Zero to Hero - A Scotsman in MLB

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics





Kansas City's Nelson Saiz collected 19 hits to snare the American League Rookie of the Month for July.

He batted .339 with 4 home runs, 16 RBIs and 16 runs scored.

The 21-year-old is barely old enough to shave, but he could definitely contend for Rookie of the Year if he keeps up this pace.

Hitting .318 to date, Saiz has 15 home runs and 50 RBIs. He has played in 78 games.



Transactions & Injuries

It’s moving month for the Royals in July as they look to tool up for the run in and postseason. To start the month they tooled up the coaching staff with several coaches resigning for the next 5 seasons, including Team Trainer Jesus Guevara and Pitching Coach Andy Hill.

Before any trades the Royals were struck with several injuries this month. In the OF, Bobby Nickelberry and A.J. Terry cannot stay fit, a fractured thumb and strained ACL meaning they will miss 3-4 weeks and 5 weeks respectively with Nickelberry ending the month in Omaha on a rehab assignment.

2B Arturo Oramas is another who can’t stay fit, a strained hamstring ruling him out for 6 weeks but giving extra chances to rookie Juan Montelongo, despite his struggles.

The biggest loss was SP Ethan Chafin. Despite a down year, it was a sad day when he received a torn UCL diagnosis, with a 10 month return pencilled in. Done for the season, and possibly with the Royals.

That led the Royals into a pair of pitching trades, as has become the norm at this point of the season. Firstly, they brought in RHP Rob Cope from the Blue Jays. Toronto are 10 games out of the WC and happy to move Cope $8.3m salary, although it is a little surprising as he had signed a 5-year $95m extension during the season which the Royals will be on the hook for entirely. Above average/potentially plus movement with plus control and 4 above average or better pitches meant the Royals think this is a good deal for the 25-year old. In return they had to give up INF utility, and 2039 International Amateur signing, Edgar Noriega, who had lost his place this season and been overtaken in the next man up listings, along with promising RP 2047 6th round pick Joey Cole.

Next up, and to provide another LHP option the Royals struck a trade with the Detroit Tigers for LHP Dusty Glick. Detroit are only 6 games back in WC race but there are six teams ahead of them to get into the WC so are happy to move on from Glick, who would be due an estimated $11m in arbitration next season. Glick has plus control and potential stuff behind a four-pitch arsenal and plus stamina. His movement profiles to be above average, and he has a strong leader personality. The Royals give up another IF, 2041 1st rounder, 2B Joe Hyatt, along with another RP prospect and 2044 International Amateur signing Juan Llanas, and 2044 trade acquisition 1B Ramiro Salinas. Hyatt had been given a chance in the big leagues this season and struggled, with players coming up behind him the Royals cashed in on the former 1st-rounders value.

On the roster moves, this sent Chad Johnston turn to AAA to make room in the rotation while C Luis Montoya was also sent down to allow C Dave Forester to make the move up from AAA.

Thursday, July 2nd , 2048
RF Bobby Nickelberry diagnosed with a fractured thumb, will miss 3-4 weeks.
Purchased the contract of LF Ken Crome from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, July 3rd , 2048
Signed Team Trainer Jesus Guevara to a 5-year contract extension.
Sunday, July 5th , 2048
Signed Pitching Coach Andy Hill to a 5-year contract extension.
Thursday, July 9th , 2048
2B Arturo Oramas was injured while throwing the ball. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Friday, July 10th , 2048
RF A.J. Terry was injured while running the bases. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Sunday, July 12th , 2048
2B Arturo Oramas diagnosed with a strained hamstring, will miss 6 weeks.
RF A.J. Terry diagnosed with a strained anterior cruciate ligament, will miss 5 weeks.
Purchased the contract of CF Jorge Joaquin from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of SS Joe Hyatt from Triple A Omaha.
Sunday, July 19th , 2048
SP Ethan Chafin was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Wednesday, July 22nd , 2048
SP Ethan Chafin diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, will miss 10 months.
Traded 25-year old minor league SS Edgar Noriega and 19-year old minor league LHP Joey Cole to the Toronto Blue Jays, getting 25-year old RHP Rob Cope in return.
Traded 24-year old 2B Joe Hyatt, 20-year old minor league RHP Juan Lamas, and 24-year old minor league 2B Ramiro Salinas to the Detroit Tigers, getting 25-year old LHP Dusty Glick (retaining 15%) in return.
Placed SP Rob Cope on the active roster.
Placed SP Dusty Glick on the active roster.
Optioned SP Chad Johnston to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 2B Branson Huot from Triple A Omaha.
Optioned C Luis Montoya to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of C Dave Forester from Triple A Omaha.
Saturday, July 25th , 2048
Sent RF Bobby Nickelberry to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Wednesday, July 29th , 2048
Traded 25-year old RHP Yoichiro Curtsinger to the Chicago Cubs, getting 23-year old minor league RF Sam Heath in return.

Minor League News

The Northwest Arkansas Naturals felt very secure when they sent David Salas out to the hill last month. The 23-year-old starter went after Texas League hitters with a vengeance and earned July's Pitcher of the Month award.

He went 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA as he struck out 24 in 22 innings over 4 starts.

So far this year, Salas has compiled a 5-0 record with a 2.11 ERA.

Mid-Season Promotions

Promoted international complex member SP Luis Tenente to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member SS Alexis Guadalupe to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member RF Etsuya Hamano to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF Julio Ortez to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted international complex member CF Jorge Urquidez to Rookie League Kansas City (DSL).
Promoted RF Jon Dinsmore from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SS Jorge Arizmendi from Rookie League Kansas City (DSL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted 3B Jesus Mendizabal from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jake Fulmer from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP Joe Teichner from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jared Baynes from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted SP J.P. Carrillo from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Ferlon Goins from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Promoted RP Jonathan Taylor from Rookie League Kansas City (ACL) to Class A Columbia.
Sent SS Ben Dart from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent C Frank Guevara from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 3B Zidan Sudani from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SS Lupe Aguilar from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent 2B Jesus Urquiza from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent CF David Rojo from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent SP Joe Teichner from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Ethan del Moral from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Humberto Loeza from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Mike Steward from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent CL Jairold Clark from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Sent RP Omari Loving from Class A Columbia to High-A Quad Cities.
Promoted 2B Luis Flores from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted 3B Bernalldino Igrejas from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted 3B David de Anda from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted CF Nate Kees from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted CL Greg Hyder from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RP Ernesto Castillo from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SP Danny Mueller from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted SP Nelson Ayala from High-A Quad Cities to Double A Northwest Arkansas.
Promoted RF Mike Gronkiewicz from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted 2B Steve Katzin from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted SS Jonathan Lish from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted LF Jorge Morales from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted CL Pete Acors from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted RP Eric Bustamante from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted RP Luis Crespo from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted SP Joe Farrell from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted SP Ken Logan from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Released 3B Juan Zenteno.
Released C Juan Ramos.
Released RP Edgar Adame.
Released RP Luis Crespo.
Released RP Jorge Estrada.
Released RP David Najar.
Released RP Juan Guadiana. 

