It’s not time to panic. They are fine. I was looking for a 3-3 finish to the home stand after beating the White Sox. Its not great….and I don’t really make much of the 9-1 against the White Sox and now below .500 against everyone else….but at the same time….The Diamondbacks and Cubs series were a little reminder that they are really in the pack of the middle with a lot of these teams. Which is totally fine. Beat up on the White Sox again, and everyone will feel a lot better about things. It’s the last chance we get….and then it feels like things will get a lot harder for them. But just play .500 ball and see where that gets you at that point.
A little bummed about the trade market. Unless something crazy happens. A lot of the big names that could really help are off. I’m sure something will happen that is unforeseen….but it just doesn’t feel like it will be the Royals in it. Which is fine. I think it’s pretty much Rengifo now…which would help a lot. But they absolutely need help or I can see a wear down effect as the season continues.
If I had $1 for every time you were sure the Royals weren't going to do anything and then they did, I'd have like $20 or so, which would be nice. They're going to make a move or two. And don't forget, they already made a move, so they're already in it.
Yeah, I don’t mean they won’t do anything. I do think they will do something. I need to clarify that I’m a little bummed that it doesn’t feel like they are going to get anything done that is going to help next year as well. It’s probably a way off assessment as they still have today and tomorrow. But the Arozarena, Parades, etc could have really helped this offense even next year. Now it feels more like the Pham, Ward (eh I guess he could help), rental reliever type. Rengifo is the guy I’d really like now.
I think Rengifo is a real possibility, but there are others. Ward is under team control for two more years after this one. Lane Thomas is under team control (not my favorite). There are probably four or five guys who I haven't even thought of, especially if a team pivots.
Every year, the deadline approaches and if your (general your) favorite team hasn't made big moves, it's doom and gloom. Then 36 hours later, there are a bunch of trades and the moves were made.
I would just like to point out. If the Rays, who have traded half their lineup…for about 10 minor leaguers….pass the Royals and get into the playoffs. That will be very frustrating. Lol. I’d also like to point out how well they do it. Multiple prospects back for every guy. And people will say look how they do x, y, and z. But really, maybe 3 of those 10 work out. 30%….but it works because they throw so many numbers at it. It maddening…but gotta respect it all at the same time. I’m not sure Royals fans would be ready for what they do and trading multiple people from a .500 team.
I think there's a middle ground between forcing your fans to cheer as if you're a college program and holding on to guys too long. I respect what they do, but I hate that it's so glorified.
I do wonder if instead of the Royals just adding a option to the end of a contract if they could do what the Rays did with Eflin and backloaded the deal so much you knew they were trading him at this point. It’s just a forgone conclusion they were going to move him when his salary jumped so much next year. It was clearly planned that way. Doesn’t seem like a bad way to do it though. I guess, the risk is he’s hurt and you’re stuck with that pitcher.
I don't really know if there's a huge difference, honestly. Maybe a bit, but there's still a pretty large risk. The upside is if the guy is healthy, they at least get some guaranteed innings while the option means the player leaves. But you're also not guaranteed to be on the hook if things turn south. I don't know. I think it's a lot closer to neutral, but I could see it being an added benefit to not have the risk of losing the guy you're acquiring. But there's also the difference between signing a guy to trade him and signing a guy with the option to trade him.
I have to admit that, seeing what the Cubs returned to the Rays for a player like Isaac Paredes, I would be bitterly disappointed if the Royals had not made an offer at all. I feel very strongly that they could have offered that much talent, if not more, without a serious impact on the future of the team and in return receive a player that would have immediately solidified a weak spot in the infield and the lineup. Not only that, Paredes is controllable for multiple seasons. Maybe they swung and missed. But to leave their bat on their shoulder for Paredes (a player who is also capable of playing multiple positions) would be disheartening.
Generally when a team is in on one player, they're in on multiples with a team. If they were in on Arozarena, they were probably in on Paredes (just like they're probably in on Fairbanks). In terms of value, the Royals could have absolutely matched what the Cubs gave up. It's probably something like Maikel Garcia, Will Klein and maybe Steven Zobac. I'm not real sure on that third piece. But while the value there is similar, the players are not. If the Rays were looking for a power bat with some theoretically rough batted ball luck, they don't really have that. I guess Melendez, but I think they wanted some versatility that Morel provides. Klein and Bigge both could be back-end relievers, but Klein's control issues may not have enticed the Rays. I would imagine an offer was out there, but the Rays valued the types of players the Cubs offered more.
