Daily Clips
February 17, 2018
LOCAL
Karns making strides in camp after surgery
Veteran throws another bullpen session, credits offseason program of throwing football
February 16, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
KC prevails in arbitration case with Maurer
February 16, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Merrifield open to idea of super-utility role
Versatility gives Royals options if Mondesi wins 2B job
February 16, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Spring training is nearly six weeks long. Does it need to be?
February 16, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals’ Danny Duffy calls MLB’s possible pace-of-play changes ‘nonsensical’
February 16, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals win arbitration case against reliever Brandon Maurer
February 16, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Father of Royals outfielder Alex Gordon dies
February 16, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
ESPN writer: Royals have worst position players in the majors. ‘It’s not even close’
February 16, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Jason Vargas reportedly agrees to two-year contract with Mets
February 16, 2018By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
NATIONAL
Sources: Mets ink lefty Vargas to 2-year deal
Veteran, who pitched briefly for New York in 2007, expected to provide rotation insurance
February 16, 2018By Anthony DiComo/MLB.com
MLB TRANSACTIONS
February 17, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
Karns making strides in camp after surgery
Veteran throws another bullpen session, credits offseason program of throwing football
February 16, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Sitting in his office early Friday morning, Royals manager Ned Yost suggested it was way too early to begin formulating his rotation for 2018.
"We're just observing at this point," Yost said. "That's all."
Yet it would seem obvious that Yost's front four will be veterans Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, Jason Hammel and Nathan Karns.
And the Royals will be keeping a close eye on the 30-year-old Karns, acquired prior to last season from the Mariners for Jarrod Dyson. Karns was lights out last May as a starter before he went on the disabled list and ultimately underwent thoracic outlet syndrome surgery, a procedure that relieves nerve tension in the chest and shoulder area by removing a part of the upper ribs.
Karns reports all systems are go early in camp. He threw his fourth bullpen session Friday.
"We worked hard to come in here with no restrictions," Karns said. "I've had no setbacks or hiccups. I'm as normal as we can be."
Karns credits an offseason program of throwing a football to re-teach his body the proper throwing mechanics again.
"When you throw a football you have to be mechanically sound to throw a spiral that far," Karns said. "It forced me to use my lower body better. So far so good."
Karns said he played football growing up but wasn't a quarterback. He has enjoyed tossing the football, however.
"The reason we had surgery was I had added tension in my nerves," he said. "And throwing a football keeps me short in my throwing motion. It's been like using a clicker. You keep the number of throws down early to start with and you build up. You throw 10-15 yards, just getting it there and making your arm and shoulder function the way it should be. I think I'll be doing this every offseason."
The Royals are hoping Karns can return to the form he displayed in May of last season when over four starts he went 2-0 with a 2.01 ERA. During that span he struck out 32 batters over 22 1/3 innings and opponents hit .202 off him.
"So far it's all good," he said. "I've had four bullpens, and I've recovered easily from all of them. I'm not overthrowing at all. Just relaxed and hitting my location."
KC prevails in arbitration case with Maurer
February 16, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
For the first time since general manager Dayton Moore came to the Royals in May 2006, the Royals went to arbitration with a player.
And the Royals prevailed.
An arbitration panel ruled Friday in the Royals favor over right-hander Brandon Maurer after a hearing Thursday. Maurer had asked for $3.5 million, while the Royals countered at $2.95 million. The panel picked the Royals' figure.
Maurer, 27, made $1.9 million last season. After being acquired in a Trade Deadline deal with the Padres last season, Maurer went 2-2 with an 8.10 ERA with the Royals. He had two saves.
The Royals have been close to going to arbitration hearings in recent years with Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer, but settled on deals with each player just before the hearings started.
"We tried to negotiate the process early on [in the Maurer negotiation], and the two sides were just too far apart," Royals vice president and assistant general manager Scott Sharp said. ""I think generally we're player-friendly. You don't want it to be contentious, and I don't think it was in this case. Just too far apart."
Maurer said the hearing never got contentious. "No, at all," he said. "I was kind of waiting for that 'Oh crap moment,' but it never happened."
Overall, Maurer went 3-6 with a 6.52 ERA between the Royals and Padres. He had 22 saves total.
The last time a Royals player went to arbitration was in February 2006 when outfielder Emil Brown won his case, getting $1.775 million instead of the Royals' offer of $1.4 million.
Merrifield open to idea of super-utility role
Versatility gives Royals options if Mondesi wins 2B job
February 16, 2018By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
Royals manager Ned Yost had suggested on Thursday that Raul Mondesi, perhaps thought to be ticketed for Triple-A Omaha once shortstop Alcides Escobar was re-signed to a one-year deal last month, could still win a job this spring at second base.
