1. Early in the season, both Mike Massey and Jonathan India may well get more AB at outfield (LF?) or DH, rather than in the infield. Massey will likely only play 2b late in seasons when the Royals are in playoff contention. Earlier in the season resting his back at positions less frequently requiring pivots and crouching seems to be the plan. It's easy to imagine Massey becoming a very good LF and India becoming a full time DH and spot 2b. India seems like an above average leadoff hitter with a pretty good eye, who is a pretty mediocre defender.
2a. Maikel Garcia probably will probably play most of the innings in the field at 2b. Garcia is likely to start at 2b against LH SP and play 2b in late innings of close games. India or Massey may get some time at 2b against tough RHP, when Q feels Maikel may be overmatched, if Massey's health permits.
2b. Nick Loftin and Drew Waters probably will be given every chance to stick in the majors in 2025 at 3b and corner OF (RF?), respectively. Both have hit the heck out of the minors. Because neither has had consistent success in the majors, they represent a fair test of the contemporary KC player development team for 2025.
2c. Renfroe, Melendez and Velasquez represent Waters competition for AB. If Waters succeeds as the organization hopes he will, the other three may be out in cold for playing time.
2d. Loftin currently has only Cavan Biggio as competition. It would make sense if the Royals were discussing a roster opportunity for former AL central opponent Nick Madrigal, who can play 2b and 3b.
2d. A bottom of the order (6-9) of Waters-Loftin-Isbel-Garcia would only need to net 120 (R+RBI) per player to post 2 WAR each (according to fangraphs), because of their above average defensive skills. Garcia could put up huge SB numbers in the 9 hole. 8 total WAR from the bottom of the order and 20 WAR from (1-5) of India-Witt-Pasquatch-Salvy-Massey would be as competitive as any in the AL Central title.
3. The Royals may well sign a former AL central pitcher before opening day. While a 6 year, $130 million contract for Jack Flaherty represents lovely winter fantasy, more likely candidates include Cal Quantrill, Mike Clevinger (aka The Cleveland Steaminger), Michael Lorenzen and Lance Lynn (aka The Coal Miner's Daughter). As an example, starters Lugo, Wacha, Ragans, Wright, Quantrill; middle relievers Bubic, Lynch, Marsh; closer Erceg and other back end candidates to include Zerpa, Long, Schreiber and Stratton sounds pretty dang great.
4. As a personal opinion, Hunter Harvey and Carlos Hernandez have straight, imminently hittable fastballs that are pretty effective at or above 98 on the radar gun but cannon fodder when not thrown as hard. Considering a guy who averages 98 with no control regularly throws a certain number of 96 or 97 mph fastballs right down Main St., my preference would be to trade these guys or at least not trust them with important innings. Please see the more recent debacle of Maurer Power and hopefully otherwise forgotten trio of two headed brohters who defined the pre-Soria bullpens in KC. It's tough to remember their birth order but the three brothers were named Ambiorix Burgos Miguel Batista, Blake Stein Chris Fussell and DJ Carrasco Kyle Snider. All three threw absolute heat, straight as a string, which major league hitters pounded with impunity. We can only hope never to meet a similar ogre named Hunter Harvey Roberto Hernandez.
5. If you want to dream a little... can you imagine Blake Mitchell, MJ Melendez and Carlos Hernandez for Nolan Arenado and a $6 million salary relief over the next two years? Would Arenado play in KC?
Happy New Year , KC fans.
Go Royals (and Chiefs)
