Daily Clips
December 1, 2017
LOCAL
Meet KC's new hitting coach, Terry Bradshaw
Sharing name with Steelers' Hall of Fame QB doesn't bother baseball vet
November 30, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/262636754/royals-terry-bradshaw-enjoys-famous-moniker/
Royals expected to tender contracts to Herrera, Karns, Maurer before Friday deadline
November 30, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article187421263.html
Former Royal fired from broadcast job for ‘inappropriate behavior and comments’
November 30, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article187445058.html
Tickets to See Royals GM Available to Public
November 30, 2017 KSAL.com
http://www.ksal.com/tickets-to-see-royals-gm-available-to-public/
MINORS
Blue Rocks Release Game Times for 2018 Season
Five Weekday Day Games and Earlier Saturday Start Times On Tap for Upcoming Campaign
November 30, 2017 By Matt Janus/Wilmington Blue Rocks
https://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/blue-rocks-release-game-times-for-2018-season/c-262636170
Chukars 2018 Season to Begin June 15
November 30, 2017 By Luke O'Roark/Bonner County Daily Bee
http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/article/20171130/AP/311309937
NATIONAL
D-backs acquire Boxberger in trade with Rays
Arizona sends right-handed prospect Taylor to Tampa Bay
November 30, 2017 By Steve Gilbert/MLB.com
http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/262627826/d-backs-acquire-brad-boxberger-from-rays/
Cruz named winner of Outstanding DH Award
November 30, 2017 By Greg Johns/MLB.com
http://m.mariners.mlb.com/news/article/262647002/nelson-cruz-wins-outstanding-dh-award/
This Miami teen with a multimillion dollar signing bonus is giving back to less fortunate
November 30, 2017 By Walter Villa/Miami Herald
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/high-school/prep-miami-dade/article187301973.html
MLB TRANSACTIONS
December 1, 2017 •.CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions
LOCAL
Meet KC's new hitting coach, Terry Bradshaw
Sharing name with Steelers' Hall of Fame QB doesn't bother baseball vet
November 30, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/262636754/royals-terry-bradshaw-enjoys-famous-moniker/
New Royals hitting coach Terry Bradshaw has become accustomed over the years to fans doing a double-take when they see or hear his name.
Virtually all of his adult life, Bradshaw, 48, has had to deal with people assuming he might be the famous Hall of Fame quarterback from the Pittsburgh Steelers.
But Bradshaw says he doesn't mind sharing the name of the football icon.
"I never wished I had a different name," Bradshaw said, laughing. "Not really.
"It's been fun. I've had the UPS truck show up at my house with packages full of stuff I'm supposed to autograph -- footballs, football cards, photos, jerseys. I've gotten calls to speak at conventions. You name it.
"It's fun having the same name as a Hall of Fame quarterback."
Bradshaw says he has never met the other Bradshaw, now a network studio analyst, though he admits it would be enjoyable to share his stories.
And now that Bradshaw has his first big league coaching job -- he was hired in November to replace Dale Sveum, who was elevated to bench coach --- he expects the mistaken identity to reach new heights, at least for a while.
Bradshaw is just grateful for his present opportunity. He has been in the Royals' system since 2000, serving as a hitting coach at Double-A Northwest Arkansas and Triple-A Omaha, and for the past five seasons as a roving Minor League hitting coordinator.
Kansas City general manager Dayton Moore promoted Bradshaw because he has worked with several of the current Royals players in the Minors, from Salvador Perez to Whit Merrifield. Moore also raves about Bradshaw's loyalty to the organization.
"He's had opportunities to go elsewhere, and he didn't," Moore said.
Bradshaw shrugs off the praise.
"Only three other opportunities to my knowledge, and that was kind of early on," Bradshaw said. "But Kansas City has always been my home, so to speak. It's the people and it's how I've been treated. It all starts with Dayton Moore.
"I've always felt like they've treated me like family. That's where my loyalty comes from. This is where I need to be. I never considered leaving."
Bradshaw said his hitting philosophy is fairly fundamental.
"There are no magical solutions," he said. "You just have to find your best pitch to hit and attack it. That's what we'll concentrate on. I think we've got a lot of talent to work with."
Bradshaw said there is one common denominator to being a successful hitting coach -- work ethic.
"My mentality when I walk through the door is to do the best job I can every single day," he said. "I have to be my best every day I walk through the door. That's it."
