Ibanez May Be Too Pricey For Royals

Why would the Royals sign Ibanez? I mean I know they need a good hitter, but it's not like Ibanez is the huge OBP guy they really need (his OBP has been between .350 and .360 the past five seasons, good but nothing spectacular). He would give them a nice bat, but I just don't see how this guy would really help their chances.

They really seem to be set on the corner positions right now with Gordon, Jacobs, Guillen, Butler, Ka'aihue, Teahen and DeJesus. I just don't get why the Royals would go after this kind of player, when what they clearly need is speed, defense and a high OBP. They already have good power potential with the guys I listed above.

I agree. Furcal would be a much better fit, though the funds just aren't there. Eckstein and Punto probably aren't going to solve that OBP problem.

Furcal wont sign with the Royals, anyone that actually believes that nonsense is pretty naive.

He will want to sign with a contender rather than signing with a losing team with no fan support.

Sad to say but its going to take A LOT for the Royals to sign any type A free agent. They need to just keep building good solid young talent and continue with the rebuild and save the cash to be able to keep the young talent in KC.

KC would be advised to follow the Tampa model:

sign your solid draft picks above slot and develop them. invest in scouting and finding talent before anyone else.

maybe you get a cliff floyd type to help with your clubhouse.

moor is a JS guy, so he's seen how it can be done. he's no fool. however, he does love jeff f, so, maybe he IS a bigger fool than i think.

For your info, Furcal is not a Type A free agent, so they don't lose a draft pick for signing him, if that's what you were referring to when you said "its going to take A LOT for the Royals to sign any type A free agent."

Yeah, they should do some minor signings to improve that team. Better than blowing money on mediocre free agents (see Guillen, Jose). They need to clear that logjam at 1B/DH, and find a good defensive middle infielder with good OBP. I would like them to trade DeJesus and cash in on him, find some depth elsewhere. The way this offseason is going, this is going to be an interesting one.

Would Hudson be too much for them? He's a gold-glover at 2B, and this would allow them to keep Aviles at short, since he was a top 3 defensive shortstop last season.

Ibanez wouldn't be a good signing, as this won't really help their team defense, and he's better as a DH, as has been mentioned.

How about looking for a pitcher? Would Brad Penny be interested? Or Pavano? They won't cost too much on a short-term deal, as their values aren't very high, considering how they did the past year.

See if there is some interest in Bannister. I think he would be better pitching in the NL than the AL, as there are too many power hitters in the AL.

The Royals announced they have hired Mike Arbuckle formerly of the Phillies as Senior Advisor to the GM/Scouting and Player Development.

This is a great signing and should really help accelerate the scouting and internal development throughout the organization.

who ISN'T too pricey for the Royals

honestly

"who ISN'T too pricey for the Royals

honestly"

Apparently Jose Guillen. :bangs head against wall:

When is this Boras superstar Moustakas going to be ready to play in the show?

I dont think he is locked to SS either, apparently they see him in the outfield long term because of his arm.

Whats his progress looking like? Arent they already paying him a tonne?

According to Keith Law and others, Butler is likely to be traded this winter, probably for less than he is worth. Personally I think he would make a great fit with the Rays. Along with the best starting surplus in the majors, the Rays have many interesting young players they could offer.

Of the starting pitchers the Rays have to offer, I think Jackson makes the most sense. Not only did he establish himself as a sold middle of the rotation starter, but he also still has the potential to be even better. He finally started to actually pitch instead of throw and use his secondary pitches, including a change up that has looked above average at times. Sonnanstine is solid, but doesnt have the potential to be any better than a solid #4 and Niemann is unproven at the major league level. Jackson however could slot into the #3 spot and not skip a beat. He seems like the type of player Moore would value more.

If the Rays need to add a player, one guy who might be of interest is John Jaso. A left handed hitting catcher with above average power, contact and OBP skills. He was rated as having the best strike zone discipline in the Rays system according to BA. He is our best catching prospect and is ready for the majors. He could platoon with Olivio.

As for speed and OBP, we have Fernando Perez, our minor league player of the year, who is the fastest player on the team and has great OBP skills. And dont worry, unlike Gathright, he actually can hit, switch hit in fact, and has some pop (probably 10+ HR power). Hit 3 HR in 40+ at bats this year with the Rays.

Another guy that interest the Royals is Ben Zobrist. Has never been much of a power hitter, but this year he stopped gripping up on the bat (a recommendation from Rocco Baldelli) and had 12 HR off the bench. A very versatile player (played all three OF positions, third, short, second and first) but is a shortstop by trade. At 6'3, he has very good power potential and has always displayed solid OBP skills. Also good with the glove, he is ready for a shot at being a starting shortstop. And...his wife is hot haha