Royals Rumblings - News for October 19, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for October 19, 2016

Sam Mellinger writes that strong ratings won’t help the Royals much in the next television deal.

Also, one thing I was surprised about in talking to people and researching that column is that TV ratings really don’t have that much to do with how these contracts are negotiated.

Read that again if you have to. Yeah. I was surprised, too.

The Royals again had the sport’s highest local TV ratings, and even as that number is essentially a percentage of households in a market, Royals broadcasts did well enough that the total viewership was also more than in markets much bigger than Kansas City.

But, even if Fox Sports can be convinced that this is more a sign of the future than the novelty of a town finally given a winner, the people I talk to say it will be a relatively small boost to what the contract would be with average ratings.

David Hill at Call to the Pen suggests five moves for the off-season, including letting Kendrys Morales go.

While Morales certainly did his part last year, having that one player taking up a spot on the roster limits the Royals flexibility. Salvador Perez is in the lineup virtually every day because the Royals want his production and cannot use him to DH. Mike Moustakas, coming off of injury, may need the occasional partial day off. Other players could use the position as a way to stay out of the field for a day or two, while keeping their bats ready.

This would also allow for more depth to be at Ned Yost‘s disposal. Instead of having just the one utility infielder, who may not be able to cover every position, the Royals could have a legitimate backup everywhere, ready to be plugged into the lineup. No more seeing Moustakas at second base out of necessity.

Joel Goldberg of Fox Sports Kansas City had a Facebook video chat.

Royals prospect Josh Staumont is impressing with newfound command in the Arizona Fall League.

The Royals re-sign Omaha pitcher Malcom Culver, who had a 3.86 ERA in 44 relief appearances last year.

Clubhouse Conversation has a blunt talk with former Royals infielder Damian Jackson.

Matt Eddy at Baseball America explains some loopholes in Rule 5 eligibility for international signees.

Why an international draft would be a disaster for MLB.

What is Mike Hazen’s first big decision as the new GM of the Diamondbacks?

Terry Francona loves flipping off the camera.

An oral history of baseball on Seinfeld.

An investigation turns up millions in giveaways for the proposed Rangers ballpark.

Curt Schilling says he will run in Massachusetts for the U.S. Senate in 2018.

Imagining a future without the Big 12.

Bill Belichick is not a fan of Microsoft tablets.

Twitter trolls caused Salesforce to walk away from a deal for the social media company.

Black Mirror’s creator talks political polarization, artificial intelligence and the new season.

The very first teaser trailer for the original Star Wars shows the executives had no idea what the story was about.

Your song of the day is The Statler Brothers with Flowers on the Wall.