With Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, and Mike Moustakas all hitting free agency, there has been wide speculation that the Royals could be entering a rebuild phase. This is the general consensus around the league, Rustin Dodd of the Kansas City Star writes, even if Hosmer is re-signed. The club itself is unsure about its contention plans for the immediate future, as the exact level of the rebuild is still in question — “club officials see rebuilding scenarios that include” Hosmer on the roster, Dodd writes. This would seemingly put K.C. in an awkward decision this winter, as spending nine figures to re-sign Hosmer doesn’t seem to make much sense for a team that already has an eye towards reloading its farm system, though GM Dayton Moore is reportedly not keen on the idea of a full teardown.
Here’s more from the AL Central…
- The Twins and Aaron Boone recently had mutual interest in a front office role before Boone was hired to be the Yankees’ new manager, according to Charley Walters of the St. Paul Pioneer Press (hat tip to 1500ESPN.com’s Darren Wolfson).
- The Indians are interested in a reunion with Austin Jackson “but at the right price,” according to Terry Pluto of the Cleveland Plain Dealer. Jackson proved to be a big bargain for the Tribe in 2017, as he signed a minor league deal and then hit an outstanding .318/.387/.482 over 318 plate appearances while seeing time at all three outfield positions. Jackson would bring a right-handed presence to a projected Cleveland outfield that currently features three left-handed hitters (Michael Brantley, Bradley Zimmer, Lonnie Chisenhall), though there’s certainly question as to whether Jackson can sustain his production, given his .385 BABIP from last season and his recent history of subpar offensive numbers.
- The Tigers figure to add multiple starting pitchers this winter, though as The Athletic’s Katie Strang notes, those arms will come in the form of inexpensive MLB and minor league signings and possibly a Rule 5 Draft pick. Names like Clay Buchholz, Drew Smyly or Nick Burdi could fit, though the latter two are recovering from Tommy John surgery and could be tough fits on the 40-man roster.
I think it
Whoops, excuse me. I meant to say I think it would be wise for the Tigers to stock up on some of these healing starters like Smyly. That way there is a plethora in the next couple years to either keep for contention or flip for additional prospects.
Can someone please explain why Naquin is not in the discussion? Had one injury plagued season, but still their best overall outfielder. He’s young, has a high floor, and can play all 3 spots at an above avg level.
I’ve been trying to figure that out, too. Maybe he got on Chewy’s bad side? The fact they signed Almonte doesn’t bode well for Tyler. To me, Almonte is a waste of money. Guyer, too.
I think the big knock on Naquin is that he can’t play OF at an above average level or even a average level and he gave the Cubs a 3 run head start in the first inning of game 6 by somehow missing a ball I’d expect the worst outfielder on my softball team to make. He was a huge liability in centerfield all year and overcame that by playing over his head offensively, but he was 4-23 in the playoffs with 14k’s including 5k’s in 7abs in the World Series. I want him to be good and to take good routs to balls and stop swinging at high fastballs, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
I think the big knock on Naquin is that he can’t play OF at an above average level or even a average level and he gave the Cubs a 3 run head start in the first inning of game 6 by somehow missing a ball I’d expect the worst outfielder on my softball team to get to. He was a huge liability in centerfield all year and overcame that by playing over his head offensively, but he was 4-23 in the playoffs with 14k’s including 5k’s in 7abs in the World Series. I want him to be good and to take good routs to balls an stop swinging at high fastballs, but I don’t think it’s going to happen.
Burdi has never started a game in the minors, why would he now coming off TJ surgery?
I’m more concerned with the Indians 1B situation. They have options in the OF. Greg Allen seems like a better bet than Austin Jackson. Who am I to question the Indians? They sem to always get it right. The offense was uncharacteristically anemic in the post season after they lost RH slugger Edwin Encarnacion.
Didn’t want to see Almonte back, not a fan of Guyer’s either and while pleased with what they got from Jackson felt like he should be allowed to walk. There are always reclamation projects out there like him that they shouldn’t overpay for him. Naquin’s defense/teamwork got him in the doghouse, he got banged up this season and never got out. Would like to see him step up and also think Allen can bring some of what they got out of Jackson. I still would like to see them deal an extra arm and one of the catchers and get a corner bat back in return.
With the Tribe stocking up on utility infielders recently (Michael Martinez and Rob Refsnyder) it seems like they’re setting up for Kipnis to be traded, and that needs to happen because he’s a man without a position right now. Hard to even speculate what they’d get in return aside from salary relief. I do agree that they could get a solid corner bat in exchange for a surplus SP (Salazar) and one of the catchers other than Mejia. With the glut of first basemen on the market they should have no problem filling that need on a short term reasonable contract.