Independence Day Rumblings - News for July 4, 2019

Independence Day Rumblings - News for July 4, 2019

Jesse Sanchez writes that the Erick Peña signing is official.

“I would hesitate to put comparisons to someone like Carlos Beltran -- we’re talking about someone who probably is going to the Hall of Fame,” Royals assistant general manager of international operations Rene Francisco said by phone. “But we’re very excited to have [Pena]. We have been following him for three years now, and he is a very skilled and athletic player.

“He is very smart and from a great family. He speaks fluent English, and just a very bright young man who plays the game with intelligence.”

Alec Lewis also writes about the international signings.

Ryan Ruhde of Royals Farm Report looks at how much the Royals can help their farm system at the trade deadline.

Merrifield is, without a doubt, the Royals’ best trade piece, and Dayton Moore continues to insist that Merrifield will not be traded save for an overwhelming return. Merrifield would boost any contending team a considerable amount, and for this reason every one of those teams will need to be willing to cough up said return. The Rays, Astros, Phillies, and Padres are all teams who would benefit greatly this year and in the coming years from the addition of Merrifield. It would be nice for each team to add another elite offensive option with guys like Kevin Kiermaier, Josh Reddick/Jose Altuve, Cesar Hernandez, and Manuel Margot, respectively, taking regular at-bats.

Bubba had a night.

milb.com gives the Royals a C for their farm system.

The Royals were expected to be a little more well-rounded than the Tigers, even if they lacked the same potential, but they’ve dealt with much of the same problems without the types of top-of-the-line performances Detroit has received from Mize and Manning. That said, the pitchers have been solid....Still, there hasn’t been a sustained, standout offensive threat among ranked prospects, and the 13th-best winning percentage among farm systems makes this about as C-grade as it gets.

The list of Home Run Derby participants does not include Jorge Soler.

Kyle Isbel is listed by Baseball America as one of the best power-speed combo prospects in baseball.

Adalberto Mondesi and Hunter Dozier are among the hitters ZIPS missed on the most.

Tommy La Stella is out 8-10 weeks with a broken leg.

Xander Bogaerts is among those called on to replace All-Stars out with injury.

Here is what Max Scherzer looks like in an Expos uniform.

How DJ LeMahieu became the Yankees’ savior.

Prosecutors drop domestic abuse charges against Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera.

The U.S. Women’s National Team is exactly as arrogant as you perceive them to be.

15-year old Cori Gauff continues her stunning run at Wimbledon.

Amazon confirms it holds onto Alexa data even if you delete audio files.

Mad Magazine may be shutting down.

Spiderman: Far From Home may be the definitive Spiderman movie.

Your song of the day is Miley Cyrus with Party in the USA.