Weekend Rumblings - News for February 8, 2020

Weekend Rumblings - News for February 8, 2020

Alec Lewis of The Athletic did a chat and addresses the fifth spot in the rotation.

I truly don’t believe the Royals have a front-runner for the fifth starter spot at the moment. The competition this spring will likely lead to the Royals’ answer there. I will say, the Royals don’t need a fifth starter until April 8. So they have some flexibility early on. From conversations I’ve had with folks inside and out of the organization, I think many believe Brady Singer is the readiest, and that’s really from a mental standpoint That’s also no knock on Jackson Kowar, Daniel Lynch and Kris Bubic, all of whom have really come along. I also think candidates to grab that fifth starter spot could be Foster Griffin, Chance Adams or others. It’s a very open spot right now, I believe.

Jeffrey Flanagan previews the battle at first base between Ryan O’Hearn and Ryan McBroom.

“I do feel like I finished strong,” O’Hearn said, “and that gave me something positive going into the offseason.”

O’Hearn admits that he let an early-season slump, and the fact he was hitting into some bad luck, get to him emotionally.

Matheny said he can relate.

“I was like that as a player,” Matheny said at the Winter Meetings. “It’s a game of failure, and you have to be able to forgive yourself for failure. I see a lot of myself in Ryan O’Hearn.”

Flanagan also writes about the development of young pitchers.

Moore cautions, though, that the club isn’t going to force any of its young pitchers onto the Opening Day roster.

“The truth is, we make many advance decisions on our young players,” Moore said. “We don’t necessarily let Spring Training results dictate our decisions. If we have them scheduled to go to Triple-A, that’s probably where they’re going to go. But certainly you have to keep an open mind and see how it plays out.”

Royals Reporter looks at whether the Reds are a template for what the Royals should do.

Will the Cubs trade Kris Bryant?

A.J. Hinch addresses the sign-stealing scandal in an interview with MLB Network.

A new report shows that Jeff Luhnow and the front office were instrumental in the sign-stealing.

Commissioner Rob Manfred admits players got immunity in exchange for talking about the sign-stealing.

Montreal leaders are confident a plan will be implemented to share the Rays.

Carlos Febles is a candidate for the Red Sox managerial job, but one report has the Red Sox hiring Ron Roenicke.

MLB may alter rules on owners and casino gambling for the Ilitch family in Detroit.

Jessica Mendoza signs an extension with ESPN and leaves her Mets job.

What if minor leagues had bowl games?

Famed baseball writer Roger Kahn dies at the age of 92.

Is Tom Brady worth $30 million to some team?

The winners and losers from the NBA trade deadline.

A plan for worldwide internet could change the night sky.

Netflix has removed nine titles due to requests by governments.

The case for each Best Picutre nominee to win the Oscar.

Your song of the day is Clifford Brown and Max Roach with Joy Spring.