Weekend Rumblings - News for July 15, 2017

Weekend Rumblings - News for July 15, 2017

The Royals are looking for bullpen help, according to Sam Mellinger.

The Royals are encouraged by Neftali Feliz’s performance since a recent waiver claim, and believe that Mike Minor, Scott Alexander and others — one official mentioned Miguel Almonte’s recent improvement — provide the base for a good bullpen.

Relief pitchers are always available from some teams and desired by others at the deadline, and this year figures to be no different. The list is headed by the Phillies’ Pat Neshek and the Padres’ Brad Hand, but also includes the Reds’ Drew Storen, the White Sox’s Anthony Swarzak, the Braves’ Jim Johnson, and others.

The challenge for the Royals won’t be finding help, or a team willing to deal. The challenge will be the delicate balance between improving now and giving up too much for later.

Dayton is looking to make a move.

Mike Moustakas thinks this team can go on a run.

“We have the team to do it, we got the guys to do it, we just need to do it. We just got to go out there and play ball.”

Rustin Dodd hands out first-half awards.

With sincere apologies to Salvador Perez, who has now played in five straight All-Star Games; Mike Moustakas, who is going to shatter Steve Balboni’s record; and Eric Hosmer, who has been hitting like Joey Votto since May 1, the Royals’ most consistent and important two-way piece has been Cain, a Gold Glove outfielder who has been snubbed of the award, an offensive run producer whose torrid June helped his team back into the American League playoff picture.

Jon Heyman lists Moose and Salvador Perez in the top ten on his MVP ballot.

He says the Royals are looking at rental pitchers like Jaime Garcia and mentions a change with Salvy’s catching.

The key for Salvador Perez is moving closer to the plate, which helps him with those low-and-away sliders that used to kill him.

Mike Moustakas might break the record for most strikeouts without being caught looking.

Experts around baseball are bullish on the Royals’ chances of the post-season.

John Sickels of Minor League Ball profiles Royals rookie pitcher Luke Farrell.

Bubba Starling is out 3-4 weeks with an oblique injury.

Baseball Prospectus calls Bubba one of the biggest busts of the draft era.

The Royals are taking steps to accommodate fans with autism.

The Cubs are still pursuing pitching, including Oakland’s Sonny Gray.

Yankees pitcher Michael Pineda may need Tommy John surgery.

Colby Rasmus is stepping away from the game of baseball.

Does the schedule need more days and fewer games?

Grant Brisbee thinks the Marlins are weird, but could be a powerhouse soon.

Derrick Rose to the Bucks only makes sense for Derrick Rose.

Cricket dongs are hitting fans.

A gene-altering leukemia treatment is approved by the FDA.

Why reporting “percent humidity” is stupid.

The eras in Westeros history that would make great spin-offs from Game of Thrones.

Your song of the day is Donald Byrd with Cantaloupe Island.