Royals owner David Glass recently said that the team is "committed to improving (their) starting pitching" while also indicating a willingness to operate at a financial loss to be competitive. Bob Dutton of The Kansas City Star has the latest on the team…
- “Our market is what it is,” said GM Dayton Moore. “We’re not going to have a payroll of $100MM. We know that going into it. We embrace who we are … We’ve got to stay consistent with our approach. We’re not going get crazy and go nuts in free agency.”
- There are indications that the Royals have Anibal Sanchez and Kyle Lohse at the top of their free agent target list. Bringing Zack Greinke back for a second tour of duty is unlikely.
- The team's list of secondary pitching targets is believed to include Ryan Dempster, Hiroki Kuroda, Shaun Marcum, Carlos Villanueva, and Carlos Zambrano. They will also monitor pitchers who could have club options declined, like Dan Haren and Ervin Santana.
- “Absolutely … I think any pitcher would be fortunate to pitch here," said right-hander Jeremy Guthrie, an impending free agent the team would like to retain. They are unwilling to go beyond a two-year deal, however.
- Moore acknowledged that there is a chance of working out a new contract with Guthrie during the exclusive negotiating window prior to free agency.
- “I wouldn’t say anybody is untouchable,” said Moore with regards to potential trade talks. “You go into any discussion with an open mind. That being said, there are certain positions on the diamond that are very difficult to replace … You don’t want to compromise in one area just to get strong in another area.”
- Dutton estimates that the Royals could have $20-23MM to spend this winter while keeping the current roster intact.
Hiroki Kuroda is not a “secondary pitching target” like the article suggests. He was the Yankees best pitcher this year in his first year in the AL East and has always been extremely consistent. He deserves a better label than that. He’s a proven horse.
None of this makes him any less of a secondary target of the Kansas City Royals whatsoever…
I think DerekJeterDan misinterpreted the post.
you misunderstood the comment.
and sabathia was the yankees best pitcher
The article implies that the Royals won’t necessarily be at the top of the Royals list. It does not state that the Kuroda is a secondary type of pitcher but for what the Royals are looking for he is.
I think the Royals are definitely at the top of the Royals list.
I feel bad for Kuroda. Most people downplay his stock. Had he come to MLB earlier and posted these numbers late like he is now, we’re talking about the greatest Japanese pitcher in America. Instead, he still goes down as one of the better ones, considering he’s done way more than most.
he knows how to pitch, that is why he is only a secondary option…this is the Royals…………
Miley and Bauer for Moose.
As a Dbacks fan, I could live with that. Miley will regress (3rd starter or so), but Bauer could be an ace. Moose is improving and at a key position. I would feel better if it could be Kennedy though (more proven for Royals, but is getting expensive and I think he will perform closer to this year in the future than 2011).
20-23 million could get them 2 good picthers and some bullpen help
They don’t need bullpen help. They had one of the best bullpens in the league this season, and they’re adding Joakim Soria back to that bullpen (unless they decide to turn him into a starter or don’t re-sign him after declining his option.) Any extra money they spend will be to upgrade the starting pitching.
I could see that happening.
Perhaps:
– Anibal Sanchez: 3yr/$40m or 4yr/$50m
– Shaun Marcum: 3yrs/$30m or 4yr/$38m
Royals should stay out of the starting pitcher market.
– Gil Meche
Royals have been terrible for almost 20 years now. Talk is cheap, I’ll believe it when I see good moves, not overpaying by alot for a backend starter.
Mariners could definitely match up with them for a trade. Mariners send some young pitching in exchange for a young bat. Myers for Walker+?
Hiroki Kuroda probably should not be on this list; his service time is 5 years 0 days, and I see it as a no-brainer that he will be tendered a contract.
As an international free agent he is not subject to the 6 year team control rule. He was a free agent last year and will be again this off-season.
How come they never stretched out Aaron Crow as a starter? Their season was over and it’s not like they have more than one good starter (Guthrie) so why not see how Crow can play as a starter and get his innings up so you can do it more next season? Being a #3 starter is a lot more valuable than being the third reliever out of the bullpen.
In order for me to take the Royals serious next year they are going to have to resign Guthrie, sign/trade for a legit starting pitcher, and then sign a reclamation project guy, like the Pirates did this year with AJ Burnett. that is the least that they should do, I would prefer Guthrie and two legit pitchers but I must be realisticwith the history of this teams ownership.