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MLB Standings



Kansas City Results



Kansas City Statistics







Dusty Glick of Kansas City had an excellent August with a 5-0 record and was selected as the Pitcher of the Month in the American League.

He finished the month with a 2.97 ERA while piling up 48 strikeouts in 36.1 innings and holding opposing hitters to a .222 batting average.

His record this year is 11-7 in 27 starts and Glick has a 2.79 ERA.

Transactions & Injuries

A very quiet August as Bobby Nickelberry makes his return from injury halfway through the month; Ken Crome heading back to Omaha with an OPS+ of exactly 100.

That does mean that neither A.J. Terry nor Arturo Oramas have returned from injury, both with unknown return dates while Cason Willard is due back in two weeks. To get all three back in mid-September would allow for some time to get up to speed before playoff roster decisions have to be made.

Thursday, August 13th , 2048
Optioned LF Ken Crome to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RF Bobby Nickelberry from Triple A Omaha.

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MLB Standings

The Royals wrap up their 13th division title in a row on 12 September, their 25th of all time, and that secures a 20th successive playoff appearance.

Four games to go and the NL postseason is all but set with the only question whether it will be the Mets or the Braves who win the East, with the other guaranteed a Wild Card team. In the AL, the Rays and Yankees are fighting for the East while it is between the Rangers, Orioles, and Red Sox for the final Wild Card place.



Kansas City Results

19 September was 100-win day this season as the Royals beat the Pirates 4-1 in Pittsburgh, nine years in a row of 100-win seasons for the Royals.



Kansas City Statistics





With September's American League Rookie of the Month title slung over his shoulder, Nelson Saiz has no reason to be modest about his statistical output. But he was, telling BNN reporters, "I just put the bat on the ball a lot and a lot of them fell in. It was just my month to shine."

The 21-year-old blistered the baseball last month as he posted a .400 batting average, 32 hits, 5 home runs, 15 RBIs and 21 runs scored.

At present, Saiz is batting .324 with 145 hits and 25 home runs. He has knocked in 84 runs and scored 87 times.

Bobby Nickelberry battered American League pitchers all September and wound up taking home the Batter of the Month Award.

"I've been around Major League Baseball long enough to know you really have to work hard day in and day out to be able to put up this kind of consistency," the 29-year-old Nickelberry told reporters. "I put in a lot of work, even on the days I might not take the field, and it's always nice when everything comes together for me like it did this last month."

In 24 games, Nickelberry hit .427 with 7 home runs, 31 RBIs and scored 29 runs.

In the current season, Nickelberry has put up a .322 batting average with 86 hits, 21 home runs, 74 RBI and scored 53 runs.



Transactions & Injuries

The Royals make a number of September call ups to test out prospects and take pressure off the bullpen. Mike Gronkiewicz and Steve Katzin impressively make it from AA at the start of the season to a September call up.

A.J. Terry, Arturo Oramas and Cason Willard all come back to spend some time back on the roster before the end of the season and should be good to go for the offseason, Willard the arm that will make some rotation decisions very difficult!

Two former contributors who haven’t made it to the big leagues this year were DFA’d to make room for Pete Acors, as a September call up, and Willard’s return. Both Eli Blyden and Jeremy Stockoff made it through waivers though so there is a chance they are retained when the off season arrives.

Tuesday, September 1st , 2048
Purchased the contract of LF Ken Crome from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RF Mike Gronkiewicz from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 2B Steve Katzin from Triple A Omaha.
Promoted 3B David de Anda from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Promoted RF Bernalldino Igrejas from Double A Northwest Arkansas to Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of RP Chase Paggett from Triple A Omaha.
RP Jeremy Stockhoff was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of RP Pete Acors from Triple A Omaha.
Friday, September 4th , 2048
Sent RF A.J. Terry to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Monday, September 7th , 2048
Sent 2B Arturo Oramas to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Sunday, September 13th , 2048
Sent SP Cason Willard to Triple A Omaha for injury rehab.
Wednesday, September 23rd , 2048
Purchased the contract of RF A.J. Terry from Triple A Omaha.
Purchased the contract of 2B Arturo Oramas from Triple A Omaha.
RP Eli Blyden was designated for assignment and placed on waivers.
Purchased the contract of SP Cason Willard from Triple A Omaha.

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The Royals win the first game of the month but drop their final season against the Marlins to finish at 108-54, the best record in baseball once again.





It is the Rays who claim the AL East from the Yankees, with the Rangers claiming the last playoff place. The Braves outlast the Mets to secure the NL East which will be the difference between the Wild Card Series and a bye.



The Royals fall under their Pythagorean record by 4 games, with the underperformance coming on the road and in 1-run games. Both metrics are better than .500 but when compared to the incredible 65-16 record at home, are definitely an underachievement.

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The 2048 playoff bracket is set, and there’s some interesting stories. In the AL, it’s first division titles since 2039 for the Rays, and since 2034 for the Mariners, with Seattle joining Kansas City in earning a bye. The Royals will face a familiar foe whatever the Wild Card outcome as the Yankees will face the Astros, while the Rays reward for their division title is a match up against Texas.

In the National League, the Padres and the Braves earn the byes, with the Padres having the second best record in baseball, 97 wins, behind the Royals. The Cardinals division title earns them a Wild Card series against the Rockies, while it’s a big budget match up in New York as the Mets will face the Dodgers.

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Sweeps in the American League, series deciders in the National League in the Wild Card Series as both home teams win decisive game threes in the NL, the Mets and the Cardinals surviving to face the Padres and Braves respectively.

In the American League, the Rays sweep the Rangers to set up an East-West Division Series against the Mariners while the Yankees are the only road team to win a Wild Card Series, taking two-in-a-row to knock out the Houston Astros.

The Royals-Yankees match up will be the 8th all-time post season match up between the sides, and the third year in a row they have faced off, after the Royals won the Division Series 3-1 in 2046, and the ALCS 4-2 last year. The Royals also clinched the regular season 4-2; Stewart’s focus will be on avoiding any complaceny.

The Yankees are a pitcher-led team this year, having finished 13th in runs scored by 3rd in runs against during the regular season. Top of their rotation is former Royal Greg Moehring, who throw 201 K in 199.2 IP this season. Their best performer, however, was Colten Sullivan, who had a 3.30 ERA with 13 wins in 199.1 IP. Jimmy Mayo, 3.88, also had an ERA under 4, although injury limited him to 27 starts. The Yankees bullpen is anchored by legendary closer Pat Black, the 9-time All Star earning 27 saves with a 1.30 ERA. Their setup man, Jon Peeler, joined Black in the sub-2 ERA club, a 1.52 ERA in his first 17 games in the big leagues. There are also places for former Royals Joe Manley and Nate Avis, Manley with a 2.78 ERA as the third of four Yankees with a sub-3 ERA in the bullpen (Andy Goodman, 2.74).

