Finance
As we get closer to the start of the season, I have reviewed the team's financial state as of this moment.
As a reminder, you have $232,000,000 available for the total team expenses for the season.
Development Lab
Bobby Witt Jr. has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at first base.
Steve Bakke has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.
Gilberto Matos has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.
Edgar Mir has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at second base.
Mike Murphy has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at catcher.
Sam Hart has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at catcher.
Marquis Foggie has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at shortstop.
• No noticeable changes.
Bob Crimi has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working hard with staff to improve his defense at center field.
• Outfield arm rating improves by 5
• Outfield range rating improves by <5
• Outfield error rating improves by <5
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:
Juan Carmona, 17 year-old 3B out of Dominican Republic
Juan Carmona is a long, lean athletic third baseman who was born in Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. This young man possesses a very good hitting tool. He has above average power potential, the kind that could generate 35 homers a season in the future. He is a slow runner, but has good instincts and will steal more than his fair share of bases. Carmona could develop into a productive regular on a contending team.
David Maldonado, 16 year-old SS out of Cuba
David Maldonado is a long, lean athletic shortstop who was born in San José de las Lajas, Cuba. He is a plus contact potential. His raw strength and quick wrists should give him above average power. He is an above average defender who demonstrates great heart and effort. Maldonado is projected to be an above average, everyday big league player.
However, a few invitees left me disappointed as they did not appear to match my previous assessment, although they may still end up being future stars:
Jorge Rivera, 16 year-old 3B out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Jorge Rivera hails from El Factor, Dominican Republic. He has a good swing. He won't likely set records, but could hit for a .290 batting average. He has decent power now and has the chance to have above average power in the future. He has a keen eye and should draw an average number of walks. Rivera can be a second division starter at third baseman.
Juan Mendoza, 17 year-old 2B out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Juan Mendoza hails from Barahona, Dominican Republic. He has raw above average power. He should demonstrate good plate discipline. He displays some contact ability, with potential to be a .250 hitter. Mendoza can be a second division starter at second baseman.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Juan Bernal, 16 year-old SS out of Venezuela
Khai Choe, 16 year-old SS out of Australia
Andres Morales, 16 year-old SS out of Venezuela
Andres Castro, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Esteban Aguirre, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Luis Archuleta, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Friday, January 20th , 2040
Signed international amateur SS Juan Bernal out of Venezuela to a minor league contract with a $3,500,000 signing bonus.
Bernal is the star of the class; a likely 2B with plus contact to go with plus-plus power and an average eye would make him the second iteration of Edgar Mir, who will surely be his inspiration.
The Royals made two trades to gather additional International Pool money and used that to test out a large signing class of high work ethic players. They ended up signing eight players in January with more to come.
Wednesday, January 25th , 2040
Signed international amateur RP Jorge Meza out of Venezuela to a minor league contract with a $180,000 signing bonus.
Signed international amateur 1B Jesus Soto out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $350,000 signing bonus.
Signed international amateur CF Juan Bayardo out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $200,000 signing bonus.
Sunday, January 29th , 2040
Signed international amateur SP Juan Ticas out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $500,000 signing bonus.
Signed international amateur CF Vicente Pimentel out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $500,000 signing bonus.
Signed international amateur CF Nelson Caraballo out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $330,000 signing bonus.
Monday, January 30th , 2040
Signed international amateur RF Juan Morales out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $450,000 signing bonus.
Transactions
Sunday, January 1st , 2040
Texas Rangers: Signed free agent CF Drew Burress to a 3-year contract worth a total of $18,500,000.
Friday, January 13th , 2040
Milwaukee Brewers: Signed free agent 3B Jeremy Rogerson to a 2-year contract worth a total of $31,100,000.
Saturday, January 14th , 2040
Signed free agent SP Tsuguo Abe to a minor league contract with a major league option.
Friday, January 20th , 2040
Traded 30-year old LF Enny Mijhail Van Dyke, 22-year old minor league RHP Chris Giltinan, and 21-year old minor league CF Zach Caldwell to the Chicago Cubs, getting 18-year old minor league SS Juan Colunga, $10,000,000 in cash, and $500,000 in international amateur bonus pool room in return.
Traded 26-year old 3B Marquis Foggie, 24-year old minor league C Josh Hooper, and 24-year old minor league RHP Chris Downey to the Cleveland Guardians, getting 29-year old 3B Eric Rose (retaining 50%) and $2,350,000 in international amateur bonus pool room in return.
Hall of Fame
A great day for the Kansas City Royals as Salvador Perez became only the second player in history to be inducted into Baseball’s Hall of Fame in a Royals cap. It was his 8th year on the ballot and he garnered 75.2% of the vote to earn immortality.
Joining Perez in the 2040 class is RF Shohei Ohtani who earned 83.1% of the vote in his 3rd year on the ballot.
