Why the Royals’ Latest Moves Actually Make Sense (with TJStats)

The Royals are making moves—and this episode breaks down what they really mean. Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco are joined by Thomas Nestico (TJ Stats) to analyze one of the most surprising trades of the offseason, as the Kansas City Royals strike a deal with the Milwaukee Brewers that could quietly pay dividends. The trio discusses why Isaac Collins fits the Royals’ outfield plans, how Maikel Garcia’s contract extension signals long-term stability, and why Carter Jensen is quickly becoming one of the organization’s most intriguing prospects. They also take an honest look at Jack Caglianone’s uneven rookie season, what needs to change for him to take the next step, and how the Royals’ evolving hitting philosophy, particularly their focus on chase rate, could shape future roster decisions. Along the way, the conversation dives into bullpen volatility, pitching depth in the farm system, and why player development remains the backbone of Kansas City’s path forward. It’s a data-driven, big-picture discussion about where the Royals are headed—and why there’s real reason for optimism. Subscribe to Thomas' Substack here: https://substack.com/@tjstats/notes?utm_campaign=profile&utm_medium=profile-page Follow him on Twitter: https://x.com/TJStats Find his brand-new website here: https://tjstats.ca/ Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Royals, Kansas City Royals, MLB, baseball, trade analysis, Milwaukee Brewers trade, Maikel Garcia extension, Carter Jensen, Jack Caglianone, Royals prospects, farm system, player development, Royals Review, TJStats, bullpen volatility, hitting philosophy, chase rate, outfield depth, MLB analytics, baseball podcast Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy "Hokius" Greco dig into a pivotal week for the Kansas City Royals and Major League Baseball. First up: No Rule 5 Draft pick. Was this a missed opportunity or a calculated decision? The hosts explain the logic behind passing and how it ties into the club's roster philosophy. Then, the Royals land the sixth overall pick in the MLB Draft Lottery—a welcome result that could be a turning point. Jacob and Jeremy break down what this means for the farm system and whether the team should draft for need or upside. With key outfield targets off the board, the pressure is on. Are the Royals falling behind in free agency, or do they have something brewing behind the scenes? The episode dives into trade rumors, potential multi-team deals, and why player development and scouting remain more crucial than ever. Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Royals Rundown Podcast, Kansas City Royals, MLB Draft, Rule 5 Draft, Winter Meetings, Free Agency, Outfield Trade Rumors, Player Development, Scouting, Baseball Podcast, Royals rebuild, Royals prospects, Royals trade rumors, baseball offseason, MLB winter meetings recap, Royals analysis, baseball draft strategy, Royals outfield needs, Royals front office strategy Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of Royals Rundown, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy "Hokius" Greco take a deep dive into a crucial stretch of the Kansas City Royals’ offseason. With the MLB Winter Meetings heating up, the pair explores what’s real and what’s just rumor, breaking down how previous winter meetings laid the groundwork for future blockbuster trades — and what fans can realistically expect this time around. They also discuss the Royals’ historically bad luck in the MLB Draft Lottery and how this year’s lottery could affect their rebuild strategy. Is this the year the Royals land a top pick, or will the ping pong balls bounce the wrong way again? Then it’s on to the Rule 5 Draft — a part of the offseason that flies under the radar for many fans but could yield hidden gems. Jacob and Jeremy explain how the draft works, what types of players the Royals should be targeting (low-leverage relievers, anyone?), and why $25K is a small price for a potential impact piece. Plus, they debate the risk and reward of rolling the dice on minor league arms and highlight how strategic roster planning is essential to making it all work. As always, the hosts mix deep baseball analysis with fan-driven insight and humor to keep Royals fans informed and entertained. Don’t miss this one — especially if you want to sound smarter than your friends this offseason. Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Kansas City Royals, MLB, winter meetings, draft lottery, player trades, baseball prospects, Rule 5 draft, trade rumors, player development, baseball analysis, minor league prospects, roster management, Royals podcast, offseason strategy, pitching development, low leverage relievers, baseball offseason, Royals rebuild, Royals farm system, Cole Ragans, Royals bullpen Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This week on the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy “Hokius” Greco bring listeners up to speed on the latest around the Kansas City Royals. The duo begins with an explainer on the MLB pre-arbitration bonus pool, including how it benefits rising talent and where Royals players fit into the picture. Next, they preview the upcoming Royals Rally, an offseason fan-favorite event that builds excitement ahead of Spring Training. But the heart of the episode focuses on free agency history and how the Royals have fared with major contracts, from Jose Guillen and Ian Kennedy to Omar Infante and Scott Elarton. With the Winter Meetings fast approaching, attention turns to trade rumors involving star Cole Ragans. Could he be on the move, and what kind of return would justify such a deal? The conversation digs into player performance, contract value, and what it all means for the Royals’ evolving team-building strategy. They close the episode with game reviews, pop culture talk, and reflections on how Royals fans can stay informed and engaged through platforms like Royals Review and this very podcast. Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Royals, Kansas City Royals, MLB, MLB offseason, Winter Meetings, pre-arbitration bonus pool, Cole Ragans, trade rumors, Royals Rally, baseball contracts, player evaluation, free agent history, Royals Review, team building, baseball analytics, pitching staff, fan engagement, bad contracts, podcast, sports media Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy "Hokius" Greco provide timely analysis of the Kansas City Royals’ offseason path in light of recent moves across the American League. The duo discusses how Dylan Cease's major signing with the Toronto Blue Jays and Ryan Helsley's move to the Orioles reset the pitching market and what it means for the Royals' staff, particularly Kris Bubic. They explore mock trades involving Duran and the Boston Red Sox, assess Boston's pitching dilemma, and evaluate potential trade targets from the New York Mets. The conversation also touches on the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, including who the Royals might lose and why catching depth is a critical area for the club moving forward. Whether you’re a lifelong Royals fan or a baseball die-hard, this episode blends smart baseball talk with honest opinions, a few laughs, and strategic insights you won’t hear anywhere else. Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Royals Rundown podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy “Hokius” Greco welcome Royals insider David Lesky to dive deep into the Kansas City Royals' ongoing offseason. They unpack a wide range of topics: Recent trade chatter involving names like Jonathan India and Ketel Marte The Royals' decision-making process and how fan sentiment should (or shouldn’t) factor in Coaching hires and their impact on player development The Royals’ ongoing search for a reliable outfield and bullpen setup The dilemma of high-risk, high-reward signings like Adolis Garcia Hypothetical blockbusters, including Mike Trout to KC (yes, really!) Why Bobby Witt Jr. needs a legit co-star—and soon Plus, they discuss how health, team chemistry, and smart roster construction could make or break the 2025 season. Find Lesky at https://insidethecrown.substack.com/ Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Royals Rundown, Kansas City Royals, Royals podcast, MLB trades, baseball analysis, Royals offseason, Jonathan India, Katel Marte, Adolis Garcia, MLB rumors, player evaluation, Royals roster, trade proposals, Royals outfield, Bobby Witt Jr., MLB coaching hires, Royals prospects, center field dilemma, Royals bullpen, baseball offseason, free agent targets, baseball podcast, Mike Trout trade, Royals development, clubhouse chemistry Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, Jacob Milham and Jeremy "Hokius" Greco dive into a packed Royals offseason update. From Rule 5 draft implications to recent roster moves, the duo explores how Kansas City is shaping its future. They discuss the importance of clubhouse leadership, the trade value of players like Vinny Pasquantino compared to Josh Naylor, and Bobby Witt Jr.’s latest accolade. The show also covers the Royals' pitching depth concerns, explores free agency strategies, and tackles the Angels’ curious trade approach. Plus, a surprise detour into the world of gaming with a review of Ghost of Tsushima, including what baseball teams could learn from its storytelling. