Weekend Rumblings - News for May 27, 2017

Weekend Rumblings - News for May 27, 2017

Sam Mellinger says the Royals have begun talks on a new television contract.

Multiple conversations with sources on both sides of these negotiations — baseball teams and in the television industry — detail the risks and strategies facing the Royals, as well as some reasons the club may again end up with a payout below market value.

TV contracts can be complicated. For instance, the Reds represent a comparable market, and signed a 15-year deal last fall, but it included a minority ownership stake in the local Fox Sports network for the Reds, so not all the cash will come through regular payouts.

But the Royals’ current deal pays around $20 million per season, and the most basic estimates of a new deal are generally between $50 million and $70 million per year.

Royals television ratings are down, but they still win the night locally.

Despite having the worst record in the American League, the Royals are averaging a 7.5 household rating for games on Fox Sports Kansas City this season, according to Nielsen. That ranks third in baseball behind the Cleveland Indians and St. Louis Cardinals.

Jesse Newell has a really interesting look at Eric Hosmer’s defense so far.

Here was the problem for Hosmer, though: Scouts weren’t big on his defense last year either. The company Inside Edge gives one of the best looks, as their video scouts using a judgment system to rate how difficult each defensive play is.

Last year on Inside Edge’s “likely” plays — ones that are expected to be made 60 to 90 percent of the time — Hosmer was 6-for-14 (43 percent).

And though nothing is for certain, this same bucket at least gives some hope that Hosmer could be in line for a better defensive year this season.

Through this week, Hosmer is 8-for-8 on “likely” plays, already eclipsing his mark from last year. This, though, only tells us so much. Is Hosmer getting certain easier opportunities in this range? Has he improved a certain skill in particular that has helped him?

Lorenzo Cain talks about his future.

"Of course, I want to stay here. … Everybody knows I want to stay here," Cain said. "I love it here. I love playing here. I love the fans. I love the people in the front office. I love everybody in the organization. It's just good surroundings. I love being surrounded by good people, laid-back people, easy-going people. It's definitely fun to play for the Kansas City Royals."

Scott Alexander begins a rehab assignment.

Sonny Gray could be the top trade target this summer.

Cuban shortstop Jose Israel Garcia will have a showcase.

The Tigers could have a firesale this summer.

Pitchers are only left in for complete games now if there is a shutout on the line.

Why MVP Baseball 2005 was the best sports video game ever.

Rockies pitcher Chad Bettis opens up about his battle with cancer.

Remembering the first Major Leaguer that died in war.

Rachel Robinson receives the Buck O’Neil Award from the Baseball Hall of Fame.

Basketball’s first dunker won gold on Hitler’s home court.

Could LeBron make the playoffs with any team in the league?

Voters at Ranker named Italy as having the best food in the world.

Why parents in the 80s thought video games would ruin their kids.

Which Dwayne Johnson character would make the best president?

Your song of the day is Stan Getz with How About You?