2B Shawn Tebo led New York with 28 HRs, while 3B A.J. Hooper had 74 RBIs. Only one eligible player had an average above .250, CF Mike Kimmerle hitting that mark exactly. Defensively, the Yankees are down two SS, star Danny Eaton still 6 weeks away from recovering from a ruptured Achilles, while his replacement Eric Vanderhoof has an oblique strain which will keep him out of the series. There is one former Royal in the line up, DH Josh Clecker, the 2047 trade, who was an All-Star for the Yankees and hit .322 but only had 411 PAs. Clecker was the WCS MVP, so come to the series with a chip on his shoulder and in good form, danger for the Royals.

The Royals will have a decision to make with their rotation, as the Yankees had a sub .500 record against LHP so Stewart might decide to go with Benton Geldart over Rob Cope to give the Yankees two lefties to face.

Game 1 in Kansas City: T.J. Nooks vs Colten Sullivan (2046 Trade PHI)
• Kansas City wins 8-0
• Nooks (W): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 0 R
• Sullivan (L): 5.1 IP, 6 H, 6 R
• Kansas City HRs: Nelson Saiz (2nd), Arturo Oramas (2nd, 3R), A.J. Terry (3rd), Bobby Nickelberry (8th, 2R)
• 1-0 Kansas City

Game 2 in Kansas City: Cason Willard vs Mike King (2041 3rd Round)
• Kansas City wins 4-0
• Willard (W): 7.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• King (L): 6 H, 3 R
• Luis Danys Rhodes (SV): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Nickelberry (1st, 2R)
• 2-0 Kansas City

Game 3 in New York: Ben Lane vs Greg Moehring (2047 Free Agent)
• New York wins 6-4
• Moehring (W): 5.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R
• Lane (L): 2.0 IP, 5 H, 6 R
• Pat Black (SV): 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Estanislau Covete (2nd)
• New York HRs: Jesus Sandoval (1st, 2R), Davon Madkins (1st), Josh Clecker (2nd, 3R)
• POTG: Josh Clecker (NYY) 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
• 2-1 Kansas City

Game 4 in New York: Benton Geldart vs Jimmy Mayo (2038 5th Round)
• New York wins 4-3
• Mayo: 6.1 IP, 6 H, 2 R
• Geldart: 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R
• Jon Peeler (W): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Luis Danys Rhodes (L)(BS): 1.1 IP, 2 H, 4 R
• Kansas City HRs: Jadon Tezeno (6th, 2R)
• New York HRs: Sandoval (8th, 3R)
• 2-2 Series Tied

Game 5 in Kansas City: Nooks vs Sullivan
• Kansas City wins 7-5
• Nooks (W): 5.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R
• Sullivan (L): 4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 R
• Chris Morrow (SV): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Jorge Corujo (1st), Nickelberry (5th, 3R)
• New York HRs: Luis Herrera (4th)
• Domingo Carrillo INJ running the bases OUT pending
• POTG: Bobby Nickelberry (KC) 2-4, HR, 3 RBI
• 3-2 KANSAS CITY WINS

Series MVP: Bobby Nickelberry (KC) 8-20, 3 HR, 8 RBI

 

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The New York Mets dump the 97-win Padres in a sweep to set up a NLCS against fellow Wild Card Cardinals, as they beat the Braves in a Game 5 decider.

In the AL, Tampa Bay take out Seattle 3-1, and will face the Royals for the American League pennant as Kansas City ensures there is one bye team that makes it to the LCS.

Remarkably, the Royals-Rays series will be the first debut post season match for Stewart in an American League postseason series. The Rays were one of the few teams to have a winning record against the Royals in the regular season, taking 4-6 games. They are the reverse of the Yankees, having scored the 6th most runs while ranking 13th in runs against.

The Rays bats have ability throughout what is a young line up. Rookie DH Ernesto Chairez led the club with a .301 average, while hitting 26 HRs and 79 RBIs. Leading the HR (28) and RBI (95) totals was 2B Bobby Paulin, but he will miss the series with a sprained ankle. The star of the show, though, is LF Ramiro Rivera, who only appeared in 66 games due to injury but had an OPS of .958 and over 2 WAR in that short season.

On the pitching side, the Rays didn’t manage to have a starter with an ERA under 4. Ed Lanham was closest, a 4.02 ERA with 14 wins across 186 IP a good season of work. Their second best pitcher Chris Bodnar will miss the series with bicep tendinitis, while they will feature one LHP in Mike Botsford. In the bullpen only Jonathan Apt had an ERA below 4.00 while Daniel Montoya managed 18 saves at just over 80% success rate.

The Rays had a balanced record against LHP and RHP so another decision for Colin Stewart to make as to the make up of the rotation for the series – especially after the Yankees pushed Kansas City to a game 5, meaning T.J. Nooks won’t be available to pitch game one.

Game 1 in Kansas City: Cason Willard vs Ed Lanham (2036 1st Round)
• Kansas City wins 7-0
• Willard (W): 8.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R
• Lanham (L): 5.2 IP, 6 H, 3 R
• Kansas City HRs: A.J. Terry (7th, 2R)
• 1-0 Kansas City

Game 2 in Kansas City: Ben Lane vs Jon Wentworth (2048 Trade BAL)
• Kansas City wins 5-2
• Lane (W): 6.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R
• Wentworth (L): 5.0 IP, 9 H, 4 R
• Chris Morrow (SV): 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Bobby Nickelberry (1st)
• Tampa Bay HRs: Ramiro Rivera (4th), Gilberto Castro (6th)
• POTG: Bobby Nickelberry (KC) 3-4, HR, 2 RBI
• 2-0 Kansas City

Game 3 in Tampa Bay: Benton Geldart vs Jonathan Clanton (2046 Trade ARI)
• Kansas City wins 6-4
• Geldart (W): 6.1 IP, 8 H, 4 R
• Clanton (L): 3.1 IP, 8 H, 5 R
• Morrow (SV): 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Nelson Saiz (1st, 2R), A.J. Terry (3rd)
• Tampa Bay HRs: Joe Rose (4th), Andres Morales (5th), Castro (6th)
• Julio Balbuena (TB) INJ hit by pitch OUT pending
• POTG: Jorge Corujo (KC) 3-4, BB, 3 RBI
• 3-0 Kansas City

Game 4 in Tampa Bay: T.J. Nooks vs Mike Botsford (2047 Trade CWS)
• Kansas City wins 6-2
• Nooks: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 2 R
• Botsford: 4.1 IP, 5 H, 2 R
• Mike Krebs (W): 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• Daniel Montoya (L): 0.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R
• Kansas City HRs: Saiz (4th)
• Bobby Nickelberry (KC) INJ running the bases DTD 1 week
• Rodolfo Pesina (TB) INJ pitching DTD 5 days
• POTG: Nelson Saiz (KC) 2-5, HR, 3 RBI
• 4-0 KANSAS CITY WINS

Series MVP: A.J. Terry (KC) 7-15, 2 HRs, 3 RBI

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The Royals sweep the Tampa Bay Rays to move onto their 4th World Series in a row, and 5th in the last 6 years. Standing in their way of a hat-trick of titles will be the New York Mets. The Mets have battled through from a Wild Card to set up a rematch of the 2047 World Series and third all time match up against the Royals. They did it the hard way, falling 0-2 down against the Cardinals before fighting back to lead 3-2 with the home team having won each game. The Cardinals tied it up 3-3, forcing a game 7 in St Louis. The Cardinals took the lead in the 1st inning, before the Mets tied it up 1-1 in the top of the 3rd. That was it for scoring through 9 so extra innings for a place in the World Series. The Mets scored one run on a Juan Rivas in the top of the 10th and that was enough.

