Jeffrey Flanagan looks at some of the Royals’ choices on who to protect in the Rule 5 draft.
Some of Kansas City's Minor Leaguers under consideration for protection include left-hander Daniel Stumpf, who was taken by the Phillies in last December's Rule 5 Draft and then returned last summer; right-handers Jake Junis (the Royals' No. 9 prospect per MLBPipeline.com) and Andrew Edwards (No. 21); and first baseman Samir Duenez.
Kansas City's 40-man roster sits at 37.
Players taken in the Rule 5 Draft must remain on a team's 25-man roster the entire season or be returned to their former club. Players eligible to be taken in the Rule 5 Draft are those not on the 40-man roster signed at 19 or older who have played for four years, or those signed at 18 with five years of playing time.
At BP Kansas City, Hunter Samuels looks at how the Royals could emulate the Cubs and/or Indians next year.
I do think Ned Yost could learn a thing or two from Tito when it comes to lineup construction (think of Gordon in a leadoff role like Carlos Santana), and perhaps a bit more aggression in his bullpen management could pay off, but the Royals are already fairly well-constructed to copy the Indians. They’ll need some guys to take large steps forward, a la Jose Ramirez and Tyler Naquin, and it would sure help to have the bounce-backs I mentioned earlier, but they don’t have to make any organization-impacting moves this winter.
At Minor League Ball, John Sickels weighs in on Josh Staumont.
Dave Cameron defends his vote for Clayton Kershaw for NL Cy Young.
At BP, Emma Baccellieri rounds up the rumors around the league.
David Laurila asks Don Cooper about how much pitchers should rely upon their best offerings.
The officer who shot Philando Castile has been charged with second-degree manslaughter.
Chiefs’ long-snapper James Winchester’s father was shot and killed at the Oklahoma City airport.
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee has been renewed for 2017 and is moving to Wednesdays.
An interview with Kenneth Lonergan in advance of the release of Manchester by the Sea.
The song of the day is “You Want It Darker” by Leonard Cohen.