Talkin Royals

Heading into the offseason, Kansas City was looking to add a veteran starter to a young starting rotation, aside from Zack Greinke. Unfortunately, many fans aren't happy with the Lyles signing, especially the $17 million dollar deal they gave him in free agency.  Although fans aren't happy with the money Lyles was handed, he still makes plenty of sense for the Royals. While with Baltimore in 2022, Lyles made 32 starts and pitched in 179 innings. In fact, 179 innings was the most innings pitched by an Orioles starting pitcher last season. Baltimore's starting rotation ranked 17th of 30 last season according to ESPN. The Royals rotation ranked 27th of 30. Shortly after signing Lyles and Yarbrough, Royals General Manager J.J Picollo interviewed with USA Today: "The reason we're excited about Jordan and Ryan,” Picollo said, “is when we look at their track record, they've been able to pitch significant innings. We're going into this season thinking b...

Kansas City has been busy adding pieces to their rotation and bullpen but not so much for the offense. However, the team did recently sign former slugger Franmil Reyes to a minor league pact with an invite to spring training. The minor league contract isn't the only benefit the Royals get in the deal, they also get two years of control if he sticks with the big league club. Reyes coming to Kansas City in many ways is a head scratcher for a team that looks to have most of their key players lined up for the upcoming season, but I believe the Reyes signing could benefit this young Royals team. The deal works out for both the Royals and Reyes, if the slugger doesn't make the team out of spring training, he can ask for his release and test the open market. The deal with Reyes also is good for the team because a minor league deal isn't guaranteed. Although the signing is a minor league agreement, Reyes could bring plenty to the team. Unfortunately last season was a co...

Kansas City last season had many players play at first base including Carlos Santana, Ryan O'Hearn, Vinny Pasquantino, Hunter Dozier, and Nick Pratto.  Santana got most of the reps at the position. While with the Royals, Santana posted a batting average below .220 in one and a half seasons with Kansas City. The team signed the veteran first baseman to a two year deal worth $17.5 million in 2021 in hopes he would be a reliable first baseman. In some ways he provided that for the team, but in other ways he didn't. Santana while with Kansas City provided a good glove at the position, but his offense didn't match his defensive skills. Following the end of his time in Kansas City, the team traded him to Seattle allowing the young first basemen in Nick Pratto and Vinnie Pasquantino to get some big league reps at the position.  Vinnie Pasquantino  Following the departure of Santana, the Royals gave first basemen Nick Pratto and Vinnie Pasquant...

This offseason, Kansas City has been busy adding pitching, from the starting rotation to the bullpen. The team recently brought back Zack Greinke on a one year deal. Heading into next season, Greinke will serve in the same role he did last season, a mentor. The 39-year old last season posted an ERA of 3.68 in 26 starts. Kansas City wasn't the only team that showed interest in the right hander. The Orioles along with other teams looked to add Greinke to their pitching staff. However, Greinke didn't seem to want to play anywhere else in 2023. During a spring training bullpen session, Royals pitcher Brady Singer said the following on Greinke being a mentor: "He's very honest. It may not be what you want to hear, but it's the truth, and it's going to help you in the long run." Heading into next season, Greinke won't be the only veteran arm in the rotation. The team signed pitcher Jordan Lyles to a two year deal back in December. Both Lyles and ...

Kansas City is still in search of another starting pitcher following the signing of Jordan Lyles on December 20. Although the team is looking for another starting pitcher, Lyles is a perfect fit for a youthful rotation. The team is hoping to get multiple innings out of the right hander. The Lyles signing unfortunately isn't a signing that will make the Royals rotation the best in the MLB or even the American League Central. Lyles does however provide the rotation with veteran leadership. According to masn.com, Lyles sees himself as a leader. "Being the oldest guy in the rotation, every club needs that, especially with how young we are starting and relieving." Lyles added, "Just someone to lean on, not just physically with what we do on the mound. Every team may have someone like that, some teams have multiple guys usually. Not too many of me here, more on the position player side with (Robinson) Chirinos and (Rougned) Odor and Trey (Mancini). But I’m here...

Following the departure of long-time Royals shortstop Alcides Escobar, the team was hoping Mondesi was the long-term answer at the position. Unfortunately many prospects are over hyped by the fans and the media, Mondesi seemed to be one of them. According to an article by Tim Dierkes of MLB Trade Rumors from 2012: "He doesn't have flashy tools, but they play up because he has good baseball instincts." While in the Royals minor league system, Mondesi showed plenty of big league potential. Before Mondesi was in the picture with the Royals, I often said the team should have signed Alcides Escobar to a long-term deal, probably because he was my favorite player during the 2010’s Royals baseball era. Now Looking back, it might not have been a bad idea if the team did so. The team back in the day didn't have Bobby Witt Jr. or Nicky Lopez to play the shortstop position. The Escobar deal, if it was the right length of deal and salary would have ended at the right t...

For the past few weeks, the Royals had been rumored to be shopping Michael A. Taylor, and the Twins had been a team rumored to be interested in the center fielder. On Monday, the rumors came true when the Royals sent Taylor to Minnesota for Minor League pitchers Steven Cruz and Evan Sisk. Taylor came to Kansas City by way of free agency in 2020 when he signed a one year deal worth $1.75 million. Following the departure of Lorenzo Cain, the team had tried multiple players in center field including Billy Hamilton, Brett Phillips and Kansas native Bubba Starling. None of the three players could hold down the center field position due to lack of offensive production. In fact, the team signed Hamilton to a one year deal worth $5.25 million. The former Reds outfielder's numbers with Kansas City were embarrassing for him after the team signed him to a "expensive" one year contract. Hamilton would be designated for assignment in August of 2019. Following the outfielde...