Post by RoyalsGM on Dec 30, 2017 18:56:40 GMT -5
The Kansas City Royals faced a daunting off-season with a $70+ million payroll projecting to create a $10m loss with only $2m in cash on hand. GM David Mitchell was not ready to break up the strong, youthful core just yet and another year of mediocrity was not worth it. The opportunity to retool actually presented itself with ace SP Harry Parker opted for free agency over a $70m extension, Mitchell said. "Once Parker drew his line in the sand, we found a bit of payroll flexibility that was not previously available," he stated. However, the projected financial shortfall required some additional choices to be made. With its powerful offense and deep bench, Mitchell set out to exchange some veteran bats for more consistent pitching.
After Parker's departure, OF George Hendrick was the next domino to fall. "Look, we loved Hendrick and his time here in KC, but he was not performing up to the contract he demanded a couple of years back and we are deep in the outfield, so this was a logical first choice," Mitchell explained. Kansas City found a willing trading partner in Pittsburgh and landed former all-star and long-time workhorse pitcher Jim Palmer. "Jim's exactly what we were looking for--a gritty, hard-working veteran that was reasonably priced who can anchor a young rotation." With Palmer, KC found at least a short-term replacement for Parker for $9m/year less.
This left Kansas City with one more rotation spot to fill after it was announced that Dave Goltz would move to the bullpen. In addition, the cash situation was not fully addressed with the Palmer deal and it was no secret that KC wanted to move 2B Carmen Fanzone's expiring $6.6m contract. Mitchell worked feverishly to identify an organization with surplus pitching and excellent cash flow. Ultimately, the Royals contacted 15 different organizations to make a deal, but it was a side offer from the Yankees that opened the door to a solution. New York offered to send $10m in cash for 20 reward points, which would allow KC to retain Fanzone for the last season of his contract. Mitchell quickly decided to retain Fanzone and make its best push possible for this season. He then adjusted course to remove Fanzone from the remaining trade offers and just go after an end-of-rotation pitcher. After much back and forth, Kansas City agreed to terms with Toronto to obtain Dave Hamilton for Goltz and minor-leaguer Shane Rawley.
Ultimately, the Royals improved their rotation, moved Hendrick's bloated contract, found a way to retain Fanzone, and did not trade away any major pieces of the future. Payroll constraints will still be a theme for Kansas City over the next few years, but Mitchell managed to dodge a bullet this off-season and may have just found a way to be a contender in 1979.
After Parker's departure, OF George Hendrick was the next domino to fall. "Look, we loved Hendrick and his time here in KC, but he was not performing up to the contract he demanded a couple of years back and we are deep in the outfield, so this was a logical first choice," Mitchell explained. Kansas City found a willing trading partner in Pittsburgh and landed former all-star and long-time workhorse pitcher Jim Palmer. "Jim's exactly what we were looking for--a gritty, hard-working veteran that was reasonably priced who can anchor a young rotation." With Palmer, KC found at least a short-term replacement for Parker for $9m/year less.
This left Kansas City with one more rotation spot to fill after it was announced that Dave Goltz would move to the bullpen. In addition, the cash situation was not fully addressed with the Palmer deal and it was no secret that KC wanted to move 2B Carmen Fanzone's expiring $6.6m contract. Mitchell worked feverishly to identify an organization with surplus pitching and excellent cash flow. Ultimately, the Royals contacted 15 different organizations to make a deal, but it was a side offer from the Yankees that opened the door to a solution. New York offered to send $10m in cash for 20 reward points, which would allow KC to retain Fanzone for the last season of his contract. Mitchell quickly decided to retain Fanzone and make its best push possible for this season. He then adjusted course to remove Fanzone from the remaining trade offers and just go after an end-of-rotation pitcher. After much back and forth, Kansas City agreed to terms with Toronto to obtain Dave Hamilton for Goltz and minor-leaguer Shane Rawley.
Ultimately, the Royals improved their rotation, moved Hendrick's bloated contract, found a way to retain Fanzone, and did not trade away any major pieces of the future. Payroll constraints will still be a theme for Kansas City over the next few years, but Mitchell managed to dodge a bullet this off-season and may have just found a way to be a contender in 1979.
