Daily Clips
September 19, 2017
LOCAL
Inbox: What's in store for the Royals' rotation?
Beat reporter Jeff Flanagan answers fans' questions
Sept. 18, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
2018 rotation picks, why wasn’t Dozier called up & answers to other Royals questions
Sept. 18, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
The Royals playoff odds aren’t good, but they continue with style
Sept. 18, 2017By Lee Judge/KC Star
NATIONAL
Free agents who could see bigger paydays with big Octobers
Sept. 18, 2017Dan Szymborski/ESPN.com
MLB TRANSACTIONS
September 19, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Inbox: What's in store for the Royals' rotation?
Beat reporter Jeff Flanagan answers fans' questions
Sept. 18, 2017By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
With 13 games to go, the Royals remain on the outer edge of postseason contention.
Kansas City is five games behind Minnesota for the second American League Wild Card spot, and realistically the Royals can't afford to lose more than two or three games if they are to avoid elimination.
With that backdrop, let's get to your questions for the final Inbox of the regular season.
What's your best guess as to next year's starting rotation? Will Karns be ready for spring?
Danny Duffy will come back as the ace. Ian Kennedy has indicated he will not opt out of the final three years of his deal (smart man). The Royals are hoping Nate Karns will be healthy and ready to go next spring. Jason Hammel has another year on his deal. And rookie Jakob Junis impressed everyone in the second half. Right now, that's your starting five, though general manager Dayton Moore no doubt will add depth -- either internally through the Minor Leagues or in a trade or free agency.
What happens to Gordo next year?
Alex Gordon still will be owed $44 million after this season, so after two rough campaigns from him, it's imperative that Kansas City gets some value out of that contract going forward. There have been encouraging signs of late: Gordon has adopted an opposite-field strategy in the past two weeks and the results are encouraging. Since Sept. 6, Gordon is 14-for-42 (.333) with four doubles and two home runs. Perhaps he might undergo a Mike Moustakas-like makeover in the offseason and stop trying to pull every pitch. Players, especially older players, have to adapt, and Gordon is at a crossroads.
Today is the anniversary of Ventura's debut. How has his loss worn on the team this year? I can't imagine it's been easy.
That is a great question. The grieving period was pretty much over in early Spring Training, but they have not forgotten Yordano Ventura by any means. And on the field, this team and this rotation would look a lot different with him here. His loss was a tragedy on all levels.
Who's in the system we should be excited about but haven't heard anything about? Assuming he/they exist.
There are a few names to keep an eye on. Right-hander Josh Staumont (the Royals' No. 9 prospect per MLB Pipeline) and his 100-mph fastball got a long look last spring. Staumont still needs to harness his command, as he was demoted back to Double-A this season, but his future is still bright. Ryan O'Hearn (Kansas City's No. 14 prospect per MLB Pipeline) is a left-handed-hitting first baseman with a pretty swing, but he was also demoted to Double-A this season. I got a good look at another left-handed-hitting first baseman, Samir Duenez (the Royals' No. 13 prospect per MLB Pipeline), in the spring and was impressed -- he's only 21. And everyone is talking about outfielder Khalil Lee (Kansas City's No. 2 prospect), who is only 19 and slugged 17 homers at Class A Lexington.
Which is more likely: Royals re-sign Escobar or let Mondesi fill SS?
That's a great question. I know Royals fans on Twitter can't wait for Alcides Escobar, a pending free agent, to leave, but the truth is he has been the club's hottest hitter since Aug. 9 (.354 average, .888 OPS). And there are some obvious concerns on whether his protégé, Raul Mondesi, is ready to step in and be the everyday shortstop. Mondesi is incredibly fast and a gifted defender, but he has looked overmatched at the plate at this level. There is even some mild chatter in the organization about trying Mondesi in center (with the thought that Lorenzo Cain will sign elsewhere).
Who's the closer next year?
Kelvin Herrera has one more year left before free agency, and obviously there are doubts whether he can be the closer, especially after his recent demotion. I can't tell you how impressed I was with left-hander Mike Minor's debut as the closer on Friday night. Minor showed everything you want -- a 97-mph fastball, an unhittable cutter and a cool demeanor as he struck out the side to end the Indians' 22-game winning streak. It certainly reminded me of another converted starter to the closer role -- Wade Davis. Minor is a pending free agent, too, but it would seem to be a mistake not to bring him back.
Jeffrey, you've said earlier that you think they will resign 2-3. Which do you think and what about the pitching depth and closer next year?
The early guess here is the Royals will throw everything they have financially to keep Eric Hosmer. He is a great leader, a win-first competitor and the face of the franchise. They would love to bring Moustakas back. Kansas City certainly could use left-hander Jason Vargas. And as mentioned, not bringing Minor back would be a mistake. The Royals have about $90 million committed to payroll next year. That could leave them enough room to bring back two or three of those players.
