Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

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PITCHING MATCHUPS

10/02: LHP Carlos Rodon (5-15, 4.94) vs LHP Danny Duffy (6-12, 4.98)
10/03: RHP Matt Foster (4-13, 4.20) vs RHP Tanner Roark (7-10, 4.55)
10/04: RHP Dane Dunning (0-1, 11.57) vs RHP Jose De Leon (13-4, 2.98)

GAME RECAPS

Friday, October 2nd, 2020 - First pitch, 7:05 CST
Chi. Sox (71-89) 2, Kansas City (87-73) 4
Winner: Danny Duffy (7-12) Loser: Ian Hamilton (2-1) Save: Richard Lovelady (35)
HR-CHW: Tim Anderson (15) HR-CHW: None

PEREZ, ROYALS MAKE IT SEVEN

Kansas City rode a sparkling outing from starter Danny Duffy to a 4-2 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. The win marked the Royals' seventh straight victory.

Duffy, now 7-12, was the winner in what is likely his final start of 2020. In eight innings, he scattered six hits and two earned runs, while striking out seven without a walk.

Tied at two in the eighth, Salvador Perez stroked a two-run double off Ian Hamilton to give the Royals the lead, as Richard Lovelady wrapped it up with a five-pitch scoreless ninth for his 35th save of the season.

"We'll relax tonight and enjoy this win," said Duffy.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (74-86) 8, NY Yankees (89-71) 6
Tampa Bay (94-66) 3, Toronto (74-86) 4
Detroit (73-87) 3, Cleveland (88-72) 9
Chi. Sox (71-89) 2, Kansas City (87-73) 4
Seattle (76-84) 5, Texas (71-89) 4
Houston (110-50) 2, LA Angels (101-59) 5
Baltimore (59-101) 7, Oakland (64-96) 8

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
NY Mets (79-80) @ Cincinnati (55-104) -- PPD (Rain)
Pittsburgh (92-68) 5, Chi. Cubs (96-64) 9
Miami (65-95) 5, Philadelphia (77-83) 6
Atlanta (89-71) 2, Washington (93-67) 7
Milwaukee (81-79) 5, St. Louis (68-92) 0
Arizona (76-84) 3, LA Dodgers (89-71) 2
Colorado (62-98) 2, San Diego (86-74) 5
Minnesota (83-77) 3, San Francisco (77-83) 5

MAJOR NEWS/TRANSACTIONS
Mets activate OF Yoenis Cespedes from 15-day IL
White Sox place RHP Michael Kopech (wrist) on 15-day IL

Saturday, October 3rd, 2020 - First pitch, 7:05 CST
Chi. Sox (71-90) 0, Kansas City (88-73) 4
Winner: Bryan Brickhouse (5-2) Loser: Kelvin Herrera (9-7) Save: Richard Lovelady (36)
HR-CHW: None HR-CHW: Jorge Soler (40), Hunter Dozier (19)

K.C. KEEPS PACE WITH CLEVELAND

With the Royals needing every victory it can get to keep pace with Cleveland over the season's final days, Kansas City got an elite performance from starting pitcher Tanner Roark in taking a 4-0 decision over the Chicago White Sox, the Royals' eighth straight victory.

Roark went six and one-third innings, allowing no earned runs while scattering four hits with seven strikeouts.

Richard Lovelady was credited with the save; striking out out the side in the ninth. He has now successfully converted 36-of-38 save opportunities. Jorge Soler hit his 40th homerun of the season, effectively becoming the first Royal in team history with back-to-back 40-homerun seasons.

The game was scoreless through the first six-and-one-half innings until Hunter Dozier kicked off the scoring with a solo bomb in the bottom of the seventh. Kansas City went on to score another run on an Alex Gordon single in that frame, followed by Soler's two-run bomb in the eighth.

Unfortunately, Cleveland knocked off Detroit earlier in the day, so the Royals must win tomorrow and hope for a Cleveland loss to force a one-game playoff for the AL Central crown, as the Yankees wrapped up the wildcard with their victory.

"We cashed in when we had the chance," said Kansas City manager Mike Matheny.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (74-87) 8, NY Yankees (90-71) 9 (Final/10)
Tampa Bay (95-66) 5, Toronto (74-87) 3
Detroit (73-88) 5, Cleveland (89-72) 16
Chi. Sox (71-90) 0, Kansas City (88-73) 4
Seattle (76-85) 2, Texas (72-89) 7
Houston (111-50) 24 LA Angels (101-60) 3
Baltimore (60-101) 8, Oakland (64-97) 7

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
NY Mets (80-80) 8, Cincinnati (55-105) 3 (G1)
NY Mets (80-81) 2, Cincinnati (56-105) 3 (G2, Final/10)
Pittsburgh (93-68) 7, Chi. Cubs (96-65) 3
Miami (65-96) 3, Philadelphia (78-83) 6
Atlanta (90-71) 8, Washington (93-68) 5 (Final/11)
Milwaukee (82-79) 5, St. Louis (68-93) 4 (Final/10)
Arizona (76-85) 2, LA Dodgers (90-71) 4
Colorado (63-98) 3, San Diego (86-75) 2
Minnesota (84-77) 2, San Francisco (77-84) 0 (Final/10)

MAJOR NEWS/TRANSACTIONS
Twins place IF Ehire Adrianza (rib) out for five weeks, placed on 15-day IL
Angels activate LHP Andrew Heaney from the 60-day IL
Pirates activate LHP Felipe Vasquez from the 60-day IL

Sunday, October 4th, 2020 - First pitch, 12:05 CST
Chi. Sox (71-91) 4, Kansas City (89-73) 4
Winner: Brady Singer (2-0) Loser: Tyler Johnson (4-5) Save: Josh Staumont (5)
HR-CHW: None HR-CHW: Nicky Lopez (5), Hunter Dozier (20)

K.C. ELIMINATED DESPITE SEASON-ENDING SWEEP

A four-run seventh inning turned a 4-1 deficit into a 5-4 lead, and the Royals were able to hang on in the ninth to secure the victory. Unfortunately, the Indians knocked off the Tigers just fifteen minutes later, knocking the Royals out of the playoffs on the season's final day despite a nine-game win streak to end the season.

Brady Singer picked up his first win in relief, going three full innings while allowing just one run with a pair of strikeouts. Jose De Leon was knocked out before the end of the fifth, throwing eighty-eight pitches while allowing three earned runs over four and two-thirds innings in his shortest outing in nearly two months.

Maikel Franco, Whit Merrifield, and Daniel Murphy all had two hits to lead the Royals' attack. Hunter Dozier hit his 20th homerun, a two-run homer, in the seventh; and was later followed by a two-run homerun from Nicky Lopez, who has three homeruns in his last fourteen games.

With a final record of 89-73, it's their best record since their 2015 World Series championship squad, and their second-best record in the last ten years. In the coming days, we'll look back on the year that was, and look ahead to the 2020 MLB postseason and preview the Royals' offseason.

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
Boston (74-88) 3, NY Yankees (91-71) 4
Tampa Bay (96-66) 13, Toronto (74-88) 4
Detroit (73-89) 2, Cleveland (90-72) 3
Chi. Sox (71-91) 4, Kansas City (89-73) 5
Seattle (76-86) 3, Texas (73-89) 5
Houston (111-51) 5, LA Angels (102-60) 3
Baltimore (61-101) 3, Oakland (64-98) 1

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCOREBOARD
NY Mets (80-82) 3, Cincinnati (57-105) 6
Pittsburgh (94-68) 2, Chi. Cubs (96-66) 1
Miami (65-97) 1, Philadelphia (79-83) 5
Atlanta (91-71) 3, Washington (93-69) 2 (Final/11)
Milwaukee (83-79) 8, St. Louis (68-94) 2
Arizona (76-86) 3, LA Dodgers (91-71) 6
Colorado (64-98) 7, San Diego (86-76) 5
Minnesota (84-78) 7, San Francisco (78-84) 9 (Final/10)

MAJOR NEWS/TRANSACTIONS
Toronto places OF Billy McKinney (calf) could miss up to four months

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

MANAGERIAL OPENING TRACKER
Tracking front office, dugout openings
10/05/2020
By artoodeetoo

This article will keep a running tab on the coaching/front office changes throughout the league as the playoffs progress. Check back often for the latest updates!

ARIZONA: None

ATLANTA: Both pitching coach Matthew Johnson and bench coach Walt Weiss' contracts were not renewed by the organization, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Weiss, despite a failed stint in Colorado, will almost assuredly be a candidate for other open managerial positions (Update: 11/01/2020).