Good analysis David! It was a tough weekend with our two best starting pitchers not having good games! Again, we need, in my opinion go to a six starting pitcher rotation because we are now in the dog days of summer and I worry about the increasing chances of injury with starting pitchers piling up the innings. Hopefully, the two relievers do not have serious injuries! The season has still been a major improvement over the disaster of the 2023 season, but we cannot give away our best prospects as the Phillies did in their trade for a relief pitcher!
Lorenzen for Pennington. Man, they never really gave Pennington a shot. Lorenzen just a pure rental. I mean, should help don’t get me wrong. It’s a fine move.
I just think they never believed Pennington was for real. I'd have liked to see more to prove it, but they did something you like a lot and they evaluated their own.
Wow! Definitely not a fan of that trade. And hard to believe others frankly. His strikeout rate is lower than average, walk rate is higher than average, and all for a one year rental. Ugh - prove me wrong Lorenzen please.
They very much need someone to take the fifth spot in the rotation so they can move Marsh to the pen. And actually, they may still need another. It’s going to be a battle of attrition at the end of these seasons.
The Royals need innings and they don’t believe Pennington can do it at the big league level. I’ve found myself skeptical too. Hopefully for them, they’re right. If they are, Lorenzen providing innings help is worth it. Hopefully for Pennington, who is by all accounts just a great guy, they’re wrong. But ultimately they traded a 26 year old reliever who had his first really good minor league season at that age. I don’t think it’s possible to have fewer feelings about this trade than I do.
They never thought Jason Adam was the real deal, and when he was in KC, he wasn't. Teams have done a great job of developing him after he left. The potential was there, the player development with the Royals wasn't. I hope we don't see Pennington become an elite reliever in the years ahead.
Have to admit I didn't see that one coming! I guess they are happy with Long/Zerpa from the left side (not to mention Bubic is filling in nicely). I suspect they also had some personal/inside info from Ragans since he was a past team-mate?
I could actually see them flipping Long. IDK what you get back. But Long is having a really good year as a historically very average pitcher. Maybe they get something worthwhile…maybe not.
I wasn't a fan either. Q was pretty clear he didn't call it and as much as he said he didn't dislike it, I'm choosing to assume we don't see that happen again.
I don't know. They acquired him like 20 minutes ago. If I had to guess, I'd say he's going to start with Marsh moving to the bullpen eventually (but he also pitched yesterday and Marsh is scheduled to go today). Probably just provide some innings help in whatever way he can.
I actually don’t disagree is an overrated player. The question I keep coming too though is I think Melendez is an overrated player as well. So is Jazz better than Melendez…yeah. Probably. But it’s not a great fit either because Jazz isn’t playing left field. I’m fine with passing on that one.
I saw Walter Pennington got traded to the Rangers. I had hoped to see him up with the Royals all season long. McArthur has lost it and he should have been sent down long ago. I said it before, and you disagreed, but even as this team is now constructed with the few marginal acquisitions they have made, they will not go to the playoffs unless they add an impact player. They show every indication of fading and little or no indication of making a playoff run. They need lightning in a bottle again like they caught with Cole Ragans last year. The fan interest will be long gone if they don't have a winning road trip to Chicago and Detroit. Pressure is on. Let's see if the Royals can play with it.
The idea that McArthur has just been trash all season is way off base, in my opinion. He had a terrible week. And he had a rough May. But before the blown save on Wednesday, he'd been scoreless in 14 of 16 outings and faced the minimum in nine of those outings.
I also think that's an overreaction on fan interest. Even if they go 2-5, they'll come home at 59-54. There'll be plenty of interest.
Good points, but at some point, they need to show some positive energy and string together some wins. They need to show some sign of positive momentum or by the time the NFL pre-season begins, they will be forgotten. I know they were hot right after the break, but they negated that by losing several series after that.
