Escobar Homers, Karns Sharp in Royals Debut

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March 2, 2017 http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/kansas-city-royals- LOCAL 2017-preview-al-central-prediction-bets-stats-moustakas- hosmer-cain-duffy-free-agency-030117 Escobar homers, Karns sharp in AL grades: Which team had the best Royals debut offseason? March 1, 2017 By Chris Gabel/MLB.com March 1, 2017 By Scott Boeck/USAToday.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217550302/eddie- http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/01/al- butler-solid-in-cubs-debut-vs-royals/ grades-which-team-had-best-offseason/98589262/ Karns battling for fifth spot in Royals' MLB TRANSACTIONS March 2, 2017 •.CBSSports.com rotation http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions Right-hander throws two perfect innings in spring debut March 1, 2017 By Chris Gabel/MLB.com LOCAL http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217589918/nathan- karns-battles-for-spot-with-royals/ Escobar homers, Karns sharp in Burns looks to make Royals' roster in Royals debut crowded OF mix March 1, 2017 By Chris Gabel/MLB.com March 1, 2017 By Chris Gabel/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217550302/eddie- http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217568860/billy-burns- butler-solid-in-cubs-debut-vs-royals/ looking-to-make-royals-roster/ Jorge Soler faces his former team in Alcides Escobar hit a leadoff home run for the Royals, but five Cubs pitchers combined to hold Kansas City to one other Royals’ 7-3 loss to the Cubs hit into the eighth inning and Chicago picked up a 7-3 victory March 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star at Surprise Stadium on Wednesday. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article135865848.html Victor Caratini had three hits for the Cubs, who took Royals’ Nathan Karns making strong advantage of a Royals error to score two runs in the third. Javier Baez singled and scored from the leadoff spot. The first impression in battle for club's Royals committed a pair of errors on the afternoon. final rotation spot Escobar's homer was the only hit off Eddie Butler, acquired March 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star from the Rockies this offseason to add to the Cubs' pitching http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- depth. Butler threw 21 pitches, 18 for strikes. royals/article135830608.html Royals, FSKC unveil regular-season "That was my main goal going in there, was pound the strike broadcast schedule zone and get early contact," Butler said. "One bad pitch -- but going in there, attacking the zone, [Escobar] hit a pitch. If I March 1, 2017 By Blair Kerkhoff/KC Star make the pitch, he doesn't hit it." http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article135710828.html Royals right-hander Nathan Karns, in contention to be the Terrance Gore has game-changing team's fifth starter, threw two perfect innings in his first speed, but keeping him on the roster is appearance with his new team. Karns, acquired in a January trade from the Mariners, struck out three and did not allow a difficult ball out of the infield. March 1, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- "I definitely had some adrenaline going into this one," Karns blogs/judging-the-royals/article135770928.html said. "It was nice to get the first one out of the way."

Cubs up next: The Cubs will play a split-squad, day-night MINORS doubleheader on Thursday. Lefty Rob Zastryzny will start the day game against the Reds in Goodyear, while right-hander Jake Buchanan will start a night game against the D-backs in Ex-Bengal McCoy Off to Royals Scottsdale. This will be the second Cactus League start for Minor League Camp both pitchers. Both games can be heard exclusively on March 1, 2017 By Eric Englund/The Sandpaper cubs.com. http://thesandpaper.villagesoup.com/p/ex-bengal-mccoy-off- to-royals-minor-league-camp/1628713 Royals up next: Chris Young and Travis Wood, both competing for the fifth starter's job with Karns, will make their first Cactus League appearances of 2017 on Thursday. NATIONAL Young is scheduled to start against the Rockies in Surprise, with Wood to follow out of the bullpen. Listen live with Kansas City Royals 2017 preview Gameday Audio. March 1, 2017 By Lindsey Foltin/FOXSports.com Karns battling for fifth spot in Royals' rotation Right-hander throws two perfect innings in Burns looks to make Royals' roster in spring debut crowded OF mix March 1, 2017 By Chris Gabel/MLB.com March 1, 2017 By Chris Gabel/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217589918/nathan- http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/217568860/billy-burns- karns-battles-for-spot-with-royals/ looking-to-make-royals-roster/ Nathan Karns' Major League career has been brief to this Things change quickly in baseball, and a year is more than point, but not being guaranteed anything in Spring Training enough time for a drastic shift. has been a constant. Just look at Royals outfielder Billy Burns. This year, with a new team in the Royals, that remains true. Last spring, he was with the A's. But changing teams doesn't Karns, acquired in a January trade from