In an effort to fill the gap left by Eric Hosmer, the Royals signed Lucas Duda to a one-year deal to play first base. But wait, what about Hunter Dozier? We cover Duda's deal and Dozier's fate, as well as taking a big picture look at the roster and who's safe to make the team out of spring training, and who might end up in Omaha. In the end, some of the guys who are out of options might get the advantage. We looked at the implications. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr ...
Mar 01, 2018•1 hr 24 min
Well Eric Hosmer has made it official and his signing with the San Diego Padres moves the Royals into a true period of transition. We discussed his new contract and how it works for him and how the Royals come away with pretty good compensation, too. The next rebuild is underway and 2018 becomes intriguing to see who can stick on the big league roster, as well as to see who emerges from the minor leagues. The Royals have a lot of draft picks as well. The team's record...now that might be a littl...
Feb 22, 2018•1 hr 20 min
Pitchers and catchers report next week and many of the top free agents are still on the market. We discussed the pattern of skyrocketing salaries over the last decade and the stalemate we're watching now, and what the future fallout might be. Of course, that leads to where the Royals stand in pursuit of Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas. Dayton Moore made comments that show continuing strong interest in Hosmer, but what about Moose? Finally, PECOTA projections came out. The Royals are projected...f...
Feb 08, 2018•1 hr 16 min
Things are brewing now this offseason, especially for Lorenzo Cain who will not return to Kansas City after signing a deal with the Brewers. The Royals will get a draft pick as compensation, but that's not all they've received this week. The Royals also brought back 2015 ALCS MVP Alcides Escobar. What does this mean for Raul Mondesi in 2018? We figured he had a clear shot to play shortstop every day, but now he may be destined for the minor leagues. There was also a trade which freed up some pay...
Jan 31, 2018•1 hr 18 min
We've waited all offseason for something to happen and finally, on Wednesday...okay still nothing happened, but the Hall of Fame inducted four new members and the Royals signed Ryan Goins. Beyond that, we decided to back away from guesses and speculation (mostly) and talk about who is on the Royals' roster today, right now, and how that shapes up for 2018. What areas need improvement? What positions might be intriguing to watch? The free agent market will sort itself out, but for now, let's see ...
Jan 25, 2018•1 hr
In the past week, the Royals made a trade, sending Joakim Soria and Scott Alexander out and acquiring minor leaguers Trevor Oaks and Erick Mejia. We discuss. We also revisit the re-signing of Alex Gordon, just a short two years ago. It's...not that uplifiting, I'm afraid. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gmail.com . Email us a question and if we answer it o...
Jan 11, 2018•54 min
So news finally popped up during this slow, cold offseason, as Bob Nightengale reported that the Royals offered Eric Hosmer a seven-year deal at $147 million. Not a bad deal for Hosmer in a rough first baseman market! It seems that the Royals are competing with the Padres for Hosmer's services, but Sam Mellinger of the Kansas City Star also reported that there has not been an offer. Jeff and Mike weighed the two reports and discussed the potential idea of that size of contract, plus its implicat...
Jan 04, 2018•58 min
We took last week off for Christmas and ... not much has changed. Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, and Mike Moustakas are still free agents, as are many other notable major leaguers. What gives? We discussed the factors in play and speculated about how this weird market might work out once things (if things) start moving. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gmail.co...
Dec 29, 2017•57 min
The writing is on the wall, and it sure looks like the Royals will look to rebuild this offseason. So far, they haven't made many moves, but those could be coming. Some names are obvious. Some...surprising. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gmail.com . Email us a question and if we answer it on the air, we’ll send you a gift certificate to our friends at Kel...
Dec 14, 2017•1 hr 12 min
This week, Jeff returned at 100% and we covered a little bit of the offseason action that's happened in the last week. The Royals signed two pitchers: Wily Peralta and minor leaguer Yefri Del Rosario. What were our first impressions? Just so happens that we tell you in the first half of the show! Then, as promised, we each picked three free agent targets for 2018 and why we chose those guys over other potential options. We tried to stay pretty realistic about what would be possible for the Royal...
