Royals Rumblings - News for December 5, 2016
The Royals plan to do a lot of listening at the Winter Meetings this week, writes Rustin Dodd.
“We’re in a position where our payroll is going to have to certainly not exceed where it is,” Moore said. “We understand the challenges and the economics of the game. We don’t make excuses for our market. We don’t make excuses for our television deal. It’s our job to win with the players we have. We have great confidence in them to do so and to perform.”
Assuming that the financial constraints from ownership do not loosen, the Royals face the reality of balancing any major acquisition — either via free agency or trade — with a corresponding reduction in salary. Which means the Royals will be in position to do plenty of listening as baseball’s 30 teams descend on the outskirts of Washington, D.C.
Ken Rosenthal writes that nearly every Royals player could be at play.
The Royals, according to major-league sources, will be open-minded in trade discussions on all of those players — well, maybe not so much on Hosmer — as well as longer-term assets such as right-handers Yordano Ventura and Ian Kennedy. (Kennedy, if he opts out after next season and receives a $6 million buyout, would forfeit three guaranteed years worth $49 million.)
Jim Bowden at ESPN thinks the Royals are one of the most fascinating teams this week.
In my opinion, the Royals need to try to extend the contracts of two or three of them and then trade the other two or three. If that were to happen, they would end up taking center stage at the meetings. All six of their potential free agents have significant trade value thanks to an extremely thin free-agent class. The best part is they match up well with almost all the big-market contending teams that have strong farm systems. The Royals have a unique chance to rebuild for their future quickly and swiftly, even if it might cost them the ability to contend in 2017.
Or they could decide to have a quiet offseason, which many executives think is going to happen because they believe GM Dayton Moore and manager Ned Yost might be leaving after the next year or so. It could be an absolute disaster especially if they don’t get back to the World Series, because under the new collective bargaining agreement they won't be getting first-round picks anymore for their expected departing free agents.
Then, if Moore and Yost depart along with their six free agents, this organization will be in such disarray it will take at least five to seven years to seriously contend again. The Royals either have a lot of work to do this winter meetings or will pay a huge price a year from now.
Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe writes that the Royals are a “potential destination” for free agent pitcher Ivan Nova.
On the other hand, could we see a firesale?
New CBA bad for #Royals. Their execs meeting tonight to discuss how to move forward with walk yr stars Cain, Davis, Duffy, Hosmer, Moustakas
— Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) December 4, 2016
Former Royals General Manager John Schuerholz is elected into the Hall of Fame.
“I’m speechless, almost,” Schuerholz said Sunday evening while sitting on an MLB Network set here at the Winter Meetings. “What a remarkable honor, and I’m so very, very proud to have received the call and the invitation to join baseball’s Hall of Fame.”
Former Commissioner Bud Selig was also elected.
Danny Duffy accepts an offer to play for Team USA at the World Baseball Classic.
Jason Burke at Call to the Pen writes that David Glass may be setting the Royals up for failure.
John Viril at Kings of Kauffman suggests the Royals look at free agent Colby Rasmus.
The Royals partner with Topeka police to help kids with Christmas shopping.
The Astros sign Carlos Beltran to a one-year deal.
The Yankees sign Matt Holliday to a one-year deal.
Japanese star Shohei Otani could be posted next year.
Albert Pujols has foot surgery and could miss Opening Day.
The Padres may have a historically poor starting rotation.
Minor leaguers continue their legal case in a wage dispute with MLB.
Should the baseball union ever be happy with status quo?
The Chiefs comeback in amazing fashion on Sunday against the Falcons.
Here is your college football bowl schedule.
Chimpanzees recognize each other’s butts the way we recognize faces.
A fake U.S. embassy in Ghana was shut down after issuing fake visas for ten years.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them is an impossible choice for Harry Potter fans.
Your song of the day is Pink Floyd with What Shall We Do Now?