Fountains Up!
Jaylon Thompson writes that Carlos Estévez is pumped to be with the Royals.
“Just pounding the strike zone right there,” Estévez said after his bullpen session. “I knew the locations I had to go with my changeup and slider.
“But with my fastball, I’ve just gotta keep pounding the strike zone. You know, just getting through that first bullpen feeling good and throwing a lot of strikes, I think I’m ahead right now and I’m doing good.”
David Lesky considers possible contract extensions, including one for Vinnie Pasquantino.
The big first baseman is heading into his final year of pre-arbitration and then will have three years. Pete Alonso’s free agency should scare Pasquantino some and the way teams operate should too. The type of player he is just doesn’t get big deals anymore. That said, Freddie Freeman did, so if Pasquantino can stay healthy and put up bigger numbers, he could still be looking at a big deal in free agency. Nathaniel Lowe is an interesting comp for him and he went $4 million to $7.5 million to somewhere around $10.5 million in arbitration, though he was a super two, so he still has one more year. That’s $22 million over three years. Give Pasquantino that plus his $1 million this year (rounding) and add something like $14 million per year for two years and you get six years and $37 million. I’d probably do that because of how little it is, but I have a hunch Pasquantino wouldn’t.
Vahe Gregorian writes that last year was nice, but the Royals want more.
“We have a superstar …” Royals owner John Sherman said. “We made a decision to assert ourselves and be more aggressive and surround him with talent, and we’re trying to build on that this year.”
By becoming something they haven’t been in 40 years:
A perennial contender.
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter writes about storylines to follow in spring training.
As of February 13th, Kyle Isbel may be the only outfielder whose role is guaranteed for 2025. However, he likely will be benched against left-handed starting pitchers. Dairon Blanco and newcomer Joey Wiemer could battle for that platoon spot on the Royals roster, with Wiemer sporting the best chance due to his better fielding ability in the outfield.
The corner outfield spots could be a lot more complicated.
Craig Brown reacts to this year’s marketing slogan “Fountains Up.”
Jac Caglianone met Roger Clemens and Mark Teixeira at the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction in Overland Park.
Arizona signs reliever Kendall Graveman to a one-year deal.
Cleveland signs former Royals pitcher Jakob Junis to a one-year deal.
The Blue Jays are nearing the deadline to extend Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The Padres are looking to add another hitter.
Yankees pitcher Marcus Stroman is not accepting a demotion to the bullpen.
This could be a crucial season for the Chicago Cubs.
The Giants plan to play LaMonte Wade in the outfield this year.
Why other teams can only blame themselves for the Dodgers’ success.
MLB promotes five umpires to full-time status.
The college baseball teams to watch in 2025.
Are the Philadelphia Eagles football’s next dynasty?
In defense of the NBA’s slam dunk contest.
A live-action Dungeons & Dragons TV series is coming to Netflix.
Should museums return looted artifacts?
The 100 greatest TV performances of the 21st century.
Your song of the day is Led Zeppelin with Immigrant Song.