I mean, they did just win eight of 10 before the last two series. If they're in the race, people will be upset after a loss but they won't lose interest. I can guarantee you that.
You are probably right as you are there while I'm 1,000 miles away in Virginia. A factor which indicates that is there a lot of exciting players on the team as well as one superstar. I was in KC in 1974 when Brett first came up and he was exciting to everyone. Had great supporting pieces around him too. Think Amos Otis, John Mayberry, Hal McRae, Cookie Rojas and Freddy Patek. I hope you are right, but most of all I hope their play keeps people coming out to see them and they close out a playoff spot.
Yep, the Chiefs get the bulk of attention once their season starts, and rightfully so, but this city gets electric with a good baseball team. And Bobby Witt Jr. changes the formula enough that if they're competitive, there'll be plenty of eyeballs on them.
Good read per usual. I remain excited to see what is next. I'm expecting them to be done for today, one "big" move tomorrow mid-day, then one buzzer beater.
Have you heard any consideration of a "buy/sell" type move? Aka Singer (or similar) for a mix of guys that help win now as well as the next 5 years? Seems like this sellers market could make that a possibility to consider.
This close to the deadline, I don't think there's anything to expect. If the deal is there today, they'll make it. If it's not, they'll work into tomorrow.
I haven't really heard anything about a buy/sell move. Singer was the play, but I just don't think they're going to do that right now. Otherwise, they'd be looking at trading a bat and they can't really afford to trade a bat.
As I was feeling a *bit* hot in McCarthur’s continued use, I was marveling at just how many pitchers there are in the MiLB/MLB system. What a job a pitching scout has in finding those in gems for the season to come, using money wisely, etc. So I felt much better!
As for the trade deadline- I believe they’ll pull something out favorably. I don’t know about the bat, I’ll take the bullpen help over that bc I think it’s going to take more than just one reliever to seriously help.
I’m leaning more and more with being good with a Rengifo/Anderson trade yet as more options come off the board. Lol. I’m looking at you Angels. Thomas with the Nationals wouldn’t be terrible either. It would be better than what we have.
I feel like Kopech is a guy you curse about 40% of the time and marvel at the other 60%. I would have loved to be tantalized by him, but I'm fine with not getting either of them even though I'd have been happy to have both.
re : Fermin's HR. I get irrationally annoyed by fan interference like that. That idiot entering the field of play, & then his celebration when he made the catch. That kind of "look at me" junk drives me nuts. I know it's against the rules posted when you enter the ballpark, so I hope he got tossed. And it looked like he was there with a kid - I can't imagine the "we had to leave because your Dad is a putz" conversation is fun to have.
Good to hear he was tossed like you're supposed to be.
I don't have an issue with adults bringing their gloves ( I've done it myself ) as long as they don't think they're there to "make a play". If you were that good, you'd be on the field, Slappy.
Fair, it should be fun for everyone. I am just a little grizzled after that dude didn't get called for fan interference with Blanco. I remember him being with a kid too, but he didn't have a glove. Dude was high fiving other rockies fans, so doubt they had the "dad is a putz" conversation
I don't watch my work after filmed, but thank you for your support
It’s not time to panic. They are fine. I was looking for a 3-3 finish to the home stand after beating the White Sox. Its not great….and I don’t really make much of the 9-1 against the White Sox and now below .500 against everyone else….but at the same time….The Diamondbacks and Cubs series were a little reminder that they are really in the pack of the middle with a lot of these teams. Which is totally fine. Beat up on the White Sox again, and everyone will feel a lot better about things. It’s the last chance we get….and then it feels like things will get a lot harder for them. But just play .500 ball and see where that gets you at that point.
A little bummed about the trade market. Unless something crazy happens. A lot of the big names that could really help are off. I’m sure something will happen that is unforeseen….but it just doesn’t feel like it will be the Royals in it. Which is fine. I think it’s pretty much Rengifo now…which would help a lot. But they absolutely need help or I can see a wear down effect as the season continues.
If I had $1 for every time you were sure the Royals weren't going to do anything and then they did, I'd have like $20 or so, which would be nice. They're going to make a move or two. And don't forget, they already made a move, so they're already in it.