Ex-Indians catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr., has been hired as the team's next bench coach, according to the AJC. The search is now on to fill the team's open pitching coach slot, left by Matthew Johnson roughly a month ago (Update: 11/28/2020).

BALTIMORE: General manager Mike Elias and manager Brandon Hyde have both been let go by the organization. Bench coach Jose Hernandez's contract was also not renewed, and hitting coach Don Long has decided to retire, rather than deal with a new regime.

Ex-Oakland GM David Forst will receive an interview for the open Orioles' general manager position, according to the Baltimore Sun (Update: 10/13/20).

Director of amateur scouting Brady Anderson is also in line to receive an interview, the Baltimore Sun reports. It is unclear if former Oakland GM David Forst had completed his interview, but there has been no indication that has changed (Update: 10/19/20)

Former Angels GM Tony Reagins is the third known candidate to receive an interview with the Orioles for their open GM position, the Sun reports. Update: 10/23/20).

The Baltimore Orioles have introduced Brady Anderson as the team's next general manager, according to Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com. Anderson has served the past handful of seasons in the team's scouting department, and headed the department in 2019 and 2020. He has a big task, holding the draft's second-overall pick and reconstructing the entire dugout (Update: 10/30/20).

Former Rockies manager Walt Weiss and long-time Indians minor league coach and manager Frank Kremblas are expected to get the first managerial interviews under Anderson, the Sun reports. Anderson has also moved quickly on other staff spots, as Talmadge Nunneri was hired as the team's hitting coach (Update: 11/06/20).

Former MLB manager Jerry Manuel is expected to get an interview, the Sun reports. Manuel skippered the White Sox from 1998 through 2003, and then the Mets from 2008 through 2010. He has not coached at the major league level since then, instead serving as a roving minor league instructor for several teams, including the Orioles in 2012 (Update: 11/16/20)

Baltimore has hired Frank Kremblas as their next manager, signing him to a three-year contract. Other than that, terms were not disclosed. Kremblas now has to fill open bench coach and pitching coach slots (Update: 11/23/20).

Fernando Rodriguez, Jr will take over as the team's new pitching coach, new manager Frank Kremblas announced in a press conference with the local media. They also appear to be nearing deals to bring on former Oriole pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez as the new scouting director, and former Phillies bench coach Rob Thomson for the same role (Update: 11/28/20).

BOSTON: The Red Sox have parted ways with Alex Cora following a 74-88 campaign, plus his involvement with the Houston sign-stealing scandal appears to be heating up. Bench coach Ron Roenicke will serve as the interim, and is likely a candidate for the full-time job going forward.

Alex Cora, amongst others, have received a one-year ban from the game as a result of the Houston sign-stealing scandal. Houston manager A.J. Hinch, GM Jeff Luhnow, and ex-Mets skipper Carlos Beltran are also implicated in this scandal, and have received one-year bans from the game (Update: 10/26/20).

The Red Sox have removed the interim tag from Ron Roenicke, who will now take over for Alex Cora as the team's manager. The search is underway for a new bench coach with the move (Update: 11/06/20).

Boston is close to an agreement to bring Tom Foley in as new bench coach, according to the Boston Globe (Update: 11/20/20).

CHI. CUBS: None

CHI. WHITE SOX: The Southsiders will be in the market for a new bench coach, as Joe McEwing will not be retained. However, McEwing has been a candidate for managerial openings in the past, so expect his name to pop up again despite being a part of a disappointing White Sox outfit the past few years.

The White Sox have interviewed former Mariners and Giants coach Robby Thompson for their open bench coach position, according to the Chicago Tribune. (Update: 10/26/20)

CINCINNATI: Pitching coach Derek Johnson's contract has been extended through 2023, according to MLB.com's Anthony Castrovince Update: 11/01/20).

CLEVELAND: After two World Series appearances in the last five years, Terry Francona has called it a sterling career. Indians president Chris Antonetti called it a "sad, but expected" event, and also said that a search for a replacement would get underway (Update: 11/03/20).

Moving quickly, the Indians are going to interview interim manager and current bench coach Brad Mills for the open managerial post (Update: 11/05/20).

The Cleveland Plain-Dealer is reporting that minor-league pitching coach Jim Czajkowski will also get an interview. Czajkowski has never been a manager, but has a wealth of experience in the minors and in the front office. He is currently the minor-league pitching coordinator for the Toronto Blue Jays (Update: 11/07/20).

Walt Weiss has interviewed for the open managerial role, the Plain-Dealer reports. Weiss was also a candidate for the open Red Sox job until Ron Roenicke was tapped to fill that just a few days ago (Update: 11/09/20).

Cleveland is expected to hire Czajkowski as the man to follow Terry Francona. Czajkowski has never managed, but is one of the more respected men in baseball as he has had a lengthy career in coaching, especially in the minors. Brad Mills will stay on as bench coach (Update: 11/18/20).

COLORADO: Long-time skipper Bud Black is now out as the Rockies' manager after four years at the helm. The 63-year-old is almost certainly going to land somewhere, as he will likely be one of the few on the market with considerable experience.

Former Nationals manager and Mariners bench coach Manny Acta has emerged as a candidate for the Rockies' open job, according to the Denver Post. After a year off from baseball, ex-Rangers skipper Jeff Banister is also expected to get an interview (Update: 11/16/20).

Add Jerry Manuel to the list of candidates for the open Rockies position. Manuel has also recently came up as a candidate for the Baltimore Orioles' managerial position (Update: 11/21/20).

General manager Jeff Bridich announced the hiring of Jeff Banister to be the team's next skipper in a press conference introducing the former Rangers manager. Banister signed a four-year contract, but the additional terms were not disclosed (Update: 11/29/20).

DETROIT: After just three years with the Tigers, Ron Gardenhire has decided to re-retire after three straight losing seasons in Detroit. Gardenhire last appeared in the playoffs with the Twins in 2010, and had six playoff appearances in fourteen seasons with Minnesota.

Cubs first base coach Will Venable and Angels third base coach Dino Ebel are candidates to replace Gardenhire as manager, according to the Detroit Free Press (Update: 10/29/2020).

The Tigers have hired former Twins minor league director Jeff Pickler as their next skipper, and will introduce him in a presser later on today. This is a bit out of left field, but Pickler has been an up-and-comer for several years under the Twins' umbrella (Update: 11/19/2020).

Hitting coach Lloyd McClendon has decided to retire after just one year in Detroit. However, the Tigers also announced the hire of Joe McEwing as their next bench coach, signing a two-year contract Update: 12/04/20).

Ex-MLB outfielder Turner Ward has signed on as the Tigers' new hitting coach, replacing the retired Lloyd McClendon Update: 11/30/20).

HOUSTON: Both manager A.J. Hinch and GM Jeff Luhnow have been relieved from their duties, effective immediately following the Astros' early exit from the playoffs according to the Houston Chronicle. Bench coach Carl Gadd will take over in the interim while the Astros begin a search for a new manager and general manager (Update: 10/26/20).

Long-time Rays associate James Click was introduced as the team's new general manager, just a week after the sacking of Jeff Luhnow and A.J. Hinch. Click's first task will be bringing in a new skipper, and trying to rehabilitate the team's image in the wake of 'Sign-gate' (Update: 11/03/20).

KANSAS CITY: Both bench coach Dale Sveum and hitting coach Terry Bradshaw will not be back with the team next year, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. The Royals also appear to be parting ways with long-time scouting director Lonnie Goldberg.

Long-time Braves scout and minor-league executive Roy Clark has agreed to oversee the Royals' scouting department, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com. Clark and current GM Dayton Moore worked together for years in the Braves' organization prior to Moore's arrival in Kansas City back in 2006 (Update: 10/08/20).

John Mabry has been hired as the Royals' hitting coach, reuniting with manager Mike Matheny; whom he served as the assistant hitting coach, and then hitting coach, from 2012 through Matheny's firing in 2018. Kansas City's lone opening remains the open bench coach spot, although no candidates have emerged as of yet (Update: 10/12/20).

The Royals have hired former manager Tony Pena's son, Tony Jr., to serve as the team's next bench coach alongside manager Mike Matheny. Pena is just thirty-nine, but already has a half-dozen years of experience as a minor-league coach and manager (Update: 10/25/20).

LA ANGELS: Director of minor league operations Matt Swanson has left the organization, according to the LA Times (Update: 10/08/20).

Former MLB pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez and former Angels farmhand Sean Watson are the finalists to replace Swanson as the team's minor league director. Jimenez has worked in the Rockies' front office for the past few years under Jeff Bridich, while Watson has been an instructor in the Halos' system (Update: 10/26/20).

