Kansas City Royals: The debate of the Royals current situation is affecting us all

It seemed clear the direction the Royals would be going in when they missed on Eric Hosmer. However, recent events have shown that the “original plan” might not have been what we all believed it to be. 

The last couple of days have been full of debates when it comes to what the Royals are doing. Are they rebuilding? Is this part of the rebuild? What exactly is Dayton Moore doing?

A conversation with fellow Kings of Kauffman writer, Eric Boston, sparked an interesting back and forth.

Joe: “I think Cheslor (Cuthbert) is the odd man out. He’s had a bad spring defensively, and I don’t think he is very good either. .500 teams are one hot streak away from the postseason. (It won’t hurt to have the) Young guys play a year together in AAA. Fans (will) watch a decent to good MLB team. I see no downside to this. I still can’t believe he (Mike Moustakas) signed a one year deal. Next year’s free agent class is even better, so his market will be even smaller. I see no downside to this. (Paulo) Orlando will stay because they think he’s a close approximation of (Jarrod) Dyson (he’s not). Cheslor brings nothing to the team that someone else can’t already do better. Moose and Boras badly botched this. Moose wanted SoCal, they didn’t want him—and Moose has two above-average seasons in the big leagues. Even if he rakes this year, he better take that option.”

Eric: “Does (Hunter) Dozier go to Omaha and play first? Because now there is no way he makes it to KC at 3B this season unless Moose gets injured. Do they give Moose some reps at 1B? (This is just me throwing random thoughts out as I’m processing). Glad we used those first rounders to get them.”

Joe: “Couldn’t disagree more. None of these are long deals. This is a patchwork team that’s developing their guys at a slower rate than some want, that’s it.”

Eric: “That is my entire point on Dozier. (Adalberto) Mondesi, even if I don’t agree, I can understand.”

Joe: “Whit (Merrifield) got regular playing time at 28. That’s what Dozier will be in two years. This is the change in baseball. GMs are going to be holding guys down until they come up together. Remember how Moore was ahead of everyone on bullpens? He’s ahead of everyone on this, too.”

Eric: “Whit wasn’t a first-round pick, different expectations.”

Joe: “But it set a precedent for them.”

Eric: “You don’t draft someone in the first to keep them in the minors into their late 20s.”

Joe: “Dozier comes in two years, he’s a finished product—and they control his prime for peanuts. The new bargaining agreement will try to stop this, but Moore is taking advantage of it now.”

Eric: “Whit was a pleasant surprise, not a standard.”

Joe: “Right, but as I said, he set a precedent. You think the Royals don’t realize that they have an excellent 2B for next to nothing all through his prime? Now, imagine having an entire infield like that.”

Eric: “For non-prospects, I can see that, but not a guy who topped your prospect list. Whit is the rarity and you can’t predict the kind of path he had. Most likely he was viewed as a MiLB lifer. I don’t think you are wrong in the case of Whit. I just don’t think you can apply it to top prospects.”

Joe: I think you absolutely can, and that GMs absolutely will. Keeps you from paying Eric Hosmer $144 million. This is how GMs and players are gonna fight now.”

Eric: “But if you hold Hos in the minors until he is 28 then the team wouldn’t even be contending at this point if they had done it that way. The MLBPA will have a field day if teams do that to top prospects that are clearly ready

Joe: “Oh, yes. The Players are going to hate this, but the owners will act like paupers and say ‘you forced our hands.'”

Eric: “I think it’s more likely that you see a difference in spending like this season and it forces expectations to change. Imagine if Mike Trout didn’t come up for another 2 years (when he turns 28)”

Related Story: Royals Sign Mike Moustakas

Final Thoughts

After reading, what do you believe? What do you think? Is one correct, or are both stances correct in certain aspects?

Is it too far off to believe that the new market could force the general managers to be more conservative when calling players up? Or are the Royals just prolonging the inevitable?

We have reached an interesting spot for the Royals. How do you feel about the Royals recent moves? Let us know below!