Royals Rumblings - News for July 23, 2019

Royals Rumblings - News for July 23, 2019

Jeffrey Flanagan takes mailbag questions and looks at next year’s lineup, Bobby Witt, Jr.’s progress, and why Lucas Duda is on the team.

The signing of Duda back in Spring Training was puzzling to many, not just to those who cover the team, but to some inside the clubhouse. The coaching staff -- and I know fans don’t buy this term -- likes Duda’s “veteran presence.” Even as much as I’m around the team on a daily basis, it’s difficult to gauge that value with Duda, and I don’t mean that sarcastically. He’s a very quiet guy, and it’s just difficult to see that influence, especially because two of the players he was to mentor (O’Hearn and Frank Schwindel) aren’t even here.

Jim Bowden at The Athletic has thoughts on the trade deadline.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs would both like to acquire another right-handed hitter and a reliever, and they both match up well with the Rangers, Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers in that type of trade....

I personally would like to see the Cubs land Merrifield and Diekman, because I think they need a leadoff hitter with speed more than another power bat like Castellanos.

Clint Scoles at Royals Academy shares his thoughts on Josh Staumont.

Besides the walks though Staumont has done a nice job this season of changing his contact profile with the highest groundball rate (49.5%) of his career while limiting his line drive rate (8.6%) and increasing his infield flyball rate. On top of that, he’s continued to increase his K% while maintaining his home run per flyball percentage. Unfortunately, he’s never even hinted at the ability to improve the control when you consider the lowest walk percentage of his career is 15.8% while walking 6-8.3 per 9 at every stop along the way.

The ceiling here is probably Kyle Barraclough for the Nationals and Marlins.

The Royals officially release Wily Peralta.

Rustin Dodd at The Athletic has an interesting story about the history behind the website MLB Trade Rumors.

The Cubs are interested in Jarrod Dyson.

Jose Abreu may be targeted by Boston.

Tampa Bay is looking into Hunter Pence.

Ten prospects that could be on the move at the trade deadline.

Nick Castellanos calls Comerica Park a “joke.”

Stephen Strasburg is finally pitching like the ace we thought he was.

A look at changes in WAR and playing time based on age.

Rampant fraud is rocking the baseball card industry and the FBI is getting involved.

The complete history of the baseball walk-up song.

The 11 most-likely NFL player holdouts.

A look back at conference alignment and how the Pac 10 almost destroyed the Big 12.

Delivery apps are cheating delivery drivers out of tips.

Did Big Little Lies deliver on giving us big little lies?

What its like to write for a late night talk show now.

Your song of the day is Oasis with Live Forever.