Royals expected to tender contracts to Herrera, Karns, Maurer before Friday deadline
November 30, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article187421263.html
Don’t expect many surprises before Friday’s 7 p.m. deadline to tender 2018 contracts to salary arbitration-eligible players. The Royals are expected to tender contracts to pitchers Kelvin Herrera, Nathan Karns and Brandon Maurer, the club’s most high-profile players eligible for salary arbitration.
The final arbitration-eligible player is right-handed pitcher Mike Morin, acquired off waivers in September. Royals general manager Dayton Moore said Thursday that the club was still in the process of making tender decisions on all their eligible players.
Players reach salary arbitration after accumulating three years of major-league service time or “super-two” status. Once that happens, clubs can tender those players contracts and head to the arbitration process. Players reach full free agency after six years of service time. In arbitration, the two sides exchange salary figures in January. They can settle at any time before a potential arbitration hearing in February.
Clubs can also opt to “non-tender” an arbitration-eligible player as a move to cut costs or clear space on the 40-man roster. The Royals, however, are likely to tender contracts to Herrera and Maurer, projected to be the most expensive among their four potential arbitration cases.
Herrera, 27, posted a 4.25 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 59 1/3 innings while struggling in his first season as the team’s primary closer. He made $5.325 million after settling before a potential arbitration hearing last winter and could make close to $8.3 million in arbitration this year, according to projections from MLB Trade Rumors. Yet the Royals continue to see value in his right arm. Herrera has appeared in two All-Star Games and can still dial his fastball up into the upper 90s. He could compete for a spot in the back end of the bullpen while also profiling as a trade candidate this winter or before the deadline next summer.
Maurer, meanwhile, is projected to make $3.8 million in his second year of arbitration after making $1.9 million last season. He was largely ineffective after being acquired from the San Diego Padres before the trade deadline, logging an 8.10 ERA in 26 appearances. Yet his premium stuff remains tantalizing for a team looking for modestly cheap bullpen help. Maurer, 27, is under club control through the 2019 season.
Karns, 30, is expected to compete for a rotation spot after returning from season-ending surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome. Acquired for outfielder Jarrod Dyson before last season, Karns, 30, is reaching arbitration for the first time and is projected to make $1.4 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors. Morin, 26, is a Kansas City-area native who was claimed off waivers in September from the Los Angeles Angels. He surrendered five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings across six appearances. He is slated to make $700,000 in arbitration.
Former Royal fired from broadcast job for ‘inappropriate behavior and comments’
November 30, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article187445058.html
Former Royals catcher Gregg Zaun was fired from his job as an analyst on Sportsnet in Canada because of allegations of inappropriate behavior in the workplace, the network said.
Zaun, who played for the Royals in the 2000-01 seasons, joined Sportsnet in 2011 after retiring from baseball. He is the latest in a wave of men who have been accused with inappropriate behavior in the workplace, starting with movie producer Harvey Weinstein in October. The list has included Charlie Rose, Jeffrey Tambor, Matt Lauer and many others.
Rick Brace, president of Rogers Media, released this statement Thursday:
“This week, we received complaints from multiple female employees at Sportsnet regarding inappropriate behavior and comments by Gregg Zaun in the workplace. After investigating the matter, we decided to terminate his contract, effective immediately. This type of behavior completely contradicts our standards and our core values. We believe in a professional workplace where all employees feel comfortable and respected. We are grateful to our employees who spoke with us and we will take every measure to protect their privacy.”
According to Sportsnet, there were no allegations of physical or sexual assault.
Zaun, 46, has worked as a studio analyst and pregame host for Blue Jays games. In 2015, he lashed out at late Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura for his tweets following a brouhaha in Toronto.
Tickets to See Royals GM Available to Public
November 30, 2017 KSAL.com
http://www.ksal.com/tickets-to-see-royals-gm-available-to-public/
Tickets to see Kansas City Royals Senior Vice President-Baseball Operations/General Manager Dayton Moore speak in Salina area on sale to the general public.
Moore will be the featured speaker at the Salina Area Chamber of Commerce Annual Banquet and Membership Meeting on January 30th.
Cost of dinner tickets are $60 per person for Chamber members and $85 per person for the general public.
“We have had a tremendous response to the banquet thus far,” stated Guy Walker, Chamber Chairman. “Over 400 dinner tickets have already been sold. Members are excited about having Dayton Moore as our speaker. Obviously there are many Royals fans in the community, but Dayton’s reputation as a philanthropist and great speaker seems to be resonating with ticket buyers as well. It’s going to be a great night.”
A membership networking reception will be held from 5-6:15pm in Heritage Hall of the Events Center. A silent auction featuring Kansas City Royals Memorabilia will be held during the reception. Also, autographed copies of Dayton’s recent book, More Than a Season, will be sold in the Events Center lobby.
