Daily Clips
February 7, 2018
LOCAL
With Royals on the sidelines, is anyone interested in Mike Moustakas?
February 6, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
As spring training nears, Royals’ payroll has dropped by $30 million this offseason
February 6, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
MINORS
Malcom Culver Inks MiLB Deal With Dodgers
Right-hander pitched with Chasers during parts of 3 seasons
February 6, 2018By Andrew Green/Omaha Storm Chasers
NATIONAL
Santana has finger surgery, out 10-12 weeks
Twins ace's injury 'result of repeated cumulative stress from pitching'
February 6, 2018By Rhett Bollinger/MLB.com
MLBPA: 'Race to the bottom' threatens integrity of the game
February 6, 2018By Jerry Crasnick/ESPN.com
With fiery statements, MLB, union show labor peace may look quite ugly until 2021
February 6, 2018By Bob Nightengale/USA Today Sports
MLB TRANSACTIONS
February 7, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
LOCAL
With Royals on the sidelines, is anyone interested in Mike Moustakas?
February 6, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
In the lifespan of a major-league baseball player, there are precious few things more venerated or hallowed than the concept of free agency. A symbol of fortitude and resilience, players must accrue six full years of service time before reaching the riches of the open market. Once there, players are, finally, free to sign with the highest bidder, securing their careers with guaranteed contracts and their families with generational wealth.
The process is supposed to be pleasant — until it is not.
“Everybody wants things to work out in the perfect fashion,” former Royals pitcher Jason Vargas, a current free agent, said late last season. “But they usually don’t.”
This, perhaps, is the best way to describe the winter of third baseman Mike Moustakas, a free-agent foray turned potential nightmare in the space of four months. Maybe it’s the only way. Amid a sluggish free-agent market, in a winter of player discontent and labor fisticuffs via press release, perhaps no player has been subject to a stranger market than Moustakas.
A 29-year-old player coming off a career-high 38 homers in 2017, a two-time All-Star with a World Series championship ring, Moustakas is still unemployed and seemingly without significant suitors. Most of the big-market clubs in need of a third baseman have filled those holes via trades and other free agents. His former club remains fixated on first baseman Eric Hosmer and less keen on investing money at third base.
“Based on the picture that we have right now, we’re prepared to go with Cheslor Cuthbert,” Royals general manager Dayton Moore said on Tuesday. “Hunter Dozier is a possibility at third base. That’s the main competition there.
“Cheslor is not the caliber player that Mike is at this particular time. But we feel like it’s important to give him an opportunity to prove himself.”
The comments came one day after the New York Mets signed free agent Todd Frazier to a two-year, $17 million deal, removing another possible destination for Moustakas. Yet, the Royals’ philosophy has remained unchanged for most of the winter.
In November, Moore signaled the club’s desire to retain Hosmer, 28, as it transitioned into a rebuilding process and focused on restocking its farm system. As the Royals’ attention moved to Hosmer, the team braced to lose center fielder Lorenzo Cain and Moustakas.
The philosophy was based on multiple factors, club officials said. The Royals believed that Hosmer, one year younger than Moustakas, could better fit into a rebuild that would take two to three years to get off the ground. It also believed the prices for Cain and Moustakas would be exorbitant.
To spend money on a homegrown free agent at the start of a rebuild could make sense if club officials could also envision gaining value toward the back end of the contract. Moustakas and Cain, set to turn 32 in April, made less sense in the long term. The Royals also had internal options at third base, including Cuthbert, 25, who filled in respectably in 2016, and Dozier, 26, a former first-round pick.
“We’ve made it very clear,” Moore said. “We do remain focused on Eric. But right now, we haven’t been too successful.”
Cain ultimately signed a five-year, $80 million deal last month with the Milwaukee Brewers after having little communication with the Royals this offseason. The deal represented the largest of this sluggish winter and also netted the Royals a compensation pick after the first round. The move benefited both sides.
Moustakas, however, is still without a home after a long winter. The absence of a market for his services first surfaced in December, when the Los Angeles Angels signed free agent Zack Cozart of the Reds to fill a hole at third base. The Angels were long viewed as a favorite to land Moustakas, who grew up in the Los Angeles area.
But with the Angels out of the picture, others have followed. The San Francisco Giants traded for Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria. The Mets opted for Frazier, who commanded a contract worth less in dollars and years than the long-term deal Moustakas has sought. The Braves, once thought of as a possible destination, have remained quiet under new general manager Alex Anthopoulos. This is the market is 2018.
Moustakas batted .272 with a .314 on-base percentage and career highs in homers, slugging percentage (.521) and OPS (.835) last season. His overall value, however, was less impressive in an environment that saw homers being hit at record paces across the league. In 148 games, Moustakas was worth 1.8 wins above replacement, according to Baseball Reference, less than half of his career-high 4.4 WAR in 2015.
