Royals Rumblings - News for November 19, 2024
Is Matt Quatraro Manager of the Year?
Anne Rogers makes the case for Matt Quatraro to win Manager of the Year, which is revealed tonight.
In his second season as Kansas City’s manager, Quatraro led the club to a remarkable 30-win turnaround and an 86-76 record. The 2024 Royals were just the third team to make the postseason following a 100-loss season, joining the 2020 Marlins and the ‘17 Twins. The Royals’ 86 wins in ’24 marked the third most by a team following a 100-loss season, only one shy of the 1967 Cubs and the ’89 Orioles.
Quatraro helped get the Royals back to the postseason for the first time since 2015, sweeping the Orioles in the AL Wild Card Series before losing in four games to the Yankees in the AL Division Series.
Zac Miller of Farm to Fountains weighs which catching prospect is the future of the Royals - Blake Mitchell or Carter Jensen.
The two are only one year apart in age, despite being drafted two years apart. Those two extra years of development have Jensen projected to make his major league debut in 2026, with Mitchell trailing behind by a year. Things can change depending on how they perform in 2025, but it gives us an idea of when the Royals will have some significant roster decisions to make regarding the two. Which one will be the team’s primary catcher? Will one transition to another position like DH or corner outfield (à la MJ Melendez)? It is more likely than not that Salvy will no longer be a Royal or no longer catching by 2027, especially with his current contract ending after the 2026 season. This leaves the door open for one of these two to fill a large void created by Pérez’s potential departure.
Paul Skenes and Luis Gil take home Rookie of the Year honors.
Free agent pitcher Nick Martinez accepts Cincinnati’s Qualifying Offer.
The White Sox sign outfielder Austin Slater to a one-year deal.
The Astros, Blue Jays, Braves, and Red Sox are interested in free agent Willy Adames.
The Rays’ new stadium deal is in serious jeopardy.
The Astros now play in Daikin Park after a new naming rights deal.
Which teams are pursuing free agent Corbin Burnes?
Why Pete Alonso may not get as big a deal as he expects.
Jay Jaffe considers the big questions on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot.
Inside the NBA is moving to ESPN and ABC next season.
TNT gets Big 12 football and basketball games from ESPN.
Do kids have too many toys these days?
Spirit Airlines files for bankruptcy.
The monsters from A Quiet Place are scary because we don’t know much about them.
Your song of the day is Death Cab for Cutie with Codes and Keys.