Yeah, I don’t mean they won’t do anything. I do think they will do something. I need to clarify that I’m a little bummed that it doesn’t feel like they are going to get anything done that is going to help next year as well. It’s probably a way off assessment as they still have today and tomorrow. But the Arozarena, Parades, etc could have really helped this offense even next year. Now it feels more like the Pham, Ward (eh I guess he could help), rental reliever type. Rengifo is the guy I’d really like now.
I think Rengifo is a real possibility, but there are others. Ward is under team control for two more years after this one. Lane Thomas is under team control (not my favorite). There are probably four or five guys who I haven't even thought of, especially if a team pivots.
Every year, the deadline approaches and if your (general your) favorite team hasn't made big moves, it's doom and gloom. Then 36 hours later, there are a bunch of trades and the moves were made.
I would just like to point out. If the Rays, who have traded half their lineup…for about 10 minor leaguers….pass the Royals and get into the playoffs. That will be very frustrating. Lol. I’d also like to point out how well they do it. Multiple prospects back for every guy. And people will say look how they do x, y, and z. But really, maybe 3 of those 10 work out. 30%….but it works because they throw so many numbers at it. It maddening…but gotta respect it all at the same time. I’m not sure Royals fans would be ready for what they do and trading multiple people from a .500 team.
I think there's a middle ground between forcing your fans to cheer as if you're a college program and holding on to guys too long. I respect what they do, but I hate that it's so glorified.
I do wonder if instead of the Royals just adding a option to the end of a contract if they could do what the Rays did with Eflin and backloaded the deal so much you knew they were trading him at this point. It’s just a forgone conclusion they were going to move him when his salary jumped so much next year. It was clearly planned that way. Doesn’t seem like a bad way to do it though. I guess, the risk is he’s hurt and you’re stuck with that pitcher.
I don't really know if there's a huge difference, honestly. Maybe a bit, but there's still a pretty large risk. The upside is if the guy is healthy, they at least get some guaranteed innings while the option means the player leaves. But you're also not guaranteed to be on the hook if things turn south. I don't know. I think it's a lot closer to neutral, but I could see it being an added benefit to not have the risk of losing the guy you're acquiring. But there's also the difference between signing a guy to trade him and signing a guy with the option to trade him.
I have to admit that, seeing what the Cubs returned to the Rays for a player like Isaac Paredes, I would be bitterly disappointed if the Royals had not made an offer at all. I feel very strongly that they could have offered that much talent, if not more, without a serious impact on the future of the team and in return receive a player that would have immediately solidified a weak spot in the infield and the lineup. Not only that, Paredes is controllable for multiple seasons. Maybe they swung and missed. But to leave their bat on their shoulder for Paredes (a player who is also capable of playing multiple positions) would be disheartening.
Generally when a team is in on one player, they're in on multiples with a team. If they were in on Arozarena, they were probably in on Paredes (just like they're probably in on Fairbanks). In terms of value, the Royals could have absolutely matched what the Cubs gave up. It's probably something like Maikel Garcia, Will Klein and maybe Steven Zobac. I'm not real sure on that third piece. But while the value there is similar, the players are not. If the Rays were looking for a power bat with some theoretically rough batted ball luck, they don't really have that. I guess Melendez, but I think they wanted some versatility that Morel provides. Klein and Bigge both could be back-end relievers, but Klein's control issues may not have enticed the Rays. I would imagine an offer was out there, but the Rays valued the types of players the Cubs offered more.
Good analysis David! It was a tough weekend with our two best starting pitchers not having good games! Again, we need, in my opinion go to a six starting pitcher rotation because we are now in the dog days of summer and I worry about the increasing chances of injury with starting pitchers piling up the innings. Hopefully, the two relievers do not have serious injuries! The season has still been a major improvement over the disaster of the 2023 season, but we cannot give away our best prospects as the Phillies did in their trade for a relief pitcher!
Lorenzen for Pennington. Man, they never really gave Pennington a shot. Lorenzen just a pure rental. I mean, should help don’t get me wrong. It’s a fine move.
I just think they never believed Pennington was for real. I'd have liked to see more to prove it, but they did something you like a lot and they evaluated their own.
