Congrats on your anniversary and good predictions! Here are mine: The Royals win 71 games this season. After a slow start by the team but with Cole Ragans pitching like a Cy Young contender, the Royals trade him at the deadline to the Orioles for two of their top outfield prospects (Cowser, Bradfield, Kjerstad). Ragans goes on to win the Cy Young and pitch the Os to a World Series championship, but then gets hurt next season and is never effective again. The Royals, after signing Snell this offseason and with the surprise ascendency of Blake Wolters and their two new near All Star outfielders, win 86 games and are a wild card team next season. The following season, they win the division, and with the NFL on strike, one of the Royals part owners wearing 15 becomes their closer and ends up striking out Shohei in game 7 on a left handed pitch to win the World Series! (He then goes on to win the Super Bowl that year and stars with Bo Jackson in Nike “Pat knows” commercials). Whew, that was some dream!
Hahahaha...Suddenly I'm intrigued by the idea of Patrick Mahomes pitching. Or maybe even playing goalkeeper for Sporting KC. Thanks for your support, Murray!
Man, I really don't know how the vote is going to go. I could just as easily see it going 52-48 in favor. It feels as though everyone with a stake in this is sweating.
Congratulations on the bidecennial anniversary (of course I looked that up)! Lots of great work and lots more great stuff to come I'm sure and counting on it. Thank you and Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Predictions; ever the optimist I'm feeling 81-81. For some reason that still feels like a loser to me; probably because it means no playoffs - but I think we'd all be quite happy with that. Especially, if MJM, PasQuatch, BWJ, MK and the youth group are the stalwarts.
I'll take a long-shot flyer on MJM for non-BWJ MVP. I like what you said about MK, but I think MJM will bounce back BIG with the bat and prove more than serviceable in a corner outfield and that dedication and improvement will be appreciated.
POY, non Ragans, is Brady Singer. Despite his bulldog mentality, not having to be the main Junkyard Dog will allow him to loosen up and pitch and the results will be 2022 style.
Thank you, Coach! 81 wins would be amazing. There's a path there, but A LOT would need to go right.
I can get behind MJ coming with the bat, but the glove...I'll need to see it before I fully buy in. That's just going to hold him back from team MVP consideration I'm afraid. As for Singer, that's an interesting point. Also, there's the fact you have Lugo and Wacha who are very much into their craft. Maybe some of that influences Singer in a positive way. Kind of the way Duffy benefitted from having James Shields around for a couple of years.
Looking forward to this season. Royals record 81 - 81, good enough for a 3rd place finish in division, finishing ahead ahead of Sox and Guardians. M.J. Melendez has breakout season.
Same record and same breakout candidate prediction. Now Paul if you tell me that your favorite Arthur Bryant's sandwich is the sausage plain - we may have to do a separated at birth inquiry lol!
I'll buy MJ for the offense, but need some convincing on the defense. And as I said to Coach, there's a path to 81 wins. It's the Central. Anything goes. (Except for the White Sox winning more than 62. There's no way that happens. Good.)
Thanks, George! My first time out at the yard this year will be celebrated with a giant Coke. I look forward to the ice melting by the second inning and watering it down. Takes me back.
How many more stadium plans will they roll out AFTER the vote? Hell, with this group there's a few days to revise the plans BEFORE the vote. My god...
I'm going 78 wins. And while I'm high on Garcia too, if Vinnie isn't the second best player on this team, I will be slightly disappointed. Although I will accept him living up to my high expectations and several other players topping him. Hey, it's Opening Day, if I can't dream today, when can I?
Vinnie is probably my most intriguing player if only because we have yet to see a full season of him in the majors. I’m insanely excited to watch him for a full year. Here’s to him staying healthy.
Ok, here goes. I have my crystal ball on the kitchen table and in early May I can see M J moved to the bench as a DH/power bat against righty's with Blanco & Velasquez platooning in left. This move unlocks the teams offensive potential and they go on a summertime run that at the end of July has them on pace to win 85 games. However, they fade in August and September to finish with 79 wins, finishing second in the division 7 games back of the Twins.
