Royals Rumblings

Royals Rumblings - News for January 4, 2021

Is this year better yet?

By Max Rieper@maxrieper Jan 4, 2021, 8:00am EST

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2021 Times Square New Year’s Eve Celebration

Royals Rumblings - News for January 4, 2021

Jeffrey Flanagan writes about five questions facing the Royals in 2021.

2. How will the rotation look? Brad Keller has established himself as the ace, and it’s likely Brady Singer will slide into the No. 2 spot. Manager Mike Matheny told MLB.com he views Danny Duffy as a starter, not a bullpen option. Minor and Kris Bubic would then fill out the rotation. And don’t rule out Carlos Hernández, who was impressive at the end of 2020.

Paul Boyd talks to Vance Wilson about his first season on the Royals coaching staff.

Ultimately, he was taking direction from the manager, in this case Royals’ manager Mike Matheny.

“Even though you’re making the same decisions, your body movements are the same, you’re not making the calls pre-pitch,” said Wilson, who served as the Royals bullpen coach the past two seasons. “I hate to say it, but my hardest part in spring training was remembering to look at Mike in the dugout.

“Even though I did it in the minor leagues, I was in the pitching department for two years. Man, I was really out of place for about the first week of spring training.”

Will Leitch at MLB.com predicts the best player on each team in 2021.

Royals: Salvador Perez, C

He was an absolute monster down the stretch last year. A full season could bring him back to All-Star level ... or even higher.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter ranks the top 21 prospects in the Royals organization.

Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman looks at what’s ahead for the Royals in January.

Padres GM A.J. Preller confirms they have had preliminary talks with Fernando Tatis, Jr. about a contract extension.

The Dodgers show interest in second baseman D.J. LeMahieu.

The Cubs sign pitcher Adam Morgan to a minor league deal.

The Marlins sign catcher Sandy Leon and pitcher Ross Detwiler to minor league deals.

Pitcher Phil Hughes officially announces his retirement.

Japanese pitcher Tomoyuki Sugano has offers from Japanese and MLB clubs.

Why some fans stopped watching baseball in 2020, and how the game can win them back.

Evan Dreilich at The Athletic writes why spring training will likely start on time.

The Red Sox hire Bianca Smith as a minor league coach, the first Black female to hold such a position in baseball.

Jon Bois tries to ruin sports video games.