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Royals Rumblings - News for January 19, 2021
Alec Lewis takes a look at how Royals payroll projects for the future.
Extensions made sense in the Royals’ first wave of contention under Moore and they make sense now. As mentioned earlier, Perez and Duffy are entering the final years of their contracts. Jorge Soler, meanwhile, will be a free agent at season’s end.
You could make a case for an extension for each player. Perez, 30, underwent Tommy John surgery — a rarity for a catcher — but returned in 2020 and won a Silver Slugger Award. With the young pitching rising the ranks, how could a club turn down the services of a productive veteran catcher?
Craig Brown has started his own newsletter. His first entry is five predictions for the Royals this year.
The Royals have been the stealth team so far this offseason. With the new year upon us and around 15 of the consensus top 20 free agents still unsigned, they not only have been stealth, they’ve been the only club outside of Tampa and San Diego that has seemingly made a move. (Don’t worry White Sox, didn’t forget about you.) The juice of the moment has the Royals in on Jurickson Profar, late of the Padres, which makes sense for a number of reasons. But with so many free agents out on a market that resembles Sibera in January, I’m wondering if the Royals don’t pivot late and snag one of those aforementioned top 20.
How about Michael Brantley?
Jake Tweedie at Prospects Worldwide gives his scouting report of Jackson Kowar.
His fastball is definitely something that he has worked on. He has the ability to find the strike zone and use his velocity to have hitters swinging-and-missing (like below). However, he can struggle with his control of the pitch, thus allowing him too many walks, or being punished for HRs.
His body moves quickly throughout his action, as well as his delivery being clean and simple. With added velocity as he develops it further, it will make the pitch even more dangerous.
The Royals officially sign one of the top Dominican shortstops.
The Royals signed Dominican shortstop Daniel Vazquez for $1.7 million this morning.https://t.co/ictibaoVvk pic.twitter.com/gAJ5XQyVO3
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) January 18, 2021
Wilson Betimet, who played for the Royals in 2010-2011, has a kid in the organization now.
Wilson Betemit Jr. signs with the Royals.https://t.co/ictibaGwmS pic.twitter.com/321vrmlCUp
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) January 18, 2021
Leigh Oleszczak at KC Kingdom thinks the Royals need to extend Salvador Perez.
The Padres add to their rotation again, getting Joe Musgrove from the Pirates in a three-team deal.
Padres are not simply addressing their pitching. Per sources, they are still trying to re-sign free-agent IF/OF Jurickson Profar.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) January 19, 2021
The Nationals sign pitcher Jon Lester to a one-year deal.
The Blue Jays keeping missing out on players, but they could still make a splash.
The Reds want Gleyber Torres from the Yankees for Luis Castillo.
The Dodgers are considering Marcus Semien for third base.
Mets GM Jared Porter sent unsolicited explicit photos of himself to a female reporter.
How will baseball roll out a vaccine program for players?
What team fared the best in international signings?
Doug Glanville says baseball needs more Black managers, but it won’t be him.
The Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame ballot has some problems.
San Diego Stadium, the first home of the Padres, is being torn down.
Eric Bienemy will interview for the Houston Texans coaching job.
Why the Jeremy Pruitt era failed at Tennessee.
Virgin’s rocket reaches orbit for the first time to deploys satellites.
A 25-year old bet has come due - has technology destroyed society?
Your song of the day is Supergrass with Pumping On Your Stereo.