Royals Rumblings - News for July 28, 2015

Royals Rumblings - News for July 28, 2015

Sam Mellinger writes that the rest of this season can be used to start preparing for ALWAYS OCTOBER.

The Royals are very clearly in the mode of playoff preparation. They did not need Cueto to be in the playoffs, but they might need him to win in the playoffs. The next two months are about maximizing those chances, including a look at how the bullpen should be used.

Greg Holland has shown mixed signs, for instance. He has converted 21 of 24 saves, but is striking out fewer batters, walking more, and giving up an OPS that’s 157 points higher than last year. Winning the next game is always the most important thing, but a cushion gives the Royals the luxury of mixing in some development, too. Maybe it gives Holland a chance to regain his dominating form.

Already, you can see the priority on the long-term in the lineups. The most justified criticism of Ned Yost over the last few years has been his merciless use of Perez, who caught more games (including the playoffs) than anyone in baseball history last year. Perez’s effectiveness, particularly with the bat, suffered with the overuse. But this past weekend, Perez did not play at all on Friday and was the designated hitter on Sunday.

Rany Jazayerli is pretty pleased with the Cueto deal.

There is absolutely a chance this deal backfires on the Royals. If two of the three pitchers they gave up turn into at least mid-rotation starters, well, 12 years of cost-controlled starting pitching for two months of an ace is a hard equation to balance. But there’s also a scenario in which Finnegan winds up in the bullpen permanently, and neither Lamb nor Reed retains the helium that put them back on the prospect map this summer..

They didn’t get a guaranteed world championship in return, because those aren’t available on the trade market. All a contender can do is make moves to maximize its odds of success. And by adding a true ace to go along with their world-class defense and universe-class bullpen, the Royals did just that. The results may not turn out to their liking, but you can’t judge a trade by the results, only by the process. During the lean years in Kansas City, Moore used to tell a much more skeptical fan base to Trust the Process. He doesn’t have to tell us that anymore.

The Royals received $1 million from the Reds to complete the Cueto deal. Don't spend it all in one place.

They also deny any prospect did not check out "medically" in the deal.

J.J. Cooper of Baseball America was on 610 KCSP to talk about the Cueto trade.

"Middle of the rotation starter is probably his ceiling." - J.J. Cooper (@jjcoop36) on Cody Reed on #TheDayShift.

— 610 Sports Radio- KC (@610SportsKC) July 27, 2015

How does the Cueto deal compare to the deal for Scott Kazmir?

Rival exec on why KC gave up so much for Johnny Cueto, compared to what Houston gave up for Scott Kazmir: "Because Cueto's a lot better."

— Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) July 27, 2015

Bad news on Balbino.

The latest on the Balbino Fuenmayor injury is upcoming knee surgery, which will put him out 4-6 months. He hit .377 in 16 games with Omaha.

— Tony Boone (@BooneOWH) July 28, 2015

Corban Goble at Grantland takes a moment to remember Kansas City's Moonlight Graham - Dusty Coleman.

For a team that is on its way to a huge division lead, Coleman’s story might seem like an irrelevant blip on the road to October. But in a sport obsessed with narratives, triumphs, and tragedies, it’s worth taking a moment to remember Coleman. He’d be the Moonlight Graham of the modern era — if Moonlight Graham had actually gotten a major league plate appearance and screwed it up enough to be remembered by it.

Coleman waited seven years for his shot, and he got it. That he might not get another is deeply sad — especially since he doesn’t have that sweet medical career to fall back on. So while you’re toasting Johnny Cueto’s arrival in Kansas City, take a minute to pour one out for Dusty Coleman.

The Star's sports staff discusses the Cueto trade in this video.

Rob Neyer is skeptical that mid-season trades make much impact for contenders.

Quinn Barry at Minor League Ball looks at the most valuable trading chips for each American League contender.

You can find all your latest trade rumors here.

The Angels get Shane Victorino from the Red Sox.

The A's send Tyler Clippard to the Mets.

The Cubs release Edwin Jackson with $15 million left on his deal.

Taylor Swift's concert at Minute Maid Park has to be rescheduled because no one thought the Astros would be good.

Boston drops its bid for the 2024 Olympics.

Five Big 12 schools considered jumping to the Big Ten before Nebraska actually split.

Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles gave a touching speech at the Special Olympics, where he once competed in as a child with a learning disability.

The Arizona Cardinals hire the first ever female coaching intern in the NFL.

Elon Musk, Stephen Hawking, and Noam Chomsky warn of impending robot wars.

China's falling stock market is causing problems for its government.

Grantland wants to know which Tom Cruise is the best Tom Cruise of all-time.

Your song of the day is The Pretenders with "My City Was Gone."