Royals Rumblings - News for July 27, 2021

Royals Rumblings - News for July 27, 2021

Alec Lewis has a good piece detailing how Daniel Lynch made adjustments for his impressive outing.

The work began with establishing consistency with his front arm.

“The front lead arm is the steering wheel of the delivery,” Gibson said. “How it holds the line to the plate is so important in being consistent, especially for a starting pitcher. Relief pitchers can get away with a lot of things, and people call it deception, and that’s fine because they’re out there for such a short period. It gets harder for starters to command their fastballs (with an inconsistent front arm), and when you don’t have fastball command, you start running to pitches and things you think you can get people out with. Next thing you know, you’ve got 80 pitches in four innings.”

Lewis and Corey Brock of The Athletic work out a trade for Whit Merrifield.

You bring up a bunch of interesting players, beginning with Trammell. He’s interesting as a potential everyday left fielder, who might fit seamlessly if the Royals can’t extend Andrew Benintendi. His inability to make consistent contact worries me a bit, but, as mentioned, the Royals’ hitting development department has proven so potent that I have faith in his progression toward the prospect status he once held. So sure, if we’re going to do this we’ll include him — unless you’re willing to part with 2020 MLB Draft pick Zach DeLoach, who posted a .930 OPS at High A and has already received a bump to Double A.

David Lesky at Inside the Crown gives his thoughts on a potential Merrifield deal.

I still don’t think the Royals are going to be terribly aggressive, much to many’s dismay. But I think there’s at least a chance they move Merrifield. What I’ve heard is that they are legitimately listening to offers at least, which is more than I think was true in the past. I still think they won’t get as much as they want, which is another story, but they’re listening. Word is that the Mariners want him badly after missing out on Adam Frazier, but I put the percent chance Merrifield is dealt at somewhere around 30 percent, which is more than it ever has been.

ESPN writers discuss where some coveted players should be traded.

Schoenfield: Imagine what the Royals could have gotten for Merrifield after the 2019 season, coming off two straight .300 seasons when he led the AL in hits, with a team-friendly contract that ran through 2023. The contract is still team-friendly, and Merrifield is still a good player; but now he is 32, and the contract is just two more seasons instead of four. The Mariners could use him; maybe they’re a long shot to catch the A’s for the wild card. But Seattle needs a second baseman, and Merrifield is a long-term investment for the next two seasons.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes that the Royals are getting hot at the worst possible time.

Maybe it’s just temporary. And as I said before, this is just terrible timing. The Royals and Dayton Moore should look to unload Whit and other veterans for some prospects, look to get a higher draft pick, and look to give younger guys development at the MLB level, even if it comes at the expense of the W-L record in the short term.

But the Royals are instead surging. Their playing some fun baseball, and Royals fans like myself, as masochistic as we can be, are eating it all up.

Mark Van Sickle at Inside the Royals thinks changes could be coming to the Royals.

The Yankees acquire pitcher Clay Holmes from the Pirates for two minor leaguers.

The Athletics pick up lefty reliever Andrew Chafin from the Cubs.

The Nationals are shopping everyone but Juan Soto and teams are calling about Trea Turner.

The Padres are discussing trades for Eric Hosmer.

Cleveland pitcher Nick Wittgren says he received death threats after a rough game.

A majority of Dodgers players reportedly do not want Trevor Bauer to return this year.

A look back at Hideo Nomo, who paved the way for Japanese ballplayers in MLB.

Fangraphs lists the ten most valuable players in baseball in terms of trade value.

The Packers work out a deal with Aaron Rodgers for one more run.

13-year-old Momiji Nishiya is one of the youngest Olympic gold medalists ever.

The FDA asks COVID vaccine makers to expand their testing on children.

LucasFilm hired a Youtube deepfaker who improved their CGI cameos.

A Pokémon live action series is coming to Netflix.

Your song of the day is Level 42 with Something About You.