RCT

I think Isbel should be non-tendered. I think Rave is just as good or better overall and Isbel’s $3M should be used for another arm. Isbel and his sub .600 ops just feels like he would be in the way at this point.

Great article! I’m maybe getting a little off topic here, but you mentioned Taylor Ward and he does seem like he will be a serious Royals target given the fit and their past ties to him. Was he hurt when he got to Seattle? His second half nose dive and sudden power decline give me serious Hunter Renfroe vibes. He does seem like a perfect fit, especially now that his price will probably come down. But obviously only worth it if he can hit at or above a 105 wrc+ level.

Considering Collins is playing on a league minimum contract, has options, and we are incredibly thin at outfield in the organization, I think he should absolutely be in the 2027 plans.

This makes a lot of sense to me. Even if he only plays a handful of outfield games and DH’s most of his AB’s. It’s not like Vinnie, Salvy, Jensen and Jac are going to play 162 games. Even if they all stay healthy and play 150 games (highly unlikely) that still leaves 48 games with most being an open DH spot and he is far and away the next best DH option. 48 games of Marte instead of Biggio, Rave, Waters, Renfro, MJ, etc. last year would have been nice!!

Mike Tauchman makes a lot of sense. Wish they would do it, one injury and he would need to play75% of games. Another name for you to chew on, Starling Marte on a cheap deal.

Do you think the team wants to give Loftin on more chance to be the weak side platoon player? Projections actually kind of like Loftin. Personally, I would like to see them add a veteran OF "bat". Starling Marte or Tauchman (I know he is left-handed but he hits lefties well). But I do wonder if the team thinks (and maybe rightfully so) that they would not be a better gamble than a free and younger Loftin at the end of the day.

I just don’t know how we have the pieces to get one of these two anymore. We have nothing the Red Sox need now that they went out and got pitching and don’t have the prospects other pursuers have for Donovan unless we want to give up Cameron for him, which we shouldn’t since he has 6 years control.

I know his arm is a little weak, but You think Massey can fully embrace the utility role and play some 3b in addition to LF? Like 15 games at 3b, 25 in LF and 30 at 2b? Assuming players health is that too much or too little?

I know no one would want him, but this makes a lot of sense for $5M or less. If he can play 50 games and put up a OPS over 700, that would be a nice insurance. Even at 37 it looks like he can do that based on past performance and batted ball data. KC has no depth whatsoever at OF (or DH!) after the first 4 and Thomas and Jac are both question marks. I still don’t think you really have a back up to Jac or Collin’s because Thomas has to be Isbel’s platoon partner. And it’s not like you can’t give Vinnie or Jensen a day on the bench against lefties. Vinnie actually isn’t very good against lefties. Don’t see the point of Frazier. He must be one heck of a guy because he keeps getting brought up. Loftin and Massey are already paid for and can do the same thing.

Great article, thank you. All these make sense. Bubic for Spencer is most interesting to me. If he could even get down to a 30% strike out rate (no proof he can but still) with that power and speed he would be a nice piece to have. We are still just so shallow at the OF position in the organization. I think they should be open to a move like that, but I suspect the Royals will want a MLB proven bat and doubt they settle for less. I’m not sure they would see Spencer as that. Just curious, Is Spencer projected to be an average defender? Could he handle a OF position defensively already?

Also, if you wanted to get both Collins and Hays in the lineup at the same time some, Collins played 1,400+ innings at 2b in the minors and rated as an above average defender at the position. Considering the current state of our 2b position, could play Collins some at 2b in addition to LF. Would be nice to have some depth in 2026 for when someone gets hurt or underperforms expectations. Our next man up in the OF currently is probably Rave, not ideal.

I’m with you Hokius! Unbelievable move! Some negative comments out there about being an old rookie and how he is due to regress but he played well in the minors at every level. Just got called up late because Brewers have had a deep outfield. His Savant page shows the OBP is real. If he regresses some that’s fine. His “late season fall off” is way over blown. Collins is a good player that just got his shot late. History is riddled with guys like that, just ask Yastrzemski!

You really think Massey starts over India at 2b and India plays mostly DH? That must mean you think Jensen is starting in AAA? My money is on Jensen and Salvy spitting catcher and DH with India playing 75% at 2b and Massey coming off the bench.

Garcia (R) BWJ (R) Vinnie (L) Ward (R) Jensen (L) Salvy (R) Jac (L) Castro (S) Isabel (L) / Thomas (R)

I just don’t see the Red Sox trading either guy for 1 year of Bubic even if we throw in Mitchell and 6 years of Cameron seems like too much from the Royals for 3 years of Duran. I’d probably be OK with Abreu (4 yrs control) for Cameron but don’t love the idea. personally I’d just like to see Bubic for Ward straight up. I know it’s only a one year bandaid but it just seems to make a ton of sense for both teams. Trading Bubic doesn’t trade away the future.

Traded Bubic for Ward. Not sure who would have to throw in but that should be a doable trade. Castro can play all over and is a switch hitter which allows Q to use him to platoon all over and cover injury. This also allows Massey a chance to continue to play 2b while Castro moves around.

C: Carter Jensen ($0.80M) 1B: Vinnie Pasquantino ($5.40M) 2B: Willi Castro ($7.00M) 3B: Maikel Garcia ($4.80M) SS: Bobby Witt Jr. ($13.70M) LF: Taylor Ward ($13.70M) CF: Kyle Isbel ($2.70M) RF: Jac Caglianone ($0.80M) DH: Salvy ($12.50M) 4th OF: Lane Thomas ($2.50M) Utility: Michael Massey ($2.00M) Utility: Tyler Tolbert ($0.80M) Backup C: Adam Frazier ($2.50M) SP1: Cole Ragans ($4.60M) SP2: Michael Wacha ($18.00M) SP3: Ryan Bergert ($1.00M) SP4: Seth Lugo ($23.00M) SP5: Noah Cameron ($0.80M) RP: Carlos Estevez ($10.10M) RP: Lucas Erceg ($0.80M) RP: John Schreiber ($3.80M) RP: Taylor Clarke ($1.90M) RP: Angel Zerpa ($1.20M) RP: Daniel Lynch IV ($1.30M) RP: Luinder Avila ($0.80M) RP/SP: Stephen Kolek ($1.00M) Payroll is 1.79% under budget