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Royals Rumblings - News for November 17, 2014

Break the internet, Billy Butler.

By Max Rieper
Elsa

Royals Rumblings - News for November 17, 2014

Andy McCullough writes about the Royals pursuit of Cuban free agent Yasmany Tomas, who worked out for the club over the weekend.

In this particular case, the Royals could be aided by a philosophical quirk of Tomas’ representatives. Tomas may prefer a shorter deal, as few as four years, in order to hit the market again as a 28-year-old in his prime, according to people familiar with the situation.

To hear team officials tell it, they still consider themselves an underdog for Tomas’ services. Moore has never shied away from admitting his club lacks the financial wherewithal to compete for high-priced free agents. It is one reason the team is unlikely to re-sign James Shields.

But with Tomas, the Royals will at least explore the option.

Jeffrey Flanagan writes a bit more about the Royals interest in free agent pitcher Jon Lester.

The Royals have had preliminary discussions with the agents for free-agent left-hander Jon Lester, according to sources close to the situation.

Also, a representative from ACES Baseball Agency, which represents Lester, was believed to have been in Kansas City on Wednesday night.

But a source close to the situation cautioned, "I don't know how much I would read into that."

The Royals may or may not be pursuing former infielder Emilio Bonifacio.

Anthony Castrovince thinks Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas could be contract extension candidates this winter.

Let's just state the obvious, right off the bat: These guys are represented by Scott Boras, who generally likes to get his players to free agency as quickly as possible. So I'm going to label an extension for either guy as "doubtful."

Still, the Royals' run to the World Series, with Hosmer and Moustakas making a big impact on the proceedings, creates a fascinating financial dynamic here. Maybe this is the Royals' last chance to buy (relatively) low on their infield cornerstones. Or maybe this is a time when the values of Moustakas and Hosmer are at their perceived peak.

Royals prospects Bubba Starling and Hunter Dozier homered in the Arizona Fall League championship game, as the Peoria Javelinas won 14-7.

Former Royals minor leaguer Mike Montgomery may get dropped from the Rays 40-man roster as they face a roster crunch.

In case you missed it, Alex Gordon and Dayton Moore will flip on the Plaza Lights at the annual Thanksgiving Day ceremony.

White Sox pitcher and Kansas City native Scott Carroll is not a fan of the concession stands at Kauffman Stadium.

Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie has gotten to meet some cousins over in Japan while on tour with the MLB All-Stars.

I don't know how I feel about this t-shirt.

Jeff Sullivan of Fangraphs writes about how the Tigers aren't totally screwed with the lucrative long-term deals they have signed. However, they may be shopping catcher Alex Avila.

The Pirates brought back free agent pitcher A.J. Burnett on a cheap one-year deal. Small market teams have to overpay for free agents, you see.

The Diamondbacks have changed General Managers, but are still making foolish trades, acquiring Rays pitcher Jeremy Hellickson over the weekend.

Baseball is achieving greater payroll parity, but how long will that trend last?

The three big local college basketball teams got back into action this weekend, although maybe we should include UMKC in that group since they knocked off Mizzou. Also, this happened at the K-State game.

Wesley Morris at Grantland writes about the return of "Dumb and Dumber."

Type "Hodor" into Google NOW.

Will Arnett is a pretty funny guy, but he has been a show-killer since his role as Gob Bluth on "Arrested Development."

Just what you needed from Vox.com, a playlist of songs about butts.

Finally, congrats to our own Matthew LaMar for getting hitched over the weekend. Your song of the day is Ingrid Michaelson with "You and I."

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