Kansas City swept the regular season series 3-0 but this is a strong, and balanced, Mets team. They were 5th in runs scored and had the best runs against total in the National League.

Their batting line up is built around 1B Jake Moore and DH Pete Brooks. Moore batted .325 and stole 62 bases while Brooks hit .275, 34 HRs and had 106 RBIs. LF Dan Auten is a coming star in his second season in the major leagues, 21 HRs and 110 RBIs for the season. Former Royal SS Tony Thompson has struggled with the bat but is an elite glove while 2B Gilberto Garnica is another elite glove that might make his debut in the World Series!

Pitching wise, the Mets have a 1-2 punch of 2047 Cy Young winner Mike Poirrier, and former Royal Mike Asbury. Poirrier put up a 3.58 ERA with 13 wins across 163.1 IP while Asbury had a 3.91 ERA. The rotation will have one LHP in Alvaro Vaca, 14 W, 191 K, and a 3.60 ERA.

In the bullpen, closer Kevin Gilstrap had 37 saves with a 2.55 ERA. Also registering an ERA below 3 was LHP SU Pete Hansen. A 5-3 LHP dominant bullpen will be a different look for the Royals in this post season.

For the Royals, Dusty Glick is fully fit after missing the first two postseason series so the Royals will have to decide whether to call him up and risk a rusty return or stick with the rotation that shut down the Rays in the last round. The Royals sweep, coupled with the Mets going to seven games means all Royals pitchers are fully rested.

Game 1 in Kansas City: Cason Willard vs Mike Poirrier (2044 1st Round)
• New York wins 3-1
• Poirrier (W): 7.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R
• Willard (L): 7.0 IP, 6 H, 3 R
• Kevin Gilstrap (SV): 2.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R
• New York HRs: Jake Moore (6th, 3R)
• 1-0 New York

Game 2 in Kansas City: T.J. Nooks vs Juan Rivas (2047 Trade ATL)
• New York wins 17-1
• Rivas (W): 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R
• Nooks (L): 1.1 IP, 6 H, 5 R
• New York HRs: Gilberto Garnica (5th), Pete Brooks (5th, 2R), Edgar Herrera (6th, GS)
• David Sandoval (NYM) NL playoff record 5 BB
• Juan Rivas (NYM) INJ pitching DTD 5 days
• POTG: Edgar Herrera (NYM) 3-4, GS HR, BB, 6 RBI
• 2-0 New York

Game 3 in New York: Dusty Glick vs Mike Asbury (2047 Free Agent)
• Kansas City wins 9-3
• Glick: 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 R
• Asbury: 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R
• Bob Capozziello (W): 1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Pete Hansen (L): 0.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R
• Mike Krebs (SV): 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Nelson Saiz (6th), Bobby Nickelberry (6th), Estanislau Covete (7th, 3R)
• POTG: Estanislau Covete (KC) 1-1, 3R HR
• 2-1 New York

Game 4 in New York: Benton Geldart vs Alvaro Vaca (2037 Scouting Discovery)
• Geldart (W): 7.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R
• Vaca: 5.1 IP, 3 H, 1 R
• Gilstrap (L)(BS): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 2 R
• Chris Morrow (SV): 0.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Luis Aceves (5th)
• Josh Mangan (KC) INJ base collision OUT 1-2 weeks
• Luis Danys Rhode (KC) INJ pitching DTD 1 week
• 2-2 Series Tied

Game 5 in New York: Willard vs Poirrier
• Kansas City wins 7-6 (10)
• Willard: 4.2 IP, 7 H, 2 R
• Poirrier: 6.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R
• Rhodes (W): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 0 R
• Nelson Exiga (L): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R
• New York HRs: Shokichi Ohashi (6th), Sandoval (7th, 2R)
• Kansas City HRs: Nickelberry (1st, 2R; 10th), Ken Crome (7th, 2R)
• POTG: Bobby Nickelberry (KC) 3-5, 2 HR, 3 RBI
• 3-2 Kansas City

Game 6 in Kansas City: Rob Cope vs Mike Lackey (2044 Rule 5 HOU)
• Kansas City wins 5-4
• Cope (W): 5.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R
• Lackey (L): 3.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R
• Rhodes (SV): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R
• Kansas City HRs: Jadon Tezeno (1st, 2R)
• 4-2 KANSAS CITY WINS KANSAS CITY WINS KANSAS CITY WINS

Series MVP: Bobby Nickelberry (KC) 11-25, 3 HR, 8 RBI

Three in a row for the Kansas City Royals as the dynasty rows on. Having fallen in an 0-2 hole at home, the Royals took four games in a row, including three in New York, to break the Mets hearts! Rob Cope is the game 6 winning pitcher, replacing T.J. Nooks for his first start in the postseason and comes through with a POTG performance. Bobby Nickelberry’s MVP gives him that missing World Series MVP in a career that keeps getting better and better.

The Royals win the World Series despite suffering the biggest loss in World Series history in Game 2, 17-1, exceeding the 18-4 Yankee victory over the Giants in 1936, over 100 years ago.

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A third World Series in a row, and 4th in 6 years take the Royals into the conversation for greatest teams ever, certainly in the modern era. The Mets suffer back-to-back World Series defeats, one game closer than last year, and with plenty of regrets after taking the 2-0 lead in Kansas City.

Kansas City Postseason Stats



Bobby Nickelberry is the star of the postseason, a 221 wRC+ with 7 HRs and 19 RBIs. Jadon Tezeno adding 11 RBIs, as did Nelson Saiz. Luis Aceves and Arturo Oramas are the only disappointments in another successful Royals post season with the bats.



A more challenging post season for pitchers as six pitchers started games, with three of them ending with a FIP- above 100 in Benton Geldart, Ben Lane, and T.J. Nooks. Ben Lane, in particular, struggled, his two starts giving him both a FIP and ERA above 10. On the other end of the scale Cason Willard returned from injury to put up 1.0 WAR across 4 starts, with a FIP- of 56. In the bullpen, Juan Anaya was only given one chance and blew it, giving up 5 H in 0.2 IP and not being called upon again. Mike Krebs stepped up with a 66 wRC+ across 14.2 IP with one save from one chance. Luis Danys Rhodes showed his class again, one MD aside, but only giving up 9 H in 11 IP while Chris Morrow was asked to do minimal work and earned 4 SV from 2.1 IP, giving up 0 H.