That seemed somewhat of a surprise because Whit Merrifield played 132 games at second base last season, and the coaching staff was impressed by Merrifield's defensive improvement there.
But Yost is maintaining that if Mondesi has a great camp and wins the job at second base (Royals general manager Dayton Moore has indicated Escobar was signed to play every day at shortstop), the Royals can then utilize Merrifield's versatility. Merrifield can play first base and third base as well as second base, plus all three outfield positions.
So what does Merrifield think of possibly being used in a super-utility role?
"Whatever it takes to put our team in the best situation," Merrifield said. "I liked solidifying that spot at second base last year. Being there every day helped me get better. I thought I put together a good defensive season.
"I prided myself in being a top tier defensive second baseman. But whatever they want me to do. I know I have value [as a utility guy] for managers. I know that."
Merrifield played most of his first two Minor League seasons in center field. And he also remembered to bring his first baseman's mitt to this year's camp.
"As long as I'm in the lineup," Merrifield said, "I'll play anywhere."
Gordon's father passes away
The father of Royals outfielder Alex Gordon passed away Wednesday, according to an obituary in the Lincoln (Neb.) Journal Star. Michael Gordon was 63.
A club official said Friday the team was aware of the situation and offered thoughts and prayers to Alex and his family. A celebration of Gordon's life is scheduled for Sunday in Lincoln. The family requested any contributions be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
Royals position players are scheduled for their first full workout Monday, but the Royals won't anticipate Alex to arrive in Arizona until after all the family arrangements have been attended to.
Spring training is nearly six weeks long. Does it need to be?
February 16, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
One winter, Ned Yost worked for a timber management company, navigating and cataloging 500 acres of terrain. In three others, he unloaded 18-wheeler trucks for $14 per hour. Good money.
And then there was the offseason he spent at a tile company. His title was “mechanics helper.” His duties, well, they sound kind of brutal.
“I’d have to freaking tote all that tile,” says Yost, the manager of the Royals. “We did a big mall. So I’d have to make the cement, clean the tools, bring in the tile, while this guy would lay it.”
Yost worked because he had to. This was 40 years ago. His professional baseball salary was nice, but not life changing. He needed to supplement his income with a part-time gig in the winter.
Nearly all players did this, and it made spring training essential. After four months off, players didn’t head south to meet to polish their skills and prepare for a season. They showed up to get in shape.
“The minimum (salary) was $16,000,” Yost says. “Guys had to earn money.”
Four decades later, everything is different. The minimum major-league salary is $545,000. Money gushes throughout the sport. Players spend their winters working out with personal trainers and then show up to pristine spring facilities, where nutritionists plan their meals and cryotherapy chambers treat their muscles.
The romantic ideal of spring, of crusty ballplayers using the time to work off a beer gut, is gone now, and it’s led to a yearly question inside clubhouses: Is spring training too long? You don’t have to go far to find a yes.
“No, spring training is too long,” says Whit Merrifield, the Royals’ second baseman.
This is a common sentiment inside clubhouses. But then again, who doesn’t like to complain about working too much? Reporters certainly do.
This year, the Royals required their pitchers and catchers to report on Feb. 13 and their position players five days later. Based on those dates, all players will be in Arizona for at least five weeks. Nearly all teams have similar spring schedules. And many players — whether it be peer pressure, competitiveness, or job paranoia — show up more than a week before they need to.
“I think pitchers would say they need the time to get their work in and get their arms ready,” says Merrifield, who showed up more than a week early. “But for us, we need two weeks, three weeks of live pitching and we’re ready to rock.”
In most years, the complaints and criticism over spring’s eternal schedule stem from equal parts boredom and frustration. Players crave meaningful baseball. They detest the monotony and tedium of spring.
“And the split-squad games,” says Royals starter Ian Kennedy.
Yet this season, there is a practical reason for the questions. As the Royals prepped for their first full-squad workout on Monday, dozens of valuable players remained free agents, still unemployed and not in camp.
Eric Hosmer is still a free agent. So are Mike Moustakas and J.D. Martinez. And then there’s Jake Arrieta, Alex Cobb, Lance Lynn, Jeremy Hellickson, Jonathan Lucroy, Jose Bautista, Lucas Duda, Logan Morrison, Mike Napoli, Jarrod Dyson, Jon Jay, Melky Cabrera and many other solid players you have heard of. Many are bracing to miss at least part of camp.
The sluggish free-agent market has depressed the market and tested the will of players. It could also test a long-held theory of spring training: Most position players don’t really need five or six weeks.