the Mariners for constitute much. outfielder Jarrod Dyson, is in contention to be the Royals' fifth starter. He is competing with fellow righty Chris Young Last March, Burns was coming off a breakout first full and lefties Travis Wood and Mike Minor. season in the big leagues, during which he finished fifth in American League Rookie of the Year Award voting. He was Karns won't focus on the competition, he said, but he made a penciled in to be the A's center fielder and leadoff hitter in good first impression Wednesday afternoon. The hard- 2016. throwing Karns tossed two perfect innings against the Cubs in a 7-3 loss at Surprise Stadium. Now, after a slow start last season and a mid-year trade to the Royals, the speedster is just trying to make the Opening Day "I always feel like it's best to get off on a good foot," said roster among a crowded group of outfielders. Karns, who is in his fourth organization. "So I'm happy with what I was able to do today. It was nice to get the first one "You definitely don't expect to get traded, but you roll with out of the way." it," Burns said Wednesday. "I like this organization. I like what this team is about. I like the family vibe that they have The 29-year-old needed just 19 pitches to get through two on this team. If I could be a part of it, it would be a great innings. He struck out three and didn't allow a ball in play out success for me, and I'll have a lot of fun with these guys." of the infield. Alex Gordon, Lorenzo Cain and Jorge Soler are locked in as "First time out, command can be an issue," Royals manager starters. Reserves Paulo Orlando and Terrance Gore, both Ned Yost said. "Generally, you see guys with pretty good valued by manager Ned Yost, are back. Utility man Whit stuff, but fight command a little bit. His stuff was really good Merrifield also can play all three outfield positions. Burns, a and [he] didn't fight his command a bit. career .271 hitter with 46 stolen bases in 60 attempts, has his work cut out for him over the next month. "I thought he was real sharp. I thought he threw the ball really, really well. It was an impressive first time out, for "I want to showcase what I can do, and provide a value for me." this team," Burns said. "Hopefully show them I can play here. ... It's the same thing I always do -- try to improve my Karns struck out Jon Jay in the first, and Albert Almora Jr. game and compete at the highest level; play hard and run and Chris Dominguez in the second -- all swinging. He was fast. That's all. so efficient that he went to the bullpen after he left the game to get closer to 30 pitches and build up arm strength. "I don't really speculate. I just go out and play my game, and let everybody else worry about that." "I definitely had some adrenaline going into this one," Karns said. "I felt like I was getting a little fast out there, but my With Jarrod Dyson traded to the Mariners in early January, biggest takeaway is I feel like I was able to stay within Burns could fill that valuable speed role coming off the myself, kind of pull the reins back. bench. "There are a lot of reasons I could have been amped. But I "He's in the thick of all that," Yost said. "He's a guy that look at it as it was the first time to toe the slab in a game, really fits our profile. He's athletic, a switch-hitter and he's with opponents in the [batter's] box." got speed. We like him a lot." Karns, who owns a 4.41 ERA in parts of four seasons with Jorge Soler faces his former team in the Nationals, Rays and Mariners, could also have felt the Royals’ 7-3 loss to the Cubs extra adrenaline knowing he could earn this spring -- a spot March 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star in the Royals' rotation. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- royals/article135865848.html "Every camp I've been in, I've been in a competition for a roster spot, so for me it's just another camp," Karns said. "I Jorge Soler’s Cubs reunion began with a baseball planted have to go out and compete. I can't worry about what the firmly in his shoulder. guys next to me are doing. I have to focus on what I need to do. But at the same time, the competition is going to bring Standing at the plate with two outs in the second inning the best out in everyone. If you're a competitor, you embrace Wednesday, Soler absorbed an errant 93 mph fastball from it, you enjoy it. We're here to support one another. So the right arm of Cubs pitcher Eddie Butler. Soler emerged whoever at the end of the day has to make the decision, it's from the moment unscathed and jogged to first base. But he not us." would leave Surprise Stadium still searching for his first hit of the spring following the Royals’ 7-3 loss to the Cubs in front of an announced crowd of 7,593. On the defensive side, Christian Colon started at third base and made a terrific stop on a ball to his left. Soler, the Royals’ marquee addition of the offseason, has opened the spring 0 for 8 while drawing two walks in four The young guys games. On Wednesday, he started in right field and finished 0 for 2, flying out to left field and striking out once before Second baseman Corey Toups replaced Whit Merrifield in exiting for Hunter Dozier. the field and secured his first hit of the spring.

