Kansas City Royals: A Look At The 2016 Offseason
By Paul York
Overall, I’d grade the Royals off season as an A-. Keeping everything in perspective, and grading purely on the Royals sticking with their game-plan, working within their means, and addressing their needs, I think they’ve accomplished all of those things.
2014’s run to the World Series put us on everyone’s radar, but the 2015 World Series victory has put the crosshairs squarely on the crown of the Royals. #KeepTheCrown
The off season isn’t over, and I suspect the Royals will still add another outfield bat. Moore has publicly said the team is willing to commit to Jarrod Dyson as a full-time’ish starting outfielder. Moore also publicly said there was no money to spend this offseason, and spent anyway, just like he did last year.
As you can probably tell, I’m not necessarily buying what Moore is selling. I think Dyson is a very fine fourth outfielder, but I’d be wary of defending my crown with him as a starting outfielder. If he were truly of that caliber, the Royals would’ve learned that before year seven of his career.
Further, he simply cannot be a full-time starter, as he’s demonstrated an inability to hit left-handed pitching. At most, he’d be on the big side of a platoon with someone who can hit left-handed pitching.
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It’s true, you could probably platoon Dyson and Paulo Orlando and get something more than the production from Alex Rios last year, but I’m betting the Royals ink a more proven commodity.
Maybe it won’t be a full-time guy. It may be someone like Marlon Byrd, who has made a career out of crushing left-handed pitching (Much like Gomes). Or, perhaps, someone like Austin Jackson, who provides good outfield defense, good speed, and a competent right-handed bat–something the Royals probably thought they were getting out of Rios last year.
Some other outfielders to keep an eye on:
- Dexter Fowler (Royals were connected to him prior to Gordon re-signing)
- Chris Denorfia (lefty-killer),
- Drew Stubbs (plus defender, good pop vs. lefties),
- Ryan Raburn (career .487 SLG% vs. lefties, not-so-great glove),
- Steve Pearce (Remember when he was really good in’14, not sure what happened in ’15. Still tunes up left-handed pitching regardless.)
- just for kicks how about Jeff Francoeur (Like I said earlier, we love reunion stories, right? Anyway, he was actually ok for a dreadful Phillies team last year.).
This is what it’s all about folks, and we’re now in very un-familiar territory.
2014’s run to the World Series put us on everyone’s radar, but the 2015 World Series victory has put the crosshairs squarely on the crown of the Royals. #KeepTheCrown