Canha: I didn't write this, but I assume Q will use him properly. It feels weird to say that about a Royals manager.
Ragans: I never sweat the spring stats. It's all about preparation and getting ready for the grind of the season. If you're asking this question a month from now...then we can worry.
I just can't believe Chris Stratton made the roster. I understand they owe him money but he is not very good. Hopefully Canha can produce and help the offense score some runs.
Agree on Stratton. They're hoping to recoup something, which I understand. And why I think ultimately he'll be a garbage time guy for as long as he's around.
This is always a slightly sad week for me each year, seeing names/hopes I’ve been familiar with for years sorta…just…go away (of course, I’d trade half the staff to see Jac stay). I wish them all the best of luck (except against us). Fountains Up.
It is kind of wild. A guy like Hernández has pitched in the majors with the Royals since 2020. You figured he be in the mix this year. Now, next time you see him, he'll probably be in a Phillies uni.
I was wildly unreasonably optimistic about Hernandez; hate to see that much talent not come to grips with…that much talent; and I think Pratto was a first rounder almost a decade ago; his name has been in the background for a long time. Again, hope it pans out for them all. Baseball can be a very spiteful mistress.
At this point, I just feel bad for Nick Pratto. Dude was a first-round draft pick and he just can't crack ANYONE'S big league roster.
Actually, I just checked, and he got a $3.45 million signing bonus. So I guess I don't feel TOO bad for him. He's still more or less set for life. But it's still gotta be frustrating to be that close to major league baseball and entirely unable to break through.
Sure. When a player is added to the 40-man roster for the first time, they are given 3 "options." An option occurs when that player is sent to the minor leagues. One option is used per season, no matter how many times a player is sent to the minor leagues.
Using Nick Pratto as an example he was added to the Royals 40-man roster in November of 2021. He was sent to Omaha to begin the 2022 season. That's option #1. In 2022, he was called up from Omaha two times, but it still all counted as one option for the '22 season as a whole. He was optioned to Omaha to start the 2023 season, which was option #2. Again, he was called up and sent down and ultimately spent most of the year with the big league team but that was one option. Same thing at the start of 2023: He was sent to Omaha to start the season. That was option #3.
So coming into this season, he was completely out of options, meaning that he HAD to be on the major league team or the Royals would have to place him on waivers (removing him from the 40-man roster) before they could send him back to the minors. He was on waivers last week, but no team claimed him so he's back with Omaha and no longer on the Royals 40-man roster.
The catch is, now if the Royals decide to bring him back to the majors, they will have to add him back to the 40-man roster. He will still be out of options having burned all three previously, so if the Royals then decide to send him back down to the minors, he will have to go through waivers all over again.
Neither is currently on the 40-man so they can be sent to the minors without impacting their option status. Although to confuse matters, they may have an opt-out clause that would allow them to become free agents if not in the majors on Opening Day or thereabouts.
Not thrilled with Canha trade other than a good-guy veteran presence can always help - if nothing else.
Glad to see Carlos H got picked up by somebody; just hope he doesn't come back to haunt and
happy he's FINALLY gone and we can stop wondering about him. It got exhausting.
Sad about Pratto probably ending up as no more than organization depth. Was counting on him
to be successor to overrated Hosmer.
Glad to see Velazquez anywhere but here.
Should we be worrying about Cole Ragans' lousy stat spring?
Cannot wait for what should be a barn burner of an AL Central race.
Canha: I didn't write this, but I assume Q will use him properly. It feels weird to say that about a Royals manager.
Ragans: I never sweat the spring stats. It's all about preparation and getting ready for the grind of the season. If you're asking this question a month from now...then we can worry.
I just can't believe Chris Stratton made the roster. I understand they owe him money but he is not very good. Hopefully Canha can produce and help the offense score some runs.
If Stratton can just avoid walking his practically guaranteed walk-per-inning he could be useful in the janitor role.
Agree on Stratton. They're hoping to recoup something, which I understand. And why I think ultimately he'll be a garbage time guy for as long as he's around.
I’m not a fan, but the garbage does need to be taken out periodically and you’d hate to have some talent hurt themselves doing it.
Someone has to pitch those games where you're down 10 in the seventh inning.
…or up, like the fountains.
This is always a slightly sad week for me each year, seeing names/hopes I’ve been familiar with for years sorta…just…go away (of course, I’d trade half the staff to see Jac stay). I wish them all the best of luck (except against us). Fountains Up.
It is kind of wild. A guy like Hernández has pitched in the majors with the Royals since 2020. You figured he be in the mix this year. Now, next time you see him, he'll probably be in a Phillies uni.
I was wildly unreasonably optimistic about Hernandez; hate to see that much talent not come to grips with…that much talent; and I think Pratto was a first rounder almost a decade ago; his name has been in the background for a long time. Again, hope it pans out for them all. Baseball can be a very spiteful mistress.
At this point, I just feel bad for Nick Pratto. Dude was a first-round draft pick and he just can't crack ANYONE'S big league roster.
Actually, I just checked, and he got a $3.45 million signing bonus. So I guess I don't feel TOO bad for him. He's still more or less set for life. But it's still gotta be frustrating to be that close to major league baseball and entirely unable to break through.
Plenty of guys top out at Triple-A.
Plenty more reach that mythical Quad-A status. I don't think Pratto ever did.
( throws "Praaaato" nickname idea in the trash )
Please define an “option” .
Sure. When a player is added to the 40-man roster for the first time, they are given 3 "options." An option occurs when that player is sent to the minor leagues. One option is used per season, no matter how many times a player is sent to the minor leagues.
Using Nick Pratto as an example he was added to the Royals 40-man roster in November of 2021. He was sent to Omaha to begin the 2022 season. That's option #1. In 2022, he was called up from Omaha two times, but it still all counted as one option for the '22 season as a whole. He was optioned to Omaha to start the 2023 season, which was option #2. Again, he was called up and sent down and ultimately spent most of the year with the big league team but that was one option. Same thing at the start of 2023: He was sent to Omaha to start the season. That was option #3.
So coming into this season, he was completely out of options, meaning that he HAD to be on the major league team or the Royals would have to place him on waivers (removing him from the 40-man roster) before they could send him back to the minors. He was on waivers last week, but no team claimed him so he's back with Omaha and no longer on the Royals 40-man roster.
The catch is, now if the Royals decide to bring him back to the majors, they will have to add him back to the 40-man roster. He will still be out of options having burned all three previously, so if the Royals then decide to send him back down to the minors, he will have to go through waivers all over again.
I hope that makes sense.
Thanks. Question what happens to Biggio or Castro if they’re not on opening day? Do they have options?
Neither is currently on the 40-man so they can be sent to the minors without impacting their option status. Although to confuse matters, they may have an opt-out clause that would allow them to become free agents if not in the majors on Opening Day or thereabouts.
Thanks again.