Royals Rumblings - News for December 3, 2024
Bobby Witt Jr. is named Royals Player of the Year, to no surprise.
The Kansas City chapter of the BBWAA names Bobby Witt Jr. the Les Milgram Player of the Year.
“It’s an honor, any award you receive,” Witt said during a call with local media on Monday. “Especially with our team and how talented it is, you don’t really get these awards without those guys.
“I think it’s more motivation than anything. Once you get these awards, it makes you want to keep working toward the ultimate goal, which is the World Series, back in the playoffs, those things. And then these things just kind of come along with it. It’s pretty special to be able to achieve these.”
The Royals are looking to trade for a slugger, according to a report from The Athletic.
But the work is not done. Per a team source briefed on Kansas City’s moves, the Royals plan to pursue a middle-of-the-order bat and are more likely to acquire that bat through a trade than free agency. This will not rule out the possibility of acquiring another pitcher or bench player, but the priority remains to add a slugger.
The Royals are targeting impact above all as they canvass potential options. Handedness is not believed to be a factor, as the club can interchange left-handed Vinnie Pasquantino and right-handed Salvador Perez as the No. 3 and No. 4 hitters to avoid repetition in the lineup. Instead, the focus will be on adding someone who can increase production within the heart of the order.
David Lesky writes about some under-the-radar pitching targets for the Royals.
Scherzer is a guy who the depth of the rotation in front of him and with internal options behind him along with a deepened bullpen can help quite a bit. Maybe you count on 20 starts from him, knowing you’ve got all the guys above to step in. The great ones are different, so maybe you end up getting something closer to his 2022 season. Maybe you don’t. You probably don’t. But the cost isn’t going to be so prohibitive that it isn’t worth a shot. Plus, I can’t imagine Scherzer is signing for more than a year. There are a lot worse things a team can do than bring in a pitcher who still can pitch and has the competitive streak Scherzer does. I’d be very interested in this, though I would like a bit more certainty.
MLB.com lists a trade candidate for each team.
Royals: Maikel Garcia, INF
Garcia’s versatility — he can play second base, shortstop and third base, and he even made an appearance in right field last season — should make him an appealing player for many teams. The Royals’ recent acquisition of Jonathan India should give the lineup a boost, and Kansas City has received interest in Garcia from other clubs. Despite an offensive dip in 2024, the 24-year-old has upside at the plate and runs the bases well (he had 37 stolen bases in 39 attempts last season), and most importantly, is under club control through 2029.
Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains notices a social media post from Garcia that indicates he needs x-rays.
The Mets sign pitcher Frankie Montas to a two-year, $34 million deal.
The Cubs sign pitcher Matthew Boyd to a two-year, $29 million deal.
The Rangers sign catcher Kyle Higashioka to a two-year, $13.5 million deal.
Many expect the Blue Jays to be the top bidder for Juan Soto.
Soto is believed to have multiple offers exceeding $600 million.
Teams are interested in signing free agent Clay Holmes as a starting pitcher.
Arizona wants to re-sign slugger Joc Pederson.
Top Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami is expecting to come to MLB in 2026.
Former Royals catcher Martín Maldonado is hoping to play in 2025.
Jay Jaffe considers the Hall of Fame case for Chase Utley.
Will Ichiro Suzuki be a unanimous Hall of Fame selection?
Has the window closed for the 49ers?
A new report shows how much Saudi Arabia is spending to land the 2034 World Cup.
Feeding seaweed to gassy cattle can reduce methane emissions.
Elton John says he has lost his vision.
Dictionary.com names “demure” its 2024 word of the year.
Your song of the day is The Dead 60s with Riot Radio.