Royals Rumblings - News for October 31, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for October 31, 2016

Brandon Warne of Today’s Knuckleball tries to find the Royals a fifth starter.

RHP Henderson Alvarez – Free Agent (Sign)

Alvarez is coming off a one-year, $4.25 million deal with the A’s that didn’t see him throw a single pitch in green and gold. To that end, he should be pretty cheap, though he is coming off surgery on his right biceps in late September. It’s unclear what his readiness level will be heading into the spring, but this just smacks of the kind of signing that Dayton Moore has been known for in recent years, as he’s made buy-low investments in Minor and Kris Medlen recently that haven’t really paid off. Still, those are the kind of moves a thrifty GM should make, because when they do pay off, it’s in a big way.

Alvarez too fits the bill as a ground ball-heavy hurler (55 percent career rate) with a 3.80 ERA in almost 600 career MLB innings. He’s like a better version of Mike Pelfrey, in that he doesn’t strike anyone out but he also doesn’t walk anyone. He’s not at all sexy, but on a cheap deal if you can get anything close to his 2014, that’s a coup.

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe says the Royals are looking for young pitching.

The Royals intend to pick up Davis’s $10 million option but are open to dealing him. A Royals source indicated the team would like to get controllable starting pitching in return. Davis makes sense for a lot of teams, including Boston and Toronto.

Royals bench coach Don Wakamatsu will interview with the Rockies and Diamondbacks for their managerial positions.

Leigh Oleszczak at KC Kingdom looks at some potential landing spots for Kendrys Morales.

Former Royals pitcher Steve Busby has been let go as the Rangers play-by-play man.

ESPN compares this year’s Indians bullpen to last year’s Royals bullpen.

Former Royals manager Trey Hillman will manage next year in Korea.

FOX’s “commercial-free” break mid-game could be a big win for everyone.

Former Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez was legally drunk with cocaine in his system when he died.

What does it take to be a scout in today’s game?

What is it like to run a Dominican Winter League team?

The newest trend in baseball is custom cleats made by a 15-year old.

Do the Chiefs have a quarterback controversy?

A cricketer loses an artificial leg mid-game, keeps playing.

Through ten games, Sunderland is the worst Premier League team ever.

Germany is issuing a “zero tolerance” policy for scary clowns on Halloween.

Should anyone over 13 years old be trick-or-treating?

The best and worst Halloween candy, ranked.

Your song of the day is Warren Zevon with Werewolves of London.