GM Billy Eppler announced the signing of Sean Watson as the team's new director of scouting, effective immediately. He and former MLB pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez were finalists for the job (Update: 11/06/20).

MILWAUKEE: Bench coach Pat Murphy has retired, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. On the flipside, hitting coach Andy Haines' contract was extended through 2022.

Former MLB pitcher Fernando Rodriguez, Jr., has emerged as a candidate for the open bench coach post, according to the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. Another former MLB'er, Rob Leary, has also been mentioned as a possibility (Update: 10/24/20).

In a surprise development, the Brewers promoted minor league coach Nick Palmer to bench coach, according to sources within the team and reported on by MLB.com. Palmer, 56, is a former coach for the Australian national team, and has been a coach in the Brewers' system for the past decade-plus (Update: 11/07/20).

MINNESOTA: Twins hitting coach Mark Kotsay is a potential candidate for the Orioles' opening, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. He's also a likely candidate for the open Mets and Rockies jobs, as well (Update: 10/08/20).

Kotsay will remain in his post as the Twins' hitting coach for another season. He had been mentioned as a possibility for the Orioles and Mets' open jobs, but both have moved on to other candidates (Update: 11/07/20).

NEW YORK (N): Mets manager Carlos Beltran has stepped down as the Mets' skipper after just one season, after being implicated in the Astros' sign stealing scandal. He went 80-82 in his only season. Bench coach John Farrell will take over in the interim while GM Brodie Van Wagenen begins a search for a replacement.

Tigers bench coach Steve Liddle has emerged as a candidate for the Mets' open managerial job, but no offer has been extended. Liddle has spent the last two seasons under Ron Gardenhire as the team's bench coach in the Motor City (Update: 10/08/20).

The Mets have officially introduced Steve Liddle as the team's new manager, signing him to a five-year contract that will pay him roughly $3.25MM over the life of the contract. In the past, Liddle has spent time as the bench coach in Minnesota (2002-10), third base coach in Minnesota (2011-12), and the past two seasons as Ron Gardenhire's bench coach in Detroit (Update: 10/13/20).

Joe Millette was introduced as the Mets' new scouting director by GM Brodie Van Wagenen, replacing Marc Tramuto, who left in November. Millette is a former MLB shortstop-turned-scout, as he had worked for the past two decades in coaching (Update: 11/06/20)

OAKLAND: GM David Forst has been relieved of his duties by team president Billy Beane, and there may be some scuttle that Beane could be a bit more hands-on going forward in a dual President/GM role, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Indeed, Billy Beane will assume the GM role in addition to his role as the team's President of Baseball Ops, but he mentioned that it's just a 'temporary' situation. (Update: 10/13/20).

PHILADELPHIA: Philly is in need of a new bench coach after Rob Thomson's contract was not renewed, according to the Philadelphia Enquirer. Thomson may be a candidate for the Orioles' open job.

Rob Leary, who is a candidate for the Milwaukee bench coach job as well, is a finalist to replace Rob Thomson on the bench next to skipper Joe Girardi (Update: 11/08/20).

The Phillies made it official with Leary, signing him to a two-year deal as the bench coach alongside manager Joe Girardi Update: 11/23/20).

PITTSBURGH: Pitching coach Dave Righetti signed a three-year extension to remain in the same spot, reported by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Righetti has been credited with a huge role in turning around the Pirates' pitching fortunes in the recent few seasons Update: 10/18/20).

SEATTLE: Former MLB manager and Seattle bench coach Manny Acta has been released from his contract to pursue other opportunities, the Seatttle Post-Intelligencer reports. Acta, who has managed the Nationals in the past, could be a candidate for the Mets and Orioles openings, among other bench coach openings.

ST. LOUIS: The Cardinals extended pitching coach Mike Maddux and hitting coach Jeff Albert for two and three more seasons, per Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which seems to imply that manager Mike Shildt is likely safe, as well.

TEXAS: GM Jon Daniels signed a three-year extension to remain as the team's front office leader, according to the Dallas Morning News. It's on the heels of a 73-89 season, but Daniels has the trust of the Rangers' ownership, led by Ray Davis Update: 12/03/20)

TORONTO: None

WASHINGTON: Hitting coach Kevin Long's contract was extended through the 2023 season, according to the Washington Post Update: 11/17/20).

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

WILDCARD RESULTS

NY Yankees 7, LA Angels 0

Synopsis: Giancarlo Stanton's two homeruns lifted the Yankees to a dominating 7-0 win over the host Angels in the AL Wildcard matchup. Sonny Gray got the start for the Halos, allowing four earned runs in six-plus innings of work. Gerrit Cole came on in relief, and the game still got out of reach for Los Angeles as Stanton hit the second of his two homeruns against the potential Cy Young winner.

New York will face off against Houston in the ALDS beginning Thursday night at Minute Maid Park, while Cleveland and Tampa Bay will begin their series the following night.

Atlanta 4, Pittsburgh 3

Synopsis: The road team won the wildcard game for the second straight night, as rookie catcher Shea Langeliers singled home the winning run in the top of the ninth against Felipe Vazquez to secure the 4-3 victory over the host Pirates. Atlanta's Ozzie Albies tied the score in the eighth against Vazquez, hitting a solo homerun off the lefty.

The loss wasted a very good outing by Jameson Taillon, who allowed just one earned run over seven innings. Colin Moran and Socrates Brito each collected two hits in the defeat. The Braves will move on to face the Cubs in the NLDS beginning on Friday, and the Nationals and Dodgers will square off the following day to begin their series.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

FOUR ROYALS NAMED GOLD GLOVE SEMI-FINALISTS
Phillips, Lopez first-time honorees
10/08/2020
By artoodeetoo

The BBWA have named four Royals as Gold Glove semi-finalists, with veterans Alex Gordon (LF) and Salvador Perez (C) getting yet another nod. However, Nicky Lopez and Brett Phillips were recognized as first-time semi-finalists, with Lopez at second base and Phillips in center field.

Lopez leads all MLB second basemen in DRS (+5.7), range factor (3.54), efficiency (1.028), and committed just two errors all season. Detroit's Brett Lawrie and Baltimore's Jonathan Villar are the other two semi-finalists at second base, while the two Kevin's, Pillar and Kiermaier, are the other two semi-finalists in CF.

Phillips notched 10 DRS in just 127 games in center, also scoring 1.5 DRS in just 79 innings in right (in contrast, both Pillar and Kiermaier played 150+ games in CF with 13 and 12 DRS).

Tommy Pham (Tampa Bay) and Andrew Benintendi (Boston) are the other semi-finalists in left field, and Alex Avila (Rangers/Indians) and Yasmani Grandal (Angels) are the other catcher semi-finalists.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

DIVISIONAL SERIES RESULTS

AMERICAN LEAGUE SCORES
Cleveland 0, Tampa Bay 3
Cleveland 3, Tampa Bay 7
Tampa Bay 2, Cleveland 11
Tampa Bay 2, Cleveland 4
Cleveland 3, Tampa Bay 2

NY Yankees 4, Houston 3
NY Yankees 2, Houston 10
Houston 1, NY Yankees 0
Houston 9, NY Yankees 6

NATIONAL LEAGUE SCORES
LA Dodgers 1, Washington 3
LA Dodgers 3, Washington 2
Washington 8, LA Dodgers 6
Washington 6, LA Dodgers 2

Atlanta 5, Chi. Cubs 0
Atlanta 5, Chi. Cubs 4
Chi. Cubs 0, Atlanta 4

[artoodeetoo]

LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

AMERICAN LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Cleveland 4, Houston 2
Cleveland 10, Houston 1
Houston 3, Cleveland 8
Houston 8, Cleveland 3
Houston 5, Cleveland 2
Cleveland 3, Houston 2

NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Atlanta 9, Washington 2
Atlanta 7, Washington 3
Washington 6, Atlanta 8
Washington 4, Atlanta 5 (Final/10)

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

WORLD SERIES RECAP

Cleveland 0, Atlanta 10: Ozzie Albies fell just a triple short of the cycle as the Braves took the first game by a 10-0 score. Corey Kluber was knocked around for seven runs over three and one-third innings, while Mike Soroka looked to be in midseason form, fanning six over seven shutout frames.

Cleveland 2, Atlanta 6: With four RBI, Nick Markakis was the driving force behind Atlanta's 6-2 victory over the Indians, giving the Braves a commanding 2-0 series lead. Sean Newcomb struck out five over five and two-third innings of work, while Drew Waters and Josh Donaldson each collected a pair of hits.