Wow! Definitely not a fan of that trade. And hard to believe others frankly. His strikeout rate is lower than average, walk rate is higher than average, and all for a one year rental. Ugh - prove me wrong Lorenzen please.
They very much need someone to take the fifth spot in the rotation so they can move Marsh to the pen. And actually, they may still need another. It’s going to be a battle of attrition at the end of these seasons.
The Royals need innings and they don’t believe Pennington can do it at the big league level. I’ve found myself skeptical too. Hopefully for them, they’re right. If they are, Lorenzen providing innings help is worth it. Hopefully for Pennington, who is by all accounts just a great guy, they’re wrong. But ultimately they traded a 26 year old reliever who had his first really good minor league season at that age. I don’t think it’s possible to have fewer feelings about this trade than I do.
They never thought Jason Adam was the real deal, and when he was in KC, he wasn't. Teams have done a great job of developing him after he left. The potential was there, the player development with the Royals wasn't. I hope we don't see Pennington become an elite reliever in the years ahead.
You might as well be talking about an entirely different organization than the one that moved on from Jason Adam.
Have to admit I didn't see that one coming! I guess they are happy with Long/Zerpa from the left side (not to mention Bubic is filling in nicely). I suspect they also had some personal/inside info from Ragans since he was a past team-mate?
Ragans never played with Lorenzen. He wasn't with the Rangers until this year. But I do think they're satisfied with their lefty options.
I could actually see them flipping Long. IDK what you get back. But Long is having a really good year as a historically very average pitcher. Maybe they get something worthwhile…maybe not.
Maybe. I think everything is a work in progress until 5 tomorrow.
I hated the bunt in the 1st by VP yesterday. Changed the momentum in that inning. I know they scored 2 runs, but I still didn't like it.
I wasn't a fan either. Q was pretty clear he didn't call it and as much as he said he didn't dislike it, I'm choosing to assume we don't see that happen again.
David, what are the plans for the new pitcher from the Rangers?
I don't know. They acquired him like 20 minutes ago. If I had to guess, I'd say he's going to start with Marsh moving to the bullpen eventually (but he also pitched yesterday and Marsh is scheduled to go today). Probably just provide some innings help in whatever way he can.
What did you hear was the package offered for Jazz?
Take it with a grain of salt but I’d heard it was highlighted by Jensen and Vaz and then maybe Austin Charles and potentially one other piece.
Objectively, doesn't seem all that bad for multiple years of an All Star-ish player. Subjectively, I wouldn't trade Jensen for Aaron Judge.
I just don't think Jazz is that good. I wouldn't have come close to that offer if I was making it, but I get the allure.
Certainly agree he's overrated, at least in some capacity. Part of me wonders if he's the type who plays better/harder on a winning team.
He might. But he was on one last year and was pretty much the same player.
I actually don’t disagree is an overrated player. The question I keep coming too though is I think Melendez is an overrated player as well. So is Jazz better than Melendez…yeah. Probably. But it’s not a great fit either because Jazz isn’t playing left field. I’m fine with passing on that one.
He seems like a classic Yankees acquisition. Someone the NY fans have heard of and will think it's a big deal, whether it is or not.
I'm with you; his production has never matched the hype.
I saw Walter Pennington got traded to the Rangers. I had hoped to see him up with the Royals all season long. McArthur has lost it and he should have been sent down long ago. I said it before, and you disagreed, but even as this team is now constructed with the few marginal acquisitions they have made, they will not go to the playoffs unless they add an impact player. They show every indication of fading and little or no indication of making a playoff run. They need lightning in a bottle again like they caught with Cole Ragans last year. The fan interest will be long gone if they don't have a winning road trip to Chicago and Detroit. Pressure is on. Let's see if the Royals can play with it.
The idea that McArthur has just been trash all season is way off base, in my opinion. He had a terrible week. And he had a rough May. But before the blown save on Wednesday, he'd been scoreless in 14 of 16 outings and faced the minimum in nine of those outings.
I also think that's an overreaction on fan interest. Even if they go 2-5, they'll come home at 59-54. There'll be plenty of interest.
Good points, but at some point, they need to show some positive energy and string together some wins. They need to show some sign of positive momentum or by the time the NFL pre-season begins, they will be forgotten. I know they were hot right after the break, but they negated that by losing several series after that.