2018 rotation picks, why wasn’t Dozier called up & answers to other Royals questions
Sept. 18, 2017By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
It has been 217 days since pitchers and catchers reported to spring training, seven months since a collection of Royals started a season together for the last time, and now I’m sitting inside a coffee shop in a neighborhood a few miles from downtown Toronto.
There is a lot to discuss. The Royals are 73-76 after losing three of four in Cleveland. They are 18-28 since July 30, the day they acquired outfielder Melky Cabrera from Chicago and six days after they traded for three pitchers from San Diego. Once all in with a group of former World Series champions, they have faded down the stretch and will not* make the postseason for the second straight year.
*Barring a miracle
There are 13 games left, beginning with a three-game series in Toronto that starts Tuesday night. So we know this: Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas will at least have 13 more games as Royals. Nothing is guaranteed after that. So let’s get to the mailbag questions.
The podcast recommendation is Ken Burns and Lynn Novick on Maron. The music recommendation of the week is Alex Lahey’s “Everyday’s The Weekend.”
Here we go.
Any idea as to why Hunter Dozier didn't get a September callup?
I asked Ned Yost about Dozier at the start of the month. I was curious, too. He mentioned a few things: The Royals have four players on their roster who can play third base, not counting Raul Mondesi: Moustakas, Cheslor Cuthbert, Whit Merrifield and Ramon Torres. At some point, logistics play a part in these decisions and teams don’t need a clubhouse full of players who aren’t going to play.
It’s the same reason, Yost said, that the club did not give Billy Burns a call-up. They have Terrance Gore and Mondesi to pinch run. They have Jorge Soler, Jorge Bonifacio and Paulo Orlando on the bench. Burns was kind of redundant.
I’m not sure I would read too much into Dozier’s non-callup. But he did have a frustrating year at Class AAA Omaha. Oblique strain at the end of spring training. Broken wrist in June. Limited to just 33 games at three levels, Dozier, 26, batted .243/.341/.441 with four homers.
For me, the Dozier question is a simple one: Where does he play?
Is he a better option than Cuthbert at third base if Moustakas signs elsewhere? Is there any room in the outfield?
Any update on Nate Karns's recovery? Does the team expect him ready for spring training? Do they still see him as a starter?
Karns underwent surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome in late July, which should give him plenty of time to be healthy for spring training.
We’ve seen that thoracic outlet can offer some unpredictable outcomes: Luke Hochevar had the procedure last summer and then missed all of 2017 after experiencing some post-surgery complications.
For now, all signs are positive with Karns, who should compete for a rotation spot next spring.
In fact …
What are the odds of a Duffy, Kennedy, Hammel, Junis, Karns rotation next year? Also, Hoch coming back?
I think it’s possible that this could be the group heading into spring training. A couple of things: A rival scout recently said he viewed Karns as the key guy here.
If Karns can bounce back and deliver the performance of a No. 3 starter, you have a true No. 2 type in Danny Duffy — with his ceiling even higher — a No. 3 in Karns, possibly another No. 3 in Ian Kennedy (Yes, I know that’s generous, but if he can be closer to his 2016 performance) and then Jason Hammel and Jakob Junis at the back end.
Junis has been a revelation of sorts during the second half, posting a 2.98 ERA with 40 strikeouts and four walks in his last 45 1/3 innings. That will do.
But he’ll still need to prove himself as a reliable starter over the long term. Some scouts still view him as closer to a rotation swingman. But his slider, improved fastball command and composure on the mound have been very impressive.
The Royals, of course, will still need some depth. They will lose Jason Vargas (more on that in a minute) and salary constraints could limit their options on the free agent market. They have Sam Gaviglio under club control for a bit if they choose to hold onto him through the offseason. They have Eric Skoglund. And we’ll see about the progression of Josh Staumont and the health of Miguel Almonte and Kyle Zimmer.
And oh yeah, there was a Hochevar question in there, too. At this point, I have little information to share, other than the fact that it seems likely that Hochevar, given his age (34) and injury history, may have to sign a minor-league deal and prove himself during spring training. In that case, it seems likely the Royals would be interested. The relationship between the two sides remains strong.
Hochevar, of course, could also try to throw for teams this offseason and prove himself worthy of a guaranteed major-league deal. It’ll be interesting to see how that plays out. Is that deal out there? We’ll see.
Will we try and pursue Jason Vargas in Free Agency? Or will we try and advance from within
In the parlance of this front office, the Royals rarely close the book on a player. They’ll monitor Vargas this offseason.
On the other hand, Vargas will be 35 in February. He followed up perhaps his best half season with one of his worst. He is 16-10 with a 4.19 ERA in 29 starts this season.
