Organizational Needs: Bullpen
The Royals' bullpen has become the most promising part of the organization. The Royals' collection of young "power arms" has made the bullpen into an organizational strength. The Royals have 4 pitchers who can hit 97 mph and a young lefty who can hit 95 mph. With those arms, the Royals have the makings of one of the best bullpens in baseball.
The 2006 bullpen looks like this without any additions:
1. Mike MacDougal/Closer: MacDougal looks like he is finally settling into the closer's role. He's saved 12 out of 14 games this year and has been able to work out of jams. He may not be the long-term closer, but MacDougal should be a good closer until Burgos is ready.
2. Jeremy Affeldt/Jimmy Gobble: Jeremy Affeldt will be the setup man unless he's traded. Affeldt still has to stay healthy, but has looked pretty good this year otherwise. If Affeldt is traded, Gobble give the Royals another lefty option in the bullpen.
3. Ambiorix Burgos: Burgos is probably the future closer for the Royals. Burgos throws a fastball that touches 99 mph and has a very good splitter. Burgos has the mentality to be a good closer. Until then, he'll give the Royals another good late-inning option.
4. Andrew Sisco/Jimmy Gobble: Sisco could also be the future closer if he stays in the bullpen. given the lack of starting pitching depth and lack of quality, I hope his future is in the rotation. This could be another spot for Gobble or a free agent.
5. Leo Nunez: Nunez has pitched 9 innings and allowed just 1 run so far in July. He's looked very good during this month after struggling throughout June. Nunez has a mid-90s fastball with a lot of life on it. Nunez also has good control, issuing just 9 walks in 32 IP.
6. Mike Wood: Wood will be the Royals' long reliever. He's been solid, but unspectacular in the long relief role.
Other candidates: Jonah Bayliss, Juan Cedeno, Dennis Tankersley
In-Season Trades: The Royals have depleted their minor league pitching by promoting a lot of young pitchers. The Royals will need to add some more pitching depth in the minors.
Offseason Moves: The bullpen looks pretty good next year. The only problem is that the bullpen is still very young and unproven. The Royals also have a potentially very good, but inconsistent closer. So, it would do the Royals a lot of good to add a quality veteran set-up man who has experience closing games. The Royals might even consider getting a closer if MacDougal struggles or the starting pitching FA crop prevents them from getting a good starter.
FAs: Mike Timlin, BJ Ryan, Bob Wickman, Tom Gordon, Octavio Dotel, Ryan Dempster, Jim Mecir, Julian Taverez
The 2006 bullpen looks like this without any additions:
1. Mike MacDougal/Closer: MacDougal looks like he is finally settling into the closer's role. He's saved 12 out of 14 games this year and has been able to work out of jams. He may not be the long-term closer, but MacDougal should be a good closer until Burgos is ready.
2. Jeremy Affeldt/Jimmy Gobble: Jeremy Affeldt will be the setup man unless he's traded. Affeldt still has to stay healthy, but has looked pretty good this year otherwise. If Affeldt is traded, Gobble give the Royals another lefty option in the bullpen.
3. Ambiorix Burgos: Burgos is probably the future closer for the Royals. Burgos throws a fastball that touches 99 mph and has a very good splitter. Burgos has the mentality to be a good closer. Until then, he'll give the Royals another good late-inning option.
4. Andrew Sisco/Jimmy Gobble: Sisco could also be the future closer if he stays in the bullpen. given the lack of starting pitching depth and lack of quality, I hope his future is in the rotation. This could be another spot for Gobble or a free agent.
5. Leo Nunez: Nunez has pitched 9 innings and allowed just 1 run so far in July. He's looked very good during this month after struggling throughout June. Nunez has a mid-90s fastball with a lot of life on it. Nunez also has good control, issuing just 9 walks in 32 IP.
6. Mike Wood: Wood will be the Royals' long reliever. He's been solid, but unspectacular in the long relief role.
Other candidates: Jonah Bayliss, Juan Cedeno, Dennis Tankersley
In-Season Trades: The Royals have depleted their minor league pitching by promoting a lot of young pitchers. The Royals will need to add some more pitching depth in the minors.
Offseason Moves: The bullpen looks pretty good next year. The only problem is that the bullpen is still very young and unproven. The Royals also have a potentially very good, but inconsistent closer. So, it would do the Royals a lot of good to add a quality veteran set-up man who has experience closing games. The Royals might even consider getting a closer if MacDougal struggles or the starting pitching FA crop prevents them from getting a good starter.
FAs: Mike Timlin, BJ Ryan, Bob Wickman, Tom Gordon, Octavio Dotel, Ryan Dempster, Jim Mecir, Julian Taverez
posted by SoonerRoyal at 1:03 PM
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