Royals Rumblings - News for February 4, 2021
Mike Matheny wants his pitchers ready to work, writes Lynn Worthy.
With the first spring training workout two weeks away, all that information and know-how boils down to this basic pillar: Pitchers need to be ready to pitch. Period.
The Royals brain trust, including general manager Dayton Moore, manager Mike Matheny and pitching coach Cal Eldred, seems poised to take an aggressive-yet-careful tact with their pitchers rather than treat them exclusively with kid gloves.
“After talking to Cal, he was just like, ‘Come into the season prepared, ready to go for the whole season,’” Royals starting pitcher Brad Keller said last week. “I feel like across the board that was the message for everybody. Don’t expect to get pampered. Come in ready to work and get innings under our belt, and we’ll go from there.”
At his Missouri Sports Hall of Fame induction, Dayton Moore raves about his pitching to Derek Shore of the Joplin Globe.
“We haven’t had this much depth and quality depth with our pitching in our organization since we’ve been here,” Moore said. “In fact, with all those years in Atlanta, we’ve never had a group assembled like this, either. Young pitching is fragile. A lot has to go right. We started with Adam Wainwright way back in Atlanta, and he didn’t break into the major leagues as a top-of-the-rotation starter. He broke in out of the bullpen and had to take his lumps along the way, as have a lot of great pitchers. It’s fragile, but we’re very pleased and enthused and encouraged about the young pitching we have on the horizon.”
Anne Rogers contributes to this piece looking at how Salvador Perez stacks up to other Central Division catchers.
After Perez’s accomplishments in 2020 — including winning the AL Comeback Player of the Year Award — there isn’t much unknown about his starting spot. What is unknown is what happens after this year. Perez is entering the final year of his contract, and the Royals will likely try to extend him. The club’s payroll provides flexibility over the next few years, and that, combined with Perez’s talent, performance and meaning to the organization will increase the likelihood of an extension.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter thinks we could see a platoon at second base.
The Royals are expecting fans at the K this year.
Shawn Bauman at Kings of Kauffman wants to see the Royals trade a pitching prospect for outfielder Lourdes Gurriel.
Former Kansas City Athletics player and longtime MLB coach Wayne Terwilliger dies at age 95.
The Brewers sign second baseman Kolten Wong to a two-year, $18 million deal.
Nelson Cruz re-signs with the Twins on a one-year, $13 million deal.
Former Royals reliever Joakim Soria signs a one-year deal with the Diamondbacks.
Alex Colomé signs with the Twins on a one-year deal.
The Blue Jays reportedly have interest in catcher Yadier Molina.
The Biden administration asks MLB to delay the season by a month.
Ben Clemens at Fangraphs tries to evaluate the modified Nolan Arenado contract.
The Rockies show what not to say after trading your team’s superstar.
Why making contact could become more important.
We have female NFL referees, but when will we see a female umpire in MLB?
The time 5’3’’ NBA player Muggsy Bogues played a minor league baseball game.
A barber tests positive for COVID-19 just before 20 Chiefs players were scheduled to have him cut their hair.
How the pandemic has erased a lot of casual friendships.
Why the Wayne’s World Super Bowl ad is depressing.
The winners and losers from this year’s Golden Globe nominations.
Your song of the day is Social Distortion with Story of My Life.