Projecting 26-Man Roster
With the flurry of moves over the past two weeks, next year's roster will certainly look different.
So who's in and who's out?
I've stuck mostly with the 40-man roster with a few notable additions.
Players are put into a slot that they most likely will start the season - not necessarily the best player for that role over the long season. And we know the Royals play the inventory game for the opening day roster - so several players will be stashed either in Omaha or on the 60-day IL just because.
Royals Rotation
Cole Ragans (L)
Seth Lugo (R)
Michael Wacha (R)
Brady Singer (R)
Daniel Lynch IV (L) - picked over Lyles due to left-handed
Royals Bullpen Middle Relief
Matt Sauer (R) (RuleV)
Nick Anderson (R)
Chris Stratton (R)
Josh Taylor (L)
Jordan Lyles (R)
Royals Bullpen Backend
Will Smith (L)
Carlos Hernández (R)
James McArthur (R)
60-day to start season (inventory trick)
*Jake Brentz
*Kyle Wright
*Kris Bubic
*Austin Cox (not on 40-man)
Catchers
Salvador Perez (C) - starts season at catcher but will see time as DH
Freddy Fermin (C) - I doubt he maintains his offense, but will be serviceable as backup with occasional starts
Infield Starters
Vinnie Pasquantino (1B)
Michael Massey (2B) - might platoon with Loftin
Bobby Witt Jr. (SS)
Maikel Garcia (3B)
Outfield Starters
MJ Melendez (LF) - team wants him to succeed
Drew Waters (CF) - better overall option than Isbel - could easily lose job
Hunter Renfroe (RF) - contractually obligated
Nelson Velázquez (DH) - could easily fail to match late season stats
Utility/Bench
Nick Loftin (UTL) - too good to stay in AAA, but needs playing time somewhere
Garrett Hampson (UTL) - contractually obligated
Dairon Blanco (OF) - speed on base path is a real weapon for MQ to use
Omaha Rotation
Angel Zerpa
Alec Marsh
Jonathan Bowlan
Anthony Veneziano
(add Bubic/Cox after rehab)
Omaha Bullpen
John McMillon
Will Klein
Steven Cruz
Omaha Infield/Outfield/Released/Traded
Nick Pratto - only chance is a series of injuries
Samad Taylor - buried further down depth chart in 2024 - should be traded
Tyler Gentry - will be the latest AAAA player never to be given a chance
Kyle Isbel - best chance for promotion if Waters fails
Devin Mann (not on 40-man) - due to age, he needs to be traded
Nate Eaton (not on 40-man) - buried further down depth chart in 2024 - should be traded
In looking over the roster as a whole and wondering where the team could still improve, the outfield is still a concern. Renfroe is not a slam dunk improvement, MJ is still a question mark and Waters/Isbel is just a sad pair of players to choose between. I would find a definite upgrade for centerfield through a trade. There has to be a team or two with blocked outfielders. Offer several players among Waters/Isbel/Pratto/Mann/Taylor/Gentry.