Royals Rumblings - News for January 25, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for January 25, 2016

Jeffrey Flanagan highlights six Royals to keep an eye on this spring.

Jose Martinez, OF: If the Royals choose to carry a fifth outfielder, Martinez making the team would be a heck of story. The 27-year-old was signed to a Minor League deal last January. He then raised a lot of eyebrows when he won the Pacific Coast League batting title with a .384 average. He posted a 1.024 OPS, and the Royals rewarded him with a spot on the 40-man roster. While Martinez doesn't possess a ton of pop (just 50 homers in nine Minor League seasons), he's not a huge strikeout guy and he will take a walk. Martinez is average defensively, but as mentioned, he'd be a great story -- perhaps this year's Orlando.

Just where is Ian Kennedy anyway?

My understanding is he's on a family vacation, which is delaying the physical, and the contract being official. https://t.co/98V5mkxBII

— Sam Mellinger (@mellinger) January 22, 2016

David Lesky at Pine Tar Press is good with the Royals passing on a six-year extension for Lorenzo Cain.

After the Royals reached their two-year pact with Lorenzo Cain to pay him $17.5 million over the next two years leading up to his free agency, Jeff Passan reported that Cain was looking for a six-year deal in order to sign long-term. I’m definitely okay with the Royals not giving him that contract. Considering what he bought out his arbitration years for, I can’t imagine a deal for six years would have been much less than $80 million and could most certainly have been approaching or exceeding $100 million. He finished third in the MVP voting, and I definitely think is warranted in his desire, but I think the Royals were right too. In Cain, he’s only performed at a high level for two seasons and really only shown power in one of those years. 2015 was also his first big league season that he didn’t spend time on the disabled list. I’m much more convinced that he can stay healthy for a full season than I was at this time last year, but it’s just risky giving Cain a deal that runs through his age-35 season like they did with Alex Gordon.

Nick Cafardo at the Boston Globe ranks which teams improved this off-season, and ranks the Royals as "taking a step back."

The World Series champions did well in re-signing Alex Gordon, but Ian Kennedy replacing Cueto is questionable. They also lost Zobrist, who was an important cog in the offense. They’re looking for one more bullpen piece.

Burlington Royals manager Scott Thorman talks about returning for his second year of managing the Appalachian League team.

"I’m enjoying what I do. I go where the Royals ask me to go and I’m excited about it. I really like helping the players and sharing my experiences. We believe in the process of what the Royals are doing. It’s a terrific organization and I’m extremely happy to be a part of it."

Aaron Todd at Kings of Kauffman writes the Royals should add protecting netting to Kauffman Stadium.

Royals minor leaguer Matt Murray has been suspended 50 games for amphetamine use.

Former Royals slugger Willie Aikens talks about his second chance at life after a long imprisonment for drug possession.

New metrics show that Jason Kendall and John Buck were two of the worst catchers at framing.

Dave Cameron at Fangraphs writes that the Mets are banking on a team with poor defense. How did that work out last time?

Tigers pitcher Daniel Norris is ready to take on the league after overcoming cancer.

What if the A's moved to San Jose and the Rays moved to Montreal?

The Homeland Security secretary thinks that banning food sold at ballparks would make stadiums 100% safe.

Weather geek Mike Trout joins the Weather Channel to report on the East Coast blizzard.

What states produce the most MLB stars?

The road to the Major Leagues is difficult for minor league broadcasters as well.

David Blatt led the Cavaliers to the Finals and the best record in the East this year, so they fired him.

How does the Madden video game franchise handle the awkward relocation of the Rams and Chargers?

What do journalists get wrong about social science, according to scientists?

The rise of robots could mean the fall of interest rates.

A mathematician at nearby University of Central Missouri discovered the world's largest known prime number. Why is that a big deal?

Your song of the day is Koufax with "Isabelle."