Royals Rumblings - News for November 10, 2020

Royals Rumblings - News for November 10, 2020

David Schoenfield at ESPN makes off-season predictions for each team.

What they could do: Add a couple of big sticks.

What we predict they will do: Sign Jurickson Profar and Robbie Grossman.

If you squint, you can see a long-shot playoff contender in Kansas City, especially if young starting pitchers Brady Singer and Kris Bubic make a big leap forward in 2021. The Royals have struggled to fill first base since Eric Hosmer departed, although it looks like Hunter Dozier will move there now. Profar fits in at left field or even second base if they tire of Nicky Lopez’s anemic bat. Grossman would provide further outfield depth, allowing Whit Merrifield to play center field if necessary, or DH if Jorge Soler is traded.

Clint Scoles at Royals Academy wonders if the Royals could make a splash in free agency.

Knowing the market is depressed if the Royals jumped out and tossed four years to Marcus Stroman, could it be considered a bad investment? At 30 years old on May 1st, the Royals would be grabbing age 30-33 seasons for a pitcher with three fWAR values from ‘16-19 before his opt-out in 2020. The Royals want a starter, Stroman is one of the better starters available, and the market should be depressed to the level that they wouldn’t have to overpay that much that it would be ludicrous to get out in front. Taking that risk this year makes some sense in my mind to give him four years and 64 to 70m compared to the 3-year prediction by Craig Edwards or Jim Bowden’s 3-45m.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter has some free agent ideas for the Royals, like Kevin Pillar.

However, Pillar could be a great stopgap solution for the Royals, especially if they believe that Lee and Isbel are close to being Major-League ready in 2022. Pillar improved his BB/K ratio 0.32, his best mark since 2017, when he played with the Blue Jays. Furthermore, his ISO (isolated slugging) has been .174, .173, and .173 the past three seasons, which shows that he could provide some much needed pop for the Royals, especially toward the bottom of the lineup. Lastly, he can play multiple positions in the outfield, and the Royals may need that defensive flexibility with options like Franchy Cordero, Edward Olivares, and Whit Merrifield all vying for time in Kauffman’s spacious grounds.

Shawn Bauman at Kings of Kauffman looks at what a Kris Bryant trade with the Royals would look like.

Kyle Lewis and Devin Williams are named Rookie of the Year.

Who are some early Rookie of the Year candidates for next year?

A glut of available shortstops may make it difficult for the Indians to trade Francisco Lindor.

The Astros have discussed a new deal with free agent outfielder Michael Brantley.

Court records show Tony LaRussa had a second DUI this year.

Can new ownership make the Mets less Metsy?

MLB barely tested for PEDs this year.

What does it mean for baseball now that Alex Cora and AJ Hinch are managing again?

Peter Woodfork is assigned by MLB to oversee the minor leagues.

Five members of the Dodgers test positive for coronavirus.

The Tigers hire Michigan coach Chris Fetter to be pitching coach, the second college coach to make the jump to the big leagues in recent years.

How almost every pitcher is using an illegal substances to get a grip on the ball.

Karleigh Webb at Beyond the Boxscore writes about how to increase Black participation in baseball.

Is this year’s rookie quarterback class better than the 2004 class?

Gonzaga tops the first college basketball AP poll.

Chris Nikic becomes the first person with Down syndrome to finish an Ironman competition.

McDonald’s announces its own meatless patty - the McPlant.

Nintendo doesn’t follow the rules of traditional video games, but does it matter?

Your song of the day is Iggy & The Stooges with Search and Destroy.