A leadoff hitter is the top priority
The Royals stunned the baseball world by becoming just the second team to make the playoffs after losing 100+ games the previous season. But their offense fell short in the American League Divisional Series against the Yankees, making it the priority for Royals GM J.J. Picollo as he begins the off-season.
“The runs-per-game we scored over the course of the year was acceptable. But there were too many ups and downs. We’ve got to be a little more consistent.”
Picollo addressed the media in a press conference on Monday to wrap up the season, and indicated he will be looking for leadoff hitter who can get on base as a top priority, followed by another middle-of-the order bat.
“It starts with getting guys on base,” Picollo. “That’s going to be an area that we not only address in looking at players we acquire, but how can we be better offensively, how can we develop hitters better at the Major League level and get them to meet expectations.”
Picollo would like more power from the corner outfield spots, saying “the offense from the outfield position has to get better.” However, he is not ready to give up on left fielder MJ Melendez, despite a disappointing season where he hit .206/.273/.400 with 17 home runs.
“We shouldn’t be writing guys off because they’re in their third year in the Major Leagues.”
He called the 25-year-old a “perplexing player” because he has worked so hard and shows so much potential, but has yet to see consistent results. Picollo noted that Melendez hit lefties well in the minors and drew far more walks, traits they would like to see carry over with more consistency at the big league level.
Picollo expressed hope that infielder Maikel Garcia could improve his performance, citing his athleticism. Picollo mentioned he is capable of playing center, although he walked back those comments and joked “I shouldn’t have said that”, clarifying that was just an example of Garcia’s athleticism. He said that Garcia is a player that will have hot and cold stretches and that if the lineup has enough good hitters, they can get through those slumps.
Veteran leadership was something that Picollo learned the importance of this year, as he cited the invaluable clubhouse presence of players like Will Smith, Chris Stratton, and Hunter Renfroe. He seemed to indicate a preference for filling out the bench with veterans, but also conceded the market may not allow for it and they also need a pipeline of minor leaguers to fill out the roster.
Speaking of veterans, Adam Frazier will have a procedure on his thumb this week. He suffered an injury back in July on a catch that led to a stint on the Injured List. Frazier has a $8.5 million mutual option with a $2.5 buyout. Picollo said they will also have conversations with Renfroe, who has a $6.5 million player option for next year.
As far as pitching, the Royals were pleased with their performance this year, with manager Matt Quatraro joking that the best thing he did “analytically” was having Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, Brady Singer, Michael Wacha, and Alec Marsh start. They cautioned not to read anything into the fact that Singer only faced one batter in the ALDS against the Yankees. Had the Royals moved on to the ALCS, he would have started, and as of now, he will be in next year’s rotation.
The Royals would like to bring back Wacha, who has a $16 million player option, and if he doesn’t return, the team may look at the market to replace him. They are optimistic about Kyle Wright, who missed the entire season after shoulder surgery, but are not going to rely on him in his first year back. Both Picollo and Quatraro stressed the need to have depth, and that the team had good luck with injuries they may not have next year.
“We have to go into the season seven, eight, nine starting pitchers deep, because things happen during the year.”
Picollo also praised how the bullpen performed down the stretch.
“We like the way the bullpen came together in September,” noting the emergence of closer of Lucas Erceg and the return of Hunter Harvey next year. “The bullpen we feel good about.”
The Royals will bring back the entire coaching staff, unless someone gets hired away to another staff. Picollo said he would reach out to recently fired Braves hitting coach Kevin Seitzer “as a friend”, but that there were no current openings on the coaching staff.
The Royals have yet to set a payroll number for next year, but Picollo expected owner John Sherman to take a flexible approach toward spending as he did last yearr. The Royals feel the club is a more attractive free agent destination now for players that want to win. He was asked about the inequities in baseball with three of the remaining playoff teams sporting payrolls over $300 million.
“It’s hard to say it doesn’t bother me, but it's the rules,” he noted. “There are teams that have won the World Series without huge payrolls. It’s just something we have to accept.”
The Royals will have fewer holes to fill than they had to fill last year, but more pressure to get the moves right this off-season.
“The expectations are higher,” remarked Picollo. “There’s going to be more of a target on our backs, we’re not going to sneak up on anybody next year.”
