11 Comments
Sep 19Liked by Craig Brown

You hit the nail on the head. The Royals control their own destiny. Let’s get this done. Let’s freaking go!!!

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Thanks, Jeremy. We are about to discover just how resilient this team is.

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Sep 19Liked by Craig Brown

Getting swept by the team that is closest to knocking you out of the playoff picture and only dropping eight percentage points in your playoff odds sounds like a team that is still in absolutely FANTASTIC shape.

Especially after they lost 100 last year. I think we have to call this season a success even if the Royals end up missing the playoffs after all.

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I think it's reasonable to recalibrate expectations. Currently, is this season a success? Yes. Resoundingly so. The question is: Will I still feel that way in 10 days?

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Sep 19Liked by Craig Brown

I honestly think that the further away we get from the day-to-day emotions of winning and losing after the season ends the better we will be able to find perspective on how terrific this season has been in the context of the Royals as a whole and especially the recent Royals.

My concern is less how this season ends but more where the Royals go from here. Will Sherman give Picollo more money to add to the team? Will Picollo continue to have success when he makes those attempts (and will he find more success particularly in finding bullpen help)

This season, when I view it as a whole and less over the last few weeks is already awesome. As far as I'm concerned, they're playing with house money. If they go to the playoffs, even better. But if they don't, they still had their first winning season in almost a decade with lots of reasons to hope the winning will continue.

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It’s been a fantastic season, beyond anyone’s wildest expectations for sure. From what I know, Sherman is delighted. As he should be. So I would expect the money pipeline will continue to flow and Picollo will have the ability to make some moves. Remember, Picollo is Sherman’s guy, so there was already trust there before last winter. And I’m going to assume their internal projections will have an attendance bump for 2025 based on the record this year.

I think there’s plenty of forward momentum, no matter how this season ends.

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I hope you're right! I still have some fear that last year's spending was based on trying to get a stadium instead of on winning. I'll be super happy to find out that my fear is unfounded!

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I think wanting a stadium made the pockets a little easier to get into, and hope next years stadium hopes open the pockets even wider, but think Sherman really wants to win as well

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Sep 19Liked by Craig Brown

Since the team fell off the cliff after he broke his thumb, do you think the Royals need to sign Vinnie long-term this off season? I know his stats aren't much beyond league average, but maybe he provides some "intangibles" in the clubhouse?

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It’s an interesting question. The Royals are 7-11 since Vinnie hit the IL.

We know that he likely provides value today in that clubhouse and part of that stems from his production on the field. But if his numbers stagnate or decline, then you’re paying a premium today for supposed clubhouse influence tomorrow. That’s not a smart play.

Vinnie is still four years away from free agency. I don’t think he’s a candidate for an extension at this point.

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Love the kid, but I'd like he to prove he can be more consistent ( at the plate AND health-wise ) before ponying up. Like you said, plenty of time. We don't need another Dozier situation.

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