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where does Josh Staumont figure into the 2017 Royals? Any thoughts on what his role might be?
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who do you see as the 5 starting pitchers after camp?
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Is the bullpen actually a bigger question mark than the starting rotation this year?
\n\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"That's a great question, Seth. I would tend to agree. The rotation is set through the first four. But that great bullpen of recent memory -- Wade Davis, Greg Holland, Luke Hochevar, Duffy, Ryan Madson and Herrera -- is down to just Herrera. The Royals are hoping Joakim Soria, who must bounce back, and Strahm and Brian Flynn can set up Herrera. They also need some other arms to emerge, like Staumont, Minor and maybe even the oft-injured Kyle Zimmer. There's still a chance they could re-sign Hochevar and Holland.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2016-08-23T23:10:00Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/08/24/1086778283/1472003461290/asset_1200K.mp4","type":"video","description":"Joakim Soria fans J.T. Realmuto to end the 8th and make it 31 straight scoreless innings from the bullpen","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:16","slug":"soria-strikes-out-realmuto-c1086778283","tags":[{"__typename":"PersonTag","slug":"playerid-465657","title":"Joakim Soria","person":{"__ref":"Person:465657"},"type":"player"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-home-team-id-146","title":"HBmig home_team_id: 146","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-away-team-id-118","title":"HBmig away_team_id: 118","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"GameTag"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-118","title":"HBmig 118","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"pitching","title":"pitching","type":"taxonomy"},{"__typename":"TaxonomyTag","slug":"highlight","title":"highlight","type":"taxonomy"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/irlsdoeetdzjnxjjazkl"},"title":"Soria strikes out Realmuto","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/soria-strikes-out-realmuto-c1086778283"},{"__typename":"OEmbed","html":"
\n\n","providerName":"Twitter","providerUrl":"https://twitter.com","thumbnail_url":null,"type":"oembed","width":550,"contentType":"rich"},{"__typename":"Markdown","content":"The Royals have worked Cuthbert at second base in the Minors and in the instructional league, and results have been so-so. Cuthbert certainly has the hands, but the footwork at second base is much different than third. Chances are it's not a practical alternative. More likely, the second-base job goes to either Whit Merrifield or Christian Colon, or maybe even Raul Mondesi if he has a big spring. Cuthbert seems destined to man the designated-hitter role.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2016-11-14T20:43:31Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/11/14/1212457683/1479156114497/asset_1200K.mp4","type":"video","description":"MLB.com Royals reporter Jeffrey Flanagan discusses the club's plan to find a new DH and if Cheslor Cuthbert could be an internal option","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:00:36","slug":"royals-looking-for-new-dh-c1212457683","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-mm-analysis","title":"HBmig Analysis","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-118","title":"HBmig 118","type":"unsupported"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/quekw7vwazrxzvglbqck"},"title":"Royals looking for new DH","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/royals-looking-for-new-dh-c1212457683"},{"__typename":"OEmbed","html":"
your honest gut feeling. Out of Cain, Esky, Duffy, Moose, and Hoz who gets traded, when and who signs long term?
