Royals Rumblings - News for June 2, 2017

Royals Rumblings - News for June 2, 2017

Rival scouts are taking a look at Royals players in anticipation of a firesale.

The interest is not unexpected. The Royals’ list of prospective free agents is deep and varied, ranging from franchise linchpins such as Eric Hosmer, Mike Moustakas and Lorenzo Cain, to intriguing arms like Jason Vargas and Mike Minor, to declining former All-Stars like shortstop Alcides Escobar. The pure quantity, if not unprecedented, has compelled opposing clubs to view the Royals with a combination of curiosity and empathy.

“What you didn’t think was going to be the issue — the offense — turned out to be the issue,” one rival talent evaluator said. “They have good players. They just haven’t been playing good.

“Hosmer would make anybody better. Moustakas would make anybody better. Cain would make anybody better.”

Vahe Gregorian argues that the Royals should be in no rush.

With so many teams still in playoff contention, with so much baseball still to be played, much of baseball is in a similar holding pattern waiting to evaluate what’s what themselves.

“There are so many different variables: Teams are always evaluating things, changing direction at different times, based on whatever circumstance they are in,” Moore recently told The Star’s Rustin Dodd, adding that deals typically can be made in little time between willing partners.

And the closer to the deadline it gets, the more leverage sellers figure to have — and the more value that can be extracted from teams with conviction they have needs that can be filled.

At least theoretically.

Ryan Fagan at The Sporting News thinks Jason Vargas could be a player traded in June.

The Royals would be well-served to turn this blessing of a quick start into a prospect or two from a contender looking to shore up the back end of its rotation.

In his mailbag, Jeffrey Flanagan addresses the state of some struggling players.

Actually, I thought the life on Kennedy's four-seam fastball returned on Wednesday night, so I think he's close to being himself again. Jason Hammel made an adjustment with his setup that worked in New York, and worked for four innings on Monday, so I think he's close. The Alex Gordon situation is the most puzzling on the team right now. Manager Ned Yost and general manager Dayton Moore haven't told me this yet, but they have to be close to thinking Gordon is a platoon player now. Gordon is a four-time Gold Glove Award winner, and defense matters to Moore and Yost, so that's what is keeping him in the lineup. But it's painful to watch Gordon at the plate right now.

Jon Heyman reports the Royals still think they have a chance.

Word going around is that they’d love to see “if they have one more run in them.” So while people around baseball are expecting a sale in July, the Royals aren’t acting like they expect one.

Dan Szybmorski (INSIDER) projects the Royals to win 73 games but avoid last place!

Denny Matthews reads the lyrics to The Thong Song on 610 Sports Radio.

Mike Sweeney and George Brett will represent the Royals at the draft.

David Lesky at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City has fun with numbers.

The Royals activated Hunter Dozier from the disabled list only to option him to Omaha, while Paulo Orlando goes on the 60 day DL.

They also released veteran reliever Bobby Parnell from Omaha.

Why hitters are suddenly obsessed with launch angles.

Luke Hochevar is not the worst in this ranking of #1 overall picks since 2000.

So, what’s wrong with the Cubs?

Jon Heyman lists the managers whose seats could be warming up.

What if Lebron James had played baseball?

He gone! Hawk Harrelson is retiring.

Who are baseball’s best announcers?

Maybe Sports Illustrated was right about the Astros.

The Mets fire the guy in the mascot costume who gave a fan the bird.

Ananya Vinay is your 2017 Spelling Bee champion.

Bill Snyder blocks a transfer request, then brings up failed drug tests.

Another detection of gravitational waves helps us understand black holes.

What will be the 2017 song of the summer?

SCTV cast members will reunite for a good cause.

Your song of the day is The Flaming Lips with Fight Test.