Royals Rumblings - News for February 20, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for February 20, 2018

Sam Mellinger tries to figure out how the Royals’ negotiations with Eric Hosmer went.

▪ Royals owner David Glass didn’t want to do it. This has all the markings of him going skittish at another big contract.

▪ The Padres pushed forward at the end of the negotiation while the Royals pulled back. The Padres won by offering an opt-out clause, which the Royals didn’t want to do because that wouldn’t guarantee Hosmer being around when they’re ready to win again.

▪ That may not have mattered, because while the Royals talked early of a six-year deal with an average annual value near $20 million, the final offer peeled back a little at (presumably) Glass’ direction. That last part is important.

With #35 retired in San Diego for Randy Jones, what number will Hosmer wear?

Craig Brown at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City says goodbye to Eric Hosmer.

Eno Sarris at The Athletic tries to make sense of the Hosmer deal.

Grant Brisbee explains why signing Hosmer kinda sorta makes sense for the Padres.

Jorge Soler is 20 pounds lighter and looking to do some work for the Royals.

Soler entered spring training expecting to earn a starting job. Manager Ned Yost said he’d like to see both Soler and Jorge Bonifacio, who will likely split time in right-field and at DH with Soler, log 500 to 600 at-bats.

Royals outfielders Billy Burns and Jorge Bonifacio know there are jobs to be won now.

“Obviously there were some rock-solid players the Royals had at those positions,” Burns said. “This year I think there’s a little more opportunity there, and I’m excited for that.”

With so little set in stone, it’s not trite to state that about a dozen players have something to prove. Among them are Jorge Soler and Jorge Bonifacio, currently set to share right field and designated hitter duties.

“(I will) try to work hard out there, do the little things, things that help you to win the spot on that roster,” Bonifacio said.

Cheslor Cuthbert is ready to handle third base.

Jon Heyman insists that a reunion with Mike Moustakas isn’t completely dead.

The Kansas City Royals haven’t given up the idea of bringing back star third baseman Mike Moustakas. Not completely, anyway.

“We would love to have Moose back. He’s a big bat, he plays to win and he was a big part of our success. Our issue is the payroll,” Royals GM Dayton Moore said by phone.

Moore went on to call a return for Moustakas “a challenge,” so it’s apparent he’s conceding the chances aren’t great.

Rustin Dodd talks to shortstop Nicky Lopez.

Jim Bowden makes some predictions for this spring that include a Danny Duffy trade to Milwaukee.

Jim Finch at FanRag thinks the Royals are one of five potential suitors for Corey Dickerson.

The Braves sign former Royals reliever Peter Moylan.

J.D. Martinez is headed to Boston on a five-year, $110 million deal.

Jarrod Dyson goes to Arizona on a two-year deal.

MLB announces new pace of play rules, which limit mound visits, but do not include a pitch clock.

Jeff Zimmerman at Fangraphs looks at how pitchers mix pitches.

How freestyle skiier Elizabeth Swaney gamed the system to make the Olympics despite not being any good.

ESPN buried stories to placate advertisers.

The global crackdown on parents who refuse to vaccinate their kids has begun.

Google has an algorithm that can predict heart disease by looking at your eyes.

Your song of the day is Loverboy with When It’s Over.