Atlanta 5, Cleveland 11: The Indians finally were able to get on the scoreboard, pounding out an 11-5 victory to halve the deficit to two games to one. Atlanta threatened to take a 3-0 series lead after a four-run seventh to take a 5-2 lead, but nine runs in the seventh and eighth innings by the Indians' offense put the game away. All Cleveland starters collected at least one hit.

Atlanta 7, Cleveland 3: Atlanta is now on the doorstep of their first title since 1995, knocking off the Indians 7-3 in the first victory by a road team in the series. Johan Camargo was 3-for-5 with a couple of RBI, while Chris Bassitt picked up the victory with three earned over five innings of work.

Atlanta 8, Cleveland 3: Mike Soroka capped off an unbeaten postseason, allowing three earned runs over six innings as the Braves clinched their first World Series since 1995. Ronald Acuna went 3-for-4 with two RBI and stole a base in the victory. Corey Kluber allowed six earned runs over four innings, enduring a rough postseason in which he lost three games and posted a 4.78 ERA.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

2020-2021 OFFSEASON PREVIEW
Royals continue to pursue Soler extension
11/03/2020
By artoodeetoo

On the heels of their post-ASB run in 2019, the Royals turned that success into a playoff-contending 2020, falling just a few wins short of winning the division. They were able to come to an agreement on extending budding slugger Hunter Dozier through 2024 with a Whit Merrifield-type extension of $20.5MM over the next four seasons. Adalberto Mondesi established himself as the next big name at shortstop, stealing seventy-five bases and reaching career highs in average, homeruns, walks, RBI, and triples; giving the Royals two huge cornerstones going forward as they begin to establish themselves as a team to be respected in the coming years.

Guaranteed Contracts

Danny Duffy, LHP: $15.25MM through 2021
Salvador Perez, C: $13MM through 2021
Ian Kennedy, RHP: $16.5MM through 2020
Whit Merrifield, 2B/OF: $10.5MM through 2022 (including buyout of 2023 option)
Hunter Dozier, 1B/3B: $20.5MM through 2024 (including buyout of 2025 option)

Arbitration-Eligible Players

Jake Junis, RHP: $5.5MM
Brad Keller, RHP: $4.9MM
Robert Stephenson, RHP: $1.5MM
Maikel Franco, 3B: $1.25MM
Adalberto Mondesi, SS: $8.5MM
Non-tender candidates: Stephenson, Franco

Option Decisions

Alex Gordon, OF: $10.25MM mutual option ($1.25MM buyout)
Tanner Roark, RHP: $6.5MM mutual option (750K buyout)
Jake Diekman, LHP: $5.25MM mutual option (550K buyout)
Daniel Murphy, 1B: $12MM mutual option (no buyout)
Chris Flexen, RHP: $1.25MM team option (no buyout)

Free Agents

Jorge Soler

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Kansas City recently completed their coaching staff for the season, as Tony Pena Jr was introduced as the team's new bench coach a little less than a week ago. He joins other newcomers to the staff, including scouting director Roy Clark and hitting coach John Mabry. The results of Mike Matheny's first year were largely positive, leading the team to eighty-nine wins and falling just two wins short of a division title in just his first season as the skipper. It should be noted that Matheny started off with four straight winning seasons in St. Louis, so he is no stranger to early success.

The first order of business is sorting through the handful of mutual options that the Royals have. Alex Gordon has a $10.25MM mutual option for 2021, but he is going to announce his retirement in a matter of days, and he'll likely take the $1.25MM buyout and ride off into the sunset as one of the more beloved Royals in team history.

As far as the other ones, the option I'd look out for is Jake Diekman's. Diekman gave the Royals some outstanding innings this year, posting a 2.43/3.83 ERA/FIP combo in sixty-three innings of work; and until a late-season swoon, had an ERA under 2.00 as late as the last week of August. At just $5.25MM for 2021, it's a relatively cheap deal for one of the more underrated southpaws in recent years. With Diekman showing that he can go multiple innings, the value of lefty-only types like Tim Hill might be diminished, which would leave the Royals with just two southpaws out of the bullpen under contract (Richard Lovelady, Luiz Gohara) if Hill was traded or otherwise released.

Do the Royals end up re-visiting trading Whit Merrifield? Nicky Lopez, with Gold Glove in tow; appears to have entrenched himself as the team's second baseman, which is Merrifield's best fit defensively. He could slide into Gordon's old spot in left field, but that could be taking a spot from a younger player in the minors who is ready to make the leap, such as Khalil Lee. Merrifield admitted that he didn't play at 100% most of the year in 2020, but his paltry stat line of .257/.305/.370 may give potential suitors some pause.

He'll be thirty-two when the first pitch is thrown this spring, and despite his cheap contract, his value has decreased with each passing year. Still, he seemed to recover his base-stealing prowess despite the additional year of wear-and-tear, stealing thirty-four bags in thirty-six attempts. He twice led the AL in steals before his teammate, Adalberto Mondesi, has taken the AL steals crown the past two seasons.

Lastly, the Royals have and will continue to negotiate an extension with slugger Jorge Soler, who has hit eighty-four dingers the past two seasons combined, but the two sides continue to be far enough apart in negotiations to where it is now roughly a 50/50 proposition that he returns for next season, which has been reported by several notable writers, including Jeff Passan and Buster Olney. The Royals have reportedly offered a deal in the 4/$70MM range, but Soler's camp is looking for a higher AAV with at least five guaranteed years. There are very few teams with pure DH roles anymore, and even Soler's modest defensive improvement this past season may be an outlier. If the Royals can't come to an agreement prior to the free agency filing date, there is no doubt they'll tag him with the qualifying offer and continue to try and come to a deal.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

2020 OFFSEASON MAILBAG
Rotation, corner infield amongst potential needs
11/05/2020
By artoodeetoo

Does the new TV contract push the Royals to spend more in free agency?

I think if David Glass was still around, I would say no. John Sherman was quoted as saying that his first full offseason was not going to be 'extremely exciting', so I wouldn't expect any big, splashy news (other than extending Jorge Soler possibly). That being said, I'd be surprised if the Royals didn't invest at least a decent portion of that windfall into the roster this time around. If Soler doesn't come back, they're going to have to find a way to replace his power in the lineup, and that's not easily done with the remaining parts.

There's talk that the organization wants to keep Salvador Perez as productive as possible into his 30's, which is going to take a scaling back of his time behind the plate, so the Royals are going to need catching help if he's in a DH/1B role more often than not. Meibrys Viloria put together a very strong 2020 campaign, but is he ready to handle 100+ games behind the plate? In the minors, there's Xavier Fernandez and M.J. Melendez, and the Royals let the defensive-minded Cam Gallagher walk, so there's possibly room to bring in another right-handed bat behind the plate.

What is the biggest need the Royals have going into the free agency period?

Despite improvements across the board offensively over 2019, the 2020 Royals still managed to rank only eighth in homeruns, ninth in OPS and runs scored, and 11th in OBP in the American League last year. They went through too many offensive swoons, especially away from home, to be considered a legitimate title contender, but their pitching was obviously playoff-caliber with the fifth-best starters' ERA, and the top bullpen in the AL by ERA. While Alex Gordon's defensive abilities and leadership will be difficult to replace, his bat less so. Again, I don't think the Royals are going to spend a ton of money, but there are players in the Gordon salary range that should bring back better ROI than his 2020 season.

What does that look like? I'd like to see them pursue a corner outfield/infield bat, preferably a right-handed bat to balance out the lefty-heavy presence currently on the roster. Problem is, this is a fairly weak market for those kinds of players, so the bats that would be worth pursuing for a multi-year deal (DJ LeMahieu, Justin Turner, Yo****omo Tsutsugo, Soler) are likely going to become ridiculously overpriced. If they can bring back Soler, that's great -- but for the right price, hopefully in that case. However, I'd rather use the $15MM-$18MM that it's probably going to take to sign him long-term, and bring in a handful of guys that balance out the roster (plus the first-round draft choice!). Or (even better) use that money to extend guys currently on the roster (Jake Junis, anyone?).

The other option is to scour the trade market. Typically, I wouldn't want to spend capital in the form of prospects to acquire talent if I didn't have to, but the wildcard here is Roy Clark, the team's new minor-league director. He's a guy that's likely pretty aligned with what Dayton Moore wants to do given they worked together in Atlanta years ago, but he's still his own man, and may have a different opinion on some of these up-and-comers in the upper minors. If a team wants two or three MLB-ready prospects in exchange for, let's say, Joc Pederson, would you do it? I would have to at least think about that.

Who is the next of the big four (Singer, Bubic, Lynch, Kowar) to reach the big leagues?