Velázquez is definitely an option in left. And probably represents a defensive upgrade over MJ. I’ll quibble with you over a September fade. The Royals? Stumble in September? Never!
Neither statistics nor historical precedent make that a reasonable number. Clubhouse chemistry matters- I actually find myself agreeing with Hud on this one. I think they might have the magic pixie dust that can propel them farther as a team. And how fun will it be if they are in the division hunt? Lets Go!
2013 to 2015 made me a clubhouse chemistry believer. Although it is easier to have good chemistry when you're winning. Still, personalities in that room matter. And it does seem as if they've assembled a good group across the board. And if that's somehow worth a few extra wins, I can get even further behind that.
I'm thinking 75-87. I am really hopeful that we'll remain competitive in the division and have something to play for throughout the season other than incremental development. I really do think this season will be the year away from being a year away.
I'll say 76 wins, Vinnie as the non-BWJ player of the year, and agree with you on Lugo as the non-CR pitcher of the year. And the Coke/Pepsi thing is funny...when I was a kid I only liked Pepsi and the Royals had Coke. About the time I switched, they did too. We are finally in alignment, which must mean something good, right? I also am not a crackpot.
Hahaha...I am glad that you and the Royals are on the same soft drink page. This is important. Maybe they'll celebrate wins with Cokes? Like Mean Joe Greene. If they put Coke in the dugout instead of Gatorade there won't be anything that can stop them.
Record 79-83. Markel Garcia hits 25 homers.
I dig the optimism. Especially on Garcia. We agree this is going to be a huge season for him.
Only 24 to go!
Congrats on your anniversary and good predictions! Here are mine: The Royals win 71 games this season. After a slow start by the team but with Cole Ragans pitching like a Cy Young contender, the Royals trade him at the deadline to the Orioles for two of their top outfield prospects (Cowser, Bradfield, Kjerstad). Ragans goes on to win the Cy Young and pitch the Os to a World Series championship, but then gets hurt next season and is never effective again. The Royals, after signing Snell this offseason and with the surprise ascendency of Blake Wolters and their two new near All Star outfielders, win 86 games and are a wild card team next season. The following season, they win the division, and with the NFL on strike, one of the Royals part owners wearing 15 becomes their closer and ends up striking out Shohei in game 7 on a left handed pitch to win the World Series! (He then goes on to win the Super Bowl that year and stars with Bo Jackson in Nike “Pat knows” commercials). Whew, that was some dream!
Hahahaha...Suddenly I'm intrigued by the idea of Patrick Mahomes pitching. Or maybe even playing goalkeeper for Sporting KC. Thanks for your support, Murray!
Gosh, I hope you're right about the stadium vote. I've been in a complete shambles ever since I really started digging into their CBA bullshit.
Man, I really don't know how the vote is going to go. I could just as easily see it going 52-48 in favor. It feels as though everyone with a stake in this is sweating.
Congratulations on the bidecennial anniversary (of course I looked that up)! Lots of great work and lots more great stuff to come I'm sure and counting on it. Thank you and Congratulations!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Predictions; ever the optimist I'm feeling 81-81. For some reason that still feels like a loser to me; probably because it means no playoffs - but I think we'd all be quite happy with that. Especially, if MJM, PasQuatch, BWJ, MK and the youth group are the stalwarts.
I'll take a long-shot flyer on MJM for non-BWJ MVP. I like what you said about MK, but I think MJM will bounce back BIG with the bat and prove more than serviceable in a corner outfield and that dedication and improvement will be appreciated.
POY, non Ragans, is Brady Singer. Despite his bulldog mentality, not having to be the main Junkyard Dog will allow him to loosen up and pitch and the results will be 2022 style.
Let's Roll Royals!!!
Thank you, Coach! 81 wins would be amazing. There's a path there, but A LOT would need to go right.
