Royals Rumblings - News for December 18, 2024

Patience.

David Lesky pleads patience with the Royals’ off-season.

Still, and this might sound like a broken record, teams that show patience tend to get what they want out of moves. It’s a matter of pressure right now. Today is December 17, which is more than three months away from Opening Day. There is all the time in the world to sign if you’re a free agent and make a trade if you’re a team. As the calendar flips to January and then February, the pressure shifts from the team wanting to bring someone in to the team or player needing to make a deal. There’s a risk, sure. Let’s say you’re the Royals and you really want Taylor Ward. If another team gives into that pressure and gives up more than they’re comfortable giving up for him, he’s off the board. I think that’s the downside of being a disciplined team regarding decision-making.

Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains also thinks the Royals are wise to wait.

With the market now raised, it makes all the sense in the world for the Royals to wait for some chips to fall. Soto inflated the market (as expected), leaving the suitors who missed out to scramble for backup options. That vacuum now inflates the market for players like Cody Bellinger, free agent Alex Bregman, and the already-traded Kyle Tucker. The Yankees and Blue Jays were willing to shell out half a million dollars or more for Soto, and won’t hesitate to pull out the stops to land what’s left in the upper tier of free agents and trade targets.

David Schoenfield at ESPN makes some predictions on the remaining free agents.

Anthony Santander/Teoscar Hernandez, OF (Nos. 12 and 13 free agents)

Projected contracts: Santander, three years, $69 million; Hernandez, three years, $66 million...

Best bets: Yankees, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Phillies, Kansas City RoyalsThe Yankees have Aaron Judge and Jasson Dominguez in the outfield — and not much else. Santander isn’t necessarily the best fit, especially if Judge returns to right field, as Cashman indicated at the winter meetings. At Yankee Stadium, you would prefer a left fielder with good range and that’s not Santander. If the Phillies don’t land Bregman, Santander looms as a good backup option. Royals corner outfielders, meanwhile, ranked 28th in the majors in OPS, and they seem willing to extend their budget a little bit. (Hey, they even kicked the tires on Soto.)

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter looks at Steamer projections for Royals outfielders.

In 115 games, Steamer is projecting Melendez to hit 18 home runs and produce a 0.40 BB/K ratio, .191 ISO, .320 wOBA, and 105 wRC+. Not only is his wRC+ the best-projected mark for Royals outfielders, but the same is valid for home runs and ISO. Even though he’s still projected to strike out a lot (24.7% K%), he can be a power-hitting corner outfielder who could boost the middle to bottom of the Kansas City batting order next season.

Even though Melendez’s Steamer projections are enticing, his actual metrics from last season and over his career have been disappointing.

The Royals avoid arbitration with Kyle Wright.

Mike Gillespie at Kings of Kauffman is excited about the Steamer projection for Jac Caglianone.

The Yankees acquire Cody Bellinger from the Cubs.

Multiple teams are pursuing free agent Jack Flaherty.

The Yankees are interested in free agent Paul Goldschmidt.

First baseman Trey Cabbage is heading to Japan.

What do the Yankees see in Cody Bellinger?

A look at the teams that could be interested in Brett Baty.

MLB released a study on the rise of pitcher injuries that includes recommendations for change.

New Statcast metrics reveal which players are the best baserunners.

Ben Clemens at Fangraphs argues it is okay to stack prospects at the same position because many will fail.

Does Josh Allen have the NFL MVP award wrapped up?

Blades Brown, a top-ranked 17-year-old golfer, is skipping college and going pro.

Popeye, Tintin, and works from Ernest Hemingway will enter the public domain next year.

Bluey is coming to the big screen.

Taco Bell is adding chicken nuggets.

Your song of the day is Orville Peck with Turn to Hate.