Put another way: One club might see Moustakas as an All-Star third baseman, a strong defensive player with the ability to hit 40 homers in the right ballpark. Another might see a player with a short track record of success, at least one major injury, and about to turn 30 in seven months.
Among clubs with a possible need at third base and big coffers, perhaps only the Yankees remain. But New York — like many big-market teams — is seeking to remain under the sport’s luxury tax and appears loathe to hand out long-term deals this winter, especially with Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and Josh Donaldson set to become free agents next year.
Other clubs, sensing a potential bargain, could emerge as February continues. Then there is Moustakas’ former team, the Royals. For now, the market appears dry, and while Moore will not publicly close the book on a reunion, he has emphasized that Hosmer remains the priority.
“We’ll see,” Moore said. “Right now, we’re focused on rebuilding our farm system. We’re focused on managing our payroll in a more efficient way, and doing everything we can to build the most competitive team possible for 2018, within the payroll guidelines that we have.”
As spring training nears, Royals’ payroll has dropped by $30 million this offseason
February 6, 2018By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
One week before pitchers and catchers report to spring training, the Royals are expected to spend more than $110 million in payroll in 2018, a reduction of more than $30 million from last season, according to a Star analysis of the projected 25-man roster.
The number — which is certain to change in the seven weeks before opening day — represents a significant trimming after club-record payrolls during the last three seasons, including expenditures of more than $130 million in 2016 and $140 million in 2017. Yet the club’s current financial picture leaves little wiggle room as the front office continues to pursue free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer.
Royals officials have expressed a desire to curtail spending in 2018, hoping to field a payroll in the $105 million to $110 million range after two years of disappointing finishes. If the club holds firm on that goal, any late signing of Hosmer, 28, would likely require additional moves to reduce payroll. Yet it’s also possible that the team could make an exception for Hosmer, who is still expected to sign for more than $100 million despite a cool offseason market.
For now, the Royals find themselves in a peculiar position as players prepare to descend on Surprise, Ariz., in the coming weeks. In the midst of the first stages of a franchise rebuild, the club remains in sell mode, having saved at least $14 million in two January trades. They shed $9 million of reliever Joakim Soria’s contract in a three-team trade with the Dodgers and White Sox, then dumped $5 million of Brandon Moss’ salary by trading him to Oakland.
In an offseason environment of austerity and belt-tightening, the Royals have joined a wave of teams — more than a third of the league at this point — in planning and building for tomorrow. And yet, they have not closed the book on a reunion with Hosmer, believing a long-term deal for a franchise pillar could fit alongside the rest of a rebuilding plan.
Any investment into Hosmer would be substantial and lengthy, perhaps as long as seven years, though a report from Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan this week indicated that Hosmer’s camp is still seeking a deal as long as nine years.
Whatever the details, a closer inspection of the Royals’ salary obligations offers a look at how a Hosmer deal would fit in. The Royals owe more than $90 million to 12 players in 2018, including $50 million to Alex Gordon ($20 million), Ian Kennedy ($16 million) and Danny Duffy ($14 million).
In that more than $90 million in guaranteed money is also nearly $19 million owed to Jason Hammel and Kelvin Herrera, two pitchers who will be free agents following this season. As a result, both players could be candidates to be dealt should the Royals need to create more payroll flexibility.
Barring free-agent additions in the first weeks of February, the rest of the roster will be filled with players making at or slightly more than the league minimum of $545,000. Those players include regulars who have not yet reached salary arbitration, a group that features second baseman Whit Merrifield, outfielder Jorge Bonifacio and third baseman Cheslor Cuthbert.
As the rebuild begins, the team is also still paying for mistakes made in the years following the 2015 World Series championship. The Royals still must pay more than $6 million to pitcher Travis Wood after signing him to a two-year deal last offseason and trading him to the San Diego Padres. They also owe various dollar sums to Moss ($3.25 million), Soria ($1 million) and infielder Omar Infante (a $2 million buyout).
For now, the goal is payroll flexibility, general manager Dayton Moore says. In 2019, the team has an estimated $69 million in dollar commitments. In 2020, the number decreases to $54 million. Outside of Hosmer, the club appears reluctant to dole out long-term, guaranteed deals.
“I’d like to scale back as much as we could,” Moore said this offseason. “(We’ll) give young players a chance. Be flexible."
MINORS
Malcom Culver Inks MiLB Deal With Dodgers
Right-hander pitched with Chasers during parts of 3 seasons
February 6, 2018By Andrew Green/Omaha Storm Chasers
Former Storm Chasers right-handed reliever Malcom Culver has signed as a minor league free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers according to Baseball America's latest edition of "Minor League Transactions". All transactions from the site are conveyed by Major League Baseball.
