Weekend Rumblings - February 27, 2016

Weekend Rumblings - February 27, 2016

A healthier Omar Infante claims he is healthier, but he is not likely to play the field in the first few spring training games.

As for the position battle, Infante, 34, said he welcomes the challenge. "This is a business," he said. "There’s a lot of talent here. I didn’t have a good season last year, I know that. I’m going to compete. That’s fine. I’m going to do what I know I can do. I feel better, I’m healthy."

Colon, a former first-round pick, said his approach to spring doesn’t change, even if the circumstances do. "On paper, things are different, but I’ve always treated every season as a competition, every year," Colon said. "I’ve tried to do my best to earn a spot, open up some eyes. I’m going to go out there and do what I do."

Kyle Zimmer also feels healthy and is trying to make this team out of camp.

Zimmer admits he gets a little more amped up facing big league hitters.

"I think the other day I was [a little more amped] because it was the first day against them," Zimmer said. "But they keep telling us that early on we should control our efforts so we don't blow anything out in February. "But it was great throwing to those guys because you can pick their brain and see if they notice anything coming out of your hand. It's a great tool to have."

The Royals are still interested in bringing back closer Greg Holland, who will miss all season after Tommy John surgery.

If the Royals could work out a multi-year deal for Holland, he could be available to return for the start of the 2017 season.

"He’s a home-grown player," Moore said. "We’ve always believed in him. He’s been a very successful part of our team. We would love to be able to have him here as part of our future."

Kris Medlen comes off as a very interesting guy in this in-depth interview with Modern Pastime.

What do you think about advanced metrics/sabermetrics? Like are you super into them or are you aware of them but don’t care for them or somewhere in between? Do you have a favorite statistic or metric?

I believe when used properly they can be beneficial, but from a player standpoint the term paralysis by analysis can takeover when you are in the middle of the game and you are thinking about multiple things. It’s doesn’t matter what statistics say, you are going to hang a pitch or you are going to miss a pitch because you are sitting there overthinking. In terms of preparation it can be useful but it varies player to player. I don’t have a favorite stat or metric.

Five Royals players make MLB.com's Top 100 players in the game list.

Baseball America ranks Royals farmhand Ryan O'Hearn as the 17th best first baseman prospect in baseball.

Baseball Prospectus previews the Royals on the Effectively Wild podcast.

Yours truly was on the FNTSY Sports Network show to talk Ian Kennedy and the Royals.

The Omaha Stormchasers were overwhelmed by a "Four Day Frenzy" for tickets.

The Royals signed catcher Jon Denney, a 2013 third-round pick by Boston who has had DUI issues.

The Dexter Fowler signing leaves a lot of unanswered questions.

John Manuel at Baseball America talks about how they came up with their organizational rankings.

MLB's new slide rules make sense, writes Grant Brisbee.

FOX is developing a pilot about the first female pitcher in MLB history.

Chiefs General Manager John Dorsey spoke before the NFL Combine.

Fivethirtyeight insists it "won't go the way of Grantland", and will instead be profitable.

Dr. Phil, who is not a medical doctor, is now a spokesman for a diabetes drug.

What is the state of the "ugly guy/pretty girl" trope on TV?

Your song of the day is Morris Day and the Time with "Jungle Love."