Do you think he will be in KC early this season? I know he was at AA last year, but the team likes what they see.
The Royals never have been afraid of promoting someone from Double-A to the bigs. They love Richard Lovelady's stuff. Considering their rebuilding phase, I would be very surprised if he doesn't get called up at some point this season, unless he struggles in the Minors.
@KingGuwoop: Over/under 70 wins this year? Maybe a final win prediction too?
Over. It could get rough through this rebuilding period, but my guess is that there will be a new sense of energy around this year's team. I'm not saying this team will win 90 games and make the playoffs, but this front office and coaching staff won't allow for a tank job.
@hotchman: Which Minor League player that is invited to camp are you most excited to see?
Two guys, really. Lovelady for one, and right-hander Kevin Lenik, who is a fascinating story. The Royals signed Lenik, a former Rangers farmhand, out of the independent Frontier League and he dominated in the Minors last season. He is 6-foot-5, 225 pounds with a 95-99 mph fastball. He had a minor setback in winter ball, but is healthy now. Small-market teams like the Royals live for scouting finds like this.
@MMoxley17: Does Gallagher have any realistic chance of winning the backup catcher job?
The Royals are very high on Cam Gallagher, but there'd have to be an injury to Salvador Perez or Drew Butera for him to make the 25-man roster this season. They love Butera as the backup, with good reason. Gallagher has a bright future, and Royals fans saw a glimpse of his potential last season.
@KansasJeremy: biggest surprise name that ends up on opening day roster?
I love these questions. I'll say Lenik.
@69mstang: Percentage chance of retaining Hoz?
By far the most-asked question I get. Obviously, the longer Eric Hosmer stays out there unsigned, the greater the chance he signs with the Royals. Moore is being cautious about saying too much about Hosmer. But I still have a hunch he ends up back in KC. I've been wrong before.
@Scott_ZT: Will the Royals make it a priority to get Bonifacio and Soler everyday AB’s in 2018?
Yes, I would be shocked if Jorge Bonifacio isn't the everyday right fielder getting 600 plate appearances. And Jorge Soler is out of options, so he'll get his chance.
@BillCarle1: I'll take "Who Plays First?" for $100, Alex. What do the Royals think about Frank Schwindel?
The Royals still have high hopes for Frank Schwindel and Ryan O'Hearn, even though they weren't put on the 40-man roster. Schwindel is more advanced offensively, but I have to say that I thought O'Hearn's swing (from what I saw last spring) is as smooth as anyone's in the organization.
Welcome to spring: Five stories that could shape the Royals’ 2018 season
February 9, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
The forever cliche is that hope springs eternal, even as your hometown club embarks on another rebuilding plan, even as the memories of champagne and parades fade into the past, even as the sport itself is racked by uncertainty, strife and a looming labor battle.
Baseball is baseball, and spring is spring, on a Tuesday morning in Arizona, pitchers and catchers will report to Royals camp in the desert sunshine.
So why does this feel so different? Maybe it is the uncertainty surrounding Eric Hosmer, who remains unemployed in the final days before camp. Maybe it is the abundance of familiar faces that have departed, from Wade Davis (last year) to Lorenzo Cain (last month) to Mike Moustakas (not yet). Maybe it is the sluggish offseason free-agent market that has sapped the heat from the hot stove and ground the game to a halt.
Yet here we are, not yet three years removed from a World Series championship and headed into a new era in Kansas City, one of rebuilding and development and re-stocking the farm system. For the first time in at least four seasons, the postseason expectations are gone. The measurements for success are different.
The 25 players who will take the field at Kauffman Stadium on March 29 will not view it this way, of course, because baseball is baseball and hope still springs. But as camp opens next week, the challenges will be greater, the question marks bigger, the talent pool thinner. The Royals are poised to enter a great transition, bridging the gap from one era to the next, and there is no telling what happens now. But on the eve of another spring, here are five stories that could shape the 2018 season.
1. So, who is on first?
Eric Hosmer is still a free agent. Still. Three months after he officially hit the open market for the first time. He reportedly has nine-figure offers from both the Royals and San Diego Padres. The offer to remain in Kansas City is believed to be worth somewhere in the neighborhood of $140 million.
