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Royals Rumblings - News for December 14, 2015

The Chiefs and Royals will never lose ever again.

By Max Rieper
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Royals Rumblings - News for December 14, 2015

Sam Mellinger writes that the Royals are engaged in a game of "chicken" with Alex Gordon.

But it appears the Royals — and it’s worth mentioning here that the players’ association and independent reviewers have thought owner David Glass has generally spent responsibly since 2006 — will stick close to last season’s opening-day payroll of around $115 million. That’s partly because they don’t see the right investments on the free-agent market and partly because they prioritize the financial flexibility to offer core players Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar and Eric Hosmer contracts beyond 2017. There is one more gravitational pull keeping the Royals from splashing big — hope. Internally, there remains a desire to avoid large commitments until Gordon, their face of the franchise, signs....

In the last two offseasons, the Royals have backed off negotiations with departing free agents James Shields and Ervin Santana based on initial contract demands, only to see both players settle for much less. Shields’ eventual four-year, $75 million contract with the Padres was still higher than the Royals would’ve likely been comfortable with — and he wanted to be in California anyway — but Santana signed with the Braves for one year and $14.1 million. If a similar scenario happened with Gordon, and the Royals were unable to take advantage because of a midlevel commitment to a lesser player, they would curse themselves and receive justified criticism from the outside.

But they would need the price to drop for that to happen.

Jon Paul Morosi writes that having Matt Holliday in left-field could make it difficult for St. Louis to land Gordon.

The Cardinals have interest in Gordon, sources say. But as long as Holliday is on the roster, Gordon probably would need to be comfortable playing center or right field in order to be a viable option for the Cardinals. And while that might not sound like a huge issue, Gordon's defensive ability in left field is a key component of his value. A trade involving Holliday is fascinating to ponder, although it doesn't appear very likely. Holliday, who turns 36 next month, has a year-round home near the Cardinals' spring-training base in Florida; the list of places to which he'd accept a trade is short, if it exists at all.

Dayton Moore likes his outfield depth with or without Gordon.

"I don't know because I don't know what [the asking price] will ultimately be. We're still in the market for an outfield bat. But we also know this: If we do nothing in the outfield, we'll still be very good defensively at the corner outfield -- we'll have speed and upside with Jarrod Dyson, Paulo Orlando and Brett Eibner and Reymond Fuentes. Jose Martinez isn't the defender those guys are but has offense. We'll see."

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe reports on some trade discussions between the Royals and Red Sox at the Winter Meetings.

A few teams, including the Royals and Cubs, inquired about Jackie Bradley Jr. at the Winter Meetings but were told by the Red Sox he was not available. The Royals have had their eye on Bradley as a possible replacement for Alex Gordon. The Red Sox and Royals also engaged in trade talks for Wade Miley before Miley was traded to the Mariners along with Jonathan Aro for reliever Carson Smith and lefty Roenis Elias. The Red Sox, according to one major league source, asked the Royals for hard-throwing reliever Kelvin Herrera, but Kansas City preferred to give up Luke Hochevar....

There’s still a chance the Royals come up with the money to keep Gordon, who would love to stay in KC, but he will receive numerous offers to play elsewhere at big money. The Royals could instead opt for free agents Dexter Fowler or Denard Span, or acquire the Braves’ Nick Markakis, who has three years and $33 million remaining on his contract.

Omar is on the trade block.

The Mets and Diamondbacks were two of the teams pursuing Joakim Soria.

Salvador Perez is lobbying for the Royals to sign free agent pitcher Henderson Alvarez.

Rany Jazayerli hands out report cards for the 2014-2015 Royals.

The case for and against Jason Kendall in the Hall of Fame.

Royals fans are freaking out over the possibility of losing Alex Gordon.

George Brett nails his third hole-in-one in two years on the same hole.

Royals spring training tickets are now on sale.

Former Royals farmhand Ed Lucas signs with the Mariners.

Former Royals pitcher Felipe Paulino signs with the Indians.

The Phillies ship young closer Ken Giles to Houston in a massive trade that includes former #1 pick Mark Appel.

The Cubs addition of Jason Heyward makes them scary good.

Carlos Beltran may retire after this year.igers reliever Bruce Rondon was involved in an ugly brawl in Winter League play

The Chiefs win their seventh in a row. The Royals have lost a game more recently than they have.

Alabama running back Derrick Henry wins the Heisman Trophy.

Southeastern Louisiana lineman Ashton Henderson wins the SB Nation "Piesman" Trophy, and he seemed genuinely touched about being honored.

The Golden State Warriors finally lose, time for their fans to panic.

A millionaire bought the only copy of the latest Wu-Tang album. Is this the future of art?

A pro-gun demonstration was met with a pro-fart counter-protest in Austin.

American Airlines will begin offering flights from Los Angeles to Havana.

The New York Times lists its best movies of 2015.

Your song of the day is Stone Temple Pilots with "Plush."

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