Yep, that was an all-in bet to mortgage the future (Meyer) for now (Shields). 2014 or bust.

So the Royals have Aoki in RF this season...and then he's a FA right? Either way, I would assume that they aren't as worried about Myers because they think Bonifacio might be ready in 2015?

You forget that in a little way, we've already won the World Series.

Yes,that's right.

I could see an extension for Aoki for a year or two. Wouldn't be too expensive, and he's a good player.

I think Bonifacio needs at least two more years. But we will see. Depends on how he starts 2014. If he quickly movess to AAA, he might be ready by 2015.

This is a pretty critical year for Bonifacio.

Hey, if you are all-in then F it, you're all-in. I think its why a lot of us didn't complain about getting only one year of Aoki, whether you agree with it or not, the plan is 2014 or bust.

We'll need to fill RF again in 2015.

If anyone still wants to spend time hatching trade scenarios while we wait the miserable winter out, I've been reminded that we have a high-30's or low-40's draft pick in 2014 that we could trade. Anyone's guess what that is worth. (the new "competitive balance" draft picks in MLB can be traded, and we got one of them in the lottery)

edit: If anyone's wondering, we did well enough last year that the odds we'll get a type-A competitive balance pick in 2015 are going to be very, very low but we'll still have at least some numbers in the lotto simply because we're tiny little Kansas City.

Given the following players are pretty much set in stone:
C Perez
1B Hoz
2B Infante
LF Gordon
CF Cain
DH Butler

You are looking at maybe a corner outfielder, shortstop or third baseman to add a bat to the lineup. You could also look to add a pitcher, but I kind of hope we take a stab at Santana on a one-year deal assuming he doesn't find a suitable suitor.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>A true blue fan &amp; STH for 30+ years has passed away. We thank &quot;Front Row&quot; Dave for his commitment to the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Royals&amp;src=hash">#Royals</a>. He will truly be missed!</p>&mdash; Kansas City Royals (@Royals) <a href="https://twitter.com/Royals/statuses/414123118924288000">December 20, 2013</a></blockquote>
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Pretty sad news today, the Royals have lost one of their most loyal, longtime fans. I don't know if anyone here had personally met him or not, but from the looks of the comments on the Royals facebook page he was an amazing person.

I took a trip down to KC for my first 2 Royals games @ The K this past June. During the second game I see an usher or someone pushing this guy in a wheelchair down the aisle right in front of me, and the friendly, elderly usher who had been talking to me throughout the game looks over to me and mentions how big of a fan this man was. Tells me all about how he had been a season ticket holder for years and years and tells me how he hadn't missed a home game in that time.

RIP Dave
http://scontent-b-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/h...74918601_n.jpg

Sucks to see that guy go. Always saw him at the games, great fan

I'm in, it's the most fun the Royals have been in decades, here's to the WS!

As far as a grade, power hitter, -, rf, +, 2B, =, 3B, =, 1B, =, CF, =, LF,C,=,so, let's talk shortstop...trade material..bring in the perrenial All-Star!

I'm feeling the fever for this year!

Ordered up some Spring Training tickets last night.

Its our year!

Our Time?