Daily Clips
February 6, 2018
LOCAL
Moore focused on farm, flexibility for rebuild
February 5, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-vision-for-future-includes-rebuild/c-265885028
Paul Rudd narrates Royals commercial that likely will tug at hearts of fans
February 5, 2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article198419894.html
Former Missouri Southern Lion Moon set to resume pro baseball career in Royals organization
February 5, 2018 By Jason Peake/Joplin Globe
http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/former-missouri-southern-lion-moon-set-to-resume-pro-baseball/article_969143f7-b3f8-5616-99f8-70ed1cd6ab2d.html
NATIONAL
Sources: Mets, 3B Frazier agree to 2-year deal
February 6, 2018 By Anthony DiComo/MLB.com
https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-to-sign-todd-frazier/c-265938918
MLB TRANSACTIONS
February 6, 2018 •.CBSSports.com
http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions
LOCAL
Moore focused on farm, flexibility for rebuild
February 5, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com
https://www.mlb.com/news/royals-vision-for-future-includes-rebuild/c-265885028
After two recent World Series appearances and one championship, the Royals now are doing the best they can to embrace a rebuild. General manager Dayton Moore and manager Ned Yost have said repeatedly that they are energized by the notion of starting over.
And now they are hoping their fans will join along enthusiastically.
"We've been through this before," Moore said. "And we're here again. What's different this time is that I think the rebuilding process won't take as long."
After winning the World Series in 2015 -- the Royals' first in 30 years -- Moore and his staff held on to the core of that team for two more seasons, hoping for a repeat of that magic. It didn't happen. Kansas City went 81-81 in '16 and 80-82 in '17. Time to move on.
Moore has emphasized this offseason that his goals are to trim payroll and restock a farm system that was depleted by trades to shore up the title-winning team in 2015.
"There's a very economic reality to what we're doing," Moore said. "Our payroll went up in 2016 and up in 2017 and the truth is, we didn't make the playoffs either year and we didn't meet our revenue needs because of that."
So far, Moore is on course with his objectives. The payroll, which exceeded $150 million in 2017, now is under $108 million.
Moore, who had nine free agents when the offseason began, has signed only one back -- shortstop Alcides Escobar returned on a one-year deal for $2.5 million base.
Meanwhile, Moore traded left-handed reliever Scott Alexander to the Dodgers in a three-team trade with the White Sox. Moore was able to dump $9 million of Joakim Soria's salary to Chicago, while also acquiring potential right-handed starter Trevor Oaks and Minor League infield prospect Erick Mejia.
And last week, Moore moved designated hitter Brandon Moss (saving $5 million) to Oakland along with left-hander Ryan Buchter for right-hander Jesse Hahn and Minor League right-hander Heath Fillmyer.
"I believe we're on the right track," Moore said. "We're getting our payroll in check and we're adding to our farm system."
Moore, though, still has hope that the Royals can sign free-agent first baseman Eric Hosmer, who could be a valuable piece going forward with the rebuilding stage. Hosmer, 28, could be a cornerstone in the clubhouse to guide the youth movement.
"I think we've made it clear what our thoughts are about Eric Hosmer," Moore said.
The Royals likely will continue to seek moves as Spring Training approaches. They still could deal right-hander Jason Hammel (owed $11 million) or reliever Kelvin Herrera (made $7,937,500 in 2017 and is in the final year of arbitration).
"There's still work to be done," Moore said. "We are a long way from shaping our roster."
Paul Rudd narrates Royals commercial that likely will tug at hearts of fans
February 5, 2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article198419894.html
The Royals are going to play their 50th season in Kansas City in 2018, so fans should expect a heavy dose of nostalgia this year.
That was certainly the theme of this year’s “Super Bowl commercial,” an annual tradition in which the Royals release a video ahead of the biggest football game of the year.
Actor and Shawnee Mission West graduate Paul Rudd narrated the video, which opens with a shot of Municipal Stadium, where the Royals first played.
