Royals Rumblings - News for October 24, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for October 24, 2017

Colby Wilson at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City warns that signing first basemen to big contracts typically doesn’t work out well.

The average of these four contracts is eight years and $184 million (Mauer’s precise numbers, incidentally). It’s inconceivable to think of the Royals giving that to Eric Hosmer… but it’s not inconceivable that someone will. That’s the thing about all of the aforementioned contracts—it only takes one GM feeling one piece away to push his contract into the stratosphere.

Would it hurt the Royals to lose Hosmer? Of course—his heir apparent, Nick Pratto, is light years away at this point, even if he’s got talent oozing out his ears. But it wouldn’t kill them in the same way an onerous, payroll-restricting extension would.

An unexpected Royals player made the All-Rookie Team at FanRag.

Left-handed reliever — Scott Alexander, Kansas City Royals: The 28-year-old worked his way into high-leverage situations as the season went on and finished with four saves, a 2.48 ERA, 1.390 WHIP and 7.7 strikeouts per nine innings in 58 games.

Alex Duvall at Royals Farm Report is very high on catcher M.J. Melendez.

MJ Melendez is an incredible athlete. Some people may not think of catchers as being good athletes, but these guys have a lot on their plate. They have to be able to move laterally very quickly from a squat. They must be able to see a double steal as it’s happening and decide which base to throw the ball to in less than a second. MJ Melendez’ athleticism is an underrated aspect of the kid that gives him a very high floor as a catching prospect.

What we’ve talked about already ought to have you really excited for Melendez, and we haven’t even gotten to the kid’s bat yet.

Braves veterans are lobbying for Dayton Moore to run the team.

Kauffman Stadium will have new LED lights next year.

Prospects 1500 ranked the top 186 prospects in baseball, with only one Royals player listed - outfielder Seuly Matias at #149.

Does this World Series matchup feature the two best teams in baseball?

Andy McCullough writes about the exuberance of Yasiel Puig.

Braves pitcher R.A. Dickey becomes a free agent.

The Nationals interview Cubs bench coach Dave Martinez for their managerial job.

College baseball may be changing its transfer rules.

The co-founders of The Athletic want to destroy local papers.

ESPN cuts ties with Barstool Sports after one episode.

Have trolls ruined the relationship between NBA players and fans.

Millennials are more likely to buy a self-driving car.

Are we going to get a giant robot fighting league?

The big questions ahead of season two of Stranger Things.

Your song of the day is The National with I’ll Still Destroy You.