Series 6 Pack: Kansas City Royals
1. In your mind, how far away are the Royals from being a contender in the AL Central? What offseason moves/acquisitions do you feel are necessary?
There’s a segment of Royals fans who think that NEXT season is within reach for contention. I’m on the fence. Even with all the young talent coming up this year, it’s still young talent. It takes time to become a winning team and the Royals are still in last now. So there’s a way to go.
That being said, there are very encouraging signs. Eric Hosmer is a mix of hitting ability, power and defense that the Royals haven’t seen in a long time at first base. Johnny Giavotella has done nothing but hit in the minors and his glove is at least capable. Then there’s the rejuvenation of Alex Gordon and Melky Cabrera, the most valuable players on this team.
An improved defense and a young, dynamic bullpen give the Royals a couple of pieces that contenders must have. The only glaring question is the starting rotation. Danny Duffy is best suited to a very good #3 starter or a quite good #2, but may be relied upon to be the ace next season. Luke Hochevar may never live up to his #1 overall selection in 2006, and Felipe Paulino has looked fine, but has a rough track record. The Royals need one and hopefully two starters who can lead a rotation. My key target is Mark Buerhle, but who knows if he ever leaves Chicago.
2. Seeing how decent Zack Greinke has performed in Milwaukee this year, what type of reaction/emotions are spewing from Royals fans about the trade of the former Cy Young winner?
Many people weren’t that upset when he was traded, mostly due to comments that he made last August where he questioned the ability of the Royals to be any closer to contention by the end of Greinke’s contract (which ends next year). He might be right, but it still didn’t sit well with fans.
Considering how some teams have been left wanting when trading high-profile pitchers (I’m thinking of the weak return the Diamondbacks got for Dan Haren), the Royals got a good haul for Greinke. Alcides Escobar should get the mantle ready for multiple Gold Gloves, and his hitting has really come around in the second half. Jake Odorizzi may be the top pitching prospect in the system right now, Jeremy Jeffress can hit triple figures with his fastball and complement it with a 79 mph hook (though his command is sketchy) and Lorenzo Cain has a ton of athleticism and some pop for a center fielder. I liked the trade then and I like it more today.
I’d like to have his arm back at the front of the staff though.
3. Just how good is Eric Hosmer and does he get included in the AL Rookie of the Year conversation? Is he a cornerstone type player that the Royals can build a team around?
Hosmer’s having a good but not great season. He’s been streaky as the league has adjusted, but to his credit he’s adjusted right back. I figure Michael Pineda wins the award, and Mark Trumbo is having a pretty good year, especially in the mainstream stats, but Hosmer has potential to turn it up the last six weeks of the year and get back in the discussion. I predict he’ll finish third in voting.
Long-term, there are very few players I’d want on this team other than Hosmer. He has strong defense, a good arm (when necessary) and I think he could be an MVP contender one the Royals start winning. I’d have no problem with the Royals giving him a ten-year deal right now. He’s the template for a #3 hitter.
4. Another small market team, the Pittsburgh Pirates were in the thick of the NL Central division race right up to the end of August. What type of confidence does that give Royals fans, seeing that a small market team can compete by drafting and developing young talent?
Pittsburgh’s success is encouraging, if for no other reason than they’ve built their team in ways very similar to the Royals. The Pirates haven’t been shy about spending in the draft, and they’ve added a lot of talent that otherwise may not have been available.
The Royals have spent almost $20 million on the draft and international free agents in 2011 alone. There’s a developing pipeline of talented players coming into the organization as a result, which helps, since in years past, the Royals may have three very good prospects, but no safety net behind them. When Alex Gordon struggled right away, there was near panic, because a player with superstar expectations was failing and there was no insurance. That’s not the case now. If Mike Moustakas isn’t the guy, Cheslor Cuthbert maybe be up in two or three years. There are a ton of shortstop prospects where the Royals used to have …. Tony Pena Jr. and nothing else in development.
5. Jeff Francis went from stud to dud in a short career. Do you see Francis a fit with this club next year or has he pitched himself out of a job in KC?
Francis’s FIP and xFIP aren’t that bad, and he has very good control (less than 2 BB/9), but where he struggles is when he has to make one pitch to get around a batter. He doesn’t have strikeout stuff and when he gets hit, he gets hit hard.
I think there’s a spot for him, but with Mike Montgomery, Aaron Crow (who may move to the rotation) or other potential free agents out there, I don’t think he’ll be in Kansas City next year. He’s shown that he can handle a full season’s workload, which was his main reason for signing a small, incentive-laden deal in the offseason. He’s still a former first round pick, though the luster is off for sure.
6. Are you in favor of the much talked about realignment in the MLB? If so, which way do you feel is best suited for the Royals?
I really don’t like the idea. I guess an extra playoff spot would make the first round bye worth playing for, but I still have enough purist in me to where I don’t want to see a lot of shuffling.
If it happened though, I would hope the AL Central stayed as is. The Twins are losing their magic and the prospects aren’t stepping in quite the same as past rookies have when called into action. Detroit has some good arms in the rotation and more on the way, but they also have a lineup that’s not nearly as epic as they’ve had in the past. The White Sox are one of the more confusing teams to me when it comes to building a roster, and they’re not getting much younger either, and I just don’t buy most of Cleveland’s young players other than Carlos Santana and Asdrubal Cabrera. Plus those teams haven’t invested in their minor leagues like the Royals have, which gives me hope that in five years, the Royals will be dominant in the division year after year.
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