Daily Clips
March 28, 2017
LOCAL
Royals smash four home runs against A's
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan & Jane Lee/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221141230/four-royals-homer-against-athletics/
Royals going with Mondesi at second base
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221088558/raul-mondesi-wins-royals-second-base-job/
Royals' moves open door for Moylan in 'pen
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221123536/royals-moves-make-room-for-peter-moylan/
Soler might open season on disabled list
Royals' offseason acquisition has oblique strain
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221088776/jorge-soler-may-start-season-on-disabled-list/
Time running out for core as free agency nears
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221046372/royals-core-could-move-at-trade-deadline/
Royals hit four homers, hammer A’s 10-3
March 27, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article141127803.html
Royals’ Jorge Soler strains oblique, could begin season on disabled list
March 27, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article141092728.html
Raul Mondesi wins starting second base job for the Royals
March 27, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article141000463.html
Reliever Peter Moylan poised to fill the final opening in the Royals’ bullpen
March 27, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article141034383.html
If you’re bored, do what baseball coaches do: play a little fungo golf
March 27, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/judging-the-royals/article140987333.html
The story behind the most memorable play of the 2014 World Series
March 28, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/judging-the-royals/article141183338.html
Kauffman Stadium is home to two of the craziest ballpark foods, says USA Today
March 27, 2017 By Joyce Smith/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/news/business/biz-columns-blogs/cityscape/article141118228.html
MINORS
O'Brien & Alexander Optioned to Omaha
Three players optioned to Omaha, six reassigned by Royals
March 27, 2017 By Andrew Green/Omaha Storm Chasers
http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20170327&content_id=221117082&fext=.jsp&vkey=news_t541&sid=t541
NATIONAL
Cleveland Indians aim to follow Kansas City Royals' blueprint
March 27, 2017 By Matthew Florjancic/WKYC.com
http://www.wkyc.com/sports/mlb/indians/cleveland-indians-aim-to-follow-kansas-city-royals-blueprint/425859340
MLB TRANSACTIONS
March 28, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions
LOCAL
Royals smash four home runs against A's
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan & Jane Lee/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221141230/four-royals-homer-against-athletics/
Mike Moustakas, Paulo Orlando, Brandon Moss and Alcides Escobar homered for the Royals, who tagged A's No. 4 starter Andrew Triggs for eight runs in a 10-3 victory at Hohokam Stadium on Monday afternoon.
Triggs allowed three of the homers, and eight hits overall, in just 3 2/3 innings in his second-to-last tuneup before his scheduled April 6 season debut against the Angels. The right-hander also walked a pair of batters and unleashed a wild pitch.
Royals No. 4 starter Jason Vargas, meanwhile, enjoyed a seven-inning outing. The left-hander allowed two runs on seven hits -- including A's prospect Matt Chapman's third homer of the spring -- while striking out five.
Kansas City posted five runs in a third inning that included a solo shot from Moustakas and a two-run homer off the bat of Orlando. Raul Mondesi, awarded the starting second base job Monday, capped the frame with a two-run double.
Moustakas, Escobar and Lorenzo Cain turned in multi-hit games for the Royals.
Royals up next:The Royals return to Surprise Stadium on Tuesday as right-hander Nathan Karns, the No. 5 starter, will take the mound against the White Sox in a 3:05 p.m. CT start in a game shown live on MLB.TV. Closer Kelvin Herrera and left-hander Travis Wood also are expected to pitch.
Athletics up next: A's fifth starter Raul Alcantara will make his final start in the desert Tuesday in a road matchup with the Angels at Tempe Diablo Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 1:05 p.m. PT. Right-hander Liam Hendriks is also scheduled to pitch in the game, which will be shown live on MLB.TV.
Royals going with Mondesi at second base
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221088558/raul-mondesi-wins-royals-second-base-job/
The intense and complicated battle for the Royals' second-base job is over. Manager Ned Yost named 21-year-old Raul Mondesi his starter Monday morning.
Mondesi, the surprise of camp who is hitting .378, beat out Christian Colon, Cheslor Cuthbert and Whit Merrifield. Cuthbert likely has the team made as the primary backup to third baseman Mike Moustakas, who is coming off right ACL surgery this past May and could be brought along slowly in April.
