Royals Rumblings - News for December 27, 2021

Royals Rumblings - News for December 27, 2021

Lynn Worthy updates us on where the Royals stand with their roster.

First baseman/outfielder Ryan O’Hearn had a torrid offensive performance in his brief Triple-A stint last season (.375/.451/.931 with 12 home runs in 19 games), but those results haven’t consistently translated to the majors. He played more games in the outfield last season than at first base.

Dozier and Merrifield could both see time in right field as well as in the infield.

Anne Rogers writes that Bobby Witt, Jr. is “itching” to compete.

“I think that was the biggest thing last season that worked for me, getting into the right routine to get your body right,” Witt said in a recent phone conversation. “That’s what I’ve tried to do this offseason as well, trying to get the routine down, trying to eat better, recover better, sleep better, all those types of things so that my body knows how to do that when the season comes.

“This is the time where you want to break down your body and see what it needs. A lot of learning and getting ready for what’s to come.”

She also helps compile a list of best gifts for each MLB team.

Royals: Don Denkinger’s World Series call

In umpire circles, Denkinger was a star. But because of one call in a crucial moment, he’s an enemy on the eastern side of Missouri and somewhat of a cult hero on the western side. In Game 6 of the 1985 World Series, with the Cardinals leading the Royals, 1-0 — and 3-2 in the series — the Royals came to bat in the bottom of the ninth. Pinch-hitter Jorge Orta hit a chopper on the AstroTurf and steamed up the line. Cardinals first baseman Jack Clark fielded the ball in front of second baseman Tom Herr as reliever Todd Worrell ran to first, and Clark threw it sidearm to the bag. It’s a close play at first glance — Denkinger rules the runner safe as the Cardinals begin arguing.

The Mets may be putting infielder Jeff McNeil on the trading block.

The Dodgers reportedly agreed to sign Cody Bellinger to a $17 million deal to avoid arbitration before the lockout.

The case against signing Carlos Correa.

Peter Gammons writes how Buck Showalter will change the culture with the Mets.

Pitcher Dan Straily is looking to return to MLB after time in Korea.

What would a Corbin Burnes contract extension look like?

Why do lefties have the sweetest swings?

A look at the Hall of Fame case of Jimmy Rollins.

How the Padres nearly moved to Washington, D.C.

How the game of baseball is growing in the Bahamas.

The NFL teams with the most hopeless futures.

The Premier League title is Manchester City’s to lose.

Private equity is getting into hospice chains.

NASA’s revolutionary James Webb Space Telescope is launched.

How The Matrix red-pill was co-opted by bad faith actors.

Your song of the day is The Airborne Toxic Event with Sometime Around Midnight.