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this packed episode of Royals Rundown, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy Greco break down the latest buzz surrounding the Kansas City Royals. With the offseason heating up, they explore key takeaways from general manager J.J. Piccolo’s recent comments, including trade priorities, pitching depth, and the organization’s focus on outfield upgrades. The duo also weighs in on the MVP race results, debates the future of catching prospect Blake Mitchell, and looks at potential moves in free agency. Later, the episode shifts to a spirited Hall of Fame discussion, yes, including Barry Bonds and Alex Gordon, plus Rule 5 Draft predictions and who the Royals might protect. To close things out, they review some nostalgic film picks (spoiler alert: Fantastic Four 2005 gets some love), discuss the cultural importance of baseball, and laugh through a few off-topic tangents, including a very unceremonious wake-up for Jeremy. Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this episode of the Royals Rundown podcast, hosts Jacob Milham and Jeremy "Hokius" Greco dive into the Kansas City Royals’ offseason strategy and the latest trade rumors heating up the hot stove. They break down which outfielders could land in Kansas City, including Jarren Duran, Taylor Ward, and Jo Adell and debate the pros and cons of taking swings on big names like Mike Trout or Brendan Donovan. Also covered: Jack Caglianone's outfield future Trade value debates and prospect evaluations How Salvador Perez’s contract impacts offseason flexibility The Royals’ front office signaling a win-now mentality Closing thoughts on movies, media, and the offseason vibes Email Jacob directly at: [email protected] Need your Royals fix? Head to royalsreview.com for news, analysis, and to engage with Royals fans around the world! Follow us online: BlueSky– Jeremy Greco: @hokius.fromthehawkseye.com– Jacob Milham: @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social Twitter / X– Podcast: @RoyalRundownPod Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Partnership Announcement 02:34 Offseason Rumors and Outfield Needs 05:14 Trade Rumors and Potential Moves 08:09 Analyzing Player Performance and Trade Value 10:44 Exploring Trade Proposals with the Red Sox 13:17 Evaluating Outfield Options and Future Prospects 24:43 Evaluating Trade Values and Prospects 27:37 The Royals' Future and Strategic Moves 27:59 Angels' Management and Trade Considerations 32:42 Analyzing Potential Trades for Taylor Ward 33:08 Jo Adell: A Trade Opportunity? 37:22 The Mike Trout Trade Proposal 43:40 Exploring Offseason Trades 45:38 Pitching Trade Talks and Player Value 48:00 Potential Trade Targets: Brendan Donovan 52:13 Overall Offseason Vibe and Team Strategy 54:52 Salvador Perez Contract and Financial Strategy 01:00:00 Reviews and Closing Thoughts Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

In this jam-packed episode of the Royals Rundown Podcast, hosts Jacob Milham, Jeremy “Hokius” Greco, and Max Rieper dive into all things Kansas City Royals this offseason. From player transactions and coaching hires to gambling scandals shaking up MLB, the trio covers the latest storylines with insight and humor.They break down what the hiring of Marcus Thames means for the team’s struggling offense, whether Kameron Misner is more than just outfield depth, and why the Royals’ low-ranked farm system could complicate trade talks. With free agency heating up, names like Ketel Marte and Jarren Duran come up as potential targets but are they realistic?Plus, the crew unpacks the latest in baseball betting controversies and wraps things up with their signature pop culture segment, reviewing the latest movies and shows worth your time. If you're a Royals fan (or just a baseball junkie), this episode has something for you.Email Jacob directly at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Need your Royals fix? Head to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ royalsreview.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for news, analysis, and engage with Royals fans all over the world!You can follow the team on BlueSky, Jeremy Greco at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@hokius.fromthehawkseye.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to Jacob Milham at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ @jacobmilhkc.bsky.social⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Follow the podcast itself on Twitter at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@RoyalRundownPod⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. -----Royals, Kansas City Royals, MLB, baseball podcast, offseason moves, Royals transactions, Royals coaching changes, Marcus Timms, Cameron Meisner, Royals trade rumors, free agency, player development, gambling scandal MLB, Ketel Marte, Jarren Duran, Royals prospects, Royals farm system, baseball analysis, MLB offseason, Royals Rundown, baseball pop culture Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.