Catchers
As a defensive Catcher, Jonathan Gerew had another great year, finishing in the top three for CERA and Framing. An almost league average wRC+ (93) is a good return and while he hasn’t ever lived up to his All Star nomination, he has been a solid presence behind the plate. However, his arbitration number is $7m for 2035 which may be edging him toward the door. Edgar Rivera (104 wRC+) was a nice switch hitting back up Catcher, a better bat offsetting the weaker glove but he will return in 2035.
Infield
Jeremy Rogerson (133 wRC+) was elite until the final month of the season which saw him go cold in the playoffs and miss out on a 2nd batting title. He led baseball in Defensive Efficiency and Zone Rating at 1B and has four years left on his contract. Luis Zesati couldn’t replicate his early effectiveness as a power back up infielder and his time in Kansas City may be over.
Tim Storer (121 wRC+) had a 13% walk rate helping him to a .361 OBP to go with 21 HRs although his defence took a step backwards and he produced a negative ZR, although a lot of this was based on the innings he spent at SS. He may need a trip through the Development Lab for his defence over the winter. He enters his first year of arbitration and is unlikely to earn a long term contract. Dan Colligan (90 wRC+) offered elite defence in limited innings with a serviceable bat which could put him front and centre for a back up infielder role in 2035. Chris Lee came late in the season during the injury crisis and didn’t manage a hit in his 8 PAs.
Danny Petty (98 wRC+) had a disappointing season with the glove and bat. A .020 drop in average and slugging saw him fail to win back the starting job after late season injury and as he enters arbitration may be someone the Royals look to move on.
That is because Bobby Witt Jr. (89 wRC+) may no longer be able to play SS after a -2.2 ZR over the season. The club legend will see out his contract which makes Petty’s role very much at risk. However, it is now unlikely Witt Jr. will catch Royals record leader George Brett sadly.
Ed Nicholson (129 wRC+) had over 100 ABs in 2034 and impressed. He is very much an average bat but if he can maintain that ZR (3.0 in 32 appearance) then he will have a chance to earn the role for 2035.
Outfield
The outfield is the engine of the Royals batting line up and is all tied down long term.
At LF, Billy Mumaugh (136 wRC+) had another All Star season, just missing out on a 30-100 season with 29 HRs to go with 103 RBIs but does make it a 20-20 year with 22 SBs.
Drew Burress (137 wRC+) gave the Royals 6.1 WAR (9th best Royals season of all time) and also missed out on a 30-100 season by one HR with 101 HRs. Burress also just missed out on a 30-30 season with his 30 SBs. As a reminder the Royals have him for another four years, during which the Giants will play every cent of his contract.
Jimmy Goodman (130 wRC+) was the weakest of the outfield but walked over 12% of the time, provided elite defence and his long term contract peaks next year at only $13m.
Alex Duke (99 wRC+) improved over the course of the season and hit 3 HR in the postseason to make a bid for a place on the roster in 2035. Enny Mijhail Van Dyke ended the season on the IR but had a crazy season before his injury with a 1.028 OPS in 98 games. Although still injured the Royals may look at tying him down long term. Edgar Manzo (33 wRC+) just didn’t take his chance and has seen Alex Duke leapfrog him while the same is true of Ed Stevens (86 wRC+).
Offseason / Early 2035 Overview
C Jonathan Gerew Arbitration/Trade
BU Edgar Rivera
1B Jeremy Rogerson
2B Tim Storer Arbitration
3B Bobby Witt Jr.
SS Ed Nicholson
INF Dan Colligan
INF Danny Petty Trade
LF Billy Mumaugh
CF Drew Burress
RF Jimmy Goodman
OF Enny Mijhail Van Dyke
OF Alex Duke
Starters
The midseason moves left the Royals with an elite starting rotation with four pitchers giving over 4 WAR.
Mason Barnett (101 FIP-) was the odd one out but still provided 2 WAR; a very acceptable return for a 5th starter. He is out of contract and is likely to hit free agency again as he wants a 6-year contract.
Curt Bogans (82 FIP-) started slowly but ended up one K short of 200, throwing 184 innings. He set Royal single season records for K/9 (9th 9.6) and K/BB (7th 3.92).
Chase Dollander (34 FIP-) gave up 11 H over 19 IP for the Royals; as a reminder the Phillies will pay 560% of his contract for the next two years, leaving Kansas City to pay less than $12m/year.
Brad LaPointe (70 FIP-) had a league leading 0.80 WHIP over 15 starts for the Royals. He is a free agent and the Royals will be trying to bring him back on a viable contract.
Cade Townsend (80 FIP-) has been a very underrated arm for the Royals, taking his total Royals WAR to 18 as he enters his second year of arbitration. He set Royals single-season records for winning percentage (9th .722), Ks (10th 206), K/9 (6th 10.2), and K/BB (8th 3.89).
Liam Peterson (80 FIP-) was called up late to cover Chase Dollander’s injury and did well although it’s unlikely he will be resigned as a Free Agent. He was more impressive than Marcos Paz, who is the workhorse who gets flipped between the starting rotation and the bullpen every year it seems although entering his second year of arbitration the end might be closer than he thinks.
Mike Hoffer (89 FIP-) missed the last three months of the season but was impressive and the Royals are excited to get him back in 2035.
Bullpen
The bullpen success was underpinned by Shan Baz (86 FIP-) and Jon Holtz (81 FIP-). Most of the rest of the pen was better than, but not by much, league average, except for Ramiro Cepeda (186 FIP-) and Sa-yoon Kim (123 FIP-). One feel good story was Eric Cook (42 FIP-), who went back to AAA to start the year and came up late in the season to pitch 13.1 innings, giving up 7 hits and 2 walks total.
The post season performance of Jimmy Lininger (95 FIP-) has the Royals hoping Eddie Baquerizo (71 FIP-) comes back strongly in 2035.
Offseason / Early 2035 Overview
SP Chase Dollander
SP Brad LaPointe Free Agent?
SP Curt Bogans
SP Cade Townsend Arbitration
SP Mike Hoffer
RP Eddie Baquerizo
RP Jon Holtz
RP Eric Cook
RP Jimmy Lininger
RP Billy Nicklas
RP William Schmidt Arbitration
RP Marcos Paz Arbitration
RP TBC