There is a nod to players and fans, including those who were around for the lean years.
“Here is to those who stuck around when it was hot or cold or raining. Even when the game — or the season — was out of reach,” Rudd said.
There is also a sweet nod to former manager Dick Howser. The 60-second spot will likely tug at the heartstrings of fans.
(click link for video).
Former Missouri Southern Lion Moon set to resume pro baseball career in Royals organization
February 5, 2018 By Jason Peake/Joplin Globe
http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/former-missouri-southern-lion-moon-set-to-resume-pro-baseball/article_969143f7-b3f8-5616-99f8-70ed1cd6ab2d.html
Wearing a green and gold Missouri Southern pullover with an Omaha Storm Chasers cap, Logan Moon steps into the batter's box at Warren Turner Field on a crisp February afternoon, ready to take a few cuts in front of several curious onlookers.
With his professional baseball journey set to resume in a matter of weeks, Moon's attire for the workout was only fitting — it united his past and his future.
A former Missouri Southern Lion now in the Kansas City Royals farm system, the 25-year-old Moon was in Joplin on Friday and Saturday to work out at his alma mater.
A 6-foot-2, 195-pound outfielder who will report to the Royals’ minor league spring training in Surprise, Arizona, on Sunday, Feb. 18, Moon reflected on the past while also looking ahead to the future after a breakthrough 2017 saw him advance one step away from the big leagues.
“I’m ready to get going,” Moon said. “I feel like I’ve prepared myself really well, so I’m just excited. I’m ready to see what the upcoming season has in store for me.”
Moon's baseball journey has roots just 20 miles from where he hopes to end up this summer.
At Blue Springs South High School, just east of Kansas City, Moon earned all-region and all-conference honors before he played three collegiate seasons at Central Arkansas.
Moon then transferred to Missouri Southern, where he earned all-MIAA recognition after leading the Lions with a .386 batting average.
Following his senior season, Moon was drafted in the sixth round of the 2014 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft by the Kansas City Royals. No baseball player in MSSU history has ever been drafted higher.
As one would expect, getting selected by the Royals was a dream come true for Moon.
“Getting drafted is a blessing, no matter who you get drafted by,” Moon said. “But for me, it’s been a lifelong dream to play for the Royals. There’s pictures of me when I was seven wearing a Royals jersey. Putting on that blue really means something special to me.”
Not long after being drafted, Moon won the Appalachian League batting title while playing for the rookie-league Burlington (N.C.) Royals. Moon spent 2015 in High-A Wilmington (Del.) before arriving in Springdale (Ark.) to suit up for the Double-A Northwest Arkansas Naturals for the 2016 season.
Last March, Moon received the organization’s Mike Sweeney Award, which is given to the minor league player who best represents the Royals on and off the field.
“It’s the favorite award I’ve ever received,” Moon said. “I grew up loving Mike Sweeney. And after I was drafted, he made a big impression on me. He treated me like I was one of the guys. He had an incredible career and he’s got so much positivity and compassion. I really try to emulate that. I love that guy to death, so receiving that award meant a lot to me. And it’s really cool to be recognized not just as a good player, but also as a good person.”
Moon’s career ascended to new heights in 2017.
Moon started the 2017 season with Northwest Arkansas, where he hit .241 with 64 hits in 78 games with a .631 on-base plus slugging average.
“I wish I would have done a little better in Double-A,” Moon said. “A lot of it was pitch selection."
Moon was called up to Triple-A Omaha for a short stint last May before a July promotion resulted in a longer stay with the Storm Chasers.
Patrolling right field with Omaha, Moon hit .336 in 29 games with 36 hits, 18 runs scored and 15 runs batted in with a .542 slugging percentage and a .910 OPS.
"I’ve been a little too aggressive in the past, so when I got to Triple-A, I really focused on that," Moon said. "I shortened my swing a little bit and tried to keep things simple.”
