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 $238,000,000 available for the total team expenses for the season.
Development Lab
Jorge Calvo has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at third base.
Juan Parra 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.
Ken Troutman has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at center field.
Humberto Bustillos 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.
Luis Aguilar has completed his training in the development complex, and as you are aware, he has been working with staff to improve his defense at third base.
• No noticeable changes.
Andres Raygoza 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 second base.
This program went quite smoothly for him.
• Infield arm rating improves by <5
• Infield range rating improves by <5
• Infield error rating improves by 5
• Turn doubleplay rating improves by <5
Zach Herr 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 catcher.
• Catcher arm rating improves by 5
• Catcher ability rating improves by <5
• Catcher framing 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:
Jorge Corujo, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Jorge Corujo hails from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. This young man's swing is a thing of beauty and projects to be one of the best pure hitters of his generation. He is one of the fastest runners in the league. Corujo can be a second division starter at center fielder.
Edgar Quintero, 17 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
Lean and athletic, Edgar Quintero hails from Nagua, Dominican Republic. He can put on a show in batting practice, and as he develops he has the power potential to impact the game. He may not compete for batting titles, but still projects to hit for a .290 batting average. He shows good pitch recognition at the plate. Quintero has the tools to develop into a star caliber shortstop.
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 Soriano, 16 year-old CF out of Panama
Jorge Soriano is a long, lean athletic center fielder who was born in Tocumen, Panama. He has a good swing. He won't likely set records, but could hit for a .290 batting average. He has shown raw power that should generate more home runs as his body matures. His speed grades out as above average. Soriano profiles as an above average player.
And other players that I was able to further assess were:
Nelson Nolasco, 16 year-old CF out of Venezuela
Juan Escobedo, 16 year-old CF out of Dominican Republic
Albert Regalado, 17 year-old RHP out of Venezuela
Rogelio Tafoya, 16 year-old SS out of Venezuela
Jorge Asebedo, 16 year-old CF out of Mexico
Aroghetto Badoglio, 17 year-old RF out of Italy
Nelson Covarrubias, 16 year-old SS out of Dominican Republic
The Royals settled on CF (not more likely corner outfielder) Jorge Asebedo as their primary target – above average contact with potential 80 power already sitting at 35 was too enticing and they duly signed him for $3.5m.
The Royals followed up with three further signings in January, with another CF, Jorge Corujo, someone with potential 80 contact to go with 80 speed and plus gap power who had impressed in camps and cost the Royals $2.5m. There would likely be further signings in February with the Royals looking to acquire additional International Money through trades.
Sunday, January 20th , 2041
Signed international amateur CL Albert Regalado out of Venezuela to a minor league contract with a $300,000 signing bonus.
Signed international amateur CF Juan Escobedo out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $800,000 signing bonus.
Monday, January 28th , 2041
Signed international amateur CF Jorge Corujo out of Dominican Republic to a minor league contract with a $2,500,000 signing bonus.
Transactions
Tuesday, January 15th , 2041
Traded 25-year old minor league RF Esteban Medina, 23-year old minor league C Steve Mazzanti, 21-year old minor league 3B Mike Schwind, 34-year old minor league 2B Luis Zesati, and $30,000,000 in cash to the Chicago Cubs, getting $2,000,000 in international amateur bonus pool room in return.
Monday, January 21st , 2041
Traded 35-year old minor league LF B.J. Abel to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 31-year old 1B Adan Hadley and $850,000 in international amateur bonus pool room in return.
Monday, January 28th , 2041
Released 1B Adan Hadley.
A couple of trades to acquire additional International Amateur Bonus Pool money were completed with a raft of division two prospects sent to the Cubs for $2m dollars and then AAA depth B.J. Abel sent to the Brewers for an aging Adan Hadley’s $16m contract plus an extra $850k. In a ‘haters gonna hate’ move, the Royals took the popularity boost from Hadley then released him, utilising the cash reserves built up over the offseason.
The month ended with Sam Hart hoping to give back to the community, in contrast to Mike Connolly. The Royals obliged with the decision to start a charity – with the respective boost to fan interest (+10), along with loyalty and work ethic boosts to Sam Hart for what they are worth.
Hall of Fame
There are no new inductees into the Hall of Fame in 2041 as no one earns more than 60% of the vote.
