2012 Kansas City Royals Repository Thread

[alnorth]

2012 Slogan: Our Time

A better, more accurate 2012 Slogan: It is Finally Next Year
(from Great Expectations)

An alternative slogan if you don't like that one: Someone has to win this crappy division
(from alnorth)

With the beginning of a new year, it is time for the 2012 version of the Royals Repository Thread. We've got Hosmer, we've got a 2011-dominating Gordon, we've got Moose, we've got hopefully a killer bullpen, we've got a stereotypical slow slugging DH, we've got easily one of the best defensive shortstops in the AL, we've got a promising catcher in Salvador Perez. Hell, we've got offense and promising prospects galore.

We do not have starting pitching.

Oh yeah, we've also got this:



Get ready for, (as of January 2012 anyway), one of the most confusing puzzles of a baseball season in recent Royals history. Will they suck? Maybe, I don't know. Will we be given a year of 0.500 baseball? Possibly, I don't know. Will they win the division and go to the playoffs for the first time in 27 years? For the first time in a long time, it could happen, I don't know. 92 losses, 92 wins, or anything in between would not surprise a lot of us.

Everything goes here except Gameday threads and really big news. If a giant story breaks, the Royals achieve some awesome milestone, or we sign/lose a highly significant player/coach/mascot/whatever, then it might also deserve its own thread. This being Chiefs Planet, please do not clutter the board with new threads about trivial Royals news or you will only annoy those who come here for just Chiefs football. If you aren't sure and its not a Gameday thread, it goes here.

What sort of stuff often goes here? SPchief explained it well, so I'll just copy that:

If you locate something of interest.. ANYTHING.. deals on apparel, best ways in/out of the stadium, giveaways, great stories from this season or from seasons gone by, rumors, trades, anything.... feel free to post it here.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by ChiefsCountry

Angels sent cash in the deal as well.

That's what I would expect.

And, if this "name acquisition" bluffs another pitcher, such as Sanchez, into thinking that the team is making strides in the right direction and that one man doesn't have to be the savior, it's money well spent.

[DeezNutz]

Oh, and Scott Pioli is a ****ing fraudulent clown.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

That's what I would expect.

And, if this "name acquisition" bluffs another pitcher, such as Sanchez, into thinking that the team is making strides in the right direction and that one man doesn't have to be the savior, it's money well spent.

Very good point. Anyone have any idea if Haren and Sanchez are buddies? Even if the Royals are on Haren's no trade list I assume he could void that if he chose.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

And if that $13 million could've been spread over 4 years to give the Royals the boost they need to get Anibal Sanchez? Hell, with time value you're really talking about $16 million. That's another $4 million/season they could've stuck onto an offer for Sanchez, who could be a true #2 starter for the Royals and for a fair period of time.

I've been beating the Anibal Sanchez drum since the start of the last offseason. You won't find me arguing against being the No. 1 bidder on Sanchez.

But I also have stopped believing they were really going to do that. Recent tenor from the club (in the past 10 days or so) seems to have closed that door. It also seemed to have closed this door, though, so who knows?

If they're going to take a 1-year dip on a guy, Santana and Haren were favored targets. Other one-year targets like Josh Johnson (pricy in prospects), Matt Garza (injury concern, pricier in prospects, but still someone I'd look at trading for) are there, too.

In this case, they gave up a nothing prospect (a guy who is like the No. 6 LOOGY in the system) and got cash back on Santana.

It's pretty low-risk for one year. Lower risk than giving 3/$30 million to Guthrie.

[DeezNutz]

Given all of the bluster this off-season, I'm going to be surprised if the Royals don't move an actual real piece or two for another pitcher.

[mr. tegu]

Originally Posted by duncan_idaho

It's pretty low-risk for one year. Lower risk than giving 3/$30 million to Guthrie.

Is there any update as to whether we will resign him? I have been out of the loop in the Chiefs' chaos.

[gblowfish]

I predicted 90 KC losses in 2013.

I believe I mis-judged DM.

Now with the bolstering of our starting pitching rotation, and the progress that will be made by Hoch by keeping him in the rotation, I'm now predicting 89 losses.

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Is there any update as to whether we will resign him? I have been out of the loop in the Chiefs' chaos.

All but certain he's going to test FA, which is fine by me, actually.

[Great Expectations]

dup

[Great Expectations]

He should average a little over 6 ip per game, and a WHIP slightly below 1.3. If his HR rate declines in KC then his ERA should be around 4, that figures to him leaving the game after 6 innings and having given up around 2.5 runs on average. If that replaces Hoch then we have a significant upgrade.

I'd like to also have Guthrie and one guy that is better than both. Those 3 plus the NL dude we signed last week will give us some decent pitching options until Duffy/Paulino come back. Especially if Odo is ready.

[DJ's left nut]

You guys keep talking about the cash in the deal - the Angels aren't going to send back more than $1 million in this deal.

Again, they had an option on him with a $1 million buyout. They got a nothing prospect back in return. It was clear that they were just looking to unload him, which they could have done merely by exercising his buyout.

The Royals are still going to pay Ervin Santana quite a bit of money this year.

[ChiefsCountry]

I would expect Odo to start the year in Omaha.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by mr. tegu

Is there any update as to whether we will resign him? I have been out of the loop in the Chiefs' chaos.

He is "testing his options" in FA.

Sticking point seems to be that he wants a third year (understandable - this is probably his last big contract chance).

I wouldn't be surprised to see Guthrie come back to KC on a two-year deal, though.

I agree with Deez... with the noise they've been making, it would be disappointing if they DON'T make another major move.

No doubt in my mind at this point that they should focus on defense at 2B in the offseason. They need a range increase there. In all liklihood, they end up sticking with Chris Getz (puke).

[DeezNutz]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

You guys keep talking about the cash in the deal - the Angels aren't going to send back more than $1 million in this deal.

Again, they had an option on him with a $1 million buyout. They got a nothing prospect back in return. It was clear that they were just looking to unload him, which they could have done merely by exercising his buyout.

The Royals are still going to pay Ervin Santana quite a bit of money this year.

Yes, and that's fine. $12M is not and should not prohibit the Royals from making any other moves, no matter what the dumbshits at the K say.

[duncan_idaho]

Originally Posted by DeezNutz

Yes, and that's fine. $12M is not and should not prohibit the Royals from making any other moves, no matter what the dumbshits at the K say.

Exactly. The Royals don't have much wrapped up in terms of rotation dollars at this point.

$4.5 million on Chen.
$2 million on Volstad (if he makes it past the next few weeks, even - who knows?)
League min on most of the rest of the options (Mendoza, Smith, Odorizzi)

If they SMARTLY non-tender Luke Hochevar (probably due about $5 million), that just adds to the payroll flexibility that's present.

Ideal situation would close this with signing Sanchez (not holding my breath, but maybe they surprise me and go big, something like 5 years/$70 million) and Guthrie to 2 years/$18 million.

What will probably happen is closing with SOMEONE like Guthrie on a one-year deal (or one-year with team option) and someone of the third-tier/cheap veteran sort (i.e. Kevin Millwood).