Weekend Rumblings - News for February 23, 2019

Weekend Rumblings - News for February 23, 2019

Brian Goodwin is in the best shape of his life.

Goodwin reported to Arizona with 9 percent body fat. Asked if he remembered what it was before the offseason, Goodwin looked up from the folding chair in front of his locker, smiled and laughed while shaking his head.

“Yeah, I do. That’s like ingrained in the back of my head,” he replied.

Goodwin went into the offseason with 16 percent body fat. He’d committed that number to memory because it was so far from where he feels he should’ve been.

The Royals are embracing Rapsodo, the latest technology to track players.

For an old-school manager like Yost, the data-driven analysis certainly isn’t his focus, but the Rapsodo is ever-present and the information it gathers will quickly become a part of the daily conversation for members of his coaching staff.

“They understand all that crap,” Yost said. “I just make sure that they understand it. If they understand it and I need to understand it, they can explain it to me so at least we’re not missing the information. (Bullpen coach Vance Wilson) can tell you, he likes that stuff. (Quality control/catching coach) Pedro (Grifol), they love that stuff. Me, I’m just like can you get somebody out. “

Jeffrey Flanagan writes about the hard-throwing Connor Greene.

“Absolutely [command] has been an issue,” Greene said. “Commanding the zone has to get better. I wasn’t healthy last year. I had surgery on my [opposite] shoulder [in 2017], and I think I kind of rushed back because I wanted to help the Cardinals last year so I got into some bad habits.”

Whit Merrifield spoke to Rustin Dodd at The Athletic about his tweet critical of service time manipulation.

“I feel like it’s important for me to be involved and be knowledgeable of situations,” Merrifield said. “And to stand up for the players. Because it’s important for us. Players aren’t as involved as they were 10 or 20 years ago — in the (collective-bargaining agreement), in the bargaining and the union. And it’s important for us to stay involved. I feel like it’s important for me to be a voice for this team.”

David Lesky would like to see the Royals add one more free agent.

As for Gio Gonzalez (man, there are an awful lot of Gonzalez free agents still), he’d actually make a lot of sense for this team if he’s willing to come to a team that likely won’t win. I know they have a lot of starting pitching candidates, but do they have a lot of good starting pitching candidates? Yeah, I’d like to see what Heath Fillmyer can do with a few more starts, but would it really matter that much if he was in AAA to start the season? I think we’re trying to learn if he can be a competent fifth starter, so that can wait. Personally, I’d love to see the Royals go after someone who might need some value built on a team in a huge park boasting a phenomenal outfield defense with potential for a very good infield defense.

Rustin also writes about Jorge Soler’s trip back to Cuba.

Danny Duffy will match every donation up to $100,000 for Noah’s Bandage Project and you can donate here.

The Twins sign Marwin Gonzalez to a two-year deal.

Bryce Harper meets with the Phillies’ owner.

MLB announces there will be pitch clocks for spring training games.

The Nationals want Trea Turner to attempt 75-80 stolen bases this year.

Indians pitcher Josh Tomlin talks about what he learned at Driveline Baseball.

Foul balls are the pace of play problem no one talks about.

Boston-based baseball reporter Nick Cafardo dies at age 62.

Baseball participation is up significantly.

Four teams that could land running back Le’Veon Bell.

All the new MLS kits that will debut this year.

Russia may be planning to cut itself off from the internet.

Why we think cats are psychopaths.

Who should be the next Batman?

Your song of the day is Wynton Marsalis with 2/3’s Adventure.