Thank you, veterans,
David Laurila at Fangraphs talks to J.J. Picollo at the GM meetings.
“We need to be a little more dynamic offensively, and by that I mean we need to get on base at a higher rate than we did this year,” Picollo told me earlier this week in San Antonio. “We’re trying to target players we can lengthen out our lineup with, whether it’s someone at the top, in the middle, or toward the back end. Our identity is more pitching and defense, base running, and situational hitting, so how can we add some guys that can complement what we already have that will allow us to score more runs?”
Here’s how Jac Caglianone and other Royals prospects fared in the AFL Fall Stars Game.
Jac Caglianone (KC No. 1/MLB No. 17) reached base in all three of his plate appearances — highlighted by a screaming double to left in the third, after which he stole third base. Backstop Carter Jensen (KC No. 5) entered in the third, spending three innings behind the plate while going hitless in a pair of ABs. Right-hander Luinder Avila (KC No. 26) opened a three-run third inning with a pair of walks and a wild pitch, but he navigated out of a jam with a four-pitch strikeout.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter considers if the Royals will trade Kris Bubic.
However, he only pitched 30.1 innings in 2024 and has only accumulated 46.1 IP the past two seasons. Will Bubic and his pitch quality hit a wall once he reaches the 100-inning mark? Are the Royals comfortable with him being a No. 4 or 5 starter who is less dominant on the mound?
How his stuff progresses in longer-inning outings, this spring could determine not only Bubic’s role with the Royals in 2025 but also whether or not he stays in Kansas City long-term. I do not see the Royals trading him until they know what he can do in Spring Training in Surprise.
Jaylon Thompson writes that Michael Wacha has time to check out more Kansas City establishments.
Wacha said he still has several KC barbecue establishments to discover. For now, he said he enjoys Jack Stack Barbecue.
“There are plenty of restaurants and stuff that we didn’t get a chance to check out this past summer,” he said.
Royals Weekly has some reservations about the Wacha deal.
That said, paying for pitching is always a little dicey, and Wacha has a few negative indicators to consider. Start with the fact that he really only has one truly effective pitch. While his changeup has an insane +17 run value, no other pitch has better than a +1, and three of his pitches have negative run values (cutter, slider, and curveball).
And while Wacha has a well-above average hard hit rate, he does allow a significant number of barrels per plate appearance. As a reminder, that means his gives up quite a few balls in play that are hit with a lot exit velocity at an optimal launch angle. In 2024, he ranked in the 39th percentile in barrel percentage.
Former Kansas City Athletics pitcher Bud Daley dies at age 92.
The Marlins hire Dodgers coach Clayton McCullough as manager.
Japanese star Roki Sasaki will be posted for MLB teams.
The Yankees are interested in free agent reliever Carlos Estévez.
The Mets are interested in White Sox pitcher Garrett Crochet.
The Tigers will give Kenta Maeda a chance to win back his rotation spot.
Why Blake Snell is in a better situation with free agency than he was last year.
Reggie Jackson steps down from his front office role with the Astros.
Former Orioles first baseman Trey Mancini is hoping to come back after not playing this year.
Scientists analyze baseball’s “magic mud.”
Chiefs haters misinterpret comments Patrick Mahomes made on a hot mic as asking referees for help.
Cowboys receive CeeDee Lamb wants curtains at AT&T Stadium.
Scientists accidentally discover a sea creature that can reverse its age.
Weird Al and Will Forte cover Hot to Go at Thundergong! in Kansas City.
Yellowstone writes out Kevin Costner’s character after the actor left the show.
Your song of the day is Sammy Hagar with Remember the Heroes.