Owner Goal Review



I have reviewed the goals I have set out for you. My comments are below.

Team Record:
Everyone in the city has your name on the tip of their tongue, and why wouldn't they? It's not everyday someone guides their team to a championship. Fantastic job this year!

Improve your team record:
I'm thrilled with your record in extra-inning games!

Long Term:
I'm thrilled with what this team has become. 3 World Series wins in the last 3 I think will solidify this team as truly one of the greats of all time. When discussing the 2046-2048 Kansas City Royals, the only question to answer is: Great team, or the greatest team?

I am happy with your performance in accomplishing the goals I have given you. However, when I consider the on- and off-field success of the team, my overall mood with your performance is ecstatic.

Minor Leagues



Postseason

Omaha Storm Chasers [AAA] won the Championship.
Northwest Arkansas Naturals [AA] won the Championship (back-to-back)
Quad Cities River Bandits [A+] missed the playoffs by 22 games.
Columbia Fireflies [A] missed the playoffs by 30 games.
Kansas City (ACL) Royals [R] missed the playoffs by 13 games.
Kansas City (DSL) Royals Stewart [R] missed the playoffs by 18 games.
Kansas City (DSL) Royals Glass [R] missed the playoffs by 20 games.

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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:

David Baires, 16 year-old 3B out of Dominican Republic
David Baires is a long, lean athletic third baseman who was born in Azua, Dominican Republic. He shows plus contact ability which should translate into a solid batting average. He has the potential to display plus power from the right side of the plate. Baires has the potential to develop the tools needed to profile as a premier third baseman.

Massimo DalSoglio, 16 year-old RHP out of Venezuela
Lean and athletic, Massimo DalSoglio hails from Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela. His future remains in the pen with only an elite cutter and an excellent circle change in his repertoire. His stuff is projected to become elite once he fully matures. DalSoglio has the potential to be a solid bullpen contributor.

It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.

And other players that I was able to further assess were:
David Jauregui, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Luis Laconi, 16 year-old 2B out of Venezuela
David Leal, 16 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Julio Molina, 16 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Jorge Otero, 16 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Gerrie Snoek, 16 year-old RHP out of The Netherlands
Luis Salazar, 15 year-old LF out of Dominican Republic
Juan Zapata, 16 year-old RHP out of Cuba

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Another year with the Royals at the top of most rankings across the league. Starters’ ERA was a disappointing 5th, and the away record was poor as noted throughout the season, but the .802 home record is truly astounding.



Catcher

Kansas City's Nelson Saiz completed the season in style by winning the American League batting crown. He claimed the coveted title by hitting a solid .325 for the year. Saiz is the third rookie to win the batting title in recent times, and second Royal after Bobby Nickelberry. While the glove is not elite, he led the league in CERA, and put up 6.0 WAR. He also led the AL in OBP, and OPS. The Royals are very happy to have Saiz locked down for the long term.

Luis Montoya is a gold glove calibre glove but his bat has never been strong enough to earn more than relief time. With strong catchers in the Royals system, Montoya is certainly at risk of being squeezed off the 42-man roster.

Dave Forrester is a better version of Montoya, but didn’t show it in his few chances after an August call up. The Royals will likely entertain offers for the talented C during the offseason, although if the prospects can get a better return, then he might stick as the back up for next year.

Infield

1B Luis Aceves was the AL Home Run Champion, hitting 46 HRs for the season, good for 3rd best all-time on the Royals list. He is entering his final year of arbitration with an estimated $18.7m contract. The Royals don’t have a lot of plus-plus power bats though so are likely to run it back with Aceves with a likely QO offer and comp pick coming after next season.

2B Arturo Oramas struggled with injuries this year and only put up a 105 wRC+ when he was healthy. He is now fragile so will take a development lab spot to try to work on his S&C. The Royals have several 2B prospects in their system and, while unlikely, the Royals would have to listen to offers for Oramas.

3B Jadon Tezeno did not excel with the glove, although still put up a 121 wRC+, with 33 HRs. This is disappointing from a player who came up as a SS but 3.3 WAR at $14m is a good deal. Tezeno is another player the Royals are not looking to move on from but would have to listen to offers.

SS Tonguar Zimmerman had a 109 wRC+ with a .271 average. His glove has regressed unfortunately, which puts his place as a SS at risk for 2048. A strong candidate for trade over the off season, Zimmerman has been a solid contributor and is still on a league minimum salary so should have value.

2B Edgar Mir announced his retirement at the end of the season. His career numbers show Mir is currently carrying a .261 lifetime batting average with 281 home runs and 943 RBIs. A 9-time All-Star, 2-time MVP, former Rookie of the Year, with 4 rings, Mir will be an interesting Hall of Fame case in a few years.

SS Juan Montelongo had a very poor season, with a 52 wRC+. However, his contact did improve from a 45 to a 50, he is still seen as a 5* prospect by both Scout Witkowski and OSA. His elite glove means he is the prime contender to replace Zimmerman, especially if he can have a successful development lab session.

Estanislau Covete had a 140 wRC+ and made almost 400 PAs, predominantly as a DH. He has a TO for $13m and having put up almost 2.5 WAR last year that seems good value to the Royals, and a certainly tradeable contract should any of the prospects make big strides over the offseason.

Branson Huot and Steve Katzin both had small auditions and will be fighting with Chad Hart for a position on the 26-man roster next year following Mir’s retirement, with it likely that the losers from that battle will be traded while they still have value.

Outfield

Nine different players featured in the outfield for the Royals in 2048. There are three players who will certainly be back, although two of them are fragile and two of them missed significant time this year. A.J. Terry and Bobby Nickelberry combined to start 127 games, which is not even a half season each. Nickelberry is fragile and will take a development lab in S&C. Jorge Corujo is also fragile and had his time managed with a rest day every five days. This helped him stay fit, finish 2nd in SB in the AL, and put up 4.0 WAR. This is the future for Corujo.

Domingo Carrillo, Ken Crome, and Josh Mangan all had solid seasons, hitting 10+ HRs, with a wRC+ above league average. Mangan had the highest wRC+ but is eligible for a QO and is unlikely to sign as he is looking for a multi-year contract. Ken Crome has the power that the Royals might want to prioritise with prospect Mike Gronkiewicz not seizing his chance in September but likely to be in conversations for the 2049 season. It is highly unlikely all nine players will have a spot on the Royals roster come 2049.

Offseason / Early 2049 Overview

C Nelson Saiz
1B Luis Aceves
2B Arturo Oramas
3B Jadon Tezeno
SS Juan Montelongo

LF A.J. Terry
CF Jorge Corujo
RF Bobby Nickelberry

DH Estanislau Covete

C Dave Forester / Arturo Ruano
IF TBC
IF TBC
OF Ken Crome
OF TBC



Starters

The Royals suffered in their starting rotation with their midseason acquisitions proving critical to survive injuries and performance issues.

