Royals Rumblings - News for December 10, 2014

Royals Rumblings - News for December 10, 2014

Andy McCullough reports from the Winter Meetings that the Royals are telling teams that the bullpen trio of HDH won't be moved.

The Royals have told interested clubs that Greg Holland, Wade Davis and Kelvin Herrera are not currently available in trade discussions, according to multiple league officials who spoke with The Star on the condition of anonymity.

The stance could change as the winter progresses, but for now the team continues to hold firm. They view the bullpen as one of their primary strengths and hope to maintain it going forward, despite escalating prices and holes in their rotation and lineup.

So what does that mean for the recently re-signed Luke Hochevar? Could he be back in the rotation to turn corners once again?

"We take into account everything," Yost said Monday at baseball’s Winter Meetings. "We’re not saying ‘No,’ because that may be an option for him. Right now, we might bring him in as a starter, and it might be less tax on his arm. But those decisions will all be made in spring training."

In his seven big-league seasons, Hochevar has a 2.06 ERA as a reliever and a 5.44 ERA as a starter.

Ned talked at the Winter Meetings about shrugging off criticism and becoming more flexible during last season. He also talks about a potential role for Royals left-handed pitcher Brandon Finnegan.

"We’re going to stretch him out in Spring Training and see what we’ve got, go from there. It’s easier to stretch a guy out to see what you’ve got, back him down if you want to put him in your pen, exactly where he’s going to start, I don’t know. We’ll find out what we see. He’s going to be a good one for a long time. He’s got tremendous poise, tremendous stuff, and what an addition to our club in September when he came up."

Royals fans are getting antsy at the lack of moves, but Clark Fosler at Royals Authority applauds Dayton's restraint.

It would not be uncommon for Dayton Moore to be the first in the pool when it comes to signing a free agent starter, but the current demands (I think/hope) may be convincing him to slow play the market.  I like Ervin Santana, but I don’t like five year of him and he, along with most of the ‘second tier’ guys, probably aren’t coming down from their demands until they see what the losers of the Lester deal decide to do.

Anxious for a big winter move?  Sure, we are all.  Hell, Dayton, get an extra check blank from Mr. Glass and sign Melky Cabrera AND Santana!  In lieu of that, however, patience might serve the Royals well this winter.

Nick Shlain at Baseball Prospectus wonders if Yordano Ventura will be overrated in fantasy baseball next year.

The early and unofficial BP PECOTA projections have Ventura pegged for a 4.08 ERA and 1.37 WHIP next year, showing little change outside of the ERA increasing by more than three quarters of a run. Ventura has only one big league season under his belt, but because he was a highly touted prospect across outlets, slinging gas since like the fifth grade and seems to have his share of believers, owners should make him available in keeper leagues if only to see what his market is. I have to imagine there’s a decent chance you’ll find another owner who overvalues him.

Slugerrr shows his support for Chiefs safety Eric Berry, who is battling Hodgkin lymphoma.

Show support for @kcchiefs Eric Berry like @Sluggerrr! Get your Berry tee to benefit @LLSusa: http://t.co/XRPh678Sr2 pic.twitter.com/3CbPpSdqG2

— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) December 9, 2014

Royals may be looking at free agent infielder Asdrubal Cabrera. Why? Who knows, but it could be connected to them making Omar Infante available.

The rival White Sox completed the Jeff Samardzija deal yesterday, leaving us to wonder just what the heck Oakland is doing.

The Pirates sign pitcher Francisco Liriano to a three-year $39 million deal, setting a pretty reasonable standard for mid-tier starting pitchers.

The BBWAA recommends expanding the Hall of Fame ballot from ten to twelve.

Madison Bumgarner once dated a girl named.....Madison Bumgarner.

ESPN got duped by a fake Ken Rosenthal Twitter account. You can follow the real Ken Rosenthal at @kensugarcakes69

Bill Barnwell at Grantland asks what it NFL teams were seeded like the college football system?

Lots of buzz about the Royals in New York! Oh, those Royals. Kids in Harlem apparently though Kate Middleton was "Elsa" from the movie "Frozen."

Russian strongman Vladimir Putin and NFL strongman Roger Goodell are among the finalists for "Time Person of the Year". Sounds like a list I'd want to be part of.

The best Christmas movies aren't about Christmas.

Your song of the day is Bloc Party with "Banquet".