Catchers
A 3.4 WAR and a first All Star nomination is a great breakthrough season for Sam Hart who repays the Royals faith in a long-term contract. Edgar Rivera took a step back in 2036 and will be looking over his shoulder at the Royals next catcher up conveyor belt especially as he enters his first year of arbitration.
Infield
Bobby Witt Jr. player all over the diamond and ended up contributing positive WAR in just over 300 plate appearances and, for the club legend, that is probably enough to bring him back in 2037, certainly with Juan Moreno (105 wRC+) out for another 8 months.
Edgar Mir was a two-time Batter of the Month, an All Star and contributed over 6 WAR, the 7th best season in Royals history, while producing the 4th highest slugging rate (.570), 6th best OPS (.957), and joining the top ten in HRs with 35.
Jeremy Rogerson has struggled to hit the .300 heights of his early years but a 110 wRC+ with net positive defence at 3B is a solid return and Eric Rose struggled when he came up to the Major Leagues with a 37% SO rate in 93 PAs. His switch-hitting profile, however, means he retains an investment worth pursuing for the right hand dominant Royals.
That both SS candidates, Tim Storer (0.6) and Ed Nicholson (0.8), produced positive WAR is a reflection on their glove not their bat. Both hit below 100 wRC+ but Storer added 4.1 ZR. If there was a position the Royals may look to upgrade this would seem to be the candidate although it remains a glove first position for this management team.
Outfield
No All Star outfielders is a disappointing return for the Royals squad although Jimmy Goodman might consider himself unlucky with a 125 wRC+, 4.5 WAR, 10.3 ZR season that featured the 10th most BB by a Royal in a season. Drew Burress had a 20-20 season again, Enny Van Dyke had 116 RBIs to go with 27 HRs while Billy Mumaugh had the 6th most doubles in a Royals season while stealing 25 bases. Alex Duke was solid covering any and every position needed without ever looking likely to lock down an everyday role. Van Dyke and Duke both have their first years of arbitration which could see the first serious reload of the Royals outfield in recent years.
Offseason / Early 2037 Overview
C Sam Hart
1B Bobby Witt Jr. (Juan Moreno INJ)
2B Edgar Mir
3B Jeremy Rogerson
SS Tim Storer Upgrade/Arbitration
LF Billy Mumaugh
CF Drew Burress
RF Jimmy Goodman
DH Enny Van Dyke Arbitration
C Edgar Rivera Upgrade/Arbitration
INF Witt Jr. / Moreno
INF Ed Nicholson / Eric Rose
OF Alex Duke Arbitration
Starters
The starting rotation didn’t quite manage the WAR impact of 2035 but still had three pitchers contribute over 4 WAR, while the other two managing 3.8 and 2.7 (after missing 8 starts) respectively. All five posted FIP- below league average while Curt Bogans posted the highest win percentage (.833) of any Royal pitcher in history, joined in the top ten by Cade Townsend (7th). Townsend (9th) added him name, for the 4th time, to the list of highest K/9 in a single season, and he was joined on the list by Daniel Nava (8th). Bogans meanwhile added the 4th best K/BB rate (4.49) in Royals history.
Townsend has also entered some career top ten lists for the Royals including wins (8th 82), WAR (8th 24.3), and is up to 5th in Strikeouts with 1,293.
The Royals have some big decisions to make with Mike Hoffer entering his second year of arbitration while both Nava and Townsend are eligible for QO if the Royals can’t or won’t come to a long term contract agreement.
The Royals must also consider how this elite rotation was beaten up in the post season for the second year in a row by a team they dominated in the regular season.
Bullpen
The best bullpen in the American League over the regular season imploded in the postseason and there are several players entering arbitration that the Royals must carefully evaluate.
Mason Barnett (102 FIP-) was the only regular reliever (after Mike Halpin was sent back to AAA) to have a FIP above league average which likely means the team declining their option at $10.5m. There would be interest in bringing the legend back in a long relief role but only if the price is right.
On the arbitration list are Kevin Azeem (24 H in 19 IP, 3 HR), Jon Holtz (45 H in 58.1 IP, 6 HR), Billy Nicklas (48 H in 59.2 IP, 7 HR), and Chris Wagner (38 H in 47 IP, 5 HR, 33 SV).
In addition, Mike Bowe (34 H in 31.1 IP, 7 HR) is a Free Agent looking for three years at $13m.
Offseason / Early 2037 Overview
SP Eddie Baquerizo
SP Curt Bogans
SP Mike Hoffer Arbitration
SP Daniel Nava QO
SP Cade Townsend QO
RP Shawn Bass
RP Luis Bravo
RP Brad Demarest
RP Jon Holtz Arbitration
RP Kevin Azeem Arbitration
RP Billy Nicklas Arbitration
RP Chris Wagner Arbitration
RP Mike Bowe Free Agent
RP Mason Barnett Free Agent