Official Royals/Cardinals 2014-15 MLB Offseason thread

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And so it begins... MLB off-season Key decisions looming for the Royals this off-season: -Do the Royals find a way to retain shields on a longer deal with less money similar to the contract Vargas signed 4yrs 32 million? -Do the Royals believe Butler can have a bounce back season, and decline his option to bring him back at a lower salary? (Butler has already confirmed he would be willing to take a pay cut, but how much is the question? Priorities for the Royals this off-season -The Royals focus this off-season should be on acquiring a power hitting RF to help get this team back to the playoffs? Nelson Cruz will be a free agent, and we had interest last winter, will David Glass pony up to help acquire the final piece to complete this team? -Also look for the Royals to acquire a starting pitcher this off-season either via trade, or free agency. Top prospect Kyle Zimmer will most likely not be ready by the start of the season, and with Shields potentially leaving we have one rotation spot to fill next season. Potential internal candidates for the spot include lefty Brandon Finnegan who pitched well down the stretch for the Royals, and during the postseason going as many as three innings. Another option for the Royals is to move Guthrie to long relief to allow the younger guys to step in the rotation. Potential starting pitcher trade candidates for the Royals include Ian Kennedy, Andrew Cashner, Bartolo Colon, and Matt Latos. -Retaining Don Wakamatsu Vital to the Royals success next season, Wakamatsu was key coach for the Royals, and I believe prevented us from being Yosted throughout the postseason. -Finding a hitting coach who can teach the players to have a more discipline plate approach (We had one in Kevin Seitzer, but Yost wasn't happy with the power production, Guess what we still don't hit many HR's)

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Well, I think there is a 50/50 chance they retain Shields. I think it would be an important piece. Then there is Holland. Do you make Davis your closer and move Finnegan up to his spot? Or do you try to keep Holland? I would keep Shields over Holland myself. What ever it takes.

As far as Butler, there would be stipulations if we resigned him. For one, he needs to go on a diet and take some personal training to lose some weight and gain some strength. I think Butler could be about as good as Hosmer at first base if he trimmed his weight a little. It's the only way I'd resign him. he would have to stay at or under a specific weight. He's a great clutch hitter, I'd hate to see him go. But Hosmer needs a capable backup to relieve him for some games.

I would find a viable backup for Salvy at catcher position. With the amount of games he caught this year, he and the Royals were extremely lucky he had no major injuries. As we seen, it's very easy to get beat up through the course of a season. I think Salvy was beat up and worn out by game 7 this year. Find a good backup and give Salvy the breaks he needs.

There is little chance we outbid Baltimore for Cruz. They want to retain him badly. Things could change, but I don't see us getting Cruz. Same for the Panda. He's also a free agent this next year. But again, I don't see us getting close to paying the amount he will draw from prospecting teams. After that showing in game 7, his price went through the roof. San Fran may not be able to afford him at this point.

I'd keep most of the coaching staff. Mike Jirschele has to go. He made several errors in coaching third base in the post season. One with Infante in game 6 where Infante failed to see him in time and ran around him to score. The game 7 call with Gordon was unacceptable. Gordon should have been sent. It was the last chance they had with Bumgarner still on the mound. The ball was still on the warning track when Gordon was between second and third base. Jirschele should have sent him. He just made too many mistakes this season and may have cost K.C. a chance at extra innings in game 7. Personally, I think Gordon could have scored.

Hitting coach. Yep. Need to find a good hitting coach. Too many golf swinging hacks and indecisions at the plate this year. Unable to adjust at times.

Yeh no way they give Butler that option. Listening to his interview this morning, I think he realizes his options are pretty limited. I think he would work a deal out to stay here. Here is home to him. He's proven here. That means something. Shields also made a comment to the fans today at the stadium making it sound like he wants to stay. This group is a pretty tightly woven bunch. All they can do is sit back on Shields and watch the offers. They either match it or not. I think they can work out a Butler deal. Fan favorite player there.

They keep Davis. Guy is worth every penny. At least until you get some development player ready to come up. Try to keep Holland. Doubt that happens though. I think you let Hochevar go though.

Markakis would be a good pick up. I thought about him when they were playing the Royals in the ALCS. Seems like a good consistent dependable hitter with some power. A hunter Pence type player.

Then you know. Glass is getting long in the tooth. He can't take it when he goes. Might as well spend it where it will make a lot of people happy. Never know, he might bump the payroll this year too.

They will naturally disappear now that the season is over. They'll drop even faster if other threads are started.

I don't think I want Shields back unless he is willing to accept a 2 year deal (which he won't). His best years are behind him.

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Colby Rasmus is a free agent.

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Men have been shot for suggesting less in Missourah...

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Colby Rasmus is a free agent.

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I'm also a free agent.

What's your point?

Like I said.

I'm available as well.

Cardinals need to do something, they simply have too many guys who can't slug their way out of a paper bag.

What I would like to see

LF - Holliday, he's stuck there for a next few seasons
CF - Jay/Grichuk can platoon here
RF - Trade for Byrd, he can hit 20 HR's or so
3B - Carp
SS - Peralta
2B - Wong
1B - Adams/Morse, Morse can play both corner OF and 1B
C - Molina

Pitching is fine right now, the bullpen should dump Choate, we are paying a guy 3 mil for 20 innings a year. Gonzales, Siegrist, and Freeman can handle the left side.

Get rid of Descalso, Kozma, and Bourjos, combined they make ~3.5 mil.

Find someone via trade that can play the infield and can get on base, preferably a right handed hitter.

With that lineup, plus a bench of Grichuk, Cruz, Morse/Adams, IF, IF/OF we should be in much better shape without actually changing the team a lot.

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The Royals have had preliminary discussions with the agents for free-agent left-hander Jon Lester, according to sources close to the situation.

Also, a representative from ACES Baseball Agency, which represents Lester, was believed to have been in Kansas City on Wednesday night.

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The Royals actually may have a personal inroad with Lester -- he is Royals manager Ned Yost's neighbor on an adjacent farm in Georgia. Yost has been occasional hunting partners with Lester as well.

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