“You give a guy two weeks, he’ll be ready to go,” Yost says. “A position player could come in here, and you give them two weeks, he’ll be ready to go.”
For a club such as the Royals, which is still pursuing Hosmer, this is useful knowledge — and perhaps even leverage in negotiations. Players may continue to sit out, hoping to coax a club into a higher offer. Yet clubs know players are not missing much.
“If you’re doing your job (at home),” Royals catcher Salvador Perez says, “if you get up in the morning and hit BP and take ground balls, I don’t think you need too much time. I say two weeks.”
There are limits. Yost points to former Royals designated hitter Kendrys Morales. Four years ago, Morales, a free agent, held out during spring training and did not sign until June. He struggled for much of the season. The plan appeared to backfire, and he signed an under-market deal with the Royals the next year, hoping to rebuild his value.
“You can’t sign once the season starts,” Yost says. “But you give a guy two weeks, he’ll be ready to go.”
Pitchers are different, of course. While players no longer spend the spring running themselves into shape, pitchers still adhere to a strict throwing program, building their arms into shape and adding innings as the weeks go on. Arms are a finicky subject. Yet the best baseball science suggests that a longer spring training is needed.
Still, pitchers can throw on their own. In the offseason, Kennedy lives in Leawood. Yet he had the option of going to California to work out at a sports fitness institute operated by his agent Scott Boras. If he was still a free agent now, he would probably be there.
“I probably would have gone to California and stayed in the nice weather,” Kennedy says.
The weather is also nice in Arizona, which is why Merrifield showed up early to camp this year. He worked out all winter in North Carolina, staying in shape around vacations. But he tired of the cold. He needed more days to take ground balls and get his legs under him. So maybe there is something to the length of spring training, the complaints notwithstanding. The volume of games allow teams to evaluate young prospects and other players. They also let more fans in and increase the bottom line. But still, Merrifield is quite certain. Seriously. You really don’t need five or six weeks. Show up on March 1. Work out for a week. See two to three weeks of live pitching.
“We’d be ready,” Merrifield says. “Guys come into camp in shape. So really, it’s just a matter of getting your timing back and seeing live pitching again.”
Royals’ Danny Duffy calls MLB’s possible pace-of-play changes ‘nonsensical’
February 16, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
Royals starter Danny Duffy still remembers spending long nights at Dodger Stadium as a boy. He was captivated by the play of Mike Piazza and Eric Karros. He was delighted when a game dragged into extra innings, presenting the chance to watch more baseball.
The experiences were formative, he says, spurring his love for the sport. They also underscore his strong criticism for Major League Baseball’s plans to speed up the game through artificial measures and rules changes.
On Thursday, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred said the league would institute new pace-of-play rules this season, whether the players association signed off on the changes or not. The same morning, Duffy derided the idea, calling it “nonsensical” and “reckless.”
“I just don’t get it, man,” Duffy said, sitting at his locker as the Royals continued their first week of camp. “I don’t know what (Manfred’s) obsession with shortening games is, and I just don’t understand it. It doesn’t seem to be as much of an obsession when it’s a national broadcast, and the commercials go for two minutes, and we’re ready on the mound. And we’ve got to wait around, but it’s all about money. Bunch of crap. It angers me.”
Duffy is just the latest player to join the chorus of criticism for baseball’s pace-of-play initiatives. The Los Angeles Dodgers’ Kenley Jansen, an All-Star closer and outspoken personality, called the plans “ridiculous.”
“Football is four hours, four and a half hours,” Jansen told reporters this week at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz., according to the Los Angeles Times. “The Super Bowl was five hours. Listen man, baseball fans are not going to stop watching the game because the game is too long. Let’s stop that. I think that’s ridiculous.”
Manfred, who succeeded Bud Selig as commissioner in 2015, has spent much of his tenure focusing on pace of play and the length of games. He has cited research that suggests fans want shorter games — the average game time was three hours, 5 minutes in 2017 — and less dead time, such as mound visits and long pauses between pitches. According to a clause in the collective bargaining agreement, Major League Baseball has the power to unilaterally implement changes. Manfred, however, has aimed for consensus.
In January, the players association reportedly rejected a proposal that would have included a pitch clock and limited actions such as mound visits. Players have appeared especially aggrieved by the idea of a pitch clock in a game where time is not kept. But this week, Manfred said that changes were coming — whether players agreed or not. He did not offer specifics and it is unclear if a pitch clock will be part of the changes in 2018. It’s possible that idea could be instituted later. More details could come on Tuesday when Manfred appears in Glendale at Cactus League media day.