Talkin Royals

Kansas City made some notable additions to their bullpen this past off-season through free agency, alongside trades. Among these acquisitions were Chris Stratton and Will Smith. The bullpen's performance at the start of the season gave fans a sense of déjà vu from 2023, as criticism often follows when a newly signed player struggles. Before fans point fingers at Smith and Picollo for his rough start, it's essential for them to delve into Smith's track record. At the beginning of the off-season, Picollo stated that the team was in search of an experienced closer. However, it seems they didn't find one they preferred. Consequently, Smith was tasked with the closer's role at the start of the season, which didn't go as planned. Despite his struggles, Picollo defended the decision, emphasizing Smith's track record: "Finishing games is definitely where and why Will was attractive to us. It’s tough to do throughout the season, but he does have a tr

The current Royals front office has demonstrated its ability to acquire standout players in trades without burdening the team with costly contracts. In 2018, the Royals focused on acquiring college pitchers, among whom were Brady Singer, Kris Bubic, Daniel Lynch, and Jackson Kowar. However, as is often the case in drafts, not every pick proves successful, and Kowar unfortunately fell short of expectations for the Royals. Kowar's major league debut in 2021 failed to impress, with the right-hander posting a disappointing 9.12 ERA over 39 games, eight of which were starts. Consequently, Kansas City opted to part ways with Kowar, as many fans had hoped. In 2023, Kowar was traded to Atlanta in exchange for Nick Anderson and Kyle Wright, both established big league pitchers. Anderson seamlessly integrated into the Royals' 26-man roster upon arrival, while Wright faced challenges due to a shoulder injury that sidelined him for the previous season. Despite Wright's rela

Kansas City prioritized adding to their outfield this past offseason, accomplishing that with the acquisition of Hunter Renfroe. Both centerfield and leftfield were contested positions during spring training. Leftfield, in my view, presented the fiercest competition among the outfield spots up for grabs, reflecting the broader competitive atmosphere across various positions at the time. While there was some contention for the centerfield role, Isbel emerged as the favorite and secured the position. Leftfield, however, unfolded differently. Heading into spring training, the Royals saw several players vying for the leftfield spot, including Nelson Velázquez, Drew Waters, and Dairon Blanco. Waters posed significant competition for MJ Melendez, with Velázquez primarily known for his play in right field. Although Waters seemed poised to clinch the leftfield position, his batting struggles from the previous season persisted into spring. The 25-year-old posted a respectable battin

When a team signs a player to a multi-year deal, especially a pitcher, there is always a chance of injury. Kansas City handed right-hander Seth Lugo a three-year deal worth $45 million. Before joining the Royals,  Lugo has had a pretty healthy track record between the Mets and the Padres.  Although Lugo has been healthy throughout his career, it's been as a reliever for the most part. Last season Lugo became a full time starter for San Diego. Lugo did however end up on the injured list three times last season due to a calf injury. The Royals decision to sign a 34-year old pitcher to a three-year deal is quite risky, especially one that only has one full year of starting experience under his belt.  The right-hander is known for his great curveball. It just drops. Throwing a baseball as fast as major league pitchers throw it puts wear and tear on the arm, and the curveball is a pitch that could hurt the pitcher's arm especially for a pitcher like Lugo who relies on it