Royals Rumblings - News for October 1, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for October 1, 2018

Royals players are glad to hear Ned Yost will be back next year.

“We love Ned,” Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield said. “If we can keep him out of a tree stand this offseason we should be in good shape moving forward.”

Rustin Dodd talks to Dayton Moore about why Yost’s return makes sense.

“The harmony in the organization is really important,” Moore said on Sunday, standing outside the press box before a 2-1 loss to the Cleveland Indians. “And so, we’re at a point in time right now where we think continuity is even more crucial than it has been in the past. We’ve seen the improvement of a lot of the players that are on the field right now.”

Whit also talked about leading the Majors in hits and stolen bases this year.

“Opportunities like this don’t come around often,” Merrifield said. “I feel blessed to have a chance to accomplish something like this. It feels really good, a good way to end the season. It’s special.”

Dayton discusses Whit’s future.

“Whit’s kind of a unique situation, as you know,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Sunday when asked about possible contract extension conversations. “But we’re very proud of Whit. For us to win going forward, we need Whit Merrifield on the team. And we have him under control for the next four years.”

Sam Mellinger writes that the Royals are looking forward to 2019.

The Royals are likely to look for pitchers, particularly relievers, but without the counterproductive and mixed messages of trying to win and build at the same time, they’ll be able to better prioritize the players and situations that will help in 2020 and beyond.

“We know what our team is probably going to look like next year, right?” general manager Dayton Moore said.

Salvador Perez is getting surgery.

Alcides Escobar may have played his last game with the Royals, and he comments on the future.

Escobar said he understands the situation. He has spent part of the 2018 season offering guidance and wisdom to Mondesi. He did not grouse when he lost his job. (“He always helped me,” Mondesi said.) Yet when asked about a possible future as a utilityman, he first emphasized his desire to play shortstop.

“I’ll continue to work hard in trying to come back next year,” Escobar said. “I know I can play every day on any team. Any team that needs me, I can play every day.

“Any team that needs a shortstop, any opportunity, I’m ready.”

Adalberto Mondesi talks about faith, family, and friendship.

“Not many people know this, but Yordano was the first person to call me when I signed with the Royals in 2011,” said Mondi, who wears a black bracelet with “ACE 30” written in white lettering to pay homage to Ventura. “He called me just to welcome me and tell me he was excited to include me. We would travel together to and from the Dominican, we would call each other on the phone, we would get dinner together… Our relationship is very special to me.

Frank Schwindel was disappointed he wasn’t called up, but is optimistic about the future.

Schwindel will head to the Dominican Republic for winter ball soon and said he plans to play some third base and outfield to increase his versatility. There’s still improvement he can make at the plate, too.

”I get in trouble when I swing at bad pitches,” he said. “I need to cut down on the strikeouts [71 this season] and increase the walks [34]. Just work on a better overall approach at the plate.”

The Seibu Lions will post pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, with the Royals reportedly interested in him.

The regular season is not complete as we will get two Game 163s today.

Mets third baseman David Wright receives a standing ovation in his last game.

Joe Mauer came back out in catcher’s gear in what could be his last game.

Mike Scioscia will step down as Angels manager.

How close is Zack Greinke to getting to a spot in Cooperstown?

Is Dan Gilbert looking to buy the Detroit Tigers?

Eno Sarris talks to Kevin Youkilis about the relationship between beer and baseball.

How former MLB reliever Brad Lidge became an archaeologist.

How Ohio State called winning plays and Penn State didn’t.

The NFL’s roughing the passer rule is making life impossible for referees.

Elon Musk steps down as chairman of Tesla.

How workers killed the liberal arts.

David Cronenberg says he rejected an opportunity to direct Return of the Jedi.

Your song of the day is Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie with Sleeping Around the Corner.