If the Royals aren't in the playoff race come mid-to-late July, I think Kris Bubic gets the call after the Royals deal Danny Duffy to a contender. His ERA/FIP from Omaha this past season was concerning (5.43/5.10), but he's the most MLB-ready of the remaining three with a sterling 5-to-1 K/BB ratio (108/19 in 116 IP), and playing in a pitcher-friendly ballpark with a much, much better defense behind him than what he had in Omaha. In fact, Omaha had the worst-rated defense in terms of DRS (Defensive Runs Saved) in the entire PCL last season.

Where would you put Alex Gordon as far as top players in team history?

I'm guessing you're asking for where he would rank, so I'll say he's in the top ten for sure, maybe top five. If you go by WAR, he's fifth all-time in team history with a 22.7 mark. He's also fourth in runs, sixth in hits, fourth in doubles, third in homeruns, and sixth in RBI.

I'd only rank George Brett, Frank White, and Willie Wilson ahead of him indefinitely. Arguments could be made for Amos Otis, Mike Sweeney, Bret Saberhagen, and Dan Quisenberry, but all except for Otis did not spend their entire careers in Kansas City, with Otis only playing a handful of games each for the Mets and Pirates.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

PRE-FREE AGENCY RECAP
Royals ink Keller to multi-year extension
11/26/2020
By artoodeetoo

Retired: OF Alex Gordon

Extended: SS Adalberto Mondesi (1/$6MM), RHP Brad Keller (6/$56.75MM), RHP Jake Junis (1/$5.1MM), RHP Robert Stephenson (1/$1.1M)

Non-tendered: 3B Maikel Franco

Filed For Free Agency: OF Jorge Soler* (carries qualifying offer)

Options Declined: RHP Tanner Roark (mutual), Chris Flexen (team), Daniel Murphy (mutual, no buyout), Alex Gordon (mutual)

Options Accepted: LHP Jake Diekman ($5.25MM)

The biggest news to come away from the team since the season ended is that Jorge Soler will indeed hit the free agent market no closer to a deal from the Royals. It doesn't mean that the door is completely closed, but they'll have to compete with other teams now, which will likely drive the price out of the team's range. They'll also have to replace one of the franchise's cornerstones in seven-time Gold Glove recipient Alex Gordon, who officially retired on November 6th.

A week ago, the Royals were able to come to an agreement on an extension for Brad Keller that will pay him nearly $57MM over the life of the deal. However, he can back out after year three, which would allow him to enter the free agent market after his sixth year of MLB service. If he opts in after year three, he'll be guaranteed at least $25MM for the fourth and fifth years of the contract combined, before a sixth-year team option kicks in for an additional $12.5MM. He's guaranteed $19.25MM prior to the player opt-in after 2023.

What was more surprising was Adalberto Mondesi signing for a meager $6MM to avoid arbitration, which is still a bargain given last season's monster year, and gives the Royals time to cobble together a multi-year extension with the star shortstop. Jake Junis also walked away with a nice payday, and the Royals came to an agreement with Robert Stephenson just yesterday, signing for $1.1MM to avoid arbitration. Maikel Franco was not offered arbitration for the second straight season, making him a free agent yet again.

Southpaw Jake Diekman is also back in the team's bullpen for a modest $5.25MM after the Royals picked up his mutual option. Diekman had one of the better seasons of his career, posting a 2.43 ERA and eighty-three strikeouts over sixty-three innings of work last year, proving his value as more than a left-handed one or two-out guy.

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

MLB OFFSEASON TRACKER
Tracking important transactions
11/26/2020
By artoodeetoo

This article will keep a running tab on the important free agent signings & trades throughout the league as the offseason progresses. Check back often for the latest updates!

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS
Acquired OF Avisail Garcia from the Brewers for 3B Drew Ellis
Signed OF Yosh!tomo Tsutsugo to 5-year, $42.5MM contract
Signed LHP Brett Cecil to a 1-year contract

ATLANTA BRAVES
LHP Sean Manaea signs for 1-year, $1MM contract with incentives
RHP Kevin Gausman re-signs for 1-year, $1.3MM deal with incentives
RHP Nate Karns acquired from the Blue Jays for MiL C Ray Soderman
RHP Raul Alcantara signs $35MM over four years though 2024
RHP Hunter Strickland signs 1-year contract

BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Signed LHP Martin Perez to 1-year, $1.3MM deal
Signed IF Wilmer Flores to a 1-year, $2MM contract

BOSTON RED SOX
LHP Dan Jennings signs 1-year contract
RHP Jeremy Jeffress signs 1-year contract
Sent 3B Michael Chavis to the Rangers for MiL OF Bubba Thompson

CHICAGO CUBS
RHP Zack Wheeler signs 7-year, $137.2MM contract with 2027 player option*
Acquired MiL RHP Briam Campusano from the Mets for C Taylor Davis
RHP Josh Fields signs 1-year, $2.3MM deal
LHP Brad Hand signs 3-year, $15.3MM contract
RHP Chris Archer signs 1-year contract for $1.12MM

CHICAGO WHITE SOX
RHP A.J. Ramos signs 1-year contract
RHP Jenrry Mejia signs 1-year contract
RHP David Phelps signs 1-year contract
Acquired RHP Yonny Chirinos from the Rays for MiL IF Jake Burger

CINCINNATI REDS
SS Andrelton Simmons signs 5-year, $48MM contract
RHP Chris Flexen acquired from Kansas City for MiL IF Brady McConnell

CLEVELAND INDIANS
2B Howie Kendrick signs for $8.4MM over one season

COLORADO ROCKIES
LHP Mike Minor signs 2-year, $24.4MM contract

DETROIT TIGERS
LHP Kyle Ryan signs 1-year contract
RHP Michael Fulmer dealt to Seattle for OF Mitch Haniger
C Francisco Cervelli re-signs at $11.5MM over two years

HOUSTON ASTROS
OF Kevin Pillar signs 2-year, $8.2MM contract
RHP Arodys Vizcaino signs 2-year, $9MM contract
RHP David Robertson signs 2-year contract for $11.2MM

KANSAS CITY ROYALS
RHP Addison Reed signs 1-year, $3.75MM contract
1B Ryon Healy acquired from the Blue Jays for RHP Chance Adams
RHP Chris Flexen traded to Cincinnati for MiL IF Brady McConnell

LOS ANGELES ANGELS
SS Marcus Semien signs 4-year, $50MM contract*
OF Kole Calhoun extended 2-year, $12.6MM deal
RHP Anthony Swarzak signs 1-year deal

LOS ANGELES DODGERS
RHP Connor Sadzeck acquired from the Royals for MiL C Diego Cartaya
RHP Jake Odorizzi signs 4-year, $27MM contract

MIAMI MARLINS
OF Corey Dickerson signs 2-year, $8.6MM deal

MILWAUKEE BREWERS
Acquired 3B Drew Ellis from Arizona for OF Avisail Garcia
RHP Brandon Kintzler signs 2-year, $2.05M contract
IF Asdrubal Cabrera signs 3-year, $22.8MM; 2023 season vests at 550 PA
LHP Alex Wood signs 2-year, $14.4MM deal
RHP Ian Kennedy signs 1-year, $6.4MM contract

MINNESOTA TWINS
IF Brad Miller signs 1-year, $3.44MM deal
RHP Kyle Gibson, IF Luis Arraez shipped to San Francisco for IF Cesar Hernandez

NEW YORK METS
OF Jorge Soler signs 4-year, $53.7MM contract*
C Stephen Vogt signs 1-year, $8.5MM contract
Acquired C Taylor Davis from the Cubs via trade; send MiL RHP Briam Campusano in return
RHP Trevor Bauer signs 7-year, $76MM deal

NEW YORK YANKEES
RHP Will Harris signs 2-year, $14MM contract
RHP Bruce Rondon signs 1-year contract
RHP Jordan Lyles signs 1-year contract

OAKLAND ATHLETICS
2B Shed Long dealt to San Diego for MiL OF Tirso Ornelas
RHP Tanner Roark signed to 1-year deal

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
LHP Jose Quintana signs 5-year, $99.2MM contract incl. incentives*
RHP Alex Colome signs deal for 1-year, $3MM

PITTSBURGH PIRATES
LHP Mike Montgomery signed to 1-year contract

SAN DIEGO PADRES
2B Kolten Wong signs 3-year, $13MM contract
2B Shed Long acquired from Oakland for MiL OF Tirso Ornelas

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
RHP Liam Hendriks signs 2-year, $7.75MM contract
Giants acquire RHP Kyle Gibson and IF Luis Arraez from Minnesota for IF Cesar Hernandez
RHP James Norwood signs 2-year, $5.75MM deal
2B Scooter Gennett re-signs for $15MM over two years

