Comments on: 40-Man Roster Review – Noel Arguelles

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 16:53:37 +0000

In defense of Billy, he’s not so much pathetic at 1st as blocked by the awesomeness of Hosmer. His bat is good enough that he could play 1st for quite a few teams, the Brewers come to mind, where he’ld be an upgrade over the misnamed Fielder.

Clint, drafted in the 25th round, probably shouldn’t be considered a mistake and is both trade-bait and insurance for Hoz/Butler getting injured.

By: DanL

DanL — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 14:35:49 +0000

The more we hear about blocked players and excess talent, makes me wonder how teams decide to draft guys that have no defensive ability/flexibility. Take Clint for example – left handed, doesn’t run well enough for the outfield – can only be 1B/DH. Then consider Billy – they tried him at 3B/OF before 1B – and plays so poorly in the eyes of Yost that he’ll only be a DH the rest of his Royals career.

Now consider, Alex – only played third in the minors and pushed Teahan to the outfield – then moved to the outfield with some time in the minors to learn that position. Talented enough to move. Then consider Wil Myers – didn’t work out as a catcher, trying outfield – seems like he could/should be getting time at other positions like 3B/1B/LF to give the Royals some flexibility.

There used to be a time, when teams would draft players who played SS and CF and move them to other positions because of their defensive talent/ability. Alex and Wil are better draft picks than Billy and Clint in the sense that they can better develop to meet a need on the major league level. Billy and Clint force the Royals into one position (the American League DH) because of their bat and their allergy to leather gloves.

Clint is not only blocked, but has little trade value despite his incredible numbers. While Billy is a great bat for the Royals, wouldn’t they have been better off drafting somebody who could play a position or two defensively.

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 06:13:33 +0000

Agree with your point, Ted, it’s silly to trade that much talent for 0.6 fWAR above Jeff Francis, which would be iffy coming over to the American League. I look forward to the day when we have too many pitchers and can make hauls like San Diego did. That’s the way to build a long-term contender and likely why GMDM grabs every live arm he can get his hands on. Pitchers are a seller’s market.

By: Ted

Ted — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 06:03:33 +0000

My point was, holy crap the price to trade for pitchers is sky high right now.

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 04:06:44 +0000

From what I’ve read, the Reds traded excess talent for a position of need, like we did with trading Melky for Sanchez. I doubt the Pads would have taken Clint Robinson, David Lough, and Jarrod Dyson for Latos, our current excess “talent”. A couple of years on we may make a trade like the Reds, but I’ld rather trade a Latos for three prospects and a power bullpen arm than the other way around, makes for a sustainable future.

By: Fred

Fred — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 00:25:42 +0000

We’ll the Reds are clearly trying to contend next year and must have a better shot than KC does. Nope, fully content running 5 league average pitchers out there as a staff and hope for the best. No Yarvish bid for the cheapest team the last 10 years? Of course not, Edwin Jackson, Roy Oswalt? 2/10mil and a mutual option good? It will be a travesty if Dayton lets this talented team try and compete for anything but not last with this starting staff.

By: Ted

Ted — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 21:44:41 +0000

That was quite the haul for Latos.

By: Greg

Greg — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 17:01:38 +0000

IMO it’s wildly unrealistic to assume our top 4 pitching prospect will all pan out as solid contributors to the rotation.

By: Mitchel

Mitchel — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:52:57 +0000

If you put MM, Odor-eater, and DD 1-2-3 for a rotation, and looking for #4 and #5 starters, the Royals still have a good number of prospects or current relievers that could fill those rolls…

Aaron Crow, John Lamb, Luke Hochevar, Chris Dwyer, Will Smith, Felipe Paulino, Noel Arguelles, Everett Teaford…

Then there are the third-tier types of starters we have like Tim Melville and Tyler Sample that are on the outside looking in but could be a serviceable #5 starter somewhere down the line.

Besides, isn’t it better to hope for the best but expect the worst when it comes to the Royals? Or Christmas, for that matter…

By: Grant

Grant — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 16:29:46 +0000

I’ve still got hope for this kid. He’s only 21 (turns 22 in January), and could be a potent back of the bullpen guy. How’s this for a 2014 rotation? Seems real sexy.

1. Mike Montgomery – Let’s hope he doesn’t regress in 2012
2. Jake Odorizzi – I think he’s going to be a legit #1
3. Danny Duffy – not sold yet on a #2 status
4. Luke Hochevar – eh
5. John Lamb – come on Tommy John…pull a Strasburg

Any thoughts there? Might just be wishful thinking that all of our top pitching prospects could fill out a rotation like this in 2014…but a guy can dream, right?