Congratulations to the Royals, who not only reached the playoffs for the first time since 1985 this year but are now headed to the World Series on the heels of a dominant 8-0 showing through the Wild Card game, ALDS and ALCS. As KC fans celebrate the end of a long World Series drought, the rest of the division is focused on how they can get to that point in the near future. Here are some notes pertaining to the AL Central…
- Zack Meisel of the Cleveland Plain Dealer looks at the Indians’ payroll, estimating that without any extensions, trades or free agent signings, the team has roughly $73MM committed to next year’s club (including arbitration estimates). Cleveland would, in that scenario, be able to spend about $8-12MM this offseason to maintain a payroll in the $85MM range. While the team’s wealth of young, cost-controlled players would normally put them in an ideal spot to make a big trade or free agent signing, the commitments to Michael Bourn and Nick Swisher make that unlikely. Instead, he wonders if the Indians will look to make an extension offer to ace Corey Kluber this winter, but otherwise they’ll have to get creative in trades or make complementary free agent additions rather than targeting front-line names.
- The Twins spoke with Yasmany Tomas’ camp as recently as Monday this week, reports Darren Wolfson of 1500 ESPN (Twitter link). It’s “clear” that Minnesota very much likes Tomas, though their problem, as Wolfson notes, is that about 10 other clubs do as well at this point.
- Wolfson also tweets that while he can’t handicap the Twins’ managerial search at this juncture, he hears that Red Sox bench coach Torey Lovullo “nailed” his interview.
- In his latest mailbag piece, MLive.com’s James Schmehl focuses primarily on the Tigers’ offseason and how it might shake out. He notes that Don Kelly is a clear non-tender candidate, and it’s possible that Andrew Romine, who will earn close to the league minimum next season, could take on Kelly’s utility role. Schmehl also speculates on Luke Gregerson, Kelly Johnson and Emilio Bonifacio as targets, noting that he doesn’t feel the team will be the highest bidder for Andrew Miller. Schmehl also discusses the possibility of retaining Victor Martinez or Torii Hunter (he does not feel both will return) as well as the possibility of making a run at Tomas.
Gotta say it for the record. Biggest and best surprise of the season: Royals make the World Series!
I’m definitely pulling for Kansas City to win it all over St. Louis or San Francisco. A new champion would be awesome, and it’s just hard not to root for KC.
They’ve been fun to watch for sure. I’ve made watching all of their post season games a priority.
Yeah, I’ve tried to watch as much as all of their games as possible. Alex Gordon and Lorenzo Cain are fun to watch, and Salvador Perez, Jarrod Dyson, and Terrence Gore are interesting players. I’ve even come to like Moose, Hosmer, Alcides, and the bullpen.
The combination of their defense and bullpen is simply stunning. I didn’t get to see a lot of them in the regular season but their postseason play says this is a team you have to love.
Their speed too. Jarrod Dyson and Terrance Gore on the bench is a dangerous weapon. Cain is such an unreal fielder. Couple with Dyson – when Aoki leaves – and Gordon, it’s up there as the best defensive outfield in the sport.
Exactly, this is an old school small ball team destroying the expectations. They’re just a fun team to watch.
They look incredibly similar to a Whitey Herzog cardinal team.
Ned Yost is the easy reason to not root for KC. But as far as players go, I agree, they are a fun bunch to root for.
I lived in Lawrence KS for a while so seeing a ball game meant cheap last minute seats in Kaufman that still had a great view but rooting for them meant heartache.
I may be a Red Sox fan first but rooting for the Royals in The Series is just awesome.
I lived in Lawrence as well. Going to a game meant paying more to park than an OF ga seat. I remember paying $13 total to get in and having just about any seat I wanted. Lived 30 years in KS… it’s a big deal for the region. Glad to see my $13 was well invested
I always thought that was a great reason to try to stay near Kansas City. Some of the cheapest tickets and typically a great seat even a hour before the game.
They’ve caught up price wise…but they were a steal in Mike Sweeneys day
And it’s not as if Boston hasn’t had recent success, either. They’ve got a good core in place, a load of payroll flexibility, and among the game’s top farm systems. Then, in their rebuilding year, you get to watch KC capture the AL pennant. It’s a win-win. I’m really happy for Josh Willingham and Raul Ibanez, even if they aren’t playing a ton.
Would like to see St Louis get into the WS, but KC win it all. I didn’t realize that the Giants are holding a $150+ 2014 payroll. I always like rooting for the ‘lower’ payroll teams when my team doesn’t make the playoffs. lol
They are everything the Tigers are not.
After years of being put down as the worst division in MLB, the AL Central is well on it;s way to becoming the best division in MLB.
Looking forward to seeing the Sox and Twins become forces.
The Royals are the real deal. I’m a Red Sox guy, but I’m completely impressed by KC’s grit and talent. It’s been a real fun postseason for their fans. I’m happy for them.
I’ve been rooting for the Royals to win it all since about mid-July. They’re just locked in this year, they deserve it…It really seems like everybody who likes baseball wants to see them win it. I bet even a disproportionate number of Cards and Giant fans kinda want to see the Royals take it all.