Kansas City, though, still has another decision to make: Who will win the roster battle between Colon and Merrifield?
"That will probably go right down to the end," Yost said.
Merrifield has options, Colon does not.
"It makes the decision tough," Yost said.
Mondesi was barely in the conversation for the second-base job when camp opened in mid February.
"But the more we saw him play this spring," Yost said, "we knew we had to keep an open mind. Mondi came in and did a great job and just won the job outright."
The Royals already knew of Mondesi's elite speed and defensive skills. But they saw a different player this spring than the one who was overmatched at the plate in a two-month callup in late 2016.
"He can impact a game in so many ways," Yost said. "He can impact it with his defense, his legs, his power, his ability to bunt."
Mondesi showed that ability over the weekend. He hit a walk-off home run Saturday, his third homer this spring, then he stole three bases in the Royals' 9-8 win over the Angels on Sunday.
Yost gushed about Mondesi's skill set Monday morning.
"I'm not so sure who was the best player on the field [Sunday]," Yost said. "Was it [Mike] Trout or Mondi? I mean, that day. Trout is Trout. I'm not saying Mondi is Trout. But the best player on the field that day -- Mondi was right there with him."
Mondesi received congratulations from Merrifield and Colon in the clubhouse Monday morning.
"First of all, thank God for the opportunity," Mondesi said. "They are great guys. They came to me and congratulated me. I wish the best for them, too."
Mondesi admits he came to camp determined.
"I worked hard all offseason on the little things," he said. "Nothing is impossible. I wanted to come here and play small ball. I wanted to forget those big swings I usually have. That's not my game. I need to get on base and steal bases."
Royals' moves open door for Moylan in 'pen
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221123536/royals-moves-make-room-for-peter-moylan/
The Royals made several roster moves Monday morning that appear to pave the way for veteran reliever Peter Moylan to emerge with the final bullpen spot.
The Royals optioned left-hander Scott Alexander, and outfielders Billy Burns and Peter O'Brien to Triple-A Omaha.
The Royals also assigned pitchers Al Alburquerque, Yender Caramo, Malcom Culver and Eric Stout to Minor League camp, along with catcher Zane Evans and infielder Humberto Arteaga.
With Alburquerque, Caramo and Alexander out of camp, Moylan, 38, appears to be the last man standing for the seventh and final bullpen spot. Moylan, who had a 3.43 ERA in 50 appearances in 2016, is on a Minor League deal and the Royals would have to make a corresponding roster move.
Moylan's opt-out date is Tuesday.
Soler might open season on disabled list
Royals' offseason acquisition has oblique strain
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221088776/jorge-soler-may-start-season-on-disabled-list/
Royals outfielder Jorge Soler sustained an oblique strain in his final at-bat in a Minor League game on Sunday and could start the regular season on the disabled list, manager Ned Yost said.
An MRI on Monday showed Soler, who was acquired in the offseason in a trade with the Cubs for closer Wade Davis, had suffered a grade one strain. As a result, he will be shut down for five to seven days. The Royals were not certain whether Soler would remain in extended Spring Training.
The injury is to Soler's left side.
"We don't know the extent of it," Yost said. "But in all probability, it looks like a DL stint."
Soler, expected to be the starting right fielder, had been having a rough spring offensively, hitting .143 with two home runs in 49 at-bats.
If Soler goes on the disabled list, it could open up a roster spot for speedy outfielder Terrance Gore.
"We haven't made any decisions and we won't likely make any until right up to the end," Yost said. "But Gore is more than just a baserunning weapon. He can defend and his offense is getting better."
Time running out for core as free agency nears
March 27, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/221046372/royals-core-could-move-at-trade-deadline/
It has been well-documented that, to some degree, the Royals' window of opportunity could close after 2017.
At one point this past offseason, the Royals had six major members of their core set to become free agents after 2017. One of those, closer Wade Davis, was traded for Cubs outfielder Jorge Soler. Another, left-hander and staff ace Danny Duffy, signed a five-year, $65 million extension.
Still, four players from the 2015 World Series championship club -- shortstop Alcides Escobar, center fielder Lorenzo Cain, first baseman Eric Hosmer and third baseman Mike Moustakas -- will become free agents after this season unless they sign extensions.
