has already battled an elbow injury and may end up a hitter rather than a pitcher.The Reds have added veterans such as Sonny Gray and Alex Wood. Wood's contract doesn't run through 2023 http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-ryan-goins-jersey , but the Reds have a club option that season on Gray. Most essentially, they'll still control Luis Castillo in five years.Yes, the 26-year-old right-hander's ERA rose from 3.12 in 2017 to 4.30 last season, but he remains an intriguing, high-upside hurler.Add guys like right-hander Tyler Mahle and the Reds' clear willingness to take on contracts and expend resources with risk to contend, and this is a rotation to watch.9. Houston Astros2 of 10Houston Astros right-hander Forrest WhitleyChristian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Houston Astros might not employ the likes of Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole in five years. But their starting rotation could be in good hands regardless.Right-handed prospect Forrest Whitley has legitimate ace-level potential. Right-hander Josh James is poised for a breakout after averaging 11.3 strikeouts per nine innings in a 23-frame big league audition.Add right-handers J.B. Bukauskas and Francis Martes (recovering from Tommy John surgery) and the 'Stros have the makings of a strong homegrown rotation, forget whatever free-agent additions they might make in their current win-now window.8. Tampa Bay Rays3 of 10Tampa Bay Rays right-hander Tyler GlasnowMichael Reaves/Getty ImagesThe Tampa Bay Rays will have to open the wallet if they want to extend reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Blake Snell beyond 2022, after which he's set to hit free agency. Given their small-market profile, that's unlikely.Still, the Rays boast enough up-and-coming arms to pick up the slack.Brent Honeywell was a top prospect on the doorstep of MLB stardom before Tommy John surgery threw a wrench in the works. Barring any setbacks, he should break through this season.Right-hander Tyler Glasnow, acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Chris Archer trade last summer, and left-hander Matthew Liberatore could also feature prominently in the Rays rotation.And then there's two-way southpaw prospect Brendan McKay, who might toe the rubber and swing for the fences in the Shohei Ohtani mold.7. Chicago White Sox4 of 10Chicago White Sox right-hander Michael KopechAssociated PressMichael Kopech's Tommy John surgery put his MLB ascent on hold. Assuming he recovers, he'll be slinging triple-digit heat past big league hitters soon.Toss in Dylan Cease, who has surpassed Kopech in the ChiSox's prospect rankings, and you've got something special brewing on the South Side.Right-hander Dane Dunning adds another high-upside arm. And the White Sox have the fifth-least committed payroll this season, per Spotrac, meaning they've got the cash to add an ace or two via free agency in the coming years.6. Los Angeles Dodgers5 of 10Los Angeles Dodgers right-hander Walker BuehlerAssociated PressClayton Kershaw's generational run of dominance won't last forever. Spring training shoulder discomfort doesn't bode well for the ace left-hander as he enters his age-31 season.Anyway, Kershaw is only signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers through 2021.The future is elsewhere, possibly in the form of hard-throwing right-hander Walker Buehler and lefty Julio Urias. Right-hander Dustin May is another interesting, controllable prospect.Mostly Blaine Boyer Jersey , we know the Dodgers aren't afraid to spend and will do so as needed to keep their starting five top-notch in the impending post-Kershaw era.5. Philadelphia Phillies6 of 10Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Aaron NolaRich Schultz/Getty ImagesThe Philadelphia Phillies signed ace Aaron Nola to a $45 million extension with a club option for 2023 on Feb. 14.With that, they locked up the frontman of what should be an excellent rotation in five years.Yes, the Phillies gave up a piece of the future when they included electric righty Sixto Sanchez in the trade that netted catcher J.T. Realmuto. Right-hander Adonis Medina remains a prospect to watch, however.As they sit on the doorstep of inking superstar outfielder Bryce Harper, we know the Phils are willing to spend "stupid" money, as owner John Middleton told Bob Nightengale of USA Today in November.If that includes adding a stud or two to their stable, they should be in excellent shape.4. St. Louis Cardinals7 of 10St. Louis Cardinals right-hander Alex ReyesAssociated PressNews of Carlos Martinez's spring shoulder issues isn't excellent for the St. Louis Cardinals. Injuries have kept Alex Reyes' flight to MLB stardom stalled on the tarmac.Plus, the Cards sent Luke Weaver to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the Paul Goldschmidt trade.Still, under a best-case scenario, the five-years-hence Redbirds could feature a rotation fronted by Martinez and Reyes along with righties Dakota Hudson and Jack Flaherty. The Cards could also add ancillary pieces via free agency (they aren't huge spenders, but they are willing to spend) or from their perennially fertile farm system.3. Detroit Tigers8 of 10Detroit Tigers right-hander Casey MizeMark Cunningham/Getty ImagesThe Detroit Tigers are in the beginning phases of what should be a protracted rebuild. That said, they've got the makings of a superlative future rotation.Right-handers Casey Mize and Matt Manning both check in as top-50 prospects. Fellow righties Franklin Perez, Alex Faedo and Beau Burrows could fill out an all-homegrown rotation.That probably won't happen because not all prospects pan out. But when the time comes, the Tigers will be ready to spend. Detroit isn't afraid to hand out massive contracts. Just ask Miguel Cabrera, who will earn $30 million or more every season through at least 2023, when he'll be 40 years old.The point is, Detroit has burgeoning arms in the pipeline and the ability to open its wallet when the moment is right...a potent combination.2. San Diego Padres9 of 10San