Weekend Rumblings - News for July 21, 2018

Weekend Rumblings - News for July 21, 2018

Sam Mellinger looks at where the Royals go from here.

6. Be open to trading Sal Perez and Whit Merrifield.

This is a tough spot for the front office, because trading two of their most popular players would run at least somewhat counter to No. 9. But holding on to them means declining an opportunity to stock talent that would realistically better align with the next window of opportunity to win.

Perez’s value is diminished by the worst offensive season of his career, though there is a feeling among some that he would be rejuvenated by joining a winner. Merrifield is 29 with a relatively short track record of success.

So the returns may not be overwhelming. But the guiding principle for all decisions should be what makes the Royals strongest in 2021 and beyond.

Adalberto Mondesi is dealing with a family emergency.

And Abraham Almonte is offically let go.

Jason Adam hopes his development will allow him to stick around.

“I threw maybe three changeups the entire time I was in the minor leagues, and now I throw three of them every time I go out,” said Adam, an Overland Park native and Blue Valley Northwest graduate. “There was some (hesitancy) the first time I threw it, but when Salvy liked it, I was like, ‘OK, it’s working.’ I think it was really good for me to see it work that first game. That gave me the confidence that this pitch competes. Let’s use it more.”

David Lesky at Baseball Prospectus Kansas City considers the impact of the Manny Machado trade on the Royals.

The Dodgers trade of Manny Machado is great news for the Royals in their efforts to move Mike Moustakas and maybe even Whit Merrifield. Since the Dodgers weren’t in on either and some teams like the Phillies, Yankees and Braves were in on Moose and maybe Merrifield too, along with Machado, it bodes well for the Royals chances of getting a better return on at least Moose and maybe makes Merrifield even more desirable. On the Moose front, I’m still skeptical that he’ll bring back much, but when teams get desperate, they do some crazy things. Plus I’ve been wondering if offering certain prospects for one player in a deal that doesn’t get completed makes those prospects more likely to go in a different deal. It’s sort of like loosening the lid on the jar.

Emily Waldon and Melissa Lockard at The Athletic profile some prospects, including Trevor Oaks.

The 6-3 right-hander added heat to his two-seam fastball that sat closer to 91 mph during college and now runs as high as 96 mph at its peak from a mid-3/4 slot. Oaks’ secondary pitches — although commanded with sharp accuracy to left- and right-handed hitters — lack the confidence behind his fastball.

Jeffrey Flanagan looks at what the Royals will do at the trade deadline.

Pete Grathoff tries to map a path to avoid 100 losses.

Four Royals make 2080 Baseball’s Top 125 prospects list.

Is Terrance Gore a trade chip?

Why MLB needs to stop using Mike Trout as a shield for its marketing failures.

The Cubs are on pace to have their worst rotation ever.

Bradford Doolittle looks at a common trade deadline mistake that many teams make.

Rob Manfred lists six cities that could be expansion candidates.

Lindsey Adler at The Athletic profiles Kyle Boddy, better known as Pitching Ninja.

Youth soccer participation is down significantly.

Why it should cost one point to punt in football.

Are things getting better or worse?

Geologists think there could be a quadrillion ton of diamonds inside our planet.

Why did American music festivals almost disappear in the 1970s and 80s?

Your song of the day is Cannonball Adderley with Stars Fell on Alabama.