I can get behind MJ coming with the bat, but the glove...I'll need to see it before I fully buy in. That's just going to hold him back from team MVP consideration I'm afraid. As for Singer, that's an interesting point. Also, there's the fact you have Lugo and Wacha who are very much into their craft. Maybe some of that influences Singer in a positive way. Kind of the way Duffy benefitted from having James Shields around for a couple of years.
Looking forward to this season. Royals record 81 - 81, good enough for a 3rd place finish in division, finishing ahead ahead of Sox and Guardians. M.J. Melendez has breakout season.
Same record and same breakout candidate prediction. Now Paul if you tell me that your favorite Arthur Bryant's sandwich is the sausage plain - we may have to do a separated at birth inquiry lol!
I'll buy MJ for the offense, but need some convincing on the defense. And as I said to Coach, there's a path to 81 wins. It's the Central. Anything goes. (Except for the White Sox winning more than 62. There's no way that happens. Good.)
I got them at 72-80. Finish 3rd in division. Bobby finishes 5th overall in MVP voting with a monster year!
I am irrationally excited to watch another season of Bobby Witt Jr.
Great article to kick off the new season. I laughed at the Pepsi/Coke section. I look forward to the new stadium plans after the vote.
Thanks, George! My first time out at the yard this year will be celebrated with a giant Coke. I look forward to the ice melting by the second inning and watering it down. Takes me back.
How many more stadium plans will they roll out AFTER the vote? Hell, with this group there's a few days to revise the plans BEFORE the vote. My god...
Mr. B, I predict your writing will continue to inform, delight and amuse me throughout this season and hopefully many more. Happy anniversary!
Thank you, Terry! Appreciate it.
I'm going 78 wins. And while I'm high on Garcia too, if Vinnie isn't the second best player on this team, I will be slightly disappointed. Although I will accept him living up to my high expectations and several other players topping him. Hey, it's Opening Day, if I can't dream today, when can I?
Vinnie is probably my most intriguing player if only because we have yet to see a full season of him in the majors. I’m insanely excited to watch him for a full year. Here’s to him staying healthy.
Ok, here goes. I have my crystal ball on the kitchen table and in early May I can see M J moved to the bench as a DH/power bat against righty's with Blanco & Velasquez platooning in left. This move unlocks the teams offensive potential and they go on a summertime run that at the end of July has them on pace to win 85 games. However, they fade in August and September to finish with 79 wins, finishing second in the division 7 games back of the Twins.
Velázquez is definitely an option in left. And probably represents a defensive upgrade over MJ. I’ll quibble with you over a September fade. The Royals? Stumble in September? Never!
81
Neither statistics nor historical precedent make that a reasonable number. Clubhouse chemistry matters- I actually find myself agreeing with Hud on this one. I think they might have the magic pixie dust that can propel them farther as a team. And how fun will it be if they are in the division hunt? Lets Go!
2013 to 2015 made me a clubhouse chemistry believer. Although it is easier to have good chemistry when you're winning. Still, personalities in that room matter. And it does seem as if they've assembled a good group across the board. And if that's somehow worth a few extra wins, I can get even further behind that.
I'm thinking 75-87. I am really hopeful that we'll remain competitive in the division and have something to play for throughout the season other than incremental development. I really do think this season will be the year away from being a year away.
A little competitive baseball is really all we ask. Just the idea of relevance is enough to get me amped. Thankfully, this team plays in the Central.
I'll say 76 wins, Vinnie as the non-BWJ player of the year, and agree with you on Lugo as the non-CR pitcher of the year. And the Coke/Pepsi thing is funny...when I was a kid I only liked Pepsi and the Royals had Coke. About the time I switched, they did too. We are finally in alignment, which must mean something good, right? I also am not a crackpot.
Hahaha...I am glad that you and the Royals are on the same soft drink page. This is important. Maybe they'll celebrate wins with Cokes? Like Mean Joe Greene. If they put Coke in the dugout instead of Gatorade there won't be anything that can stop them.
Congrats. Great writing. Thanks.