Royals Rumblings - News for January 7, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for January 7, 2019

Matt McLaughlin at Pitcher List looks at what Billy Hamilton can do for the Royals.

Now, here lies the key red flag (no pun intended), and the reason that Hamilton was non-tendered this winter. As the K.C. Star pointed out, his 132 strikeouts as a Red last year would have led the 2018 Royals. His career total of 554 punchouts has prevented a star from emerging. One suspects that Hamilton will continue to be up at the plate hacking, he bats .362 lifetime when he puts the first pitch in play. He doesn’t have a double-digit walk rate in any significant sample since 2012. His BB % of 8.3 last year (Strikeout Rate: 23.7%) was his career best in the major leagues, excluding his brief stint in 2013. The Royals will certainly try to instill more patience, but, at 28, it’s likely that Hamilton is who he is. This is where most of the risk is, borne out by last year’s .236 batting average.

The Yankees sign outfielder Billy Burns to a minor league deal.

The Royals have delayed naming a manager for the Burlington squad.

The Royals alumni association donated over $20,000 to charity over the holidays.

This slow free agent market may be the new normal.

The Yankees sign reliever Zack Britton to a three-year deal.

The Mets acquire outfielder Keon Broxton from the Brewers and third baseman J.D. Davis from the Astros.

Ichiro Suzuki will be on the active Mariners roster for their Opening Day game in Japan.

Pitcher Oliver Drake has become quite the journeyman.

What is the future of Cuban baseball if its stars can leave?

Former Chiefs tight end Tony Gonzalez is a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

We almost had a skating version of Space Jam starring Tony Hawk.

It looks like Sears will have to liquidate.

How Taiwan has achieved one of the highest recycling rates in the world.

J.K. Rowling reveals that wizards used to just poop on the floor.

Your song of the day is R.E.M. with What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?