***Official 2024/2025 KC Royals Offseason Thread***

[GabyKeepsMeWarm]

Royals went from 56-106 to 86-76.

Made the playoffs. Took out the Orioles on the road.

Lost in four games to the Yankees by 4 runs.

Finally got a bullpen.

Had two pitchers who will finish in the top five for the Cy Young.

Bobby Witt jr turned into a superstar likely being an MVP #2 to that phag in NY.

Salvy just kept doing Salvy stuff.

Vinnie came back from shoulder surgery and had a helluva year.

Cole Ragans had a full season. His arm didn’t fall off. He’s probably top five for Cy Young.

Seth Lugo is gonna finish top five for Cy Young. He’s like Rick Reed. And he’s ours for at least another season.

Brady Singer will get his next time with arbitration. And I’m ambivalent, but I know it’s damn hard to find healthy arms who could be be better as a 3/4 starter.

Michael Wacha was more than everything we could’ve ever wanted, but I say let that man fly unless he wants to take a dumb contract, which he won’t do.

That gives us Alec Marsh who was pretty great for his role.

And we have Wright coming in, plus Bubic who could start.

But this team needs another bat and wingman for Bobby. It’s perfect that Juan Soto would fill many roles, but it ain’t happening.

Adames is someone I like. And we can dangle Massey/Garcia. Just a thought.

This team…. I hope they go into the offseason working hard, and I hope they got the glitter out of their eyes.

Good team with obvious weakness, and a perennial superstar ready to erupt….

Sherman and JJ should be on the phone soon

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by BWillie

Feels Brett Phillips-y. Who is probably working at Burger King now.

Or it could be... Mike Moustakas-y.

Baty was generally a more highly regarded prospect than Phillips and has fewer holes in his offensive profile (contact and K rate were always big issues for Phillips, even in the minors. They have not been for Baty).

At the end of the day, the Royals should be taking a balanced approach. Seeking out opportunities like this is a good move, as is trading for more established players, or signing free agents.

I'm not going to ask them to go spend what Alex Bregman would command (it would be cool, but I would have some concerns) or demand that they trade for Cody Bellinger (I would like that move, though, even with the reservations I have about his current profile translating to the K).

As long as they're making moves, I'm good with it.

And shoot, if the price really is one of Zerpa or Lynch, isn't that exactly the type of "relievers are fungible assets that should be moved when their value is at its peak" move that many have clamored for in the past?

[Dartgod]

Originally Posted by siberian khatru

Alex Gordon breaks down his iconic 2015 World Series Game 1 home run pic.twitter.com/91rGrjziO0

— Diggin' Deep Podcast (@DigginDeepPod) December 11, 2024

Which was the most iconic homer in Royals history?

Gordon's or Brett's blast off Gossage in 1980?

Edit to add Darryl Motley's 2 run homer to start the scoring in the 11-0 rout of the Cards in game 7 of the 1985 WS.

[TomBarndtsTwin]

BOTH were iconic for much different reasons.

One was slaying the Beast (the Yanks), the other set the tone for the 2015 WS and you can argue that series goes a much different direction if the Royals drop game one in 9 innings. So much happened in that game, with it being the long extra inning game and all.

In that game, our bullpen announced itself to the Mets that WE are better than your elite group of starters and are going to impact the series in a much bigger way than you will.

And that's exactly what happened.

[Nightfyre]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Or it could be... Mike Moustakas-y.

Baty was generally a more highly regarded prospect than Phillips and has fewer holes in his offensive profile (contact and K rate were always big issues for Phillips, even in the minors. They have not been for Baty).

At the end of the day, the Royals should be taking a balanced approach. Seeking out opportunities like this is a good move, as is trading for more established players, or signing free agents.

I'm not going to ask them to go spend what Alex Bregman would command (it would be cool, but I would have some concerns) or demand that they trade for Cody Bellinger (I would like that move, though, even with the reservations I have about his current profile translating to the K).

As long as they're making moves, I'm good with it.

And shoot, if the price really is one of Zerpa or Lynch, isn't that exactly the type of "relievers are fungible assets that should be moved when their value is at its peak" move that many have clamored for in the past?

What do you think the Dbacks get for Jake McCarthy?
Also the Cardinals for Brenden Donovan?

I think if I were the royals and needed a bat to lengthen the order, those are the two that make the most sense. One or both of those guys could certainly fit in the outfield. Granted, at that point, two of Massey, Melendez and Garcia are effectively gone.

[Mecca]

That Garrett Crochet trade...

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Mecca

That Garrett Crochet trade...

Pretty light return, honestly. Crochet has so many years of control left.

Maybe they think Teel is going to be Mauer or something, but his most likely positive outcome is a good-not-great player.

[tk13]

Lot of moves today. Yankees traded for Devin Williams. Looks like the Cubs are close to getting Kyle Tucker too. Maybe that leads to the Bellinger trade everyone's expecting.

[DJJasonp]

Originally Posted by Dartgod

Which was the most iconic homer in Royals history?

Gordon's or Brett's blast off Gossage in 1980?

Edit to add Darryl Motley's 2 run homer to start the scoring in the 11-0 rout of the Cards in game 7 of the 1985 WS.

Nothing will ever top the Brett HR. It meant WAY more.

The only thing I could compare it to would be if Dee ford hadn’t lined up offsides and we finally put a nail in Brady’s coffin.

[Mecca]

Bellinger off to the Yankees so that pipe dream is off the table.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Bellinger off to the Yankees so that pipe dream is off the table.

Looking forward to the details. How much are the Cubs picking up and who are the Yankees giving up? Rumors are the Cubs are eating big salary commitments.

Yankee Stadium is a good park for the player he is now. He’s also a solid RF replacement for Soto.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Mecca

Bellinger off to the Yankees so that pipe dream is off the table.

Haven't seen anything official about it yet though. Thinking it has to do with the $ issue.

[jd1020]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Looking forward to the details. How much are the Cubs picking up and who are the Yankees giving up? Rumors are the Cubs are eating big salary commitments.

Yankee Stadium is a good park for the player he is now. He’s also a solid RF replacement for Soto.

He wouldn't be playing RF on the Yankees. They have already said Judge is going back to RF. Bellinger would either be in CF or 1B most likely.

But nothing is set in stone yet. The Yankees are wanting the Cubs to take on $10M of Bellinger's salary and the only name I've heard rumored in return is Will Warren. Doubt the Cubs are going to be taking on $10M for someone like Will Warren.

[Ocotillo]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

Pretty light return, honestly. Crochet has so many years of control left.

Maybe they think Teel is going to be Mauer or something, but his most likely positive outcome is a good-not-great player.

So many years of control left? Crochet has two years of control left. He debuted during his draft year of 2020.

[Fansy the Famous Bard]

Yes has a little over 4 years ML service time.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by Ocotillo

So many years of control left? Crochet has two years of control left. He debuted during his draft year of 2020.

Two is a lot to me (though I thought he had 3 left).

The trade return looks to me like a player of that caliber with 1 season left…