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Biggp07 · 11-20-2025, 02:55 PM

KANSAS CITY ROYALS — 2024 OFFSEASON WRAP-UP

“Blueprints, Breakthroughs & The Quiet Rebuild”

(OOTP25 Royals Journey – Manager’s Log)
________________________________________

On a cold, wind-bitten New Year’s morning in Missouri, I sat alone at my desk in the Kauffman Stadium offices, a cup of coffee cooling at my side, and drafted a message to John Sherman and the Royals organization. Most of the staff were still coming down from holiday travel and New Year’s celebrations. Before they left for Christmas break, I’d told them to spend this week with their families—and to come back over the weekend, ready to start again on Monday.

After a couple of reviews, I pressed send.
________________________________________

👑 A Message from the Manager/GM Office

The 2024 offseason has come to a close, and for the first time in several years, the Royals enter January with actual direction — not noise. Not desperation.

A plan.

What began as a November postmortem evolved into a December realignment of philosophy, roster construction, and culture. With every move — the deliberate pushes, the selective passes, the international discoveries — the front office and coaching staff walked in lockstep, shaping a blueprint built for sustainability, not shortcuts.

The process wasn’t loud, but it was intentional.

And that alone marks progress for Kansas City.
________________________________________

🟨 OFFSEASON TIMELINE SNAPSHOT

NOVEMBER — Establishing the Foundation

Themes: Arbitration clarity, internal evaluations, scouting resets

• Arbitration cases processed, budgets modeled, and core contributors re-aligned.
• Key organizational findings on MiLB depth (AA/AAA), including updates on Witt Jr., Singer, Lynch, and the injured Kyle Wright.
• International complex triage highlighted the need for increased investment in scouting accuracy.

Major Moves:

• Multiple minor-league signings and internal promotions
• Early trade exploration begins with teams like the Toronto, Boston, and Padres
• Phillies Deal — acquiring 2B Weston Wilson for 2B Jonathan India
• White Sox Deal — acquiring LF Mark Payton for RF Nelson Velezquez
• Waiver claim — acquiring RF Johnathan Rodriguez
• First wave of private international workouts (Cruz, Gago, Torres rising fast)
________________________________________

EARLY DECEMBER — Market Pressure & Budget Discipline

Themes: Adjusting the financial levers, strategic restraint

• Scouting budget increased, player development elevated to $20M, draft budget optimized for 2025 class.
• Financial summary confirmed limited flexibility but strong allocation control.
• International private training delivered early breakout indicators — especially for Cruz and Gago.

Major Moves:

• Free agent offers submitted to Turnbull, Montgomery, Beeks, Thompson
• Multiple trade discussions entertained but declined (Red Sox, Cubs, Padres, A's)
________________________________________

WINTER MEETINGS — A Turning Point

Themes: Youth acquisition, targeted trades, patient aggression

• Kansas City completes two notable actions:
1. Major FA Signing — SP Jordan Montgomery
2. Giants Deal — acquiring C Axiel Plaz, SP Manuel Mercedes, SP Jack Choate
• No Rule 5 activity; organizational stability prioritized.
• Internal evaluations set the tone for which prospects rise to AA, A+, and Rookie to start 2025.
________________________________________

LATE DECEMBER — Closing Deals & Closing Books

Themes: Final roster stabilization before January

• Free-agent signings finalized:
✔️ Spencer Turnbull
✔️ Riley Thompson
✔️ Jalen Beeks

• Prospect movement formally scheduled for early January (Choate → A+, Plaz → A+, Mercedes → A).

• Final scouting discovery of 2024:
RHP Rubén Garcia, a low-velo, high-control 16-year-old projection starter with strong developmental upside.