SEATTLE MARINERS
OF Mitch Haniger traded to Detroit for RHP Michael Fulmer
OF David Peralta signs 3-year, $51MM contract

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
3B Justin Turner signs 3-year, $51.3MM contract incl. incentives*
C Wilson Ramos signs 2-year, $20.6MM contract
LHP James Paxton signs 5-year, $85MM contract through 2025; last year vests at 180 innings*
OF Adam Eaton signs for $25.8MM over two seasons through 2023
LHP Daniel Norris signs for $1.3MM over one season

TAMPA BAY RAYS
Sent RHP Yonny Chirinos to the White Sox for MiL IF Jake Burger

TEXAS RANGERS
RHP Jeff Samardzija signs 1-year deal
Acquired 3B Michael Chavis from the Red Sox for MiL OF Bubba Thompson

TORONTO BLUE JAYS
DH Nelson Cruz signs 1-year, $10.2MM contract
1B Daniel Murphy signs 3-year, $14MM contract
RHP Nate Karns traded to the Braves for MiL C Ray Soderman
1B Ryon Healy traded to the Royals for RHP Chance Adams

WASHINGTON NATIONALS
RHP Randy Messenger signs 1-year, $1MM contract incl. incentives
C Jason Castro signs 1-year, $4.25MM contract incl. incentives
2B D.J. LeMahieu signs 5-year, $130MM contract incl. incentives*

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

2020-2021 OFFSEASON BLOG

11/27/2020: BREAKING DOWN THE KELLER EXTENSION

Brad Keller signed a six-year, $57MM extension roughly a week ago, guaranteeing him about $20MM over the next three seasons before an out clause would allow him to test free agency if he so chooses after the 2023 season. Even his post-option salary hits are reasonable -- just $12.5MM per season from 2024 through 2026, with the 2026 season being a team option.

This is good news for several reasons; besides the fact the Royals locked up one of their better young pitchers for the foreseeable future. One, the relatively low salary figures on the back end post-option allow for some breathing room to potentially extend one or two more other young players. Secondly, if Keller out-performs his deal and opts out later, the Royals have a chance to end up with a draft pick if he signs elsewhere, and would free up cash to extend other players and/or sign free agents.

The next three seasons will most likely be his most prime years (and cheapest), but he's still young enough that his age-28 and age-29 seasons would likely be worth the $25MM investment over those two seasons. His 2026 option is a team option, giving the Royals an out should his performance drop off by then.

11/30/2020: ROYALS HAND OUT SEASON AWARDS

Shortstop Adalberto Mondesi and right-hander Jose De Leon were named the Royals' Player and Pitcher of the Year, respectively at the team's awards banquet last night. GM Dayton Moore also announced that Omaha outfielder Khalil Lee and Northwest Arkansas southpaw Josh Dye were named as the team's Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year.

Mondesi had a breakout season in 2020, leading baseball in triples and steals for the second straight season, and reaching career-bests nearly across the board, including average (.277), homeruns (24), RBI (88), and steals (75!). His dozen triples also set a new career high, and became the first player in baseball history to lead the league in triples and steals for two straight seasons.

De Leon, a Rule 5 pick last season, took the Royals' rotation by storm from June forward. In thirty-six total appearances (twenty-three starts), De Leon led the Royals in ERA (3.05), and that figure ranked fourth in the American League overall. His thirteen wins were second to Jake Junis' fourteen, and the thirteen victories tied for fifth in the AL. His 184 strikeouts were also second to Junis on the squad.

Going 9-5 for the Naturals in Double-A in 2020; Dye was not on any prospect lists to begin the season, but the 24-year-old may find himself with a bit more hype heading into 2021. Dye spun a 3.05 ERA in 138 2/3 innings, striking out ninety-two with just thirty-four walks.

In what was probably the closest decision according to Moore, Khalil Lee edged out Omaha teammate Kelvin Gutierrez for the Minor League Player of the Year award. Lee hit twenty-six homeruns for the Storm Chasers, solidifying his status as one of the top MLB-ready prospects currently in the system. He also ranked third in the PCL in RBI with 91 (Gutierrez led the PCL with 103), and stole thirty-four bases, showing prowess on the basepaths.

Lee won the award last season as well, hitting twenty-one doubles, three triples, eight homeruns, and stealing fifty-three bases in 2019 with the Double-A Naturals.

12/05/2020: SOLER, ROYALS OFFICIALLY BREAK OFF TALKS

Well kids, the Royals and Jorge Soler appear to officially be on the outs. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman reported yesterday that the Royals and Soler's camp are "just too far apart" on terms, and the slugger is no longer considering returning to the organization. He has received interest from multiple squads, although it is interesting that NL clubs like San Francisco, Arizona, and the Mets appear to be the frontrunners at this point, with other AL teams like Seattle, Boston, and the Rangers considered to be back in the pack.

I'm not heartbroken about this, as the Royals will likely pick up a first-round draft pick from one of these teams; or quite possibly a team that hasn't inserted itself into the conversation to land Soler. That said, it's going to be difficult to replace his thump in the middle of the lineup with the leftover surrounding pieces. The Winter Meetings are just around the corner, so it's possible that the organization has a plan in mind, but it's also just as likely they'll stand pat and use the cash intended for Soler to patch up the bullpen or a few spots in the lineup, like third base and/or DH.

12/19/2020: WINTER MEETINGS RECAP

It was a pretty good week for the Royals down at the Winter Meetings, as they came away as one of the 'winners', according to MLB.com's recap of the events. At the outset, they acquired a borderline Top 100 prospect from the Dodgers in 19-year-old backstop Diego Cartaya; one of the top international prospects from 2018 in exchange for veteran reliever Connor Sadzeck, who has posted back-to-back seasons of sub-3.50 ERA. Two days ago, they signed veteran righty Addison Reed to a one-year, $3.75MM deal that they had been working on for roughly a week, and lastly added a speed merchant outfielder in the Rule 5 yesterday, snatching Gabriel Maciel from division rival Minnesota with the 20th pick.

Reed led all of baseball in appearances (85) last season, and had the highest WAR amongst non-closers (2.0) in 2020. He doesn't have the velocity he used to, but has become a master with location, walking just forty-nine hitters since the beginning of 2018 (covering ~160 IP). He also allowed just fifty-nine hits, including just four homeruns, in 2020; helping lead to a miniscule 0.98 WHIP (2.43/2.87 ERA/FIP combo). With the loss of Sadzeck and uncertainty about how Josh Staumont will bounce back after a full offseason, it's a low-risk, high-reward signing.

Getting a borderline Top 100 prospect in Cartaya is the biggest development from the week, as the Royals don't have much to speak of in the lower minors behind the dish. In just 255 plate appearances last year with the Dodgers' Dominican League squad, Cartaya slashed a ramarkable .332/.433/.529 with twenty-six doubles and five homeruns. He also threw out 27-of-81 (33.3%) of would-be base stealers. Teams at the level tend to take more chances on the basepaths to develop baserunning skills, so that's why the attempt numbers seem high.

Speaking to reporters at the Winter Meetings, GM Dayton Moore said that the results from Cartaya this past season could warrant an 'accelerated' timeline. Salvador Perez is still just thirty, but he likely has no more than two or three good years left behind the plate before the move to first base or DH full-time kicks in; and while Cartaya is extremely raw as a prospect, he's still miles better than Meibrys Viloria as a defender if you look at the metrics. It stands to reason that he could be ready by late 2023 or 2024, depending on what affiliate the Royals slot him to begin next season.

It hurts to lose a fairly competent reliever in Sadzeck, but the Reed signing; plus the depth in the upper minors, should help negate the loss. It also helped the Royals that the Dodgers are ridiculously deep in their system at catcher, with Will Smith and Keibert Ruiz leading the pack; and veteran Austin Barnes also on their 40-man roster. Barnes isn't a great hitter, but has good value with his versatility and pitch-framing ability. Smith and Ruiz are slightly less valued defensively, but are projected to be well above-average at the dish.

The Maciel pick is a little strange, but it seems like a situation where they really, really like a guy, and are willing to burn a 26-man active roster spot to 'stash' him and then option him once his one year is up. I could see more and more teams use this extra spot to their advantage in the Rule 5 in the coming years as a roundabout way to pick up some extra talent, especially small-market teams like Kansas City. The organization also really, really likes Nick Heath and his speed/athleticism, but Maciel has a higher upside thanks to his age, hard-hit rates and defensive metrics. Heath will be twenty-seven on Opening Day, Maciel just twenty-two.