So, will the Royals and general manager Dayton Moore be big sellers when the non-waiver Trade Deadline looms in late July? It's possible. Even Moore conceded in Spring Training that the Royals at the very least will have to consider moving one or more of those players if the team suddenly falls out of contention in July.
But here's the big question: Would the Royals consider a fire sale? For one thing, Moore is a fighter, and while he has acknowledged that he can't keep all of his pending free agents, he will battle to keep one or two.
Second, Moore and his staff will not just punt the season if they are even remotely in range of a postseason spot. Remember 2014, when the Royals were seven games out of first in late July and many national scribes and bloggers were adamant that the Royals should sell at the Trade Deadline? Moore held ground, didn't trade any of his core, and the Royals made the postseason and ultimately got to Game 7 of the World Series.
Conversely, Moore and his staff could very well become buyers at the Trade Deadline if they are in the hunt for a postseason spot.
"We know this team and what it is capable of," Moore said early in spring. "The core group knows what it takes to win a championship, and we will do whatever we can in our power to win another championship."
That does not sound like a man thinking a whole lot about selling in late July.
The other factor that would dissuade Moore and his staff from selling is that just because his four pending free agents will file this fall, it doesn't mean they won't end up being Royals anyway.
Two years ago, Alex Gordon filed for free agency, and while many observers assumed he was long gone, Moore found a way to sign Gordon to a long-term deal. That could happen with any of the four pending free agents, all four of whom have expressed a desire to stay long-term with the Royals.
The question becomes which of the four makes the most sense to keep.
Hosmer: The sabermetrics community has long been down on his value, suggesting his defense (three American League Gold Glove Awards) and offense (career-high 25 homers, 104 RBIs in 2016) are overrated. The Royals' coaching staff and front office openly laugh at those suggestions and point to Hosmer's leadership qualities and clutch performances in the postseason, including in the recent World Baseball Classic. A long-term deal is still very much a possibility.
Moustakas: Even though the Royals have a suitable backup in Cheslor Cuthbert, Moustakas was a key element to the 2014 and '15 World Series trips. A more vocal leader than Hosmer, Moustakas, as one Royals coach said recently, "simply wants to win more than your guy. You can't put a sabermetric value on that." Solid chance the Royals find a way to keep him.
Cain: This one is a little more difficult to analyze. He is the engine that often makes the Royals go, and his value was obvious last season when he had to miss the final five weeks because of a hand/wrist injury and the Royals subsequently faded from contention. But he'll be 31 in April with a long history of injuries, thus a tough sell to commit long-term.
Escobar: Royals fans have long been frustrated with his impatience at the plate (.297 career on-base percentage), but Escobar has been regarded as a solid defender (one Gold Glove Award) who is durable (averaging close to 156 games per season since 2010). But the Royals have Raul Mondesi waiting in the wings.
Royals hit four homers, hammer A’s 10-3
March 27, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article141127803.html
The warm temperatures, dry air and pristine conditions here can turn any afternoon in the Cactus League into a hitter’s paradise. On Monday at Hohokam Stadium, the Royals tested the theory, hitting the Oakland A’s with an onslaught of power.
The blitzkrieg included four homers, three doubles and 12 hits. The Royals rode the offensive production to a 10-3 victory over the Oakland A’s.
Mike Moustakas finished 2 for 4 and hammered his fifth homer of the spring. Paulo Orlando, Brandon Moss and Alcides Escobar also supplied long balls.
“Big day offensively,” Royals manager Ned Yost said.
In all, the club has piled up 44 homers in Cactus League play, surpassing the 41 long balls hit last spring. The number includes three from Brandon Moss, an offseason acquisition who started slowly this spring before homering in back-to-back days. On early Monday morning, he cited a minor mechanical adjustment involving his head placement. For two days, he appeared settled in at the plate.
“He’s getting locked in right now, pretty good,” Yost said.
The Royals (16-13-1) will finish their Cactus League schedule with consecutive home games against the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The arms
Starting pitcher Jason Vargas gave up just two runs while scattering seven hits across seven innings.
Vargas will make one final tune-up appearance this weekend in Texas before his first start of the regular season on April 7 in Houston. On Monday, he threw 95 pitches, finishing with five strikeouts and zero walks.