Ben Lane and Benton Geldart both played a full season and as a 2 and 4/5 starter they were great, putting up 4.2 and 2.9 WAR respectively, with FIP- under 100. Ben Lane remains under contract for several years and, while fragile, will be back next year. Benton Geldart is durable and that is enough for the Royals to welcome him back, even as he enters his arbitration years.

T.J. Nooks had an impressive 76 FIP- and despite missing some time to injury is under contract for another two years with the White Sox picking up 45% of that salary.

Cason Willard came back from his injury to impress in the postseason and he has one more year under contract, with the Angels picking up 35% of that contract.

The two trade acquisitions had contrasting times following their arrival; Rob Cope had an ERA+ below 100, although a FIP- of 89 but Dusty Glick had a 66 FIP- and had a 5.9 WAR season. Glick has two years of arbitration left while Cope will enter the first year of his 5 year extension. However, Glick is fragile to add a wrinkle to the decision.

Ethan Chafin is a free agent but is QO eligible. Sadly, he is out for another 7 months and there is too much quality to see a route back for Chafin. He has been counted out before but this is the end of the road for the Royal legend.

Chad Johnston has been a stalwart for the Royals but it might not be viable to keep him on the 42-man rosters as younger arms come through the system.

Bullpen

Eleven players spent significant time in the Royals bullpen with several decisions needed on TO and arbitration eligible players.

Firstly, the league minimum players who will be back after solid seasons: LHP Mike Krebs, RHP Chris Morrow, LHP Chris Curry. Krebs took on a stopper role, and had a 67 FIP- with 1.7 WAR although did have a propensity for a meltdown with a 17:11 SD:MD ratio; Morrow was the Royals’ one-inning closer, with an 80% success rate from 15 chances and Chris Curry was a lock down, high leverage middle reliever.

Next up are the two predominantly AAA relievers that came up in September: Pete Acors and Chase Paggett. Paggett is in his last option year and having never grasped his opportunity is unlikely to make the roster in 2049. Acors, the 2045 11th round pick, started in AA but a 0.88 ERA there in 30.2 IP, followed by a 2.45 ERA in 11.0 IP at AAA necessitated a September call up. He had 1 IP with 1 K and 1 HP but shows enough stuff to have a spot mapped out for him to start 2049.

Joe Mays and Bob Capozziello have similar arbitration figures although Mays’ his first year while it’s Capozziello’s second. Capozziello had a solid year with a 15:6 SD:MD ratio but saw his HR/9 tick over 9 for the second year in three. Mays, meanwhile, took on a long relief role, pitched almost 100 innings, put up 1.9 WAR with a 66 FIP-.

C.J. Binkle and Alberto Regalado have similar arbitration numbers and both are first year arbitration eligible. Binkle was a solid middle reliever who wasn’t given particularly high leverage situations, but finished with 49.1 IP, 79 FIP-, 0.7 WAR. Regalado wasn’t so successful, an 8:7 SD:MD ratio giving trust issues while his FIP- was, at 92, close to league average.

The final two relievers are the money men and both come with issues. Juan Anaya has a $12m contract for next year and another year at $10m after that before a TO. He missed 7 weeks with injury but is still considered normal injury proneness, and in his action did have a 12:4 SD:MD ratio in 33.2 IP, giving up only 1 HR on the season. Luis Danys Rhodes has a TO for $10.5m and has seen his stuff decrease to only plus with one plus pitch amongst his three. However, he had 100+ IP, a 68 FIP-, 2.8 WAR, and 22 SV. The Royals are likely to follow their tradition of loyalty and executing the TO for Rhodes for one more season.

Offseason / Early 2049 Overview

SP LHP Dusty Glick
SP RHP Ben Lane
SP LHP Cason Willard
SP RHP T.J. Nooks
SP LHP Benton Geldart / RHP Rob Cope

RP RHP Chris Morrow
RP LHP Mike Krebs
RP LHP Chris Curry
RP LHP Pete Acors
RP RHP Joe Mays
RP RHP Bob Capozziello
RP RHP C.J. Binkle
RP RHP Juan Anaya
RP RHP Luis Danys Rhodes

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Owner Goals

Winning the Championship and building a dynasty are the two expected goals for the coming season with Sherman also looking for Dusty Glick to be extended in 2050, which is a more challenging goal as Glick is already looking for $136m for a 6-year contract which includes his last two years of arbitration.



Finances

The Royals budget tops $300m for the first time with another $4m increase. That will give some breathing space but the payroll is currently the 4th highest in baseball with the 8th biggest budget so the Royals may have to make some tough decisions to keep the financial flexibility that has allowed the pitching reinforcements over the previous three seasons.

I have just decided on your budget for the upcoming season.
You will have $302,000,000 available for the total team expenses. Given your current spending on staff and other costs, this should allow you a team payroll of around $230,000,000.



Personnel

Congratulations!

After careful consideration, I have decided to extend your contract with the Kansas City Royals. Your new contract is for 4 years and a value of $2,800,000 per year.

Regards,
Jeremy Sherman

Minor Leagues

Awards

Two minor leagues awards in 2048 as Peter O’Brien took home the AAA Manager of the Year Award, while Robert Donovan won the AA Award for the 4th year in a row.

Retirements

The only retirement of note was 2042 6th round pick B.J. Hohman, who retired from AA.

Prospect Review

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Personnel

Colin,
I have learned a lot in the last 7 years as a General Manager for Kansas City. However, I have decided to take a new role as a General Manager for the Detroit Tigers. Thanks.

Assistant GM Jake Van Orden

Thursday, November 19th , 2048
Signed Assistant GM Angel Bolivar to a 5-year, $550,000 per year contract.

Awards

It’s the year of Diaz in 2048 as Nelson Diaz is celebrated for an incredible Rookie Year. He follows Bobby Nickelberry in winning the AL Batting Title, before winning both the Rookie of the Year and the Most Valuable Player Awards. The two Royals, along with Ichiro Suzuko, are the only three players in history to achieve this specific triple crown of Awards.

Elsewhere, Luis Danys Rhodes finishes second in voting for Reliever of the Year, with Dusty Glick doing the same in the Cy Young Award voting. Glick finished behind J.J Tjepkema, who wins his 7th Cy Young to match Roger Clemens record. He will be a free agent this offseason looking for a team that will maximise his chances of overtaking Clemens in 2049.

While Saiz won the ROTY Award a former Royal in Josh Cleckler finished 5th; the Royals are happy to see Cleckler living up to his potential despite there having been no route to the big leagues through Kansas City.

Ernesto Buenrostro continued his dominance of the NL MVP Award, winning his third in a row!

