Royals Rumblings - News for January 5, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for January 5, 2016

Dave Cameron tries to price Alex Gordon on a three-year contract.

If you use the pessimistic aging curve and the lower $/WAR assumption, then the assumption drops to $60 million instead of $66 million. Given that we’re in January, and Gordon is still competing with not only Cespedes but also Chris Davis and Justin Upton for the remaining free agent dollars, it doesn’t seem that unreasonable to expect Gordon to end up settling for something in this range. It would be a disappointing outcome for Gordon relative to the early-winter estimates that he might be able to get a $100 million contract himself, but with most teams deciding to spend their cash on pitching this offseason, a three-year guarantee for north of $20 million per season wouldn’t be a disaster.

Mike Axisa at CBS Sports thinks the Royals make sense for free agent Cliff Lee.

If you're looking to join a contender, what team could be more appealing than the defending World Series champs? The Royals would also offer Lee a clear path to a rotation spot. Their starting staff right now includes Edinson Volquez, Yordano Ventura, Danny Duffy, Chris Young and Kris Medlen. Young pitched very well last season (135 ERA+ in 123 1/3 innings) but is at his best in a swingman role.

The 36-year-old is not really capable of pitching deep into games at this point of his career, not after battling shoulder problems for years. Medlen had a 104 ERA+ in 58 1/3 innings in 2015 as he worked his way back from his second Tommy John surgery. Signing Lee would allow the Royals to bump either Young or Medlen into the bullpen, where they fit best right now. Kansas City is looking to add a starter as it is -- they were in on Scott Kazmir earlier this offseason -- and Lee figures to come rather cheaply. They're a contender, they need a starter, and Lee wouldn't have to fight for a rotation spot. It's as perfect as fits get.

The Royals are still pursuing Yovani Gallardo.

Three main contenders for Yovani Gallardo remain the same, per source: Royals, Astros, Orioles.

— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) January 4, 2016

Jeffrey Flanagan is still optimistic about Omar Infante.

Granted, last season was an offensive disaster for Infante, who didn't make the proper adjustments at the plate, almost stubbornly so. But the Royals believe they can convince him to make some changes at the plate, the way they did with Mike Moustakas before last season. Infante can still turn the double play as well as anyone in league, according to coaches and scouts, second only to Robinson Cano. If prospect Raul Mondesi continues to improve, he could be the Royals' second baseman in 2017, meaning the Royals would only have to eat the final year of Infante's deal and the $2 million buyout should he not rebound.

Denard Span, who the Royals are reportedly interested in, posts a video showing his hip is healthy.

Is Alex Gordon the best fit for the White Sox?

The Twins are prime candidates to regress.

Dan Haren got bored on his exercise bike, so he tweeted out some amusing thoughts about his career.

David Laurilia at Fangraphs talks to former Royals prospect Sean Manaea.

The Baseball Hall of Fame has a strict dress code for its press conference this week.

The entire NFL files to relocate to Los Angeles.

Rafa Benitez is out at Real Madrid.

Four new elements are being added to the periodic table.

The world's five richest people lost $8.7 billion yesterday.

Activision acquires Major League Gaming to create the "ESPN of e-Sports".

Your song of the day is The Cure with "Close to Me."