12/27/2020: WITT TO MAKE MOVE TO THIRD BASE

GM Dayton Moore said in a press conference yesterday regarding the progress of 2019 first-rounder Bobby Witt, Jr., that the young infielder would be transitioning full-time to third base. He split time roughly 2-to-1 in innings between shortstop and third, respectively, but played more at third as the year went on. More noteworthy, though, is that Moore also said that it's possible he'd start 2021 in Double-A, and they feel there's a chance he could be in Kansas City by the end of this season if he continues to improve at the rate he has.

That...seems quick (and exciting!), but it also shows that they may not have a ton of confidence in either Kelvin Gutierrez or Emmanuel Rivera to eventually be able to grow into the spot. It would also explain why they haven't really tried to upgrade the position via trade or free agency as of yet. Right now, they have Breyvic Valera projected as the team's starting third baseman. Blech. He had a good season in a reserve role last year, but would get exposed as an everyday player.

It's a good move for a couple of reasons. One, Adalberto Mondesi has the shortstop position locked down for the foreseeable future. Secondly, if Witt indeed comes up later this year (or sometime early 2022), he won't be counted on as a run-producer as he gets his feet wet. He'll have guys like Whit Merrifield, Brett Phillips, Hunter Dozier, Mondesi, and Salvador Perez (likely) that will carry the offensive load to keep the pressure off him as a top prospect. I say likely for Perez since he's not under contract after 2021, but the Royals feel pretty good about getting Perez extended sometime in the next three-to-six months.

01/04/2021: SEASON TICKET SALES PROJECT HIGHER THAN 2020

Not often we talk about the business side of baseball here, but John Sherman and Dayton Moore held a video conference with the local media to give a 'state of the union' type address in the AM yesterday. Sherman mentioned that season ticket sales are up over last year, and that's even with a modest increase in the average price of a ticket from just under $19 to exactly $21. Suites and PSL's aren't included in that calculation, but he also hinted that those sales are slightly up over last season, as well.

He also fielded a few questions regarding whether or not the Royals will ever move to a downtown stadium. The team's lease on Kauffman Stadium runs out in 2030, so while there's time, ten years is an ever-shrinking window to make plans for a new venue. I, for one, would not be excited about a downtown stadium; but understand the benefits of opening one there, especially for the surrounding communities. He said it's something they're 'looking at', but in all honesty, as long as the Chiefs remain at Arrowhead, I can't see the Royals leaving the TSC (Truman Sports Complex, for you non-KC people). I think if one goes, both go.

Team-wise, there's quite a bit of excitement about this team heading into next season, and that's even with the Royals having largely stood pat throughout the offseason. Their most noteworthy move has still been the signing of Addison Reed back during the Winter Meetings, and there's been little buzz with any of the remaining free agents.

The Royals have roughly $75MM committed to payroll so far for 2021, after being at nearly $90MM in 2020. I didn't think that payroll would necessarily increase, but I'm finding it a little puzzling that there hasn't been much movement at all from the team's perspective. The Royals are super, super close to being a playoff team, and they're decreasing payroll at this point. I do wonder if they're trying to retain some flexibility in case they need to make a move at the deadline, but I'll be hard-pressed to believe that Addison Reed is all they can do.

I'll also submit that they may have chased after some guys and simply struck out on them, but we're not going to know necessarily who those guys are (if any). Teams don't like coming in second, or third, for players, and don't necessarily want to advertise that.

01/12/2021: ROYALS ACQUIRE HEALY FROM TORONTO

With a glut of pitching in the upper minors, the Royals tapped into that by dealing right-hander Chance Adams to the Blue Jays for first baseman/DH Ryon Healy. As a part-timer with the Blue Jays last season, Healy hit twenty-one doubles and ten homeruns in just 342 plate appearances, slashing .280/.305/.437 in the process. Adams made just three appearances for the Royals last year, with one of them a seven-inning gem early in the season before a pair of rough bullpen outings sent him back to the minors.

Healy is a below-average defender, even at first base, so this is likely the team's new DH against lefties . Healy's not far removed from a 24-homerun season back in 2018, so the Royals are hoping that he can provide some thunder in the middle of the lineup to replace Jorge Soler, who signed a four-year, $53MM contract earlier in the week with the New York Mets. Since he signed for greater then $50MM, Kansas City will get the Mets' first round selection in the 2021 draft this June.

01/15/2021: HERRERA SIGNED TO MINOR-LEAGUE DEAL

Even though the Royals' bullpen was one of the best in baseball last season, the Royals have been bolstering their depth with a slew of minor league signings, with the latest being former Royal Kelvin Herrera. He joins other veteran arms such as Nick Gardewine and Justin Grimm (another former Royal) in the race to make the team, as they all signed with invites to big-league camp next month.

Herrera led the AL in appearances last year with seventy-three, but has not been the same since leaving Kansas City via trade in June 2018. He was 1-2 with a 4.34 ERA in twenty-one appearances with the Nationals that season; and has a 6.68 ERA in the past two seasons with the White Sox, despite still having decent stuff with a strikeout per inning.

He's a long shot to make the team given that the bullpen is largely set outside of possibly one or two spots, but would be a quality arm in the minors for depth in case of injury on the active roster.

01/20/2021: STAUMONT HAS SUCCESSFUL SURGERY

Right-hander Josh Staumont recently underwent a minor shoulder procedure to clean up some damage from his shoulder issue last year, according to Jeffrey Flanagan of MLB.com, who covers the Royals for that site. Staumont had a promising 2019 campaign, and was off to a good start as the team's closer last season before partially tearing his labrum, which led to a lengthy injured list stay, and then a rough September after coming off the list.

He walked five in his first outing, which skewed his overall numbers a bit, but obviously showed signs of rust in that brief outing.

The Royals are hopeful that the surgery will alleviate some of the issues he dealt with late last season, as he revealed in an interview with Jon Morosi that he still had some residual pain in his short time with the club in September. Richard Lovelady has the closer's job seemingly locked down, but Staumont said that he'd like to come back and compete for the job.

"Oh yeah, Richard and I are good friends, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't want to take the job back," he said to Morosi. "We're both really competitive guys, and I hope that brings out the best in both of us, no matter who wins it."

01/26/2021: PITCHERS, CATCHERS REPORT NEXT WEEK

Equipment trucks are being loaded in front of Kauffman Stadium as I type this, as pitchers and catchers begin work in a few days down in Surprise. Kansas City has five catchers heading down, including prospect MJ Melendez and free agent signee Brian Navarreto, a former Twins draftee that was brought in early in January as a non-roster invitee to camp.

Some thirty pitchers are heading down; which is amongst the most in recent memory. Included in that group are the "Big 4", being Brady Singer, Kris Bubic, Daniel Lynch, and Jackson Kowar, the group that were all first-round picks in the huge haul of pitching from the 2018 draft. Singer is projected as one of the team's starters at this point, but the other three are also projected to be in the big leagues at some point in the next one-plus seasons.

We'll have a more detailed breakdown of the players reporting in a later post once everyone has reported; but at first glance, it's been a very long time since the organization has been able to boast the pitching depth it currently has on the 40-man roster and in the upper minors.

02/15/2021: 2021 SPRING PREVIEW

This will be one of the lengthier blog posts I've made -- the following is a brief outline of the spring, and the non-roster invitees that made the cut for big league camp.

Does Brady Singer grab a hold of the number-five spot?

Most projections have the Royals' top pitching prospect as a shoo-in for the team's rotation this season, but don't carve that in stone just yet -- he's going to get some competition from draft classmates Kris Bubic, Jackson Kowar, and Daniel Lynch; as well as some other youngsters in Chris Flexen, Luiz Gohara, and Elvis Luciano. Singer is getting lot of hype based on a small sample size; and his 3.26 ERA was beset by a 5.47 FIP, mainly thanks to three homeruns in 19 1/3 innings, and a 4.7 BB/9 mark.

How do the Royals allocate the 26th roster spot?

There was talk this time last season that the Royals might carry three catchers, but never came to fruition mainly because they didn't have a third guy that was capable enough to warrant the roster spot. This year, they feel pretty good that they're going to have a legitimate competition for the number-two role behind Salvador Perez. Meibrys Viloria had a wildly successful season at the plate as the backup last year, but Dayton Moore and Mike Matheny have both raved about M.J. Melendez and Xavier Fernandez, especially as defenders. Viloria threw out a respectable 34.4% (11-of-32) of would-be basestealers last year, but his pitch-framing was amongst the worst in baseball, and had six passed balls in only 408 innings caught. Cam Gallagher was a solid defensive player; but was likely to never hit at an acceptable enough level to warrant more than a handful of games every year, which is why the Royals walked on him this past year.

