Royals Rumblings - News for January 11, 2021

Royals Rumblings - News for January 11, 2021

Dayton Moore addressed the media last week, and Jason Beck writes they could still make a move.

“I think a left-handed bat would be very helpful,” Moore said Friday on a video conference with reporters. “Certainly as much as we possibly can [have] in the bullpen is always a pressing need for almost all Major League Baseball teams.

“It is a very healthy market in terms of numbers and players available at this point in time. [Assistant GMs] Scott Sharp and Jin Wong remain diligent with the different agents out there and monitoring what could be available and what perhaps we can acquire based on where we are financially.”

If the Royals add a player, it would most likely be through free agency. Moore said Kansas City has exhausted its trade options and doesn’t have “a whole lot going on right now” with other teams in talks.

Clint Scoles at Royals Academy gives his thoughts.

We hear these comments again from Moore, and it seems so apparent that Jurickson Profar fits the mold here, as I have written before. That pushes Cordero into a position where he has to earn his spot. The best-case scenario for the Royals would be that he does earn that spot and pushes Nicky Lopez to the bench, with Whit moving back to second base. That would be the best lineup offensively for the Royals. If Cordero would miss out on earning that spot, he still has options to go to Omaha and work on his craft, similar to what Jorge Soler did in 2017. A late-season callup and eventual replacement for Soler at the DH role in ‘22 would make plenty of sense.

Lynn Worthy writes the club may be creative this season.

Many of the young pitchers likely in consideration for major-league roster spots at some point this year, such as top prospects Daniel Lynch, Jackson Kowar and Carlos Hernández, haven’t pitched full seasons in the big leagues. Coupled with last year’s pandemic-shortened season and the lack of the minors, the health and workloads of pitchers an ongoing discussion throughout the season.

“It’s one pitcher at a time based on their previous health, based on what their kinetic chain looks like, the evaluation of their kinetic chain, the type of pitcher they are,” Moore said of the approach to their pitchers in spring training. “... A lot of factors go into that.”

Moore said he and manager Mike Matheny discussed the potential of a six-man starting rotation last year. It remains an option for 2021.

Michael Kelly at Prospects 1500 ranks the top 50 Royals prospects.

A Missouri girl injured at a Royals game joins the push for increased netting at ballparks.

Kyle Schwarber signs a one-year deal with the Nationals and Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman writes why he wasn’t a fit for Kansas City.

There is industry chatter the Cubs will trade Kris Bryant soon.

The Padres are exploring a long-term deal with Fernando Tatis, Jr.

Cleveland could not capitalize on its window with Francisco Lindor.

If owners don’t want the best players, what’s the point?

A fired Angels clubhouse attendant accuses Gerrit Cole and others of using his product to doctor baseballs.

MLB is bracing for a reduction in TV rights in a pending ESPN deal.

Former Cuban star and Red Sox prospect Rusney Castillo signs in Japan.

Why are there so many Cubs fans in Belize?

How a Chicago data geek helped sleuth Negro League stats.

LaMelo Ball becomes the youngest player ever to record a triple-double.

The Houston Texans ignored their search firm in hiring their new general manager.

DraftKings will allow betting on drone races in some states.

Meteorites that formed in the earliest days of the solar system may contain liquid water.

The most anticipated TV shows for 2021.

Your song of the day is The English Beat with Best Friend.