Diego Padres left-hander MacKenzie GoreAssociated PressLeft-hander MacKenzie Gore looks like an ace in the offing. Right-hander Chris Paddack also rates as a top-50 prospect. Lefty Adrian Morejon and right-hander Luis Patino are on the horizon. Righty Cal Quantrill is close to MLB-ready.All of this is good news for the San Diego Padres.Want some better news for the Friars and their fans? The Pads just shelled out $300 million over 10 years for superstar infielder Manny Machado. Clearly, the Padres are ramping up to contend and spend what it takes to do so.That could mean luring any number of free-agent hurlers to pitcher-friendly Petco Park. With a stacked farm system and a suddenly open checkbook, San Diego could soon build a starting five capable of bringing home the first title in franchise history.1. Atlanta Braves10 of 10Atlanta Braves right-hander Ian AndersonAssociated PressThe Atlanta Braves boast an embarrassment of pitching riches in their farm system, which could make their surprise 2018 National League East title merely the beginning of a nascent run of excellence.Left-hander Sean Newcomb has arrived on the scene and should soon be followed by the likes of righties Ian Anderson, Kyle Wright, Touki Toussaint http://www.royalsfanproshop.com/authentic-ryan-goins-jersey , Mike Soroka and Bryse Wilson and lefty Luiz Gohara.Other than Anderson, all of the above sipped their MLB cups of coffee last season. The Braves may not need to sign a big-ticket free agent to field a strong starting five, but they could look to trade from their surplus of arms at some point to acquire one.Either way, Atlanta is operating from a position of strength now and into the future. All statistics courtesy of Baseball Reference. KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Royals general manager Dayton Moore had seen enough progress under Ned Yost, and his manager in turn had seen enough progress in some promising young players, that there was no reason to delay what had become inevitable.So, with a simple statement issued before the Royals closed their 50th season with an unsightly 58-104 record, Yost announced he had signed an extension to return next season.The biggest question surrounding the club heading into the offseason had been answered.“We’re at a point in time right now where we think continuity is even more crucial than it has been in the past,” Moore said. “We’ve seen the improvement of a lot of the players that are on the field right now. We’re really pleased with the coaching staff. Most importantly, Ned’s been a huge part of the success of this organization and we feel it’s important to keep that together. … I’m excited about next year.”Most times, there would be little reason to feel good about a season that ended with 100 losses for only the fifth time in franchise history. But after some late-season moves, including a conscious decision to play young prospects every day, the Royals suddenly became quite competitive.They won five of their last seven and went 21-14 over the final five weeks.“I knew this was going to be a long haul. But I also know how to go about,” Yost said. “You have to show up every day with energy. When you get these young guys, you have to know when to step on the gas and when to lay off the gas. The best thing we did all summer was not to put pressure on them. To let them show up every day and to work their tail off.“As a group, you saw them start to believe in each other, start to believe in themselves and then here we go. Now we’re starting to have some success and the game is exciting again.”WHO’S GONEShortstop Alcides Escobar, a fixture on the 2014 and ’15 World Series teams, will become a free agent after he returned to Kansas City on a one-year deal. The Royals are also likely to pay $2 million to rid themselves of ineffective right-hander Jason Hammel.HE’S STILL HEREThe Royals probably wish they had a similar buyout for outfielder Alex Gordon, who is owed $20 million next season, or right-hander Ian Kennedy Melky Cabrera Jersey , who is due $33 million over the next two seasons. But both veterans will be back alongside a plethora of promising young players, including breakout star Adalberto Mondesi, improving outfielder Jorge Soler and longtime backstop Salvador Perez.“I’ve learned a lot this year about my game and the way I need to play,” Mondesi said. “I’ve stayed focused and working every day on those things to help me this year. I plan to keep working on those little things and stay focused and just work for next year.”OFFSEASON MOVESDon’t expect the Royals to do much in free agency as they trim payroll in the hopes of fielding a more competitive team a couple years from now. That said, keep an eye on utility man Whit Merrifield, who remains under club control with three years or arbitration eligibility. The Royals held onto him at the trade deadline, but they might be enticed to move him with the right offer.ON THE HILLMoore likes to say that pitching is “the currency of baseball,” and if that’s the case the Royals should feel good about their wallet. Brad Keller was a rookie of the year candidate, and Jakob Junis and Heath Fillmyer both flashed late in the season. Throw in veteran let-hander Danny Duffy, promising young Jorge Lopez — who nearly threw a perfect game — and that’s a solid rotation foundation.THE YOUNG GUNSThe Royals brought a wave of youth to the big leads about eight years ago, and it produced back-to-back pennants. They’re aiming to do it again with a wave led by first basemen Hunter Dozier and Ryan O’Hearn, Mondesi and Ramon Torres in the infield, and Soler, Brian Goodwin and Jorge Bonifacio in the outfield. If most of those guys pan out, the Royals should improve.“I was up here in April, it was a way different atmosphere than it is right now,” backup catcher Cam Gallagher said. “You see guys like Mondesi who are doing terrific. It shows the kind of guy he is and how much he has progressed over the few months, and it’s good sign for a lot of guys going into next year.”
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