Financial Update
As we get closer to the start of the season, I have reviewed the team's financial state as of this moment.
As a reminder, you have $306,000,000 available for the total team expenses for the season.
You may review all your financials on your front office page .
International Amateurs
We just completed our monthly private practice with many young international amateur free agents who we hope can aid our club in the coming years. It was great to meet the players in-person and get to know them better, and I was able to improve my scouting assessment on all invitees.
In fact some of the players impressed me, since they showcased a higher potential than I had previously expected from them:
Jorge Minaya, 17 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Jorge Minaya hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. His power potential grades out as plus. He is very patient at the plate and should draw plenty of walks. He has improving pitch recognition, and may make consistent contact. Minaya has all the skills scouts look for in a center fielder.
Alfredo Nava, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Alfredo Nava hails from Santiago, Dominican Republic. He has a good swing. He won't likely set records, but could become a solid contact hitter. He has the potential to display above average power to all fields. He has good recognition of balls and strikes and is projected to draw 50 walks each year. Nava has the talent to flourish in the majors.
However, a few invitees left me disappointed as they did not appear to match my previous assessment, although they may still end up being future stars:
Jorge Merlos, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Jorge Merlos hails from Pedernales, Dominican Republic. His plus-plus contact ability projects to a high batting average. He has blazing speed and will swipe an above average number of bags. Merlos could develop into a productive regular on a contending team.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
David Sandoval, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Frank Valadez, 16 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Luis Barrera, 17 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Anbrosio Beato, 16 year-old 3B out of Venezuela
Arturo Puga, 16 year-old RHP out of Mexico
Luis Romero, 16 year-old SS out of Venezuela
Julio Sosa, 16 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Fall League News
It wasn't easy but Danny Grant made it look that way.
Grant silenced the San Jose Red Claws, 11-0, in a Virginia Beach Maulers triumph at Ballpark of San Jose. Despite the appearance of dominance, Grant said that he felt like he was struggling all game. He gave up 1 walk and 2 hits.
"It didn't feel quite right today, but I made the decision to bear down and work through it," he said. "I made a few mistakes but it goes to show what you can do with grit and not much else."
So far this year, Grant has compiled a 10-0 record with a 1.91 ERA.
Andy Rainey of the Virginia Beach Maulers had a fine season this year and today he accepted the Most Valuable Player for 2049.
The 20-year-old center fielder put up a .360 average and a .461 on-base percentage, piling up 73 hits, 7 doubles, 2 triples, 21 home runs, 62 RBIs and 45 runs scored.
He received 24 first place votes out of a possible 30. Steve Foister of the Virginia Beach Maulers finished second in voting, while Alexis Guadalupe of the Virginia Beach Maulers finished third.
Player - Team - First Place - Total Points
Andy Rainey - Virginia Beach Maulers - 24 - 388
Steve Foister - Virginia Beach Maulers - 0 - 253
Alexis Guadalupe - Virginia Beach Maulers - 0 - 162
Juan Landa - Dallas Black Gold - 6 - 143
Arturo Serna - Mesa Solar Sox - 0 - 138
Transactions
The Royals locked up their middle infield for the next decade as they signed Juan Montelongo to an 11-year, and Jonathan Lish to a 10-year, extension. Montelongo has proven that patience can be rewarded as the Royals took a chance on his potential when he ran out of options and have been rewarded with a potential legend of the club while Lish’s defensive ability should allow Montelongo to sit in 2B, collecting GG awards to go with batting records.
The Yankees approach the Royals with an offer of a potential plus-plus power OF in exchange for two organisational pieces which Stewart was happy to accept.
In the International Amateur pool, the Royals missed out on their top target, SP Arturo Puga and pivoted to CF David Sandoval, locking him up with their max offer.
Wednesday, January 5th , 2050
Signed 2B Juan Montelongo to a 11-year contract extension worth a total of $176,000,000.
Saturday, January 15th , 2050
Signed SS Jonathan Lish to a 10-year contract extension worth a total of $120,000,000.
Sunday, January 16th , 2050
Traded 25-year old minor league LHP Jaquan Baliey and 20-year old minor league SS Zachariah Urry to the New York Yankees, getting 17-year old minor league RF Luis Salazar in return.
Sunday, January 23rd , 2050
Signed international amateur CF David Sandoval out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $4,750,000 signing bonus.