To this point, however, those offers have not been sufficient. It’s unclear whether other teams have entered or been involved in the process at this late date. But Hosmer is reportedly still seeking a deal longer than seven years, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan. Royals general manager Dayton Moore confirmed this week that the club has been in contact with Hosmer’s agent, Scott Boras. Moore declined to address those conversations or put a timeline on a potential deal.
“I’ve been fairly transparent throughout this process,” Moore said. “At this point, we just have to let it play out.”
The Royals remain focused on retaining Hosmer as they put the pieces in place for a rebuild. They also have few internal options at first base should Hosmer land elsewhere. This adds a wrinkle to negotiations. Kansas City is unlikely to contend whether Hosmer returns or not, but finding even a warm body to fill the spot becomes an interesting exercise.
The only first baseman on the 40-man roster is Samir Duenez, a 21-year-old who posted a .705 OPS at Class AA Northwest Arkansas last season. Two other nonroster invitees have had success in the high minors. Frank Schwindel, 25, hit .329 with 23 homers at Class AAA Omaha last season, while Ryan O’Hearn, 24, hit .253 with a .330 on-base percentage and 22 homers while splitting time between Omaha and Northwest Arkansas.
The club could also look to utilize third basemen Hunter Dozier, a former first-round pick, or Cheslor Cuthbert. They could also look to add a modestly-priced free agent. But for now, that search will be delayed until Hosmer makes a decision.
2. What — and where — is the future of shortstop Raul Mondesi?
Once the most promising prospect in the system, Mondesi made his major-league debut in the World Series, struggled in 2016, surprisingly won a job in spring training last season, and then shuttled back to the minors after a horrendous start at the plate. With shortstop Alcides Escobar a free agent, Mondesi appeared poised to start at the position in 2017. But the Royals retained Escobar on a cheap one-year deal — an insurance policy of sorts on Mondesi — and it is Escobar who appears positioned to start the season at shortstop.
Mondesi could be headed back to Class AAA Omaha. Whit Merrifield appears locked in at second base. But for how long? The Royals have been willing to listen to trade offers for Merrifield, who turned 29 this offseason and whose years of cheap club control increase his value.
For now, it will likely be Escobar and Merrifield up the middle. But if Mondesi answers durability questions and produces at the plate, how long can the Royals delay his development at the major-league level?
3. The next act of Danny Duffy
When the Royals signed Duffy to a five-year, $65 million contract last winter, it was a significant coup. In Duffy, club officials believed they had a top-of-the-rotation talent to pair — and push — Yordano Ventura, who was also signed to a long-term deal. Together, they could headline the rotation and offer a foundation moving forward. But just days later, Ventura was lost in a car crash in the Dominican Republic, and one year later, Duffy is back on a team maneuvering through change. He will anchor a rotation that will feature Ian Kennedy, Jason Hammel, Nate Karns (if healthy) and some competition at the back end. The newly acquired Jesse Hahn and Trevor Oaks will compete with Jakob Junis. Others involved include Sam Gaviglio, Eric Skoglund and Wily Peralta.
Duffy will seek to stay healthy while working with new pitching coach Cal Eldred, who replaced Dave Eiland this winter. He may also have to weather potential trade rumors should he have a great first half. The Royals fielded interest from rival clubs this winter on Duffy, who is under contract for four more seasons. Those calls could increase if the Royals are out of contention and teams are looking for a difference-making rotation piece at the deadline.
4. The Big Sort
While it’s easy to pronounce the Royals as a “rebuilding” club in 2018 — the definition is fairly loose — it’s more difficult to picture what the club will look like when it is ready to win again. Players such as outfielders Jorge Bonifacio and Jorge Soler, and third basemen Cuthbert and Dozier are certainly part of the puzzle this season. But what about in two to three years? So for now, the Royals will be afforded the opportunity to see which young players may be part of the future — and which holes will need to be filled by a gathering wave still in the low minor leagues or not yet in the system.