Captain Biceps is here.
The Michael Lorenzen deal is official:
“And I think that we’re going to win,” Lorenzen said. “Obviously, that’s another plus. I think they’re going to bring the best out of me, so I think it just makes sense in every direction.”
“When I hung up the phone with Michael the other night, he said, ‘Let’s win the division.’” general manager J.J. Picollo added. “I think the mindset has changed on this team. It’s gone from, I’ll say hope, to more of a laser-focused goal of winning the World Series. I think it’s just the maturity of the team — the culture has changed, the objectives have changed.”
Davy Andrews at FanGraphs reviews the signing:
I’m sorry. That was a lot of negativity. I don’t necessarily think that Lorenzen is a lost cause, and a reunion with the Royals makes a lot of sense. They needed someone to replace the innings they lost by trading Brady Singer to Cincinnati. Also, even when he was at his best, Lorenzen routinely outperformed his peripherals. He was much more of a contact manager than a strikeout pitcher, and there’s no place better for such an approach than Kauffman Stadium. Entering his age-33 season, he no longer has above-average fastball velocity, but he throws the kitchen sink – four-seamer, sinker, changeup, cutter, slider, sweeper, curveball – and he’s still figuring out how to optimize the mix. In 2024, he brought back the cutter and curve, which he’d previously abandoned; the curve worked well and the slider didn’t. That’s useful information. He could keep throwing the sweeper more. He could stand to throw his changeup, which ran a 37% whiff rate, more as well. He also brings versatility, as he’s spent his career hopping between the rotation and the bullpen.
Anne Rogers checks in on the state of the rotation following said signing:
The Royals believe in their contingent of young starters, which includes Alec Marsh, Kris Bubic, Kyle Wright, Daniel Lynch IV and others. All will compete for a rotation spot in Spring Training. But the Royals can’t and won’t expect Bubic, who was a reliever last year in his first season back from Tommy John surgery, and Wright, who has not pitched since 2023 because of right shoulder surgery and will likely be delayed entering ’25, to contribute 180-plus innings as they put their injuries behind them. The Royals needed reliability, and Lorenzen provides that, while raising the competition in spring.
Kansas City’s rotation on Opening Day could include Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Wacha, Lorenzen and whoever wins the fifth starter competition, with the other options likely heading to the bullpen to begin the year. Bubic was great in relief last year, and Marsh and Lynch both showed potential there as well.
No LIDOM update for offseason Royals as none of the four postseason teams there feature anybody currently in the organization. Plenty of old friends are present, however, including one name that caught me off guard. Do you remember A.J. Puckett? He was Kansas City’s first pick in the 2016 draft, a second rounder as they surrendered their first-round pick to sign Ian Kennedy (not the worst draft to lose your first rounder). He was traded to the White Sox for Melky Cabrera before getting hurt and missing the next three seasons. Puckett then kicked around affiliated ball from 2021-23 but didn’t pitch for anybody last year. I figured he was done but, lo and behold, he resurfaced with a couple appearances for Tigres del Licey in the LIDOM postseason.
Anyhow, I just thought that was a fun aside. Let’s move on to LVBP… wait, scratch that. I was mistaken last week when I reported that Carlos Hernández’s Leones del Caracas were in a postseason play-in. They had already played that game and lost. Ah well, how about LBPRC?
Criollos de Caguas wrapped up their regular season with Nelson Velázquez being the team’s best hitter, slashing .246/.383/.462 in 81 plate appearances. Postseason play began on Tuesday with Criollos squaring off against Indios de Mayagüez. In two postseason games, Velázquez is 4-9 with two homers and a walk. I won’t even attempt to make sense of this postseason structure:
Finally, going down under now to Brisbane Bandits:
- Hyungchan Um made three starts at catcher and one as the DH this week, going 6-15 with two walks and two homers. He has hit .288/.339/.559 in 122 plate appearances.
- Brennon McNair started three games as the DH and one in left field, going 6-15 with two homers and five walks. This has been his strongest offensive performance of his entire pro career, batting .269/.370/.620 in 128 plate appearances.
- Nataneal Garabitos seems to have lost his role in Brisbane’s bullpen as he did not appear in a game this week.
The Minnesota Twins may have new ownership by Opening Day.
Matthew Seidler pushed back against accusations levied against him in a lawsuit filed by Sheel Seidler.
Inside Peligro Sports, the heart of Dominican baseball in New York City (and, arguably, the United States). ($)
Marlins left-handed pitcher Braxton Garrett will miss the 2025 season after undergoing UCL surgery.
Former Orioles reliever Brian Matusz passed away at age 37.
The Washington Nationals are signing infielder Amed Rosario to a one-year deal.
The Chicago White Sox are signing left-handed pitcher Martín Pérez to a one-year deal.
LeBron James continues doing things on the basketball court that no other 40-year-old can.
Your guide to the Australian Open, the year’s first tennis Grand Slam that begins this weekend.
This year’s Consumer Electronics Show has featured some very bizarre new tech.
I’ve received wise advice from many people and ignored all of it.
The most annoying people in New York are really upset about congestion pricing.
Your song of the day is Live In The Sky by Tritonal & Eric Lumiere.