Royalfan's Ramblings : CBSSports.com Blogs

More Offseason Moves

Mon, 06 Dec 2010 13:09:08 EST

Just thinking of some other moves the Royals could make this offseason. We need fairly cheap major league talent that we won't have to commit to for the long term as we have prospects ready to be here by this year or next that will be inexpensive and project to be very good players.

I like to look at the Oakland A's model. They sign good players to one year contracts and if the season isn't working out they trade them for top level prospects, instead of organizational depth. The Matt Holliday example stands out.

There is a free agent this year who is talented, coming off an injury, and looking for something to prove. He will be willing to sign a one year deal shouldn't cost too much. If he turns out to pitch lights out he will be great trade fodder before the deadline next summer. His name is Brad Penny. He actually looked pretty good last year before his injury. If he pitches well we can maybe turn him into another really good young player. You see guys worse than him bring some pretty decent young talent in return, such as a Joe Blanton. Not exactly Cy Young material there but an innings eater who keeps your team in the game.

Royals offseason moves

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 8:29:40 EST

If any of you become regular readers of this blog you will find I am a big fan of Rany Jazayerli's blog. (Ranyontheroyals.com) if there is actually a fan in this area who actually doesn't know about him. His latest blog was about the Royals signing Carl Crawford this offseason to a long term deal.

I have long thought that Crawford is one of the most valuable players in baseball. He is a fine hitter with decent power, his 19 home runs last year would have let our Kansas City Royals, has incredible speed (unlike some speedsters, he actually converts this to steals), and is one of the best defensive outfielders in the game. Instead of going into all the reasons to sign him, I recommend everyone go read Rany's blog then come back here and offer your opinions. I know there will be the usual school of thought that David Glass will never spend the kind of money needed to sign a player of this caliber and you will more than likely be right. Still looking for other opinions and insights that maybe I am missing out on.

Was I wrong about Matt Cassel

Sun, 05 Dec 2010 8:00:48 EST

I don't think anyone complained about Matt Cassel than I after the Chiefs gave him the long term contract. I didn't really think Acquiring him was that bad of a move, especially when combined with getting a proven veteran linebacker like Mike Vrabel. What he lacks in talent as he ages he makes up for in experience and seems to have proven invaluable providing leadership to a young defense.

But lets get back to Cassel. After a solid but unspetacular year starting for the Patriots I was not sold on him. But getting him for a year in trade made sense. Brodie Croyle couldn't stay healthy, and while Tyler Thigpen was effective it was plain the new regime wanted nothing to do with him. A coach and GM have to have their guy at QB. What blew my mind was giving him such a huge contract without seeing how he could play in an offense lacking the firepower of New England's. Last year seemed to confirm my fears as he and the whole team looked lost. Many factors played into this, but at the time I blamed him and as late as a few weeks ago my name for him was Matt "steaming pile of crap" Cassel. It seems that a new coordinator for training camp, and then yet another for the regular season hurt his perfomance.