Dec 07, 2017•1 hr 17 min
This week, Jeff was out fighting off a nasty cold so Mike flew solo. There hasn't been much happening yet this offseason, for the Royals or anyone else. But Kansas City did protect some players from the Rule 5 Draft, and they have arbitration decisions due on Friday as you listen to this episode. Mike discussed the cases of Kelvin Herrera, Nate Karns, Brandon Maurer, and Mike Morin and who, if anyone, could be nontendered. He also discussed why he's not concerned about the Royals leaving Ryan O'...
Dec 01, 2017•44 min
This week, we get resolution on the Dayton Moore/Atlanta saga, plus a quick update on Ned Yost and his frightening fall from a tree. Then we looked at the key team needs, including a discussion of the potential of players moving positions, the likelihood of re-signing free agents, and maybe even another reunion. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gmail.com . ...
Nov 16, 2017•51 min
This week, we covered some 2017 Awards and the Royals who received qualifying offers (and reiterated their impact). We also looked at what's ahead. The Royals are in transition, with players leaving, new coaches coming in, and some hints at drama behind the scenes. We knew this offseason would have some intrigue, but may there's more than we expected. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback...
Nov 10, 2017•1 hr 9 min
With the Astros win in the World Series, the 2017 season has concluded. That means that Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and others are officially free agents. We covered the next steps: the general timeline for the next month, the offseason milestones ahead, and what to keep in mind. We also discussed some potential landing spots for the key Royals free agents and who might fill in for whoever doesn't return. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport...
Nov 02, 2017•1 hr 16 min
This week, a look at Collective Bargaining Agreements! Specifically, the qualifying offer. What is it? How is it applied? How does it matter for the Royals? In this episode, we tell you all about it, plus go through some of the Royals pending free agents and why the Royals would or would not extend the qualifying offer to them this offseason. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to Kansa...
Oct 26, 2017•1 hr 13 min
Well, I suppose it's time to hold ourselves accountable. Back during spring training, we predicted some over/under targets for certain players and reviewed them at midseason. With the 2017 season completed, it's time to pay up. We are very much not perfect and the results show it. Still, we took the time in this episode to discuss some Royals players' seasons, plus our reasoning for our predictions. It's a long episode but it's a long offseason, so there's plenty of time... Follow the Vault at @...
Oct 19, 2017•2 hr 8 min
One thing we're sure of is that the 2018 Royals will look quite different than what we're used to. How different? We'll see. The big free agents are likely to go elsewhere, but with an opening in Atlanta, Dayton Moore's name has come up again as a candidate for GM. Would he leave Kansas City? Ned Yost is back for 2018, but is there a manager-in-waiting already in the dugout? And what if the market is shaken up and Eric Hosmer ends up returning? We discuss all of these topics as well as a check-i...
Oct 12, 2017•1 hr 35 min
This week was pretty simple. In this episode, we say goodbye to the foursome of Alcides Escobar, Mike Moustakas, Lorenzo Cain, and Eric Hosmer, sharing our memories of their play, key moments, and what they meant to the last era of Royals baseball. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gmail.com . Email us a question and if we answer it on the air, we’ll send yo...
Oct 04, 2017•1 hr 45 min
The Royals will not go to the postseason. In a week, there will be no more games for Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar, and Jason Vargas as teammates. We took a look at this season, what's left, and the legacy of this Royals run, Dayton Moore, David Glass, and Ned Yost. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedback to KansasCityBaseballVault@gmail.com . Email us a questio...
Sep 27, 2017•1 hr 7 min
Finally. After nearly three weeks of being stuck at #36, Mike Moustakas did the impossible, dethroning Steve Balboni as the Royals single-season home run record holder. On Wednesday night, just as we started recording, Moose hit home run #37 to set a new Royals record and we were excited. We discussed the significance of the record, what else to track with Moose the rest of the season (do I hear 40?), and the relief that it has finally been broken. And Danny Duffy returned from the disabled list...
Sep 21, 2017•1 hr 8 min
Last week was very bad, but this week was...not *as* bad! The Royals suffered some ugly, ugly blowouts, and it seems like Jake Junis and Scott Alexander are the only pitchers doing well who are healthy right now. That's not ideal. And yet, the Royals are still hanging around in the wild card race. They need a blistering hot final 24 games of the year to do it, but it's not impossible. Also, Mike Moustakas tied Balboni. We're still waiting for #37... Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow h...