Moon noted there are distinct differences between Double-A and Triple-A.
"They both have good talent," Moon said. "The guys in Triple-A are a little older and a little more veteran. Pitching-wise, guys at Triple-A are in the zone more. And in Triple-A, I got to play in some bigger cities, so it was fun to be at the higher level.”
Of course, by reaching Omaha, Moon was only one step away from the big leagues.
“It definitely gets a little more real when you go to Triple-A,” Moon said. “You’re playing with a lot of guys who have been in the big leagues. I tried to learn from those guys and see how they react to failure and how they react to success. It was the best experience for me to be around guys that have been where I want to be.”
Expected to begin the season with Omaha, Moon is now set for another spring training experience.
“It’s really about getting ready for the season and showing what you’ve worked on,” Moon said. “I’ll be in the minor league camp again, but in the past I’ve gotten to play some of the major league games at spring training. That’s fun and you get to watch those guys, talk to them and see how they go about their business. I really try to learn from them and see how they prepare.”
Moon noted his mindset going into spring training is simple.
“I want to make sure I stay healthy," he said. "Last year, I had a little injury in spring training that took away some at-bats. I want to make sure I’m getting in with all the hitting guys and I want to make sure I’m getting as many eyes on me as I can. And I want to make sure I’m getting my timing down and I want to work on my pitch selection. Pitch selection has been an issue for me in the past and it’s something I’ve worked on during the off-season. I’m excited to see how that translates to live pitching. So, you just have to get there, see pitches and start reacting.”
And like every player in attendance, Moon hopes to stand out in the spring.
“You want to impress, but you also just want to do as much as you can to prepare for the season,” Moon said. “The real goal is to have a good season, not just a good spring training.”
Of course, Moon hopes to fulfill his dream of playing in the big leagues in 2018. Only time will tell if that dream will become a reality this summer.
When considering his future, Moon noted he hasn't forgotten his past, especially his time playing for Missouri Southern.
Lions coach Bryce Darnell noted Moon has represented MSSU extremely well.
"He's a real likeable guy and he's having a great minor league career," Darnell said. "How he performed at Triple-A last year was exciting to see. Hopefully he'll be continue that success. Logan's a great guy to represent our program. We're proud he played here for us."
Moon stressed that he takes pride in representing Missouri Southern. That’s why he returns every chance he gets. That’s why he still wears green and gold.
“I can’t say enough about the staff there," said Moon, whose younger brother Jordan is now playing for the Lions. "I was only there for one year, but they made me feel like I’d been there for four years. They helped me a ton on the baseball field and they helped me off the field, too. That helped me set up the rest of my life.”
NATIONAL
Sources: Mets, 3B Frazier agree to 2-year deal
February 6, 2018 By Anthony DiComo/MLB.com
https://www.mlb.com/news/mets-to-sign-todd-frazier/c-265938918
Entering this winter, the Mets laid out three priorities to improve their team. One was to fortify their bullpen, which they did in signing Anthony Swarzak in December. Another was to strengthen their outfield, which they did in reacquiring Jay Bruce the following month.
The last was to solidify their infield, which the Mets accomplished on Monday -- mere days from the official start of Spring Training. According to multiple sources, the team inked third baseman Todd Frazier to a two-year contract worth $17 million. The Mets have not confirmed the deal, which is pending a physical.
Frazier, 31, hit .213 with 27 home runs in 147 games last year for the White Sox and Yankees, and has gone deep 131 times with a .786 OPS over the past four seasons. Frazier's presence will shift Asdrubal Cabrera to second base, all but finalizing an Opening Day infield of those two, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and shortstop Amed Rosario.
In addition, Wilmer Flores and Jose Reyes are locks to open the season as veteran presences on the Mets' bench. Dominic Smith is likely to wind up at Triple-A Las Vegas while another infield option, T.J. Rivera, is scheduled to continue rehabbing from Tommy John surgery into the season.