Royals Rumblings

Royals Rumblings - News for February 4, 2019

Whit is among the most underrated players.

By Max Rieper@maxrieper Feb 4, 2019, 8:00am EST

Royals Rumblings - News for February 4, 2019

Anthony Castrovince at MLB.com names Whit Merrifield to his “All-Underrated Team.”

It is, perhaps, a bit awkward to list Merrifield here after he just signed a four-year deal with the Royals. But it’s not like the $16.25 million guarantee set the world aflame.

What that contract did was affirm what an inspirational example Merrifield is for every Minor Leaguer wondering when or if his ship will come in. Here was basically a non-prospect who didn’t get his first big league opportunity until age 27 and who looked to be a bench option, at best. Merrifield forced himself into the everyday lineup by playing virtually any position and using his speed to generate runs. Last year, he became just the third player since World War II to lead the Majors in hits (192) and stolen bases (45), and Jose Altuve was the only American League second baseman with a higher on-base percentage than his .367 mark.

David Schoenfield of ESPN ranks the worst contract on each team.

15. Kansas City Royals: Ian Kennedy (2 years, $33 million)

Danny Duffy is under contract for three more years and $46 million, and both were bad in 2018, but Duffy has the better chance of bouncing back.

Photographer John Leifer recollects his year capturing the 1972 Royals.

Former Royals pitcher Jason Hammel signs a minor league deal with the Rangers.

Bradley Potter at Kings of Kauffman argues why you should go to Royals spring training.

Surprise your Valentine with a Sluggerrr Gram this year.

The Padres may prefer Bryce Harper to Manny Machado.

Kyler Murray goes on Dan Patrick’s show and is awkwardly silent about the baseball/football issue.

Sean Manaea feels great after shoulder surgery.

Player movement across teams is decreasing.

How former pitcher Chris Caupano wants to reinvent the league through biomechanics.

A breakdown of where each team found the talent on their roster.

An underage girl was assaulted at the Dodgers spring training hotel in 2015 and Gabe Kapler failed to report it.

The Jose Bautista bat-flip ball sells at auction for $28,000.