Royals Rumblings - News for July 11, 2018

Royals Rumblings - News for July 11, 2018

In his Mellinger Minutes, Sam considers whether the Royals should have begun the rebuild last summer.

Again, I thought the Royals should’ve blown it up or gone all-in the previous winter. That would’ve been best for the immediate and long-term future. But once you’re there, owners of a playoff spot in the last season of club control of a core that’s already won two pennants and a World Series, how could you possibly blow it up?

Particularly when everyone you mentioned with the exception of Herrera would’ve been a two-month rental? The haul would’ve helped, for sure, but it would not have been enormous.

No, the time to trade — if that’s the path you choose — was the previous winter.

Ned Yost talks about getting ejected during Monday’s loss to the Twins for arguing balls and strikes.

“What does that mean?” Yost told reporters after the game. “Does that mean you don’t care? Is that what it means? So that’s what set me off. I’ve got my player working out there and you’re gonna shrug your shoulders at me? You’re missing a call, a crucial call? I didn’t like it. I don’t know what they’re doing.”

Ian Kennedy left Tuesday’s start early.

Vahe Gregorian writes that Adalberto Mondesi provides some hope for the future.

With better plate discipline and pitch selection, he lashed two two-strike hits – including an opposite-field RBI single and a double off the right field wall in the ninth inning that led to him scoring on a Merrifield single.

“He’s really, I think, taking good step forward in his progress,” Merrifield said. “You can see the confidence starting to grow.”

Calling the double a “laser,” Merrifield added, “We’ve all seen (he has the potential). It’s just a matter of him kind of putting it together at this level. And, shoot, I mean, the kid’s what, 22 years old? So I think a lot of times we forget that.”

Dan Szymborski now writes for Fangraphs and he writes how the Royals could get to 120 losses.

Through Monday night’s games, ZiPS places the mean final records for the Orioles and Royals at 54-108 and 52-110, respectively. These are terrible numbers, but just not quite elite terrible. To lose 120 games, ZiPS put the Royals probability at 0.3%, the Orioles a hair over 0.1%.

But there’s a beautiful black cloud to that silver lining! We haven’t hit the trade deadline, and given the relative positions of these teams, there’s a great shot that they’ll trade away enough players to make the rosters significantly worse.

Michael Baumann at The Ringer also discusses the lousiness of the Royals in his podcast.

Clubhouse Conversation talks to Royals prospect Cal Jones.

Writing at Royals Farm Report, Alex Duvall thinks the Royals need the Dodgers to win the Manny Machado sweepstakes.

Frank White tosses out the ceremonial first pitch at the Ban Johnson All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium.

There was a literal dumpster fire at Kauffman Stadium on Sunday.

Reader First2Home wonders if a leadership change is imminent.

Another Fanpost likens Kansas City to the fictional “Mudville” in “Casey at the Bat.”

Danny Duffy wants you to stop reading anything into him going for a long walk.

The Indians accidentally use the wrong pitcher in a ninth inning meltdown.

American League first basemen aren’t good this year.

MLB hitters explain why it is hard to beat the shift.

Grant Brisbee looks at the best and worst of the All-Star rosters.

A look at all the campaigns and alliances teams are making for the All-Star Final Vote.

Cubs sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez are gonna hit some dongs at the Home RUn Derby.

Sports Illustrated catches up with Sammy Sosa.

An expert weighs in on just how physically demanding the Tour de France is on the body.

It has been five years since EA came out with a college football game - will the game ever return?

A hacker was selling a stolen Air Force drone for $200.

A viral airplane romance raises questions about privacy in a public setting.

The Netflix series GLOW takes an unconventional view at relationships.

Your song of the day is Cake with Stickshifts and Safety Belts.