Fernandez is already on the 40-man roster, so he would likely have the inside track if the Royals were to carry three catchers. Melendez could make this an interesting decision with a big spring, though. He was drafted in the second round in 2017, and was more well-known for his defensive prowess than his offense, which is unusual for high school catchers. Up until last year, that was holding true until he broke out with a .315/.401/.597 slash line in High-A Wilmington over 287 plate appearances, hitting a whopping twenty-nine doubles and eleven homeruns in that stretch. That led to a promotion after Fernandez went down with an injury at Double-A, and he wasn't as great with the bat (.243/.307/.420), but threw out 48.9% of would-be basestealers with the Naturals (17-of-35), which is remarkable.

All the Royals would need out of their third catcher is to not be embarrassing with the bat, and be little drop-off from Perez and Viloria. Both Fernandez and Melendez are capable of that, if you ask me, so it'll come down to if the Royals want Melendez to skip out on Triple-A.

What veterans are on the chopping block?

Looking at the pitching staff first, this is going to be a key spring for Kyle Zimmer. Robert Stephenson is another guy that might be in danger, but less so because the Royals have more invested in him in terms of trade capital at this point. From 2019 to 2020, Zimmer made quite an improvement (especially in command), but this was the best statistical bullpen in baseball last year, and Zimmer ended up getting optioned not once, but twice last season as MLB granted him a fourth option for 2020 due to injuries. Zimmer throws just two pitches; and will be facing mainly Double and Triple-A guys, at least in the early going, so he SHOULD be beating those players regularly. If not, I think it would be time to worry.

On the position player side, I'd watch and see how Ryan O'Hearn does. He has all the looks of a AAAA-player, which is a guy that is way too good for Triple-A, but not quite good enough for the majors. After getting sent down to Omaha about a month into 2020, he went on to hit twenty-four homeruns for the Storm Chasers. He might find a niche as a bench bat in his career against right-handers because he still hits them pretty well, but his numbers against lefties are still not good enough to warrant more than a platoon set-up.

What is a position battle that no one is really talking about?

RF could be an interesting battle. Bubba Starling is the projected starter there, but Khalil Lee is knocking on the door of the big leagues, and is likely going to be an early-season call-up if he doesn't make the roster right out of the gate. Rule 5 pick Gabriel Maciel could also find himself in the thick of the race there, but for as long as the Royals keep him on the active roster, he's likely a player that the Royals are going to use for speed/defense, and not as a regular everyday player. If Maciel ends up being good enough to warrant a starting spot, then he'll likely slot in CF and Brett Phillips will likely shift to RF, as Maciel's bat likely won't play in a corner spot.

What non-roster invitees should we pay more attention to?

For me, it's first baseman Nick Pratto and outfielder David Oppenheim, who was one of the returning players in the Ian Kennedy deal from last offseason. Pratto was the team's first-round pick in 2017, and has long been considered as the eventual first baseman of the future since Eric Hosmer left town. Perhaps he still is, but he's been slightly underwhelming in the power department to date. After a poor 2019, he followed up with a much better 2020. Between High-A and Double-A last year, he hit 13 dingers and 29 doubles (covering 509 PA); however, you'd like to see a bit more deep-ball power out of a premium offensive position, especially in a hitter-friendly league like the Texas League.

That said, he's still on target when it comes to his progression when it comes through the minors, having reached Double-A prior to his age-22 season as a high school draftee. This is a big year for him -- if he can get into the 20+ homerun range with a full year of Texas League ball while maintaining his usual hard contact, that's something you can point to as a milestone in his development. But beyond that, he's looking more and more like a James Loney type than Fred McGriff at this point, which is disappointing given the immense potential he had when he was first drafted.

As far as Oppenheim, if you hit .386 in a single Triple-A season in a not-so-insignificant number of at-bats, obviously you're doing something right, as he won the PCL batting title and finished third in the PCL MVP voting despite logging fewer than 400 PA. He's not going to give you a lot of pop (just 32 XBH) last year, but the dude rarely gets cheated at the plate, and drew more walks (56) than strikeouts (46). He's a long shot to make the team still, but I'll give him a fighting chance because he's the anti-O'Hearn -- a guy who will put bat on ball and not give away AB's, even at the expense of more extra-base ability.

CATCHERS (5)

07 Xavier Fernandez
09 MJ Melendez
13 Salvador Perez
36 Brian Navarreto
72 Meibrys Viloria

INFIELDERS (13)

01 Nicky Lopez
02 Dante Biasi
04 Nick Pratto
17 Hunter Dozier
21 Kevin Merrell
25 Bobby Witt, Jr.
26 Emmanuel Rivera
27 Adalberto Mondesi
29 Ryon Healy
32 Breyvic Valera
33 Michael Massey
47 Kelvin Gutierrez
66 Ryan O'Hearn

OUTFIELDERS (12)

03 Jeren Kendall
11 Bubba Starling
12 Vince Fernandez
14 Brett Phillips
15 Whit Merrifield
16 David Oppenheim
18 Nick Heath
19 Gabriel Maciel
23 Michael Gigliotti
30 Khalil Lee
38 Lane Adams
62 Troy Stokes

PITCHERS (30)

06 Brandon Leibrandt
08 Daniel Lynch
22 Luiz Gohara
24 Jhon Romero
28 Ofreidy Gomez
31 Grant Gavin
34 Kris Bubic
35 Justin Grimm
37 Bryan Brickhouse
39 Art Warren
40 Jake Diekman
41 Danny Duffy
43 Addison Reed
44 Rob Stephenson
45 Kyle Zimmer
46 Jackson Kowar
47 Kelvin Herrera
48 Nick Gardewine
49 Heath Fillmyer
50 Daniel Tillo
51 Brady Singer
54 Tim Hill
55 Richard Lovelady
56 Brad Keller
63 Josh Staumont
64 Scott Blewett
65 Jake Junis
67 Chris Flexen
68 Elvis Luciano
87 Jose De Leon

Italics denote non-roster invitee

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

START OF 2021 SEASON -- SPRING TRAINING

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

SPRING TRAINING WEEK ONE RESULTS

Astros 4, Royals 1
Adalberto Mondesi: 1-1, HR (1)
Elvis Luciano: 3.1 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 4 K
Jackson Kowar: 2.2 IP, BB
Gabriel Maciel: 1-2, BB
Bobby Witt, Jr.: 1-3, 2B

Royals 1, Red Sox 2 (F/15)
Brady Singer: 3 IP, 4 H, 2 K
Brandon Leibrandt: 4 IP, 2 H
Adalberto Mondesi: 1-2, R
Hunter Dozier: 1-2, RBI

Yankees 2, Royals 5
Chris Flexen: 4 IP, H, K
Khalil Lee: 1-2, 2 R, BB, HR (1)
Bobby Witt, Jr.: 1-1, HR (1), 2 RBI
Kelvin Gutierrez: 1-3, 2 RBI

[artoodeetoo]

Re: Royal Rebuild [OOTP 19]

SPRING TRAINING WEEK TWO RESULTS

Royals 2, Tigers 4
Daniel Lynch: 1 IP, 2 K
Troy Stokes: 1-1, HR (1), 2 RBI
Dante Biasi: 1-2, 2B

Orioles 4, Royals 2
Kris Bubic: 4 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, K
Bryan Brickhouse: 2 IP, BB, 3 K
Nick Pratto: 1-3, RBI
Adalberto Mondesi: 1-3, HR (2)

Royals 6, Blue Jays 1
Daniel Lynch: 4 IP, 0 H, 4 K
Brad Keller: 3 IP, H, 4 K
Ryon Healy: 4-5, 2 2B, 2 RBI
Michael Massey: 3-3, 2B
Hunter Dozier: 1-3, HR (1)
Salvador Perez: 1-2, HR (1)

Mariners 4, Royals 8
Danny Duffy: 4 IP, 4 ER, 5 K
Robert Stephenson: 2.2 IP, BB, 5 K
Bubba Starling: 1-1, HR (1), 3 RBI, BB
Salvador Perez: 1-1, HR (2), 3 RBI, BB
MJ Melendez: 1-2, 2 RBI

Royals 1, Twins 5
Brady Singer: 3 IP, 5 H, 2 BB
Jose De Leon: 3 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
Brian Navarreto: 1-1, 2B, RBI

Angels 4, Royals 2 (F/10)
Chris Flexen: 4 IP, 5 H, ER, 2 K
Richard Lovelady: 3 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 K
Salvador Perez: 3-3, R
Jeren Kendall: 2-2
Nicky Lopez: 1-3, SB