Weekend Rumblings - News for December 3, 2016
David Lesky likes the idea of bringing in Franklin Gutierrez for the Royals outfield.
If the Royals are looking for a small move to make, I really believe signing Franklin Gutierrez makes a lot of sense for this team. It’s looking like Jarrod Dyson is going to play an important role in 2017, and while I think that’s great, he needs a legitimate platoon partner to play against lefties. Dyson just isn’t very good against them, his 2016 performance notwithstanding. Gutierrez, though, is fantastic against left-handers. In 2016, he hit .280/.373/.511 against lefties with 12 homers in 217 plate appearances. In his career, he’s hit .289/.351/.495 against southpaws. He can’t play every day anymore, but he can serve a right fielder against left-handed pitching. That will allow the Royals to have a bat to actually hit lefties, but also will be the perfect opportunity to get Lorenzo Cain starts in center field, but without him having to play center on an every day basis. That would hopefully keep his legs fresh and allow him to approach the 140 games he played in 2015. Not only will that help the Royals on the field, but a healthy Cain is likely to make more money as a free agent, which now benefits the Royals because if he gets a deal for over $50 million, the Royals get a better comp pick for him. So, you see, signing Gutierrez isn’t just important for 2017, it’s vital for the future.
Jarrod Dyson is drawing a fair amount of trade interest.
The #Royals have gotten multiple inquiries on Jarrod Dyson. "He fits a lot of teams,'' said one exec. Fast, affordable, can play RF or CF
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 2, 2016
Problem is, Dyson is slotted in to share RF with Paulo Orlando. So the #Royals would have to go out and find replacement if they moved him.
— Jerry Crasnick (@jcrasnick) December 2, 2016
Jeff Sullivan at Fangraphs writes that Dyson is among the most atypical players in baseball, although he is a bit like Reds outfielder Billy Hamilton.
If you’re like me, you’ve gotten stuck on Dyson. We all probably expected to see Hamilton on top, but Dyson is close by, and then there’s a sizable gap before you get to Ortiz. Dyson didn’t show up in Thursday’s analysis because he barely even played in the majors before turning 26. And Dyson, now, is 32. I can’t imagine that his best days are in front of him, but he and Hamilton are extremely similar players. Much like Hamilton, Dyson doesn’t do much of anything at the plate, and his numbers would be even worse if he hadn’t been protected against most southpaws. But Dyson has rated as a phenomenal runner and defender, for years. He’s the kind of player who, a few years ago, we might’ve propped up as being severely underrated. He probably is underrated. It makes me wonder about the trade market.
Alcides Escobar is one of several Venezuelan players threatening to boycott the World Baseball Classic over the firing of manager Omar Vizquel.
Mike Courson at Kings of Kauffman writes about his experience in the Kauffman dugout suites.
The Salvador Perez ornament is a big hit this holiday season.
Former Royals pitcher John Lamb goes to the Angels.
Kevin Appier has listed his ranch for sale in Paola, Kansas for $4.5 million.
Is Victor Martinez on the move for Detroit?
See any players of value that were non-tendered yesterday?
Jeff Passan provides some more details on the collective bargaining agreement.
Rays President Matt Silverman thinks the new CBA is bad for small market clubs.
Paul Swydan at Fangraphs likes the new ten-day disabled list.
Kansas and Missouri have new pitch limits for high school pitchers.
No one really knows how to name newly discovered exoplanets.
Here are the boundaries of America’s metropolises, determined by an algorithm.
Are online fan theories ruining television shows?
Your song of the day is Wynton Marsalis with Caravan.