Royals Rumblings - News for July 27, 2016

Royals Rumblings - News for July 27, 2016

Dayton Moore talks about the trade deadline.

"Whether we make a move or not, we are evaluating the landscape as I said, which is potentially putting us in a better position this offseason."...

"I think right now financially, we are where we are," Moore said. "There’s not much flexibility to add payroll. Nor did we expect that."

Moments later, Moore added a caveat: If club officials felt they could acquire a player that would "make the absolute difference for this baseball team", owner David Glass would likely sign off.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post walks through the Aroldis Chapman trade talks, reporting the Cubs asked about Wade Davis.

That is why they focused their initial energies on Andrew Miller, who is signed through 2018. But when they recognized the Yankees were not going to get off their request for Kyle Schwarber, they asked the Royals about Wade Davis, who has a $10 million option for 2017, and heard the price was even higher than that....

There was a moment when the Nats went a bit quiet in talks with the Yankees, and the Yankees surmised Washington was going after Davis. And they still might land him. But I have yet to talk to an executive who thinks it is more likely Davis moves than Miller.

Mike Bates at MLB Daily Dish thinks the Royals are rushing Raul Mondesi.

The upshot is that Raul Mondesi is not ready to face big league pitching. While his defense and his baserunning remain excellent, Mondesi will have to hit at least a little to be valuable, especially if the Royals plan to stick with the offensively anemic Alcides Escobar at shortstop and an overachieving Cheslor Cuthbert at third. Indeed, between the loss of Mike Moustakas to injuries and Alex Gordon’s prolonged slump, these Royals have way too many holes in their offense at this point. They already are dead last in the American League in scoring, and a flop by Mondesi will only make matters worse for them, while also potentially compromising his long-term development.

Ryan Fagan at The Sporting News thinks the summer swoon may be a good thing for the Royals long-term.

Decisions can suck. Moore and his front-office group basically have three options with Cain and Hosmer (and Moustakas): 1. Keep them together for another playoff run in 2017 and get a draft pick when they leave as a free agent. 2. Trade them in exchange for a package that would absolutely bring back more value than one draft pick (and the sooner they trade them, the more they’d likely get). 3. Pony up the dough to sign one them to a long-term extension (knowing that Hosmer, who will be just 28 in 2018, will likely get closer to $200 million than $100 million).

And, Royals fans, you realize the value of a well-executed trade. When Moore dealt ace Zack Greinke to the Brewers in 2010, he brought back Cain and Alcides Escobar, along with Jake Odorizzi (who was part of the deal that brought Davis and James Shields to K.C.) and Jeremy Jeffres. It hurt Royals fans to see Greinke in another uniform, sure, but without that trade the Royals absolutely don’t even sniff the World Series in 2014 or 2015.

Sam Mellinger considers why the Royals are striking out so much.

In that context, I believe at least some of the increased strikeout rate — and I’m thinking largely of Gordon and Hosmer here, though it applies to everyone — is coming from guys trying to change a game or week with one swing.

This is a talented and prideful group, made up of a lot of guys who are capable of being the star on any given night. That is usually a good thing, but maybe it backfires when you have a lineup full of overswings and expanded strike zones.

David Lesky at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City writes that if the Royals aren’t winning it all, they should re-tool.

Lee Judge thinks Ian Kennedy was trying too hard on Monday night.

The Blue Jays acquire outfielder Melvin Upton, Jr. from the Padres.

Chris Sale apologizes. Kind of.

A look at the recent history of high profile reliever acquisitions.

How do you develop Ben Zobrists?

How Commissioner Rob Manfred rose to power.

The schedule and free agent compensation are on the table as baseball negotiates its new Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Should baseball just stay out of the Olympics?

SMU wants into the Big 12.

Former KU basketball player Sasha Kaun retires from the NBA after one season.

The ice bucket challenge actually lead to a breakthrough against ALS.

Why did Verizon spend billions purchasing Yahoo?

In defense of cargo shorts.

Your song of the day is Foster the People with "Call it What you Want."