I mean, they did just win eight of 10 before the last two series. If they're in the race, people will be upset after a loss but they won't lose interest. I can guarantee you that.
You are probably right as you are there while I'm 1,000 miles away in Virginia. A factor which indicates that is there a lot of exciting players on the team as well as one superstar. I was in KC in 1974 when Brett first came up and he was exciting to everyone. Had great supporting pieces around him too. Think Amos Otis, John Mayberry, Hal McRae, Cookie Rojas and Freddy Patek. I hope you are right, but most of all I hope their play keeps people coming out to see them and they close out a playoff spot.
Yep, the Chiefs get the bulk of attention once their season starts, and rightfully so, but this city gets electric with a good baseball team. And Bobby Witt Jr. changes the formula enough that if they're competitive, there'll be plenty of eyeballs on them.
Good read per usual. I remain excited to see what is next. I'm expecting them to be done for today, one "big" move tomorrow mid-day, then one buzzer beater.
Have you heard any consideration of a "buy/sell" type move? Aka Singer (or similar) for a mix of guys that help win now as well as the next 5 years? Seems like this sellers market could make that a possibility to consider.
This close to the deadline, I don't think there's anything to expect. If the deal is there today, they'll make it. If it's not, they'll work into tomorrow.
I haven't really heard anything about a buy/sell move. Singer was the play, but I just don't think they're going to do that right now. Otherwise, they'd be looking at trading a bat and they can't really afford to trade a bat.
As I was feeling a *bit* hot in McCarthur’s continued use, I was marveling at just how many pitchers there are in the MiLB/MLB system. What a job a pitching scout has in finding those in gems for the season to come, using money wisely, etc. So I felt much better!
As for the trade deadline- I believe they’ll pull something out favorably. I don’t know about the bat, I’ll take the bullpen help over that bc I think it’s going to take more than just one reliever to seriously help.
Great call on the starter acquisition - heard it here first, and only here
At this point do you think they are still looking for another reliever? And does last nights injury(ies) change their motivation at all?
I think I would be happier at this point to see Fairbanks over another bat
Yeah the ball calls in the second game were ugly. I think those post game comments from mild mannered Lugo were southern gentleman for "BS"
I don't think they'd say no to another reliever, but I think a bat is their priority over it. That doesn't mean they can't do both though.
Yeesh, with Pham gone and the bat options left, I am concerned of the cost to value.
Any bats on the board that you still like? ( I guess moot point in 24 hours)
Dang, all the white Sox options now gone. I’m fine with not getting Pham I guess. Kopech would have been an interesting study though.
I’m leaning more and more with being good with a Rengifo/Anderson trade yet as more options come off the board. Lol. I’m looking at you Angels. Thomas with the Nationals wouldn’t be terrible either. It would be better than what we have.
I feel like Kopech is a guy you curse about 40% of the time and marvel at the other 60%. I would have loved to be tantalized by him, but I'm fine with not getting either of them even though I'd have been happy to have both.
I would be remiss if I didn’t say what a great job you do scouting for us!!!
Thanks, Terri!
re : Fermin's HR. I get irrationally annoyed by fan interference like that. That idiot entering the field of play, & then his celebration when he made the catch. That kind of "look at me" junk drives me nuts. I know it's against the rules posted when you enter the ballpark, so I hope he got tossed. And it looked like he was there with a kid - I can't imagine the "we had to leave because your Dad is a putz" conversation is fun to have.
Yeah, it bothered me quite a bit too. Just don't be a dingbat.
he did get ejected. I don't mean to be a grouch, but maybe adults should not be allowed gloves at the ballpark
Good to hear he was tossed like you're supposed to be.
I don't have an issue with adults bringing their gloves ( I've done it myself ) as long as they don't think they're there to "make a play". If you were that good, you'd be on the field, Slappy.
BTW : big fan of your work in "Goes Bananas".
Fair, it should be fun for everyone. I am just a little grizzled after that dude didn't get called for fan interference with Blanco. I remember him being with a kid too, but he didn't have a glove. Dude was high fiving other rockies fans, so doubt they had the "dad is a putz" conversation
I don't watch my work after filmed, but thank you for your support