Minor League Transactions
Sunday, January 9th , 2050
Promoted international complex member C Julio Alvarado to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF Jorge Ledesma to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member RF Aberto Porcellato to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member 3B Biagio Torrisi to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member RF Frank Vega to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SS Jean-Yves Lévy to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF Aubert Ramos to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Jesus Alba to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Juan Guerrero to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Arturo Corujo to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Juan Tamayo to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Hiroshi Kawabata to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Juan Padilla to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Horacio Loya to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Jorge Mendoza to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Frank Morales to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Jorge Robles to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Maxime Brun to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Frank Espinosa to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Jorge Gaitan to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Frank Rojas to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Ernesto Villatoro to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SP Juan Mora to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member RP Juan Ochoa to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SS Santiago Chairez to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF David Flores to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF Juan Manzano to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member 1B Jorge Mercado to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member LF Maup Moerkerk to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF Sergio Montalvo to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member 3B Luis Rivera to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF Alejandro Serpas to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted LF Ismael Casarez from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SS Alexis Guadalupe from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP Luis Arrezola from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 2B Andres Delgado from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jesus Higuera from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 3B Rogelio Temblador from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SS Zachariah Urry from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted CL Edgar Zaragoza from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Ernesto Arreola from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Becerra from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jorge Caldero from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Aureliano Castilleja from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Celaya from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Cervantes from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Guerrero from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP Edgar Magana from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP David Medina from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Rodolfo Moreno from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP Julio Pineda from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Alexis Sanabria from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jayden Shervill from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Wilson Tinajero from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Albert Casares from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SS Tomiji Fukuda from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted LF Esteban Campuzano from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP Jorge Cardenas from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 3B Andres Castillo from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted LF Juan Flores from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted CL Sergio Malave from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Abalos from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP David Aguirre from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Alaniz from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Alcover from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP David Alderete from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jorge Arambula from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 3B Jesus Arce from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Bautista from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Frank Brito from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jorge Campos from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Chavira from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Adryão Fareleiro from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Luis Godoy from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RF Etsuya Hamano from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP David Lara from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Alejandro Ontiveros from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Juan Pulido from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SS Eleuterio Remartinez from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Fidel Caban from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Alejandro Orozco from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 3B Zach Cavanaugh from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Eric Chaney from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Danny Copeland from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Tim Elkins from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 1B Steve Pelliccio from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted CF Luis Saldua from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Danny Schibler from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Tim Hicks from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Caleb Hayes from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Nate Skinner from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Nobuji Asai from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted C Tadasumi Toyota from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted CF Hudson Girton from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SS Luis Mendoza from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 2B Jesus Caldera from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Yasunobu Fujimoto from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP Yutaka Yoshimura from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted CL Chris Kelley from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Sent 2B Ignacio Pavon from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 1B Jorge Rico from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent LF Daniel Jaurigui from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SP Alejandro Avelar from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent LF Luis Castaneda from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 2B Guadalupe Madrid from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SS Juan Miranda from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SP Jesus Puentes from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Ignacio Vargos from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent CF Jesus Villareal from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 3B Jesus Abredo from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 2B Sergio Aguirre from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 3B Jorge Barrientos from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent LF David Borghese from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent C Randy Bridenbaker from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Jesus Cabrera from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Andres Coronado from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Sean Dawson from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Jorge Guerrero from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Joel Harris from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Jeff Ocampo from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SP Arturo Olivia from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Kevin Pasquale from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Juanito Portillo from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent CF Dan Thomas from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP David Varela from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Alexis Cerda from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SP Josh Weas from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 3B Dan Arango from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SS Kurt Ferullo from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 2B Andres Delgado from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent C Ernesto Valle from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent C Nobuji Asai from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Promoted RP Eric Chaney from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Promoted RP Yasunobu Fujimoto from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Promoted CL Chris Kelley ffrom Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Promoted RP Danny Schibler from from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SP Yutaka Yoshimura from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Promoted 1B Jorge Rico from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted 2B Alfredo Cuevas from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SS Lupe Aguilar from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Jaquan Baliey from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Alfredo Compean from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Jesus Esquivel from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP David Herrera from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Jesus Hurtado from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted CF Vicente Marmolejo from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted C Alejandro Ramos from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted 2B Jesus Urquiza from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted 3B Luis Villarreal from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted C Guonçalle Ales from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted C Luis Almaguer from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SP David Becerra from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Jorge Contreras from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SP Juan Lavariega from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Juan Noboa from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP David Padilla from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RF Ernesto Sosa from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Sergio Suazo from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted C Dane Cook from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted CF Bobby Friedland from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted 3B Dan Arango from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted CF Deonte Clark from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SS Kevin Lawrence from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Mike Steward from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted CL Jorge Ramirez from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Jonathan Taylor from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SP Juan Armenteros from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SP Yutaka Yoshimura from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Joel Harris from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Juanito Portillo from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SP Josh Weas from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted CF Nate Kees from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted C Frank Guevara from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted 3B Ernesto Arellano from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted RP Eric Isles from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted SP David Conforto from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted RP Juan Ochoa from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted SP Jim Stokes from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted CL Jared Baynes from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted SP Luis Sifuentes from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted SP Nelson Ayala from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Around the League
The big news around the league comes with Cason Willard signing with the Giants on a 6-year, $201m contract paying $33.5m each year, with a final year vesting option. That secures the Royals a second supplementary 1st round pick in the draft and is riskier than they would have been willing to go for the almost 32-year-old.
Hall of Fame
Ethan Salas becomes the third Catcher since the start of Stewart’s career to be selected to the Hall of Fame, after Yadier Molina and the Royal’s Salvador Perez. He does it with 92.9% of the ballot as a first timer, the second year in a row there has been a single inductee and as a first timer. Mike Miller is named on 69.7% of ballots in his first year on the ballot while Bobby Witt Jr. polls more than 60% in his 5th. No other player receives over 55% of the vote.