• Oakland submits two late pushes for Brent Rooker; both rejected as KC holds firm to plan.
________________________________________

🟦 KEY ACQUISITIONS — 2024 OFFSEASON

Via Trade

• Weston Wilson (2B, Phillies) — Plate discipline, defensive versatility
• Mark Payton (LF, White Sox) — Polished, versatile outfielder
• Axiel Plaz (C, Giants) — Elite arm strength; raw offensive upside
• Manuel Mercedes (SP, Giants) — Heavy fastball; breakout candidate
• Jack Choate (SP, Giants) — High-K profile; fits KC's pitching lab well

Via Waiver

• Johnathan Rodriguez (RF, Guardians) — Controllable, defensively strong RF

Via Free Agency

• Jordan Montgomery (SP) — Our Ace
• Spencer Turnbull (SP) — Veteran stabilizer
• Riley Thompson (RP/SP swing) — Versatile depth
• Jalen Beeks (LHRP) — Matchup specialist; upside in KC’s new bullpen model

International & Minor League

• Felipe Romero (SP) — November scouting discovery
• Sergio Rodriguez (SS) — December scouting discovery
• Carter Aldrete (2B/3B, AAA/AA depth)
• Ricardo Velez (RP, A+)
• Yorvis Torrealba (LF/CF, AA)
• Rubén Garcia (SP, INT Complex)
________________________________________

🟨 ORGANIZATIONAL THEMES ENTERING 2025

1. Players with High Baseball IQ & Adaptability
Leadership, coachability, and cognitive traits were prioritized over tool-heavy projects.

2. Pitching Control & Development Focus
KC invested heavily in pitchers with strong command foundations — easier to scale velocity than fix wildness.

3. International Pipeline Reboot
Private workouts, relationships, and scouting accuracy took center stage; 2025 class preparation already underway.

4. Avoiding Bad Contracts (Strategic Frugality)
No long-term anchors; no panic overpays despite pressure from other clubs.

5. Layered Depth Instead of Flashy Moves
KC wants 2025 to be competitive — but intelligently competitive.
________________________________________

🟦 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025 — “The Threshold Year”

The Royals will enter Spring Training with:

• A more modern pitching infrastructure

• A sharper analytics-to-scouting integration

• A deeper farm system at AA and below

• An MLB roster built not around one star, but a functioning ecosystem

2024 was a year of dismantling and designing.

2025 will be the year of testing the blueprint.
________________________________________

👑 FOR THE CROWN — ALWAYS

Kansas City Royals 2025 Preseason | January 2025

⚾ Prepared by: Manager & General Manager — Kansas City Royals Organization
________________________________________

