Weekend Rumblings - News for July 27, 2019

Weekend Rumblings - News for July 27, 2019

Lynn Worthy writes that Cheslor Cuthbert is making the most of his opportunity.

“I don’t see much difference in him now than I did when he was really productive,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “This, in my mind, is who he is — a productive offensive player at the big-league level.”

Your Adalberto Mondesi update!

Steve Adams at MLB Trade Rumors wonders why the Royals won’t eat money in a potential trade for Ian Kennedy.

If the Royals are eyeing contention in 2020, hats off to them for making an effort in a weak division at a time when so many other clubs are insistent on lengthy rebuilds that inherently come with diminishing returns. (The more clubs that tank, the less effective the benefits of tanking become.) But even if that’s the case, it’s hard to see how retaining Kennedy at $16.5MM for next season meshes with that plan. If the alternative is adding a quasi-interesting prospect or two and saving some money that could be reinvested in the 2020 roster, the Royals should be willing to sell Kennedy at peak value.

Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs thinks Danny Duffy is an under-the-radar trade prospect.

The Royals may be a difficult trade partner given their rumored demands for Whit Merrifield, but Kansas City has him on a very inexpensive contract, reducing the financial consequences of keeping him for their 2020 pennant fantasies. At $15 million per, the team may not have the same motivation with Danny Duffy, who has at least partially rehabilitated his value after an unimpressive 2018. $15 million may be a lot for the Royals, but it really shouldn’t be a huge barrier for a team wanting to acquire a pitcher who can help them beyond 2018. There’s no guarantee the Royals will be reasonable in their demands for Duffy, but it’s something I’d at least want to explore.

Matthew Trueblood at Baseball Prospectus thinks the Royals may miss their window on trading Whit Merrifield.

He’s so much older than we tend to remember, because he came up so late. In this day and age, there is no reliable way for a player whose value takes the shape of Merrifield’s (a high BABIP skill, speed, good defense at multiple positions) to remain a star into their mid-30s. The Twins blew it by waiting too long to trade Brian Dozier, primarily because they became captive to their own brilliance, having signed him to a contract that worked out swimmingly but trapped them into seeing him as a core piece even after he ceased to be one. The Royals should learn from their rival’s mistake and move Merrifield now, while he’ll still return a massive haul that can supplement a recovering farm system.

Marc Hulet at Fangraphs profiles AL Central prospects, including Khalil Lee.

Extremely athletic, Lee combines that with good speed to cause havoc on the base paths. He’s developed into a very good base runner and has 40 steals in 47 tries. If he can continue to polish his hitting, he has a chance to develop into an everyday outfielder with stolen base abilities and raw power that he has yet to fully tap into on a regular basis. ETA: 2020.

A look at some of the longest active homerless streaks (Billy Hamilton tops the list!)

The Orioles designate Nate Karns for assignment.

Fox Sports regional sports networks are pulled from DISH Network and Sling in a contract dispute.

Ben Zobrist will begin a rehab assignment.

The Cubs acquire left-handed pitcher Derek Holland.

Mookie Betts makes it four days in a row MLB has had a three-home run game.

Jeff Passan wonders why this trade deadline is so dead.

The trade market is all about pitching right now.

Baseball America finds that prospects acquired at the deadline rarely amount to much.

Are we going to start seeing mid-plate appearance pitching changes?

Writing at The Athletic, Dale Muprhy thinks the next revolution in baseball will be towards guys that put the ball in play and get on base.

Do players at certain baseball positions live longer than others?

Which NFL teams will be surprise disappointments this year?

The WNBA will experiment with hockey-style substitutions during its All-Star Game.

If you die from an asteroid, this is how it will happen.

An oral history of Revenge of the Nerds comes to terms with how poorly the film has aged.

The best food moments from Quentin Tarantino movies.

Your song of the day is Dave Brubeck with Besame Mucho.