A look at the Kansas City offense and a Wieters contract prediction

Here is a quick question for you: Which team drew more walks this season, the Orioles or the Kansas City Royals?

Surprise, surprise, but it was the Orioles. The Orioles were not great in this stat, finishing 13th in the American League with 418 walks, while Kansas City ranked last at 383. But those same Royals are averaging 5.77 runs per game in the postseason.

Kansas City has the unique combination of finishing last in the AL on offense in both strikeouts and walks. They don't strike out much and they put the ball in play often, but they don't draw many walks either.

During the regular season, the Royals scored 724 runs to rank sixth in the AL, just one spot ahead of the Orioles, who scored 713 runs. But now K.C. has scored 75 runs in 13 playoff games. In their last 10 playoff games, the Royals have scored 66 runs and are 8-2. Their postseason offense has been impressive and they are certainly getting props for how they are able to score runs. It is just interesting that they rank last in the AL in walks.

The Orioles certainly didn't put the ball in play as much as Kansas City this year. While the Royals struck out the fewest, the O's fanned the third most and it was nearly 400 more times than K.C. Another factor for the Royals in the postseason has been a .340 batting average with runners in scoring position. Not only do they get to the ball more often than most, they are getting some big hits in the biggest games.

On another topic, we've debated a few times in this space whether the Orioles should make a qualifying offer to catcher Matt Wieters. After yesterday's MLBTradeRumors.com prediction that Wieters will get a four-year, $64 million deal via free agency, there would be no reason not to make the qualifying offer.

If Wieters truly can get a deal that lucrative, there is pretty much no chance he would accept a qualifying offer, and the Orioles might as well get a draft pick as they wave goodbye to their 2007 first-round draft pick.

The article points out that there are durability questions about Wieters now and questions about his arm after Tommy John surgery. Despite that, the author concludes that due to a poor selection of free agent catchers and Wieters' strong resume that includes winning two Gold Gloves and being named an All-Star three times, he will still cash in.

He's been limited to 101 games over the past two seasons and a team signing him to a four-year deal is taking quite a gamble in my opinion. I will be surprised if Wieters gets such a deal, but keep in mind that his agent is Scott Boras, quality catching is in demand and we are often surprised at free agent contracts.

If the Orioles do extend three qualifying offers - adding Wei-Yin Chen and Chris Davis to the list - they could wind up with seven of the top 75 or so draft picks next June. They already hold one first- and two second-round picks along with a competitive balance B pick. Three comp picks would make seven selections.