Matheny and Eldred fired in KC.
Kansas City will be a very good landing spot for the right person. They're past "rebuild" and are probably expected to level up and compete, even in a challenging AL Central. I watched a ton of KC games this year and they were very inconsistent, but there were nights when everything was humming and they looked formidable.
They had to play lots of rookies this year and many demonstrated they can play with Bobby Witt Jr., MJ Melendez, Vinnie Pasquantino being the bigger success stories. But they have several other role players such as Michael Massey, Nick Pratto, Kyle Isbel, Drew Waters, and Nate Eaton who also got lots of development time in the majors since the ASB. If Edward Olivares (not a rookie but pretty green) gets a full season of health and AB's he looks legit. And if they get anything at all from Adalberto Mondesi next year (only 50 games over the past two seasons), that's gravy, and a stacked-with-potential roster.
They have a maddeningly inconsistent young pitching staff where only Brady Singer really distinguished himself. But guys like Daniel Lynch, Kris Bubic, Jonathan Hensley, and Max Castillo (from TOR in the Whit Merrifield trade) had glimmers of promise. They'd be aces one day, clowns the next. Angel Zerpa was an emergency callup that looked sharp before he got hurt. And their bullpen, which leads the universe in walks and will do better without Matheny noodle-arming and red-assing them and Eldred not really helping anyone not named Brady Singer, is better than it appears, with several pitchers having much better 2nd halves than their final stats show (Louis Coleman, Amir Garrett, Carlos Hernandez).
They didn't plan to play so many rookies, but they did and most of them were fun to watch. If there wasn't a Julio Rodriguez then Bobby Witt Jr. would be the Rookie of the Year; he was 1st in SB and doubles, and 2nd in everything else to Julio.
MJ Melendez led the team in BB's, hit 18 HR's with oppo field power, played C, LF and RF credibly, and did all this starting in May as a callup. Melendez's strong first season gives them the ability to rest Salvador Perez or give him DH starts to keep him fresh for a full season.
Vinnie Pasquantino had more walks than K's this year, has serious exit velocity and power, and hits for average. If he tweaks his launch angle just slightly he'd have hit more HR's. He can play 1B decently so far so they won't miss Carlos Santana and don't need to ever give Hunter Dozier AB's again. It's interesting that Nick Pratto was considered the rookie heir apparent at 1B , but his contact issues were Gallo-esque severe despite great power and an error-free stint in the majors.
They probably have OF sorted and Spring Training in 2023 will see how things shake out. Michael A. Taylor is locked in at CF and was tremendous. While not a total black hole at the plate, he was also streaky. I think Edward Olivares is the answer at RF and then they have options LF and their 4th and 5th guys, including Kyle Isbel and Drew Waters and Nate Eaton (all are fast and have wheels and some pop and tools). There's MJ Melendez too if they continue that experiment. If they sign a veteran OF it'd be someone who can mash, or as insurance for whether any of the rookies regress or go full pumpkin next year.
They need one or two veteran starters or cheap flyers on the Sox's Wacha/Paxton/Hill model. (No idea if Grienke is back or not; he finished strong but maybe is more of a 5th starter or half-season arm that can mentor the kids on a one-year deal).
They need bullpen help, but probably not a total square-one rebuild based on Carlos Hernandez and Coleman and Garrett not sucking in the 2nd half. There are lots of arms in the mix that may benefit from the regime change and a full offseason and proper ST.
Joes Cuas was a rookie who looked solid but then looked like he lost steam so was sent down; he's likely in the mix. Taylor Clarke and Wyatt Mills are other arms that got to pitch and had flashes. Luke Weaver and Anthony Misiewicz were fungible dart throws. Brad Keller was a SP that didn't miss enough bats despite a great slider and mid-90's fastball; they moved him to the bullpen as a multiple innings guy to see if he could thrive there. That's where I hope he stays. They could upgrade their closer and not rely on Barlow (trade him this winter or next year even).
They need to figure out 3rd base (Mondesi maybe, an established FA more likely). Dozier and Lopez and Nate Eaton were all over there auditioning, but none of them should be starting there in 2023. If Mondesi can be relied upon or if they sign an FA at 3B, Nicky Lopez is probably a bench guy if Massey's bat and glove holds up.
And after watching KC every day I do hope they trade Hunter Dozier, who kind is a man without a position now since every other younger option is a better fielder and more promising hitter on the team after the 2022 season. He isn't necessarily cooked, but he hasn't been consistent and the the change of scenery and position flexibility would help a lot more other teams than the Royals. [I'm half-surprised that Bloom didn't grab him in the trade deadline straddling he did this past summer.] And Ryan O'Hearn (a dozen pinch hits as a bench guy getting one start a week) is cheaper. Essentially going into 2023 it's two guys one bench slot given their younger OF depth, and barring any trades.
I'm optimistic that with Moore gone earlier this season, and now Matheny and Eldred, that they will make a good decision for the new hire. Is it crazy to think Maddon would be a good fit in KC based on the team's age and talent level? Either way, putting out the message they're looking on day one of their offseason bodes well for attracting a good manager to a team that's not very far from being a surprise team making noise in the AL Central.
