Royals Rumblings - News for August 25, 2020

Royals Rumblings - News for August 25, 2020

Lynn Worthy talks to Dayton Moore about the uncertainty of this year’s trade deadline.

“We wouldn’t hesitate to add to this team,” Moore said. “This team is talented enough to be one of eight teams representing the American League in the playoffs. I believe that with all of my heart.

“They’re talented enough to be one of eight teams. So I’m not even beginning to think about dismantling or moving players that help us win at this point. I believe that this group of players is extremely talented and very much capable of being a playoff team.”

He also writes about Matt Harvey’s road back to the big leagues.

Gibson also saw a very different attitude in the guy who showed up in July.

“There’s no doubt,” Gibson said. “This game has a way of humbling all of us at different points in our life and career. He obviously rode at the highest level in the biggest market and then hit some rough spots. During that time, I’m not sure he necessarily realized what he needed to do to get back to where he was.

“But he showed up at the T-Bones ballpark the first day and we got to talking, I recognized very quickly that he had been humbled. He had reached a point where he had a lot of questions and not enough answers. And he went to work right away.”

Jeff Passan preview the trade deadline, with some Royals names discussed.

Kansas City closer Trevor Rosenthal might be the best relief arm available. Teams may get frisky and ask the Royals about Whit Merrifield, Salvador Perez, Hunter Dozier and others, but the Royals want to win in 2021, and in the soon-to-be-loaded AL Central, that’s going to take all the present quality they can muster.

Ken Rosenthal also writes that the Royals may not do what everyone expects.

None of that means the Royals will re-sign Rosenthal, not when the pitcher’s agent, Scott Boras, likely will seek a financial package beyond the team’s comfort level this winter. But the Royals’ Dayton Moore, more than most GMs, sees the bigger picture.

If Rosenthal wanted to join a pennant race, Moore likely would try to honor his wishes. Otherwise, Moore might lean toward keeping his team intact, mindful of the sacrifices the players are making to comply with the health and safety protocols, and the message that trading Rosenthal or even Greg Holland would send to the clubhouse.

The Royals officially have a television deal in place.

Alec Lewis profiles Royals second-round pick Ben Hernandez.

“Don’t worry about those right now,” the trainer said. “Just worry about a fastball and changeup.”

He showed Ben a changeup grip, which would pay off much later on. When Joanne returned, she asked how Ben did.

“He’s a natural,” the trainer said.

Once again, Joanne laughed.

“You’re kidding,” she responded.

“No,” the trainer said. “He’s a natural.”

Pinstripe Alley wants the Yankees to trade for Josh Staumont.

Bradford Doolittle at ESPN writes about George Brett’s chase for .400 in 1980.

What prospects could be on the move at the deadline?

The Giants designate Hunter Pence for assignment.

Eric Hosmer is finally starting to hit the ball into the air.

The Angels are building a tradition of disappointing baseball.

Baseball’s weirdest season will get wackier in the post-season.

Jake Cronenworth has become the hidden gem for the Padres.

Baseball America writes that desperation in the minors breeds innovation.

Clemson is the top team in football in the first AP poll.

The NFL is dealing with a lot of false positive COVID-19 tests.

Sorry, but an asteroid is not taking out the Earth before Election Day.

Why is there a dumbbell shortage in the United States?

What’s fact and what’s fiction in the new film Tesla?

Your song of the day is The Decemberists with O Valencia.