11-20-2025, 02:55 PM	#14
Biggp07 Major Leagues Join Date: Sep 2024 Posts: 350	KANSAS CITY ROYALS — 2024 OFFSEASON WRAP-UP “Blueprints, Breakthroughs & The Quiet Rebuild” (OOTP25 Royals Journey – Manager’s Log) ________________________________________ On a cold, wind-bitten New Year’s morning in Missouri, I sat alone at my desk in the Kauffman Stadium offices, a cup of coffee cooling at my side, and drafted a message to John Sherman and the Royals organization. Most of the staff were still coming down from holiday travel and New Year’s celebrations. Before they left for Christmas break, I’d told them to spend this week with their families—and to come back over the weekend, ready to start again on Monday. After a couple of reviews, I pressed send. ________________________________________ 👑 A Message from the Manager/GM Office The 2024 offseason has come to a close, and for the first time in several years, the Royals enter January with actual direction — not noise. Not desperation. A plan. What began as a November postmortem evolved into a December realignment of philosophy, roster construction, and culture. With every move — the deliberate pushes, the selective passes, the international discoveries — the front office and coaching staff walked in lockstep, shaping a blueprint built for sustainability, not shortcuts. The process wasn’t loud, but it was intentional. And that alone marks progress for Kansas City. ________________________________________ 🟨 OFFSEASON TIMELINE SNAPSHOT NOVEMBER — Establishing the Foundation Themes: Arbitration clarity, internal evaluations, scouting resets • Arbitration cases processed, budgets modeled, and core contributors re-aligned. • Key organizational findings on MiLB depth (AA/AAA), including updates on Witt Jr., Singer, Lynch, and the injured Kyle Wright. • International complex triage highlighted the need for increased investment in scouting accuracy. Major Moves: • Multiple minor-league signings and internal promotions • Early trade exploration begins with teams like the Toronto, Boston, and Padres • Phillies Deal — acquiring 2B Weston Wilson for 2B Jonathan India • White Sox Deal — acquiring LF Mark Payton for RF Nelson Velezquez • Waiver claim — acquiring RF Johnathan Rodriguez • First wave of private international workouts (Cruz, Gago, Torres rising fast) ________________________________________ EARLY DECEMBER — Market Pressure & Budget Discipline Themes: Adjusting the financial levers, strategic restraint • Scouting budget increased, player development elevated to $20M, draft budget optimized for 2025 class. • Financial summary confirmed limited flexibility but strong allocation control. • International private training delivered early breakout indicators — especially for Cruz and Gago. Major Moves: • Free agent offers submitted to Turnbull, Montgomery, Beeks, Thompson • Multiple trade discussions entertained but declined (Red Sox, Cubs, Padres, A's) ________________________________________ WINTER MEETINGS — A Turning Point Themes: Youth acquisition, targeted trades, patient aggression • Kansas City completes two notable actions: 1. Major FA Signing — SP Jordan Montgomery 2. Giants Deal — acquiring C Axiel Plaz, SP Manuel Mercedes, SP Jack Choate • No Rule 5 activity; organizational stability prioritized. • Internal evaluations set the tone for which prospects rise to AA, A+, and Rookie to start 2025. ________________________________________ LATE DECEMBER — Closing Deals & Closing Books Themes: Final roster stabilization before January • Free-agent signings finalized: ✔️ Spencer Turnbull ✔️ Riley Thompson ✔️ Jalen Beeks • Prospect movement formally scheduled for early January (Choate → A+, Plaz → A+, Mercedes → A). • Final scouting discovery of 2024: RHP Rubén Garcia, a low-velo, high-control 16-year-old projection starter with strong developmental upside. • Oakland submits two late pushes for Brent Rooker; both rejected as KC holds firm to plan. ________________________________________ 🟦 KEY ACQUISITIONS — 2024 OFFSEASON Via Trade • Weston Wilson (2B, Phillies) — Plate discipline, defensive versatility • Mark Payton (LF, White Sox) — Polished, versatile outfielder • Axiel Plaz (C, Giants) — Elite arm strength; raw offensive upside • Manuel Mercedes (SP, Giants) — Heavy fastball; breakout candidate • Jack Choate (SP, Giants) — High-K profile; fits KC's pitching lab well Via Waiver • Johnathan Rodriguez (RF, Guardians) — Controllable, defensively strong RF Via Free Agency • Jordan Montgomery (SP) — Our Ace • Spencer Turnbull (SP) — Veteran stabilizer • Riley Thompson (RP/SP swing) — Versatile depth • Jalen Beeks (LHRP) — Matchup specialist; upside in KC’s new bullpen model International & Minor League • Felipe Romero (SP) — November scouting discovery • Sergio Rodriguez (SS) — December scouting discovery • Carter Aldrete (2B/3B, AAA/AA depth) • Ricardo Velez (RP, A+) • Yorvis Torrealba (LF/CF, AA) • Rubén Garcia (SP, INT Complex) ________________________________________ 🟨 ORGANIZATIONAL THEMES ENTERING 2025 1. Players with High Baseball IQ & Adaptability Leadership, coachability, and cognitive traits were prioritized over tool-heavy projects. 2. Pitching Control & Development Focus KC invested heavily in pitchers with strong command foundations — easier to scale velocity than fix wildness. 3. International Pipeline Reboot Private workouts, relationships, and scouting accuracy took center stage; 2025 class preparation already underway. 4. Avoiding Bad Contracts (Strategic Frugality) No long-term anchors; no panic overpays despite pressure from other clubs. 5. Layered Depth Instead of Flashy Moves KC wants 2025 to be competitive — but intelligently competitive. ________________________________________ 🟦 LOOKING AHEAD TO 2025 — “The Threshold Year” The Royals will enter Spring Training with: • A more modern pitching infrastructure • A sharper analytics-to-scouting integration • A deeper farm system at AA and below • An MLB roster built not around one star, but a functioning ecosystem 2024 was a year of dismantling and designing. 2025 will be the year of testing the blueprint. ________________________________________ 👑 FOR THE CROWN — ALWAYS Kansas City Royals 2025 Preseason \| January 2025 ⚾ Prepared by: Manager & General Manager — Kansas City Royals Organization ________________________________________ Last edited by Biggp07; 01-07-2026 at 09:59 AM.