Sep 07, 2017•50 min
That was...not a good week. The Royals got crushed by Cleveland and also went through an epic (and almost historic) scoring drought. And then Danny Duffy got into trouble. So, we try to pick up the pieces this week. We discuss Duffy's DUI and how we're processing it. We discuss the futility of the offense, and the sudden power outage from Mike Moustakas. We also threw in a bit of silliness about uniforms at the end. Hopefully, next week will be better... Subscribe to the podcast via iTunes and B...
Aug 31, 2017•1 hr 5 min
The Royals didn't take advantage of a matchup with Cleveland but they haven't really lost ground on the teams in the wild card race. Despite injuries, their September schedule will give them a shot at the playoffs, but they're going to have to take charge themselves, rather than expect the league to help them out. It gets tougher when the Royals bullpen is running on fumes, and with injuries to Neftali Feliz, Joakim Soria, and Kelvin Herrera, their depth will be tested. And in a short week, Mike...
Aug 24, 2017•56 min
The Royals haven't played very well in August, but they're hanging on. Despite their struggles, they're still in view of a path to the playoffs and the next two weeks will shape their destiny. With half their games against Cleveland and a series against Wild Card contender Tampa Bay, the Royals will have a shot to take control. If they slip up, they're odds get more and more slim. On top of that, we updated the Mike Moustakas home run chase. With the team record all but broken, we reflected on t...
Aug 17, 2017•56 min
The Royals have been on the Royalcoaster in the second half and while they're still in the playoff hunt, there's a lot going on to toy with all of our emotions. We got caught up and discussed the two trades the Royals made to bulk up their roster, as well as the other roster moves, including Alex Gordon's break, Sal Perez's DL trip, and how the new acquisitions fit in. The Royals have opportunities during the remainder of August but especially in September as the schedule gets easier. Can they g...
Aug 10, 2017•1 hr 11 min
The Royals have opened the second half in a pretty poor way, but they're still a good week from jumping ahead of Cleveland. Still, with the way things go, should they sell? Should they buy? We look at the recent trade deadline deals to try to decipher what the Royals might expect if they were making players available...or if they go shopping themselves. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedba...
Jul 20, 2017•1 hr 8 min
In this week's episode, we went back and reviewed our over/under predictions that we made last March to see what we've gotten right and wrong so far this season. We also discussed some recent pitching news, reviewed some All-Star Game info, and talked about what needs the Royals may have for the second half and how the schedule lays out for another playoff push. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also ema...
Jul 13, 2017•1 hr 28 min
This week, we marveled at the homerun hitting power of Mike Moustakas and the All-Star invitations given to Sal Perez and Jason Vargas. Then there's that little matter of the Royals jumping into a wild card spot and being within a game and a half of first place. Oh, also Danny Duffy returned a couple weeks ahead of schedule. So there was a lot to discuss. Are you all in yet? Hop on board. Where we're going we don't need...roads. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @The...
Jul 06, 2017•1 hr 19 min
The Royals were busy this week, going above .500, going back under .500, and shifting guys around. We discussed Danny Duffy's rehab start and his timeline to return. We discussed Nate Karns going to the 60 day disabled list. We discussed Jorge Soler coming up while Cheslor Cuthbert went on the DL and we discussed the departure of Chris Young and the arrival of Neftali Feliz (who you may remember, Jeff and Mike both had on their relief pitcher free agent wish lists). Phew. That's a lot of news. A...
Jun 29, 2017•1 hr 20 min
Hours after Salvador Perez hit a game-winning grand slam against Boston, Jeff and Mike talked about the Royals' improved play since the start of May and if it's too crazy to buy into a potential playoff run. We discussed home run paces, the next couple months of schedules, and how weird and fun it is to get excited about a team that's a game below .500. Follow the Vault at @KCBaseballVault. Follow host Jeff Herr at @TheJeffReport, co-host Michael Engel at @michaelengel. You can also email feedba...
Jun 22, 2017•1 hr 3 min
