Even though the Royals just won the World Series, they acknowledge they have flaws to address this offseason, including the need for their starters to pitch more innings, MLB.com’s Jeffrey Flanagan reports. “We have to address the issue of innings from our starters,” says GM Dayton Moore. “It’s important to get more innings out of our starters.” Royals starters pitched just 912 2/3 innings this season, last in the American League, and as Moore notes that can strain a bullpen, even a terrific one, over a full season. The Royals currently have Edinson Volquez, Yordano Ventura, Danny Duffy and Kris Medlen in the fold for next season, and they’ll be on the lookout for another starter this winter. Here’s more out of Kansas City.
- Royals owner David Glass says the team is interested in Alex Gordon but doesn’t yet know what it will offer him, Flanagan writes (Twitter links). Somewhat ominously, perhaps, for Royals fans, Glass adds that’s he accepts the possibility that Gordon could sign elsewhere. “We want what is best for Alex,” he says. “If another team offers him a big contract that is out of our range, then he needs to do what is best.”
- When the Royals non-tendered injured reliever Greg Holland, Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reported that the team would consider re-signing him to a two-year deal. Via Andy McCullough of the Kansas City Star (on Twitter), Moore confirms exactly that — the team would like to keep Holland with the Royals on a deal lasting more than a year.
What is best and taking the most money available isn’t always the same thing. Whatever happens, I hope he does whatever he ultimately finds most fulfilling.
I think the Royals would be smart to go after Mike Leake. He has been very durable and he is young enough to still have a bit of upside. It probably won’t happen, but it should.
Royals should let Gordon go. Makes no sense to pay that kind of money to your No. 8 hitter whose value is mainly defensive in a non-premium position.Take the draft pick and start building up the farm again.
A platoon of Aoki and Gomes would replace the offense at a fraction of the price. They can live with diminished defense at that position.
I think of Gordon more as a #2 hitter but I like with your platoon scenario.
I think the hope was that Gordon could come around and put up numbers similar to what Brandon Crawford did, but unlike Crawford, his defense improved and his hitting stayed mediocre
I would like to see ATL sign Greg Holland to a nice incentive-laden, multi-year deal not unlike what KC did for Kris Medlen. Backload it for 2017 and after, when we’ll have more funds to compete while allowing him 2016 to comeback at his pace. We have lesser options including Chris Withrow, but for all those clamoring for Kimbrel’s return, Holland would be a nice gamble for a reduced rate and who knows, could get comparable production, if he is anywhere close to what he once was.
If Holland is available, the angels should snag him. They need another arm in the bullpen.
I agree with you angelsfan4life412. I would add though Gordon would also look nice in left
Eppler is an OBP and defense guy. I can totally see him targeting Gordon.
Gordon is the best left handed hitter on the market beside Heyward. If the angels can’t get those two, I would prefer Parra, he would be cheap and won’t cost the angels a draft pick.
Gordon or Fowler to me make the most sense for the Angels in left field. I could see them signing both. Move Calhoun to first and trade package Cron for a third baseman.
I want the angels to keep the first round draft pick, Gordon and Fowler would cost it. That is why I said Parra. He’s not a power hitter but he’s a gold glove defender , and would be a great lead off hitter. But moving Calhoun to third can make some sense if they maybe trade for Longoria, then they would need a dh and Davis could be that guy. should the angels go over the 189 lux tax. It would be worth it.
I think the Angels best chance for left field would be finding someone to take CJ Wilson. Then trading for CarGo. Bring Para in to play right. Move Calhoun to first. I wouldn’t mind them bringing back Freese, but not on the 4 to 5 year deal he wants.
I don’t think there is a team to take on C.J Wilson’s contract unless he was healthy. The marlins might be one of those teams, a veteran lefty to go with a young rotation. They should of traded for CarGo at the deadline, but I guess the angels didn’t want to part ways with Newcomb. I wouldn’t of either, hopefully he lives up to what people are saying, he reminds me a lot of jon lester but a bigger build. If they don’t bring back freese or trade for Longoria , should buy low and sign Uribe and then hopefully in July they bring Kubitza back up.
Dipoto turned down the trade in May when the Rockies were looking to give CarGo away. They asked for Shoemaker and a minor league player in May. But Dipoto didn’t pull the trigger because he didn’t want CarGo. He wanted Either. By the time Dipoto left, CarGo was hot and more teams wanted him.
I didn’t know that about CarGo, But right now the rockies will be asking for kings ransom for him since he is healthy. Should the angels target an ace? or a second tier type starter
I want them to go after Cueto. No draft pick attached to him. The Giants wanted Wilson last off season. The Angels might have to eat around 5 million of his 20 million. But that still free’s up enough money to get CarGo and Cueto. As for third base, Longoria would be nice. But both the Rockies and Reys will want Cron. I still say the Angels should try to get Valbrueno from the Stros to play third. Or Marlon Gonzalez. Either one would be cheaper. And are solid gloves. And under team control.
I wouldn’t want Cueto, he’s an injury risk. I actually would want them to go after Zimmermann but a draft pick is attached to him, It would be awesome if they could somehow maybe trade for Shields without taking on the contract, Or a second tier starter like Mike Leake to add depth
Zimmerman had a 3+ era pitching in a pitchers park. Cueto is definitely a risky signing. But every free agent pitcher is.
Look at all the replies I this thread
I think Cueto goes to boston, then boston makes a package for either a young ace or trade for a closer. the angels really need to make some good moves to get back on top of the al west, I hope the new pitching coach helps the young pitchers to make the rotation one of the best in the game.
That’s is the craziest idea since Hanley in left
A two year deal on Holland makes sense for a lot of teams, but it seems likely he will go back to the Royals. The deal size to get it done will be one that even a mid-market team like the Royals can afford. He is going to be rehabbing all of 2016, so might as well do it with the organization that knows him well and that he is comfortable with, and then he can slip right back into their pen in 2017.
I think they move on from Holland and keep Madison. Davis looks like he is fitting in well for the 9th inning.