Weekend Rumblings - News for August 29, 2020

Weekend Rumblings - News for August 29, 2020

Jeffrey Flanagan writes that the Royals will likely stand pat at the trade deadline.

Chance of a deal: 25 percent. Sure, it doesn’t look promising for the Royals to make it to the postseason, not unless they go on a wild hot streak. But Moore isn’t likely to make a deal just for the sake of making a deal. Moore has hinted in recent days of holding onto his present group – he may be growing weary of flipping good players ahead of the Trade Deadline and getting in return only fringe prospects, which is mostly what you get these days for rentals. Yes, there’s always a chance a bidding war over Rosenthal could land the Royals something special, and in that case, Moore wouldn’t say no.

Clint Scoles at Royals Academy has some thoughts on the upcoming trade deadline.

It would be nice if the Royals really took advantage of some team in a prospect deal but I don’t expect that to come with an upper-level prospect. To do this they are likely going to need to snag someone from the rookie or lower levels of a system as modern general managers aren’t likely to give up longterm assets for a rental. If teams are going to find the next Fernando Tatis they are going to have to do it from the DSL group or rookie complex groups. Lately, GMDM appears adverse to doing that with position prospects. That strategy needs to change if the Royals want to succeed in finding big returns or restocking the farm system continually.

Dayton Moore is frustrated by MLB’s lack of a plan for player development, writes Lynn Worthy.

“There’s no way to evaluate a player if he’s not playing baseball, if you’re trying to evaluate him as a baseball player,” Moore said. “You simply cannot.

“Hopefully, we’re able to have an extended instructional league program where we can try to recapture some of those evaluations and put players in a better position to compete in 2021. I don’t think we understand the atrophy in our game right now because of the inactivity.

“Baseball is a game that requires a strong commitment. It’s repetition, repetition, repetition, perfect your skills at a level that allows you to compete. It’s just very difficult to try to make those evaluations when we haven’t had a chance to interact with players.”

A look at how Denny Matthews is calling Royals games from his home.

Doctors advised Matthews to work from home because of chronic respiratory issues. He missed the ballpark and concedes working from home has taken some getting used to.

“I didn’t have the monitor when I first started, so I learned how to judge the pitches and watch the action,” said Matthews. ”All in all, it’s been great. You can see the pitches great from that centerfield camera, so that’s a big plus.”

Whit Merrifield clarifies comments he made on playing instead of protesting as other teams have done.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter looks at the Brett Phillips trade.

Prospects Worldwild ranks the top 20 Royals prospects.

The White Sox acquire former Royals outfielder Jarrod Dyson.

The Angels send infielder Tommy La Stella to the Athletics for Franklin Barreto.

The A’s and Astros walk off the field in protest for social justice.

Manny Ramirez signs a deal to play in the Australian Baseball League.

Jeff Passan thinks MLB’s foray into social justice was a mess, and that made it perfect.

Steve Cohen appears to be the winning bidder on the Mets.

Williamsport is without the Little League World Series for the first time in 73 years.

Eric Longenhagen at Fangraphs looks at which teams may have 40-man roster crunches this winter.

The Big Ten is considering starting the season on Thanksgiving weekend.

Where do all 32 NFL teams stand on whether there will be fans this year?

A history of the dirtiest songs to hit the top 100 charts.

The summer without blockbusters.

Car buyers are finding limited supply and higher prices.

Your song of the day is the Oscar Peterson Trio with Easy Does It.