Royals Rumblings - News for February 5, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for February 5, 2018

In a story about frustrations between agents and teams, Jeff Passan offers a peak at the Eric Hosmer negotiations.

Hosmer is seeking a nine-year deal from the Kansas City Royals. They haven’t budged past seven. Martinez is fixed on a seven- or eight-year deal in the $25 million-plus-a-year range and is steeling himself to hold out. Darvish has received multiple nine-figure offers.

“They’ll get paid,” the baseball official said. “The others … ”

Jorge Soler is in the best shape of his life.

This is the version of Soler who, 20 pounds lighter thanks to an improved diet, is finally ready for a second chance.

“I had an awful season,” said Soler, who’s listed by the Royals at 6 feet 4 and 215 pounds. “Things went fine in the minor leagues but not in the big leagues. Obviously there were things I was doing wrong. I needed to make adjustments. … I don’t know how it’ll translate to the field but in the cage there’s an incredible change. I’ve never felt this way.”

There was a moment last season Soler thought his major-league career might be over.

It wasn’t the first time he’d lacked determination.

David Lesky of Baseball Prospectus Kansas City was a big fan of moving Brandon Moss out of town to clear roster spots for younger players.

As of right now, it clears up a logjam on the big league roster to get young guys the at bats the Royals need them to get in 2018. Hunter Dozier, Cheslor Cuthbert, Jorge Bonifacio and Jorge Soler now currently all have a clear path to playing time at first, third, right and DH. Alex Gordon will get the bulk of the time in left field and maybe some center, so that means the Royals can really try to figure out what they have in their younger, right-handed bats. To me, that’s important because, as I’ve said before, I see 2018 as a great opportunity to evaluate some of the guys who look like role players to see if they are at least that, if they can be more or if they need to find someone else for the job before the next window of contention.

Former Royals pitcher Jeremy Guthrie gets called to serve a role in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Tom Verducci at Sports Illustrated blames the slow market on the union for prioritizing luxuries.

The MLBPA says there will be no boycott.

Alex Hall at Athletics Nation thinks top free agents like Eric Hosmer need to lower their asking price.

The losing teams from 2017 that could be competitive in 2018.

The Brewers are content to wait for the right opportunity for a pitcher.

Jim Thome would prefer not to have Chief Wahoo on his Hall of Fame bust.

Terrell Owens headlines the list of new inductees into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

The five best Super Bowl commercials.

The magnetic poles could be flipping soon, which will have huge consequences for humans.

Your dog doesn’t really feel guilty.

A review of Netflix’s latest sci-fi show - Altered Carbon.

Your song of the day is Martha and the Vandellas with I’m Ready for Love.