Culver in parts of three seasons with Omaha totaled a 5-8 record and 4.06 ERA (49 ER/108.2 IP) over 79 outings (one start), adding 97 strikeouts. He recorded 16 saves, in addition to 50 games finished.
He also paced the Storm Chasers in saves in each of the past two seasons, accruing a 1-2 mark and 4.10 ERA (17 ER/37.1 IP) with nine saves during the 2017 campaign. He ranked tied for third among all Royals farmhands with those nine saves last season. In 2016 he also shared the Storm Chasers' Johnny Rosenblatt Community Service Award with lefty John Lannan for their work in the Omaha Metro community during the season.
Culver was originally selected by the Royals in the eighth round of the 2008 MLB Draft out of Palmdale High School in California. He began his professional career as an infielder, before switching to pitcher in 2011. Over 259 career minor league appearances, the 27-year-old has posted a 20-26 record and 4.13 ERA (191 ER/416.1 IP) with 42 saves, in addition to 380 strikeouts.
NATIONAL
Santana has finger surgery, out 10-12 weeks
Twins ace's injury 'result of repeated cumulative stress from pitching'
February 6, 2018By Rhett Bollinger/MLB.com
The Twins were dealt a major blow to their rotation on Tuesday, when projected Opening Day starter Ervin Santana underwent surgery on his right middle finger. He is expected to be out 10-12 weeks.
With Santana out until possibly May, the Twins could look to sign two starters late this offseason to add to a rotation that doesn't have much depth beyond Santana, Jose Berrios and Kyle Gibson. The injury also affects Santana's contract status, because his $14 million club option would've been guaranteed to vest if he reached 200 innings this season, but now it's unlikely.
The Twins announced that Santana has dealt with discomfort in his middle finger on his throwing hand in the past and underwent an MRI exam and X-rays after the season that showed there was no damage to his tendon. He received an injection at that point, but after throwing last week in advance of Spring Training, he felt discomfort again and saw Dr. Charles Melone in New York. He recommended the surgery and performed it Tuesday. The surgery is officially a capsular release/debridement procedure to his MCP joint.
The Twins explained that Santana didn't suffer the injury on one pitch during the season or offseason.
"The injury is a result of repeated cumulative stress from pitching," the Twins said in a statement, "not one acute event, and did not present again until this past week."
Without Santana, the Twins otherwise could have to count on youngsters early in the season such as Adalberto Mejia, Aaron Slegers, Fernando Romero or Stephen Gonsalves. Phil Hughes is coming off a second surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome but is expected to be ready for Spring Training, while Trevor May isn't expected to be ready to return from Tommy John surgery until May. Tyler Duffey will also be stretched out to start to add depth.
But Santana was undoubtedly Minnesota's ace last season, going 16-8 with a 3.28 ERA in 211 1/3 innings en route to being named an All-Star and starting the American League Wild Card Game. He's posted a combined 3.32 ERA over 392 2/3 innings over the past two seasons.
MLBPA: 'Race to the bottom' threatens integrity of the game
February 6, 2018By Jerry Crasnick/ESPN.com
As Major League Baseball teams prepare to open spring training camps with an unprecedented number of free agents still unsigned, the head of the MLB Players Association said clubs are engaged in a "race to the bottom'' that "threatens the integrity of the game.''
Tony Clark, executive director of the players' union, released a statement on Tuesday that reflects the growing tension between the union and MLB over the slow pace of the offseason free agent market.
"Pitchers and catchers will report to camps in Florida and Arizona in one week,'' Clark said. "A record number of talented free agents remain unemployed in an industry where revenues and franchise values are at record highs.
"Spring training has always been associated with hope for a new season. This year a significant number of teams are engaged in a race to the bottom. This conduct is a fundamental breach of the trust between a team and its fans and threatens the very integrity of the game.''
Major League Baseball, in response to Clark's statement, said the large number of elite free agents still unsigned reflects agents' failure to properly assess the state of this winter's market.
"Our Clubs are committed to putting a winning product on the field for their fans,'' MLB said. "Owners own teams for one reason: they want to win. In Baseball, it has always been true that Clubs go through cyclical, multi-year strategies directed at winning.
"It is common at this point in the calendar to have large numbers of free agents unsigned. What is uncommon is to have some of the best free agents sitting unsigned even though they have substantial offers, some in nine figures. It is the responsibility of players' agents to value their clients in a constantly changing free agent market based on factors such as positional demand, advanced analytics, and the impact of the new Basic Agreement. To lay responsibility on the Clubs for the failure of some agents to accurately assess the market is unfair, unwarranted, and inflammatory.''
The Los Angeles Dodgers' Justin Turner and Alex Wood both tweeted about the situation on the heels of Clark's statement.