Royals Ready for Run following Key Veteran Acquisitions
Mar 11, 2022 10:33:09 GMT -5
CSCommish, Matt, and 1 more like this
Post by RoyalsGM on Mar 11, 2022 10:33:09 GMT -5
What a difference a week makes! The Kansas City Royals have completed four trades in rapid-fire succession, indicating their intent to chase a title this year. A perennial AL Central force throughout the 1980s, the Royals have not won more than 83 games since 1988 as they progressed through a massive rebuild. This year, young stars have blossomed and Royals find themselves with the 3rd best record in the AL, 5th best overall. Of particular note, 1B JT Snow has emerged as force not only in the field but now at the plate, second in league batting average only to his teammate, OF Kenny Lofton--acquired in a trade with the Cubs last season. A number of free-agency and trade acquisitions have also bolstered the lineup, with OF O'Neill, C Goff, DH Berry, and 2B Reed all off to career-best starts at the plate. The lineup is anchored by homegrown talent comprised of 3B Offerman, SS Cirillo, OF Anderson and rookie OF Hildalgo.
Not content with the league's 2nd best offense, GM David Mitchell has long eyed filling short- and long-term holes at C and 2B. The Royal infield received a massive upgrade with the acquisition of 30 year-old all-star 2B Vinny Castilla from the Angels. With a career OPS of .804 and gold glove defense, Castilla fills out one of the best infields in the league both in terms of bats and gloves. He also brings a slugger's mentality to a lineup desperately seeking power to complement contact at the plate and speed on the base paths. At catcher, Victor Martinez serves as heir apparent, but GM Mitchell found a short-term upgrade with the acquisition of veteran Mike Lavalliere from the Cardinals, who brings a better bat, glove, and arm to the position. With these acquisitions, there are very few holes in the Royal lineup and defense, if any.
On the pitching side, the Royal rotation represents more homegrown talent and a number of solid, but not spectacular arms. Mitchell found the rotation anchor he was seeking by acquiring Kevin Hagen from the Yankees. Hagen, at 38 and a potential free agent, is clearly a mid-season rental but could bolster Royal pitching to the level needed to compete with the league's dominant team. A strong bullpen is also improved with the acquisition of Brad Holman from Pittsburgh and with Kevin Appier transitioning to the bullpen to finish the season. With a potent offense, the Royals need not be spectacular in pitching but merely solid--these acquisitions are a huge step in that direction.
While the Royals are poised to make some noise this season, the team is also well-positioned moving forward. SP Matt Morris, C Victor Martinez, and 1B/OF Trot Nixon are all expected to be promoted to the majors next season; offering a seamless transition as a number of aging veterans move on. Following these promotions, all of the core Royal piece will be 32 years or younger--signaling the prospect of continued contenders in Kansas City in upcoming years. Can the Royals get over the hump and challenge dominant teams such as Detroit and California? Only time will tell, but Mitchell will certainly relish the opportunity to be relevant once again--"meaningful baseball is what this is all about."
Not content with the league's 2nd best offense, GM David Mitchell has long eyed filling short- and long-term holes at C and 2B. The Royal infield received a massive upgrade with the acquisition of 30 year-old all-star 2B Vinny Castilla from the Angels. With a career OPS of .804 and gold glove defense, Castilla fills out one of the best infields in the league both in terms of bats and gloves. He also brings a slugger's mentality to a lineup desperately seeking power to complement contact at the plate and speed on the base paths. At catcher, Victor Martinez serves as heir apparent, but GM Mitchell found a short-term upgrade with the acquisition of veteran Mike Lavalliere from the Cardinals, who brings a better bat, glove, and arm to the position. With these acquisitions, there are very few holes in the Royal lineup and defense, if any.
On the pitching side, the Royal rotation represents more homegrown talent and a number of solid, but not spectacular arms. Mitchell found the rotation anchor he was seeking by acquiring Kevin Hagen from the Yankees. Hagen, at 38 and a potential free agent, is clearly a mid-season rental but could bolster Royal pitching to the level needed to compete with the league's dominant team. A strong bullpen is also improved with the acquisition of Brad Holman from Pittsburgh and with Kevin Appier transitioning to the bullpen to finish the season. With a potent offense, the Royals need not be spectacular in pitching but merely solid--these acquisitions are a huge step in that direction.
While the Royals are poised to make some noise this season, the team is also well-positioned moving forward. SP Matt Morris, C Victor Martinez, and 1B/OF Trot Nixon are all expected to be promoted to the majors next season; offering a seamless transition as a number of aging veterans move on. Following these promotions, all of the core Royal piece will be 32 years or younger--signaling the prospect of continued contenders in Kansas City in upcoming years. Can the Royals get over the hump and challenge dominant teams such as Detroit and California? Only time will tell, but Mitchell will certainly relish the opportunity to be relevant once again--"meaningful baseball is what this is all about."