AL Great Glove
NL Great Glove
AL Platinum Stick C Nelson Saiz KC | 1B Luis Aceves (2) KC
NL Platinum Stick DH Juan Minnelli SF
AL Manager of the Year Colin Stewart (9) KC
NL Manager of the Year Matthew Colantonio (1) NYM
AL Reliever of the Year Chris Sisk (2) SEA
NL Reliever of the Year Josh Saas (2) COL
AL Rookie of the Year C Nelson Saiz KC
NL Rookie of the Year SS Chad Schmidt ATL
AL Cy Young J.J. Tjepkema (7) HOU
NL Cy Young Quadir Tyes COL
AL MVP C Nelson Saiz KC
NL MVP CF Ernesto Buenrostro (3) SD

Pre-Arbitration Extensions & Trades

The big news at the end of the season was the retirement of legendary Royal, Edgar Mir. An incredible career that mimics Bobby Witt Jr. as an elite infielder spending his whole career with the Royals, Mir ends with twice the MVP awards, and four World Series – something Witt Jr. couldn’t achieve. He finishes his career on 15 of the Royals top ten career lists, including top three in WAR, R, and BB.

As expected from the end of season evaluation, the Royals execute the contracts of both Estanislau Covete and Luis Danys Rhodes. Arbitration only saw single year contracts offered this year, with everyone accepting the offer from the front office.

Saturday, November 7th , 2048
2B Edgar Mir retired from professional baseball.
Executed the contract year option of 3B Estanislau Covete.
Executed the contract year option of RP Luis Danys Rhodes.
Wednesday, November 11th , 2048
Signed RP Rodolfo Arroyo to a minor league contract extension.
Signed RP Bob Capozziello to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $4,200,000.
Signed SP Dusty Glick to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $10,000,000.
Signed RP C.J. Binkle to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $1,400,000.
Signed SP Benton Geldart to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $3,500,000.
Thursday, November 12th , 2048
Signed RP Joe Mays to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $4,200,000.
Friday, November 13th , 2048
Signed 1B Luis Aceves to a 1-year contract extension worth a total of $17,800,000.

Arbitration & Qualifying Offers

Josh Mangan surprisingly accepts the QO and will return to the Royals for the 2049 season while Ethan Chafin is not given a QO and leaves the Royals as a Free Agent.

Saturday, November 28th , 2048
LF Josh Mangan accepted a 1-year qualifying offer worth a total of $18,900,000.
Monday, November 30th , 2048
SP Ethan Chafin becomes a free-agent.

Trades

Albert Regalado is the only arbitration eligible player not offered a new contract and so the Royals find a trade partner before he becomes a free agent. Some cash and a lottery ticket prospect is a reasonable haul from the Rays with the Royals happy to let Regalado move on while knowing that he will continue to have a better than average career in Tampa.

Two players who were taken off the 42-man roster and weren’t going to be offered new contracts in Eli Blyden and Steve Mitchell were also traded, both a case of getting some value before the players left on a free agent.

Sunday, November 22nd , 2048
Traded 25-year old RHP Albert Regalado to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 21-year old minor league RHP Dan Kirk and $2,000,000 in cash in return.
Traded 26-year old minor league RHP Eli Blyden to the Baltimore Orioles, getting 25-year old minor league LHP Rijk van der Lans in return.
Tuesday, November 24th , 2048
Traded 26-year old minor league RHP Steve Mitchell, 26-year old minor league 2B J.G. Puentes, and 23-year old minor league 1B Nelson Orozco to the Boston Red Sox, getting 16-year old minor league LHP Juan Morales in return.

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:

Massimo DalSoglio, 16 year-old RHP out of Venezuela
Lean and athletic, Massimo DalSoglio hails from Ciudad Guayana, Venezuela. When he is fully developed, his repertoire should include an elite cutter and an excellent circle change. He projects to have some of the best stuff in the league with a high number of strikeouts to match. DalSoglio should someday fill a useful role in the bullpen.

David Jauregui, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, David Jauregui hails from La Vega, Dominican Republic. He has the potential to be a .290 hitter. He has the potential to muscle a few balls out of the park. Like a bland diet rather than a spicy plate, Jauregui projects to be a solid starter at center fielder.

It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.

And other players that I was able to further assess were:
David Baires, 16 year-old 3B out of Dominican Republic
David Leal, 16 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Julio Molina, 16 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Gerrie Snoek, 16 year-old RHP out of The Netherlands
Luis Laconi, 16 year-old 2B out of Venezuela
Jorge Otero, 16 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Luis Salazar, 16 year-old LF out of Dominican Republic
Juan Zapata, 16 year-old RHP out of Cuba

Around the League

Retirements

Saturday, November 7th , 2048
Kansas City Royals: 2B Edgar Mir retired from professional baseball.
Cincinnati Reds: SP Dan Nichols retired from professional baseball.
San Diego Padres: C Mike Murphy retired from professional baseball.
C Zach Herr retired from professional baseball.


San Francisco Giants: 2B Grady Emerson retired from professional baseball.
Washington Nationals: RF Fidel Vargas retired from professional baseball.
Atlanta Braves: CF Wilfredo Terrazas retired from professional baseball.
San Diego Padres: SP Danny Jasinski retired from professional baseball.
Washington Nationals: SP Ernesto Grijalva retired from professional baseball.
New York Yankees: 3B Gabe Philpot retired from professional baseball.
New York Yankees: 1B Luis Castro retired from professional baseball.
Houston Astros: SP Jon Elfstrom retired from professional baseball.
New York Mets: LF Chris Powers retired from professional baseball.
San Antonio Avalanche: 1B Mike Jackson retired from professional baseball.
Tampa Bay Rays: SP Tim Guarneri retired from professional baseball.
Houston Astros: 3B Steve Shaffer retired from professional baseball.
Baltimore Orioles: C Clint Perna retired from professional baseball.
Texas Rangers: 1B Kuon Kitamura retired from professional baseball.
San Diego Padres: LF Engo Nishikawa retired from professional baseball.
1B Brad Nicastro retired from professional baseball.
2B Luis Santana retired from professional baseball.
1B Jimmy Gillett retired from professional baseball.
Los Angeles Dodgers: 1B Ismael Betancur retired from professional baseball.
1B Mauricio Mora retired from professional baseball.
SP Eric Fitch retired from professional baseball.
Boston Red Sox: SS Mike Ladd (AA Portland) retired from professional baseball.
LF Jim Fleming retired from professional baseball.
Los Angeles Angels: RF Eric Giscombe (AA Rocket City) retired from professional baseball.
Los Angeles Angels: RP Edgar Delgadillo (AAA Salt Lake) retired from professional baseball.
SP Jonathan Bradbury retired from professional baseball.
3B Josh Bowker retired from professional baseball.
LF Raleigh Lockyer retired from professional baseball.
New York Mets: RP Edgar Sarmiento (AA Binghamton) retired from professional baseball.
2B Juan Mendoza retired from professional baseball.
1B Erik Shields retired from professional baseball.
SP Mike DeMato retired from professional baseball.
Boston Red Sox: RP Mike Brollier (AAA Worcester) retired from professional baseball.
1B Nate Hunter retired from professional baseball.
1B Michel Bull retired from professional baseball.
RP Jesus Miranda retired from professional baseball.
Philadelphia Phillies: RP Arturo Figueroa (A+ Jersey Shore) retired from professional baseball.
Tampa Bay Rays: 3B Juan Aguirre (R Tampa Bay (FCL)) retired from professional baseball.
RP Yasushi Hara retired from professional baseball.
3B David Gastelum retired from professional baseball.
3B Kenkichi Amano retired from professional baseball.
RP Frank Aguirre retired from professional baseball.
RP Masahiro Ota retired from professional baseball.