There will be a market for Vargas. I mean, just look at some of the starters being trotted out by potential playoff teams.
He was also a valuable signing in Kansas City — even with Tommy John surgery sidelining him for nearly a season and a half. He helped the Royals to the World Series in 2014. He pitched like an All-Star for half of 2017. In 71 starts across four seasons, he has posted a 3.89 ERA and a 109 ERA-plus.
But at this point, the Royals may be better served trying to identify the next Jason Vargas in free agency.
Are we going to go after Jarrod for a cheaper replacement for Cain?
Good question, Dong City.
The Royals, of course, would love to retain Lorenzo Cain. Who wouldn’t? What might scare them off, though, is his age, injury history and the years you’d have to guarantee to win a bidding war.
Cain will be 32 years old next April. The Royals likely aren’t handing out another four-year deal to an aging outfielder in his 30s. That’s reality. But maybe if that market doesn’t materialize and Cain has to settle for a shorter deal … maybe then?
Jarrod Dyson, of course, is even older. So take that into consideration. He also just had season-ending surgery for a sports hernia. But if he could be had for a reasonable one- or two-year deal, maybe it’s something you consider.
How hurt is Moose? Would he be playing if the record was not in play?
It’s a good question. The Royals have been pretty vague about the severity. When Moustakas first tweaked his knee running out a fly ball against the Rockies on Aug. 23, manager Ned Yost said there was no structural damage. But obviously, it’s sapped his power production and stopped him from smashing Steve Balboni’s franchise record.
As of Monday, Moustkas had just one homer in 21 games since first injuring the knee. He later reaggravated it in Detroit.
But is he only playing because of the record? No. I think the Royals viewed him as the best option while they were still in the hunt for a wild card.
But will Moustakas continue to play on a sore knee if the Royals are eliminated and he still doesn’t have the record? Yeah, probably.
What does the team think of Frank Schwindel? He tore it up here in Omaha
Schwindel, a former 18th-round pick out of St. John’s in 2013, had a monster year while splitting time between Class AA Northwest Arkansas and Omaha. A 6-foot-1, 205-pound first baseman, he batted .329/.349/.541 with 23 homers and 43 doubles in 133 games. He played so well that he forced the Royals to send first baseman Ryan O’Hearn, another intriguing offensive prospect, back to Northwest Arkansas. It wasn’t a demotion so much as a way to get O’Hearn consistent at-bats with the first base and DH spots crowded at Omaha.
Schwindel, a right-handed slugger, doesn’t walk a lot — just 16 times in 553 plate appearances this year. He’s a bit of a free swinger. On defense, he is basically limited to first base or designated hitter. He’s already 25.
I asked a Royals official if Schwindel was similar to Clint Robinson, a first baseman who was drafted out of college and put up huge numbers in the minors. Robinson hit left-handed, had a lot better plate discipline and put up more gaudy numbers in the minors. So, no, not really.
But their career arcs could perhaps be similar. Schwindel’s value will have to come from his bat. He’ll have to hit. But he certainly elevated his stock this year.
The Royals playoff odds aren’t good, but they continue with style
Sept. 18, 2017By Lee Judge/KC Star
In the 1975 movie The Eiger Sanction, Clint Eastwood’s character is a college professor, a mountain climber and a professional assassin. That strikes me as carrying multi-tasking a bit too far, but I guess I should quit complaining about drawing political cartoons and covering baseball.
I haven’t been asked to shoot anybody … yet.
Anyway …
During the movie’s climactic scene, Clint and his climbing team are caught on the mountain when a storm sets in. Clint assures a young climber that they will make it, but the kid replies:
“I don’t think so. But we shall continue with style.”
If you ask me how long I’ve been married I’ll have to do the math in my head, but 40 years after seeing that movie I still remember that line:
The odds might not be good, but you can always continue with style.
Royals could have won three of four at Cleveland
Before the Royals came to Cleveland last Thursday, the Indians had won 21 straight games while outscoring their opponents by 104 runs. Get out your calculator and that means the Indians were beating teams by an average of 4.9 runs per game, which seems a bit like showing off.
And the Royals had some up close and personal experience with what those beating felt like: in late August they came to Cleveland and got beat 4-0, 4-0 and 12-0.
So to sum up:
Coming into this latest series with Cleveland the Royals were 72-73 and about to play a team that was 90-56, had won 21 games in a row and were beating opponents badly.
If Vegas had existed back then, David would have had better odds against Goliath.
But in Game 1 of the series, with a rookie on the mound, the Royals almost beat the Indians, losing by one run in extra innings.
In Game 2 of the series the Royals did beat the Indians by one run, ending Cleveland’s winning streak.
In Game 3 the Royals played some sloppy baseball and lost 8-4, but in Game 4 the Royals once again lost to the Indians by a single run.