Royals Rumblings - News for February 12, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for February 12, 2018

Ken Rosenthal writes about why the Royals are interested in bringing Eric Hosmer back.

The finances would be difficult. The Royals almost certainly would back-load Hosmer’s contract in anticipation of a new local TV deal that would begin in 2020. Trades of left-hander Danny Duffy and others might be necessary to accommodate the Hosmer money short-term. The payroll crunch, however, will ease when Gordon’s contract expires after 2019 and pitcher Ian Kennedy’s after ‘20.

The Royals know Hosmer better than any other club, view him as a cornerstone of their franchise and their community. To Moore and his front office, this is not about Hosmer’s dollar value based upon Wins Above Replacement. This is about something more.

David Laurila writes that Hosmer may just be misunderstood.

Eric Hosmer has been a bit of a lightning rod this winter. The free agent first baseman is coming off a strong season, yet plenty of pundits are less than enamored with his offensive profile. Couple the launch angle revolution with an increased acceptance of strikeouts, and Hosmer has become, in the eyes of his detractors, somewhat of a square peg in a round hole.

Would the former (and perhaps future) Kansas City Royal be looked upon more favorably if he were to trade in a chunk of his ground-ball outs for strikeouts? As counterintuitive as that sounds — fanning is every hitter’s humiliation — it may actually be true.

Dayton Moore talks spring training, and potentially bringing back old friends.

“Eric Hosmer is an All-Star, a Gold Glove winner, Silver Slugger winner, World Champion, and we all recognize that,” explained Moore. “Moose is a terrific player as well, and we’re not going to close the door on that. We don’t know what else can happen.”

‘Jon Heyman applauds the Royals for not tanking.

Good for the Royals for thinking differently than others. Many teams that look like they are on the downside strip down, but Royals GM Dayton Moore just won’t do that. He won’t do that to the great fans of Kansas City who grew up with Eric Hosmer (and Salvador Perez and Alex Gordon, who they extended in recent years). He has made it clear, and he did so publicly on a local radio show, how important he believes Hosmer is to their franchise. However, they were 24th in runs, and that’s with Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas. Alcides Escobar is back, but that doesn’t help the offense. They’d threaten to hit the bottom without the other three, but good for them. They are trying for at least Hosmer.

Jeffrey Flanagan answers questions in his mailbag, and talks about the minor leaguers he is most excited to see.

Two guys, really. Lovelady for one, and right-hander Kevin Lenik, who is a fascinating story. The Royals signed Lenik, a former Rangers farmhand, out of the independent Frontier League and he dominated in the Minors last season. He is 6-foot-5, 225 pounds with a 95-99 mph fastball. He had a minor setback in winter ball, but is healthy now. Small-market teams like the Royals live for scouting finds like this.

The Royals are adding a second team to the Dominican Summer League.

Which players wish they could go back and accept the Qualifying Offer?

Does the Yu Darvish signing widen the gulf between baseball’s elite and the middle class?

The Astros are talking about acquiring Marlins catcher J.T. Realmuto.

Jeff Zimmerman at Fangraphs values rookie pitchers for 2018.

Is 2018 the year of Wil Myers?

Get to know the six new managers that will take over teams in 2018.

Former Mets infielder and manager Bud Harrelson is battling Alzheimer’s.

Figure skating songs can feature lyrics now, so let’s look at the bonkers song selections.

Ranking 130 college football programs for 2018.

Facebook is thinking about creating a “dislike” button.

Why we need pop-up Olympic venues.

Star Trek: Discovery wraps up its first season with a promise to do better.

Your song of the day is Electric Light Orchestra with Mr. Blue Sky.