Los Angeles Dodgers: Retired #31 in honor of Grady Emerson.
Chicago White Sox: Retired #28 in honor of Dan Nichols.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Retired #34 in honor of Ismael Betancur.  

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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:

David Jauregui, 17 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, David Jauregui hails from La Vega, Dominican Republic. He is a plus contact potential. He has significant upside once he tops his raw power potential. Jauregui can be a second division starter at center fielder.

Julio Molina, 16 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Julio Molina is a big 6-foot-7, 220-pound first baseman from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He has plus power potential. He shows contact potential which should translate into an above average batting average. He has the potential for average strike zone recognition. Molina is projected to be an elite starting first baseman.

It was a great practice and none of the invitees disappointed in showcasing their talent.

And other players that I was able to further assess were:
David Baires, 16 year-old 3B out of Dominican Republic
Luis Laconi, 16 year-old 2B out of Venezuela
David Leal, 16 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Jorge Otero, 16 year-old 1B out of Dominican Republic
Gerrie Snoek, 16 year-old RHP out of The Netherlands
Massimo DalSoglio, 16 year-old RHP out of Venezuela
Luis Salazar, 16 year-old LF out of Dominican Republic
Juan Zapata, 16 year-old RHP out of Cuba

Rule 5 Draft Trades & 42-man Changes

The Royals had the biggest roster crunch of recent years heading into the Rule 5 Draft and made some big decisions as a result. One decision not linked to the Rule 5 Draft was their latest long term extension. Having been promoted in September, Mike Gronkiewicz gets a 12-year contract (final two as TOs) with an AAV of $8m. For a player who is already above league average, and project to have plus contact and power to go with plus-plus speed and defense, this seems like a great deal for the Royals.

The Royals made five major and one minor trades in the lead up to the draft. Going in reverse order of scale, the Royals were not going to retain Jorge Joaquin on the 42-man roster (he had been added as an injury emergency in 2048) and to get anything back for him was a bonus – in this case a AAA IF from the Marlins.

Next up was another OF who played in 2048 but was going to be squeezed out heading into 2049 – RF Eric McCabe heading to the Phillies for a 23-year old OF.

Marty Birley was on the border of players the Royals thought they might lose but the 37th ranked prospect wasn’t going to feature for the Royals this season and the Royals decided to trade him and maximise the return. That return is potential plus-plus contact, plus power OF Alfredo Marinez, as well as a plus-plus range CF Deonte Clark.

C Luis Montoya is an elite defensive Catcher but with Saiz and Forester as locks for the 26-man, and Arturo Ruano in AAA, was surplus for the Royals. The Rays are happy to trade, with a starting point of plus glove infielder Maxwell Norlander, who has potential plus contact and power. The Royals were able to add another potential plus contact-power infielder in the deal in Alejandro Felix. The Rays also had #56-ranked prospect SP Dusty Bartosik in their farm and by adding 2047 International Amateur signing #65 ranked Nelson Arellano (a bottom 2B who would need some major growth to be Royals ready), along with OFs Joel Ellis (2046 10th Round) and Joe Johnson (2047 2nd Round), the Royals were able to get the job done.

The last two trades were unpopular with fans as the Royals moved on from an infielder and outfielder who have been big contributors to the Royals recent World Series victories. Josh Mangan had surprisingly accepted a QO and, at $18.9m was an expensive luxury for the Royals. The Royals received three players back from the Dodgers by retaining half of Mangan’s salary, the pick being #84th ranked Alfredo Cuevas, a 2045 International Amateur who projects above average contact with plus-plus power and plus defense. The only question mark is over his personality, with a lack of hustle the mark against him.

Finally, Estanislau, like Mangan, was an expensive luxury who had comparable ratings to younger, cheaper players on the Royals roster. The Royals retained 85% of his salary to do a deal with the Padres, the return another potential above average contact, plus-plus power prospect with strong defensive potential.

These moves have made the Royals younger, opened up some budget room for in season trades, but does come with risk as they have made two of the stronger NL teams stronger while removing some elite level depth within the ballclub.

That depth was further shallowed in the Rule 5 Draft, as the Giants continue their history of taking Royals Catchers, picking up Joey Haigh. This was the only loss for the Royals though, a better outcome than expected by Stewart.

Wednesday, December 16th , 2048
Signed RF Mike Gronkiewicz to a 12-year contract extension worth a total of $96,000,000.

Trades

Friday, December 4th , 2048
Traded 23-year old minor league RF Eric McCabe to the Philadelphia Phillies, getting 23-year old minor league LF Jon Garrison in return.
Traded 21-year old minor league 3B Marty Birley to the Boston Red Sox, getting 17-year old minor league LF Alfredo Marinez and 19-year old minor league CF Deonte Clark in return.
Traded 29-year old LF Josh Mangan (retaining 50%) to the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting 20-year old minor league 2B Alfredo Cuevas, 17-year old minor league CF Vicente Ramos, and 20-year old minor league C Danny Copeland in return.
Traded 29-year old 3B Estanislau Covete (retaining 85%) to the San Diego Padres, getting 17-year old minor league 2B Luis Mendoza in return.
Traded 24-year old C Luis Montoya, 20-year old minor league LF Joel Ellis, 18-year old minor league SS Nelson Arellano, and 19-year old minor league LF Joe Johnson to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 19-year old minor league 3B Maxwell Norlander, 18-year old minor league 2B Alejandro Felix, and 22-year old minor league RHP Dusty Bartosik in return.
Sunday, December 6th , 2048
Traded 26-year old CF Jorge Joaquin to the Miami Marlins, getting 24-year old minor league 3B Mauricio Flores in return.

42-man Roster Additions

Friday, December 4th , 2048
Placed 2B Bernalldino Igrejas on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed 3B David de Anda on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed SS Jonathan Lish on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Saturday, December 5th , 2048
Placed SP Ken Logan on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed SP Jorge Zagal on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed RP Zion Merkerson on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed CL Zaire McKines on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Sunday, December 6th , 2048
Placed SP Tim Parsons on the secondary (42-man) roster.
Placed LF Jorge Morales on the secondary (42-man) roster.

Rule 5 Draft Transactions

Thursday, December 24th , 2048
Lost C Joey Haigh in the Rule 5 Draft to the San Francisco Giants.

Around the League

Despite his solid numbers, some fans questioned the value of the Ethan Chafin signing even as Los Angeles officials paraded him before the media this afternoon.

Chafin will surely bring a lot to the club, but he comes at a price of $12,700,000 over 1 year.

In career stats, the 35-year-old Chafin has won 124 and lost 43, recording 1623 strikeouts and 429 walks in 1504 innings with a 3.48 ERA. Opponents have hit .221 against him.

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