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Mike Moustakas, too, could be affordable long term.","type":"text"},{"__typename":"Video","contentDate":"2016-12-12T22:45:01Z","preferredPlaybackScenarioURL({\"preferredPlaybacks\":\"mp4AvcPlayback\"})":"http://mediadownloads.mlb.com/mlbam/mp4/2016/12/12/1215801483/1481582446720/asset_450K.mp4","type":"video","description":"MLB.com's Mike Petriello discusses whether or not the Royals should trade away players such as Eric Hosmer, Danny Duffy and Lorenzo Cain","displayAsVideoGif":false,"duration":"00:02:32","slug":"should-the-royals-sell-c1215801483","tags":[{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-mlbtax-mm-analysis","title":"HBmig Analysis","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-118","title":"HBmig 118","type":"unsupported"}],"thumbnail":{"__typename":"Thumbnail","templateUrl":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/np7hfxj9x4ggqao2ibta"},"title":"Should the Royals sell?","relativeSiteUrl":"/video/should-the-royals-sell-c1215801483"}],"relativeSiteUrl":"/news/royals-fans-ask-about-2017-starting-rotation-c212911682","contentType":"news","subHeadline":"Beat reporter Jeffrey Flanagan answers questions from Kansas City fans","summary":"KANSAS CITY -- Spring Training is roughly six weeks away, and Kansas City fans have plenty of questions about the 2017 Royals.So let's get to it, with the first Inbox of the new year.","tagline({\"formatString\":\"none\"})":"[**Jeffrey Flanagan**](mailto:jeffrey.flanagan@mlb.com) has covered the Royals since 1991, and for MLB.com since 2015. Follow him on Twitter [**@FlannyMLB**](https://twitter.com/FlannyMLB).","tags":[{"__typename":"TeamTag","slug":"teamid-118","title":"Kansas City Royals","team":{"__ref":"Team:118"},"type":"team"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"hbmig-team-id-118","title":"HBmig 118","type":"unsupported"},{"__typename":"InternalTag","slug":"storytype-article","title":"Article","type":"article"}],"type":"story","thumbnail":"https://img.mlbstatic.com/mlb-images/image/private/{formatInstructions}/mlb/elihddobphcdkr4mniks","title":"Royals fans ask about 2017 starting 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Inbox: Who will be Royals' No. 5 starter?
Inbox: Who will be Royals' No. 5 starter?
Beat reporter Jeffrey Flanagan answers questions from Kansas City fans
January 5th, 2017
Jeffrey Flanagan
KANSAS CITY -- Spring Training is roughly six weeks away, and Kansas City fans have plenty of questions about the 2017 Royals. So let's get to it, with the first Inbox of the new year.
Are the Royals still serious in converting Matt Strahm to a starter and, if so, what do they do about the bullpen?
Yes, the long-term goal is for Strahm to be a starter. But the Royals have four starters locked into the rotation now, and while he will get a look as the No. 5 guy in Spring Training, the guess here is that he will become a setup man for closer Kelvin Herrera. Kansas City went to two straight World Series on the strength of arguably the best bullpen in the league, and a shutdown bullpen is a cornerstone of any Dayton Moore roster. Strahm simply is too good in the bullpen right now to move him elsewhere.
The Royals truly believe Staumont, who was sensational in the second half last season at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and who can hit 100 mph, can contribute this season in the bullpen. Moore has told me several times he will not hesitate to call up young arms for his bullpen (see: Strahm).
who do you see as the 5 starting pitchers after camp?
Well, the first four are easy: Danny Duffy, Yordano Ventura, Ian Kennedy and Jason Vargas. The fifth starter will be determined at Spring Training among Mike Minor, Christopher Young, Strahm or maybe even a Jonathan Sanchez. Some fans have forgotten Young's contributions to the World Series title and easily dismiss him because of his dreadful 2016. The Royals have not forgotten him. The Royals believe that, with a full offseason, Young will bounce back and perhaps grab that No. 5 spot.
Is the bullpen actually a bigger question mark than the starting rotation this year?
That's a great question, Seth. I would tend to agree. The rotation is set through the first four. But that great bullpen of recent memory -- Wade Davis, Greg Holland, Luke Hochevar, Duffy, Ryan Madson and Herrera -- is down to just Herrera. The Royals are hoping Joakim Soria, who must bounce back, and Strahm and Brian Flynn can set up Herrera. They also need some other arms to emerge, like Staumont, Minor and maybe even the oft-injured Kyle Zimmer. There's still a chance they could re-sign Hochevar and Holland.
The Royals have worked Cuthbert at second base in the Minors and in the instructional league, and results have been so-so. Cuthbert certainly has the hands, but the footwork at second base is much different than third. Chances are it's not a practical alternative. More likely, the second-base job goes to either Whit Merrifield or Christian Colon, or maybe even Raul Mondesi if he has a big spring. Cuthbert seems destined to man the designated-hitter role.
your honest gut feeling. Out of Cain, Esky, Duffy, Moose, and Hoz who gets traded, when and who signs long term?
Not sure any of them get traded before the Deadline, but none of them are untouchable if the right deal comes along. The guess here is the Royals ride it out with those pending free agents (Dyson included) with the hope that one or two can be signed long term. Duffy almost surely will get signed to an extension. Mike Moustakas, too, could be affordable long term.