Congrats to newlyweds Bobby and Maggie!
David Laurila at Fangraphs asked Matt Quatraro how the team performed relative to their true talent level.
“It’s an interesting question, because I really think at times I was disappointed that we hadn’t won more,” Quatraro told me in Dallas. “When you look back and think of where we had been, to where we had finished the year, overall it was a huge positive. But I do think we left some games out there, especially with how well our starting pitching did. We could have won more games, but everyone can say that. Right? You actually have to go out and execute it.”
Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter thinks some recent trades around baseball could open things up for the Royals.
Texas could make sense for either MJ Melendez or Michael Massey. They both are left-handed options that could fit in the bottom of the Rangers lineup, have power that could translate well to Globe Life Field, have plenty of club control, and offer more defensive upside, whether as regular players or utility one-off the bench.
As for Kansas City, Melendez or Massey could help them acquire Adolis Garcia, who had a rough season in 2024 with a -0.2 fWAR in 154 games with Texas. That said, the Royals could utilize him more effectively defensively (have him rotate at DH more often than he did with the Rangers). He also would provide a much-needed power boost in the middle of the lineup, as evidenced by his 25 home runs and career .212 ISO.
Preston Farr at Farm to Fountains gives his Royals stat projections. [$]
India would’ve hit eight home runs last season if he played all his games at Kauffman Stadium. That lack of power comes through in his projected .385 slugging percentage. He’ll be on base plenty ahead of Bobby Witt Jr., but that lack of power and a lack of defensive value really limit the upside for India’s value. On the opposite end of the spectrum, the forecast loves MJ Melendez and Tyler Gentry next season. Melendez has struggled for much of his big league career, but underlying data points to more positive results to come and this projection sees that as well. Gentry, if given a chance, could become a regular in right field for the Royals. It’s yet to be seen if the front office will add more corner outfield help, but if they don’t Gentry has as good a chance as anyone to provide that added value from the corner outfield.
Bobby Witt Jr. received just over $3 million from the pre-arbitration bonus pool, tops among all players.
Bobby also got married over the weekend.
Aram Leighton at Just Baseball has a list of top 15 Royals prospects.
The Athletics acquire pitcher Jeffrey Springs from the Rays.
The Braves sign outfielder Bryan de la Cruz to a one-year deal.
Pitcher Kyle Muller is headed to Japan.
Slugger Patrick Wisdom is headed to Korea.
The Mets are interested in third baseman Alex Bregman.
The Astros could be a serious suitor for Nolan Arenado.
Houston wanted Luis Gil from the Yankees for Kyle Tucker, who ultimately went to the Cubs.
Baseball America names Tigers pitching coach Chris Fetter as Coach of the Year.
How Dave Parker became a father figure to black baseball legends.
The strange history of the sacrifice fly and how it affected Ted Williams’ batting average.
Baseball writer Thomas Boswell wins the BBWAA Excellence Award.
Colorado’s Travis Hunter wins the Heisman Trophy.
With Vince McMahon gone, Jesse Ventura will return to WWE commentary.
The reality show Love is Blind gets hit with a federal labor complaint.
Office holiday parties are falling out of fashion.
Hot Wheels are a hot toy again, thanks to nostalgia and collectors.
Your song of the day is The Boomtown Rats with I Don’t Like Mondays.
