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Royals Rumblings - News for July 10, 2015

Is Alex Gordon healthy yet?

By Max Rieper
Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

Royals Rumblings - News for July 10, 2015

Rob Neyer agrees with Shaun Newkirk, the Royals should probably stand pat at the trade deadline.

Ultimately, the Royals’ season will hinge upon an infinite number of variables, including the performance of not only their own players, but also the players on all the other A.L. Central teams (and their opponents!). If Omar Infante and Alex Rios somehow remember how to hit – both have been among the American League’s very worst hitters this season – Gordon’s absence won’t hurt nearly as much.

Which isn’t to suggest that management shouldn’t try to improve their chances. Christina Kahrl rightly observes that a pitcher like Cueto would make the Royals look a lot better in October. But as Shaun Newkirk rightly observes, the cost for just a few months of Cueto would be exceptionally high, especially considering the Royals’ relative paucity of top-notch prospects. This is really a bad year to be desperate for a starting pitcher, because half the teams in the majors seem desperate for a starting pitcher. Which obviously strengthens the Reds’ (and the Phillies’) position when negotiating.

Jarrod Dyson made one heckuva catch Thursday.

"I didn’t know the ball was going to travel that far," Dyson said. "When he hit it I thought it was routine pop up. The wind kind of took it and I was able to make a play." It was the "most incredible" defensive play Royals manager Ned Yost said he’d seen from his team all season, and that’s a mouthful, considering some of the gems by Gordon and center fielder Lorenzo Cain

Ken Rosenthal reports the Royals were scouting Scott Kazmir's last start for Oakland, although it might have been for other players like Josh Reddick or Ben Zobrist.

John Viril at Kings of Kauffman looks at some names the Royals could trade for to replace Alex Gordon.

What makes Zobrist so appealing for the KC Royals is that he can fill in for Gordon over the next two months, and then move to second base in case Omar Infante continues to wallow at the plate. Even better, Zobrist is a patient hitter. In short, he provides the ability to work pitchers that the Kansas City Royals will need without Alex Gordon in the lineup.

The problem is that A’s general manager Billy Beane isn’t yet ready to sell. The A’s are 25-18 since May 23 before play on July 9, and are 8.5 games behind the second wild card spot in the American League. Add in that even if Beane decides to move Zobrist, the KC Royals will have a horde of competitors. Mets general manager Sandy Alderson has even said he is willing to overpay to get Zobrist, according to Newday’s Joel Sherman.

David Lesky at Pine Tar Press looks at some of the Royals numbers at the midway point.

Over the last three seasons, only three Royals have hit 20 or more homers in a season. Nobody did it last year. This year, three Royals are on pace to hit 20 or more homers. Those three Royals are Kendrys Morales (on pace for 20), Alex Gordon (22) and Salvador Perez (26). Eric Hosmer is on pace for 16 home runs this year, so a hot stretch could get him to 20 fairly easily. Of course, the way he’s hit lately, I’m just hopeful he gets into double digits before the season ends....

Of course, scoring runs is the name of the game, and while no Royals players are on pace to score 100 runs, one is on pace to drive in 100 runs. Kendrys Morales has 54 RBI, which puts him on pace for 108. That’d be one more than Billy Butler drove in during his magical 2012 season. It’s also the last time a Royals player has driven in 100 runs in a season. If Morales does get to 108 this year, it’d be the most by a Royals hitter since Mike Sweeney in 2000. Call me a hater, but I don’t think Morales is getting to Sweeney’s 144 from that season.

Craig Brown at Royals Authority gives out his Royals midseason awards.

Most valuable Royal

Lorenzo Cain

Cain was the breakout star of October, winning the ALCS MVP award for playing complete baseball. He’s the entire package. We watch him everyday, yet I feel he’s properly rated in Kansas City. He’s developed into a solid bat to hit in the upper half of the order. His defense is among the best in baseball. And his base running is superior. Now, if he can only keep those hamstrings from barking. According to the Fielding Bible, Cain has saved nine runs in center. That’s third best in the AL behind Kevin Kiermeier and Mookie Betts. That’s all well and good, but all I know is Cain covers acreage upon acreage in the outfield.

John Lamb has another terrific outing for Omaha, and leads the Pacific Coast League in strikeouts.

Don't forget to vote for the Royals win in the Wild Card as "Best Game" for the ESPYs.

And #votemoose. Here's how the Final Vote is going, by county.

Royals farmhand Matt Strahm is mentioned as a potential fringe prospect by Carson Cistulli at Fangraphs.

The Home Run Derby competitors have been named, and once again Billy Butler is snubbed. BOOOO!

Seven reasons why the trade deadline has been so slow.

An LA Times writers has a hot sports take when he writes that Clayton Kershaw is not an All-Star.

Bill Murray speaks the truth when he calls the Cardinals "Satan's messengers on Earth."

If you have $10 million, you can apply for an NHL expansion team.

Zach Lowe of Grantland tries to sort out the DeAndre Jordan carnival.

Mark Cuban is ticked at Chris Broussard reporting he was driving around in a panic looking for DeAndre's house.

ESPN has a plan to dominate even as cable use declines.

Subway was planning on rebranding Jared Fogle as a family man before his house was raided in a child porn sting.

Sharks were found in an underwater volcano and it wasn't in Dr. Evil's lair.

How do scientists studying climate change deal with the impending doom?

Music videos could be coming to your Facebook feed.

Your song of the day is Curtis Mayfield with "Move On Up."

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