The Royals are still pushing to add a rotation arm, according to multiple reports this morning, and appear to have their sights set upon the top of the remaining free-agent market. Kansas City “seems very focused” on Ian Kennedy, Jon Heyman tweets, but is still “talking” to Yovani Gallardo as well, per Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports (via Twitter).
Signing either Kennedy or Gallardo would, of course, require Kansas City to part with its top draft choice. While that’s not as painful as it would be for most teams, as the Royals won’t pick until the end of the first round, it’s obviously necessary for the team to take account of that sacrifice.
The Royals were said to have interest in free agent Wei-Yin Chen, but he just agreed to terms with the Marlins. If nothing else, though, that pursuit showed the seriousness of the Royals’ efforts as well as its willingness to punt a pick. Chen’s signing also showed that there’s still hope that the other top remaining free agents can match the lofty contract expectations that led them to decline qualifying offers.
As things stand, K.C. will run out a staff fronted by Edinson Volquez and Yordano Ventura. The three leading candidates for the remaining slots are the recently-re-signed Chris Young along with Danny Duffy and Kris Medlen, either of whom could also function as swingmen. There’s some minor league depth, including pitchers like John Lannan, Chien-Ming Wang, and Brian Flynn, but it isn’t hard to see why the Royals would want to add another option.
Well our recently drafted arms still aren’t in the majors or were traded, so i no longer feel partial to a late first round choice. Do what you must DM. Get us an arm.
I’m not comfortable with giving up another draft pick. Moore still hasn’t figured out a way to effectively develop pitching, and has decided to sign or trade for pitchers. A signing may look good now, but I hope everyone is ready for the 2018 drought.
What’s the other draft pick we gave up?
Manaea or Finnegan/Lamb
Anytime you trade for a World Series Title it’s a good trade.
Anytime you make a trade for a World Series Title it’s a good trade.
Ugh i don’t understand the intrigue over kennedy. He’s only had 1 or 2 good years. I’d much rather the Royals take a chance on Latos and not give up a pick. But if I’ve learned anything over the past 2 years it’s to just trust Dayton so we’ll see i gueas.
Well with any pitcher, you have to figure their ERA will almost always go down as a royal. The defense and long fences AND salvy make their jobs easier. Also, Ian Kennedy does something most other FA”s don’t and thats start 30 games a year. He’s done it the last 6 seasons.. For the 2018 season we’ll hopefully have zimmer, almonte, blewett and griffen up with ventura and should be fine for a young team. They know they have a chance to go deep into the playoffs for 2 more years, wouldn’t it be foolish not to try?
Oh and the bullpen. how could i forget them. IK only needs to get through the order twice and hand the keys to Hoch and Soria
While generally I agree with that sentiment the guy has basically pitched his entire career in the NL and San Diego is not a small ballpark. I’m not sure it would make as big of a difference that you think.
Petco’s size is actually right in the middle of the pack as currently configured. Between bringing the fences in and the construction beyond the outfield which seems to have also increased batted ball distance last year, it’s more or less neutral as a HR park at this point (though it will probably take another year for ballpark factors to catch up to that).
Just as he said below, people are still confused about PetCo. It’s not hard to hit HR’s there anymore. The padres also had a below avg defense in the OF last year, to where ours is tops in the league. He didn’t have a great D in AZ either. I’m pretty sure they had Trumbo and Kubel back there most of his tenure.
Latos has had a reputation as a bad clubhouse character. I think GMDM doesn’t want to jeopardize the harmony he’s helped develop by bringing in a “me first” guy, and that’s why he’s looking at other options. I have faith in him now.
Latos likely is a bad clubhouse guy, but lest not forget this is a team that has Yordano Ventura on it. I
Difference between a bad clubhouse guy and an immature guy that pisses other teams off. The royals love ventura
Tru Dat
Kennedy has been my choice all along (knowing the approximate budget). I think what he does – mixed either Eiland, the K, and the best OF defense in baseball means very good things for Kennedy in KC.
Gallardo has made 30 starts 7 straight seasons, IK has made 30 in 6. See a pattern here? This is why the Cards paid so much for leake. Dependability is Key when you have a rotation with ?’s.
You shouldn’t be paying on past performance, though
If its a fair contract, you aren’t.. You’re paying for someone that could get you 60 starts over the next two years, that–barring anything unusual– is close to a garauntee
It’s not a Jeter/Pujols situation
For anyone wondering why the Royals are projected to be under .500 next year by Fangraphs and Baseball Prospectus, just look at that rotation. Geez, that’s bad…..
Might as well get another good SP. The ball club only has a window of keeping most of the team together.
At what point can the Royals expect Vargas to rejoin the rotation?
I know there is no true ace in the organization but the Royals seem to have at least six viable MLB starters already signed. I think their rotation already stacks up to be mid-tier, not an area in need of drastic measures.
Now that Gordon is signed I would prefer Dayton Moore spread a bit of pitching money around on reclamation projects like he did last year rather than commit to 3 years $30+M for Kennedy. There is going to be a huge salary crunch coming over the next few years when Hosmer, Moose, Cain and Herrera wind down their control years. I think most fans will really hate a $10+M commitment to Kennedy in 2017 and 2018 when we wave goodbye to the above players.
And find a way to get Salvy a bit more money. Just so I don’t feel guilty watching him play.
Vargas is expected to miss the year. he could always come back really late in September or something, but if he pitches 1 pitch in the majors, the royals’ insurance policy on him is void and they miss out on 6 million dollars. So unless they really need him badly, one assumes they’ll wait for him to be full strength for 2017
10 million dollars in 2018 is not the reason we can’t retain any of those players. Our payroll that year only has 35 million commited right now(and most likely less as we don’t know how much Gordo is gettin deferred) and almost no one up for Arb that year. Even if they had 1 final year ok Kennedy at 15 million, that would 70+million to sign other. I think it will be ok.
Don’t feel guilty watching Salvy or any guy play baseball. Now, if the players would feel guilty when they have crappy years and give some money back, then I might feel compelled to feel sorry for a millionaire like Salvy when they do really well. He didn’t have to sign that contract that pays him over 2 million dollars a year now TO PLAY BASEBALL.
royals also signed dillon gee a while back, i’d actually figure him for the #6 starter over guys like lannan and wang as of today
good point
I love how the Royals are still willing to go for a pitcher after signing Gordon. Must feel good to be a Royals fan lately. Prime years for the franchise are here and here to stay.
Signing either of these guys, is like going into your closet to grab a shirt, and seeing that all the ones you like are in the wash.
Maybe no shirt is better.
The window is short for another title run. So far giving up some picks has led to a World Series title. 2-3 years left in this current window. I say go for it.