Royals Rumblings - News for October 10, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for October 10, 2017

Buster Olney considers the market for Eric Hosmer this winter.

Hosmer theoretically fits the Red Sox or the Yankees, but each of those big-market teams have worked to get under the luxury-tax threshold. New York believes in Greg Bird’s talent and swing, and the potential savings of Bird over Hosmer is likely to keep the Yankees out of the Hosmer bidding. The Red Sox already have over $130 million committed in 2018 payroll before they pick up the options on closer Craig Kimbrel ($13 million) and Chris Sale ($12.5 million) and before they deal with the pricey arbitration cases of Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley Jr. and Mookie Betts....

What follows is speculation: Carpenter is owed $30.5 million for the next two seasons, including a $2 million buyout on a 2020 option. The Cardinals have discussed the need to get better defensively, to get more athletic, and unquestionably, they would do so if they dealt Carpenter away and invested in Hosmer to be their everyday first baseman -- and Hosmer would make the Cardinals' pitching and the rest of the St. Louis infielders better with his defensive prowess.

David Lesky at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City argues that if the Royals keep Hosmer, they can’t lose other pieces.

To me, if the Royals are indeed going to make a big play for Hosmer and Moustakas, the smart move is to do it without subtracting payroll. They could trade Moss if they wanted to, or maybe they could sell low on Jorge Soler to save a little money and create a roster spot, but rather than trading the pitchers, maybe supplement them as well to create that depth they so sorely need. Those relatively cheap free agent options like Jimenez, Santiago, Tyler Chatwood, etc. would be a lot better served for the Royals as depth pickups than need pickups. The payroll in 2018 would suffer a bit, but they could still probably come in at under the 2017 number with some creativity.

And after that, things open up. Only five players are under guaranteed contract in 2019. That drops to four in 2020 and just two in 2021.

Hosmer is a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award for offense.

Lee Judge considers which ballparks would be a good fit for Mike Moustakas.

An unscientific poll by the Star shows people don’t want a downtown stadium.

Former Royals pitcher Brian Bannister contemplates the evolution of roles in baseball.

“I almost wonder if we’re getting to a point,” Red Sox VP of pitching development Brian Bannister said, “where roles aren’t defined. I’m not a starter. I’m not a reliever. In the postseason, I get outs.”

Idaho Falls pitcher Janser Lara listed on Baseball America’s top Pioneer League prospects.

The Astros are a beautiful fit for the city of Houston.

Yankees first baseman Greg Bird looks good again.

The Mets could turn to Joe Girardi to lead their team next year.

A primer on the Arizona Fall League.

The physics of the bat flip.

Is there anything wrong with using your cameraphone at the ballpark?

The US Men’s National Team can clinch a World Cup spot tonight, if the field isn’t underwater.

A fungus is threatening the future of bananas.

Why are flat Earth truthers having such a big year?

STAR WARS STAR WARS STAR WARS STAR WARS STAR WARS

Your song of the day is Peter Schilling with Major Tom.