Royals Rumblings - News for October 29, 2020

Royals Rumblings - News for October 29, 2020

Jeffrey Flanagan has frequently asked questions about the off-season.

And Kansas City will definitely be interested in re-signing Holland, who was 3-0 with a 1.91 ERA and had six saves. Holland was well-liked by the younger Royals relievers, who viewed him as a mentor. But, of course, finances will be an issue in trying to bring back Holland, or Trevor Rosenthal, who started the season with the Royals and was traded to San Diego. Rosenthal also is a pending free agent.

Lynn Worthy also has a primer for the off-season.

Clint Scoles looks at potential free agent starting pitchers.

Jose Quintana - There are very few dependable options for innings on the free-agent market, but one of the best could be the former Chicago foe. Last season he couldn’t provide that for the Cubs, but previous to that, he’s averaged roughly 200 innings per season in his previous seven campaigns. The Royals wouldn’t be getting an ace here, but they aren’t going to find one of those on this market. This lefty has been a dependable middle to the backend could be a nice addition while teaching young pitchers how to grind through the day to day. Despite a down year and an iffy ‘19, Quintana is still worth multiple years at 32 years old.

Paul Sporer at Fangraphs lists starting pitchers to watch for in 2021, including Brady Singer.

It was a solid little debut for Singer. He put up a nice 4.06 ERA/1.17 WHIP with a 23% K rate and 9% BB rate in 64.3 innings. His sinker/slider combo held both righties and lefties at bay and while he certainly got the most out of his 10% swinging strike rate, I think he could feasibly improve that, especially if his show-me changeup develops into a true third pitch.

He got just a 40-grade on the pitch when slotting in as KC’s 4th prospect so it’s not surprising that he used it just 5% of the time. That will be key to him taking another step in 2021 and beyond. All told, I was impressed by him making the jump from Double-A to the majors. He can put up another low-4.00s mark with a good WHIP as-is with upside if his two reliable pitches develop and that changeup comes along.

Alec Lewis explores the question of what if the Royals had convinced Dan Marino or John Elway to play baseball?

“There was a time, and I’ll say this,” Schuerholz said, “and maybe (the Marinos) didn’t feel this way, but there was a time, I believed, where there was at least an even chance where he was maybe going decide he wanted to play for the Kansas City Royals.”

What would that have looked like?

“We liked him a lot as a third baseman,” Schuerholz said. “And he had all those characteristics and leadership qualities and the mental toughness.”

The owner and general manager of the Burlington Royals talk about their future now that they are no longer affiliated with MLB.

The Detroit Tigers release former Royals outfielder Jorge Bonifacio.

David Scharff at Kings of Kauffman thinks it may be time to move on from Bubba Starling.

A defense of Kevin Cash pulling Blake Snell.

Why pulling Snell represents the starting pitcher apocalypse.

MLB says Justin Turner violated coronavirus protocols.

Inside the night Clayton Kershaw became a champion in his hometown.

Are the Dodgers a dynasty?

Max Muncy took a shot at Commissioner Rob Manfred.

147 players became free agents yesterday.

MLB owners are laying off hundreds of staffers around the league.

A look at the political donations of sports owners.

Are baseball analogies for sex outdated?

The Sixers will hire former Rockets GM Daryl Morey.

The Wisconsin/Nebraska game is off due to positive COVID-19 tests.

The pandemic could end waiting in line.

Entomologists in Washington destroying Asian giant hornets nests looks like something out of a sci-fi movie.

Jon Stewart returns to television with a series for Apple.

Your song of the day is Phish with Bouncing Around the Room.