Royals Rumblings - News for December 19, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for December 19, 2017

Sam Melinger is still cautious, but he thinks the chances of the Royals landing Eric Hosmer have improved.

All of this is complicated, in other words, but the winds are blowing in a way that makes Hosmer and the Royals renewing their vows more likely (or perhaps less unlikely). That becomes increasingly true with time.

The Royals can at least make this interesting with some creativity. What if they offer six years and $125 million, but include a player opt-out after two or three? Make sure their offer is at least competitive with the biggest number, but give Hosmer the power of an opt-out and no-trade clause?

David Lesky at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City considers how long a rebuild could take.

In thinking about the rebuild, it’s hard to agree with the Royals assessment that it’s a three-year process, but if you squint enough, you can see how it could work. Some might argue that the last rebuild Dayton Moore led took a little longer than three years. And that would be true, but I don’t think the lower levels were stocked as well as they are right now. A lot of that is from a really solid 2017 draft, but that helps. Add in all those draft picks and the draft money they have and they can add to that. Basically, they’ll have to get lucky on a couple mid-range prospects becoming more than that and rising quickly and see guys like Raul Mondesi and someone from the Cheslor Cuthbert/Hunter Dozier/Jorge Bonifacio group develop into big parts of the future. If I had to guess, I’d say 2018 and 2019 are really rough. Then there’ll be some hope in 2020, a step back in 2021 and a solid showing in 2022 that might be enough for a Wild Card spot. That would be a pretty decent timeline and certainly one people would probably accept.

David Schoenfield at ESPN tries to find fits for the remaining free agents.

That leaves Moustakas without an obvious suitor, and he’ll probably have to sign with a non-contender. Of course, the Giants tell us they intend to make a playoff push and they need a third baseman, so maybe Moustakas ends up there. They traded Matt Moore to clear up some salary space, either for a third baseman or outfielder. The Braves could really use another power bat. It’s just a matter of whether they want to spend this year or wait until they’re closer to contention.

The wild card is the Cardinals, maybe the one team that could still make a blockbuster Machado trade.

Onelki Garcia has been released so he can sign with the Chunichi Dragons in Japan.

Royals Farm Report profiles pitcher Scott Blewett and Marten Gasparini.

Lee Judge warns not to take too much stock into rumors this time of year.

The Giants are interested in Evan Longoria but would have to clear payroll to make it happen.

Dave Cameron at Fangraphs discusses Manny Machado’s trade value.

Stephen Strasburg isn’t sure he wants to be an All-Star anymore.

Could Statcast break sabermetrics?

The Mets’ purchase of the minor league Syracuse Chiefs did not go smoothly.

A Reddit user wanted to know what would happen if he tried to steal on every pitch in OOTP.

Pitcher Cole Hamels donates his $9 million mansion in Table Rock to charity.

The NFL rule book is so, so stupid.

Welcome to Champion Ship, an animated series from SB Nation.

ESPN head John Skipper resigns, citing substance abuse issues.

Urban density may not be as environmentally efficient as suburban development.

The worst movie posters of 2017.

The Office is coming back?

Your song of the day is Prince with Raspberry Beret.