All proceeds from Mr. Moore’s speaking engagement, book sales, and auction will go to his “C” You in the Major Leagues Foundation. The Foundation was created to support youth baseball, education, families in crisis and faith-based programs and organizations.
The banquet will begin at 6:30pm with a plated dinner on the floor of the arena. The program will begin at approximately 7:00pm with remarks by the outgoing Chamber Chairman Guy Walker and incoming Chamber Chairman Mark Ritter, and the address by Dayton Moore.
MINORS
Blue Rocks Release Game Times for 2018 Season
Five Weekday Day Games and Earlier Saturday Start Times On Tap for Upcoming Campaign
November 30, 2017 By Matt Janus/Wilmington Blue Rocks
https://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/blue-rocks-release-game-times-for-2018-season/c-262636170
With the calendar winding down on 2017, the Wilmington Blue Rocks have unveiled game times for all home contests during the upcoming campaign. The 2018 season will feature three midweek matinees as well as two holiday afternoon games to mix with Wilmington's usual routine.
The standard starting time for all Monday-through-Thursday games at Frawley Stadium will be 6:35 p.m., minus five exceptions. A pair of School Kids' Specials on Wednesday April 18 and Wednesday May 16 will both feature 10:35 a.m. first pitches. The team will start its annual Camp Day game on Wednesday, July 25 at 11:05 a.m. Wilmington will also celebrate Memorial Day on Monday, May 28 and Labor Day on Monday, September 3 with special 12:05 p.m. first pitches.
As in seasons past every Friday home game will start at 7:05 p.m. and each Sunday home affair will begin at 1:35 p.m. In 2018 the Blue Rocks will move up their Saturday start times by one hour, with each contest getting underway at 6:05 p.m.
The Blue Rocks will reveal its entire promotional schedule in January.
Season seats, mini plans and group tickets for the 2018 season are on sale now, with individual tickets available starting in February. For more information please call 302-888-BLUE or visit the team's website at BlueRocks.com.
Chukars 2018 Season to Begin June 15
November 30, 2017 By Luke O'Roark/Bonner County Daily Bee
http://www.bonnercountydailybee.com/article/20171130/AP/311309937
It may be December, but the Chukars’ season is right around the corner.
The Idaho Falls Chukars, a rookie-advanced affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, announced their schedule in a press release Thursday.
The Chukars’ opening day is set for Friday, June 15th, as Idaho Falls will host the reigning Pioneer League champion Ogden Raptors. First pitch is set for 7:15 p.m. at Melaleuca Field.
The Chukars will also be playing at Melaleuca Field on July 4th for the 25th consecutive season in 2018, according to the press release. Start time for the July 4th game is at 4:30 p.m. The Chukars’ regular season will conclude on Thursday, Sept. 6.
The press release did not include the Chukars’ entire regular season schedule.
“From a fan and operator’s perspective, this will be a great schedule as it features eight Friday home games and only four Sunday home games,” Chukars’ general manager Kevin Greene said in the press release. “You can expect all of the same great, nightly and on-field promotions as in the past, plus a few new surprises for 2018.”
During 2017, the Chukars went 33-43 (.434) and missed the Pioneer League playoffs for the second-straight year.
The Chukars will also have a new manager in 2018, as former manager Justin Gemoll joined Grand Canyon University’s coaching staff back in September.
The Chukars have not announced their new manager or coaching staff yet.
NATIONAL
D-backs acquire Boxberger in trade with Rays
Arizona sends right-handed prospect Taylor to Tampa Bay
November 30, 2017 By Steve Gilbert/MLB.com
http://m.dbacks.mlb.com/news/article/262627826/d-backs-acquire-brad-boxberger-from-rays/
The D-backs added to their bullpen Thursday by acquiring right-hander Brad Boxberger from the Rays in exchange for Minor League right-hander Curtis Taylor.
"Going into the offseason, we knew we needed to focus on supplementing the bullpen, adding to the back end of the bullpen specifically," D-backs general manager Mike Hazen said. "And we feel like he fits all that stuff for us. He has the ability to close, he has the ability to pitch in late/leverage roles and we still maintain our flexibility in terms of who else we may add to the bullpen. We think he's an important piece."
D-backs relievers comibined for a 3.78 ERA in 2017, which was the fifth best in the Majors. Closer Fernando Rodney is a free agent, and while the club is still keeping in touch with him, they are taking a flexible approach to building the bullpen, much like they did last offseason.