Royals manager Ned Yost deemed it too early to make a Toups, a intriguing middle infield prospect, finished last worthwhile evaluation of Soler’s at-bats. season at Class AA Northwest Arkansas, batting .275 with a . 358 on-base percentage and 10 homers in 86 games for the “They’re just getting their timing down,” Yost said. “I don’t Naturals. really think too much about it until about the halfway point.” Royals’ Nathan Karns making strong Soler has continued to make progress in the field, Yost said. first impression in battle for club's On Wednesday, Soler returned to right field after seeing final rotation spot action in left field earlier this week. He is expected to be the March 1, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star Royals’ starting right fielder and play every day. But he http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- remains open to spot duty in left field, too. royals/article135830608.html “He’s talked about it before that he feels more comfortable in In the moments before his debut outing with the Royals, right field,” said Royals catching coach Pedro Grifol, who Nathan Karns sought to calm his nerves. His adrenalin translated for Soler. “But he’ll play some left field, and he’s pumped during a pregame bullpen session. His body tensed going to do the best that he can out there, too.” with anxious energy. He carried the mood to the mound on Wednesday afternoon at Surprise Stadium. While Soler started for the home side, former Royals Ben Zobrist and Wade Davis did not make the trip to Surprise. “There’s a lot of reasons I could have been amped up,” Karns said. Earlier in the day, Soler stood inside the Royals clubhouse and answered questions from a handful of reporters from A pitcher cannot win a job on one spring training outing. But Chicago. In a brief interview, he said he had been fitted for Nathan Karns offered up a strong first impression, posting a his World Series ring and looked forward to wearing it off tidy, workmanlike performance against an undermanned the field. He described his time with the Cubs as ‘OK,’ citing version of the defending World Series champion Chicago his nagging injuries and limited playing time. Cubs. “It was not great because he had some injuries,” Grifol said, He breezed through two perfect innings, striking out three translating for Soler. “But overall, he thought it was OK.” hitters while throwing just 19 pitches. The performance was so efficient that he required an additional bullpen session to The arms increase his pitch count to 30 after finishing his allotted two innings. Yet for Karns, the most positive step came amid the You might as well throw left-hander Scott Alexander into the excitement of the first inning. hunt for the final bullpen spot. Alexander posted his second scoreless outing of the spring Wednesday, striking out one “I was able to dial it back, stay within myself and make during a clean fifth inning. quality pitches,” Karns said. “So to be at this point in spring and kind of right the ship, (that) was what I take as a “It’s back-to-back really good outings for him,” Yost said. progressive step.” “He looks strong. He’s got really good sink on his ball. He looks good.” The start came in a 7-3 loss to the Cubs, whose fan base invaded Surprise Stadium on a warm March afternoon. The Right-hander Jake Junis, who spent most of the 2016 season result of the game paled in meaning to the first two innings. at Class AA Northwest Arkansas, struggled for the second The performance of Karns provided the first data point in the straight outing, allowing two earned runs and three hits in competition for the final slot in the Royals’ starting rotation. two innings. He also struck out two. The performance came The battle for the vacant fifth starter spot remains one of the after Junis allowed five earned runs in two innings in his most interesting story lines of this camp. spring debut. Acquired from the Seattle Mariners in an offseason trade for Left-hander Jonathan Sanchez returned to the mound and was outfielder Jarrod Dyson, Karns, 29, is competing with left- nicked for one run and three hits in one inning. Right-hander hander Travis Wood and right-hander Chris Young. Wood, Brandon League also allowed a run while struggling with his 30, and Young, 37, are set to pitch Thursday in Surprise, and command. He issued three walks in an inning of work. the competition will likely continue for weeks. But Karns was up first — even if he did not seem overly concerned with The regulars his immediate results. Shortstop Alcides Escobar opened the bottom of the first “I got to go out there and compete,” Karns said. “I can’t with his first homer of the spring, driving a baseball over the worry about what the guys next to me are doing. I need to 379-foot sign in left-center field. focus on what I need to do. But at the same time, the competition is going to bring the best out of everyone. If Center fielder Lorenzo Cain finished 1 for 2 with a walk and you’re a competitor, you embrace it.” is 2 for 6 in his first three games. The Royals and Fox Sports Kansas City announced a 151- For Karns, the concept of competition is no foreign idea. In game schedule, and with 11 other games set for Fox and Fox four major-league seasons, he has played for three Sports 1, the entire regular-season schedule will be televised organizations. In that sense, he is comfortable with first beginning with the April 3 opener at Minnesota. impressions. As he enters his fifth spring, he is confident he can prove himself with his fourth club. FSKC also will air 10 Cactus League games, starting with a March 10 contest against the Oakland A’s. “Every camp I’ve been in,” Karns said. “I’ve been in competition for a roster spot.” Every game of FSKC will be preceded by a 30-minute pregame show, hosted by Joel Goldberg. In 2015, that competition came with the Tampa Bay Rays. Karns won a rotation spot and posted a 3.67 ERA in 147 Ryan Lefebvre will call most of the regular-season games innings across 27 appearances, including 26 starts. But the with Rex Hudler as the analyst. Steve Physioc will handle offseason brought a trade to the Seattle Mariners, and he some of the games, and former Royals reliever Jeff struggled in his only season in the Pacific Northwest. He Montgomery returns as an analyst. logged a 5.15 ERA in 94 1/3 innings and was banished to the bullpen in midseason. He missed most of the second half of The Royals have had the highest-rated local broadcasts in the the year because of a back injury. major leagues for each of the past two seasons, with the 2016 games on FSKC averaging a 10.9 household rating. Royals The Royals, though, saw promise in his power stuff. And as baseball was the No. 1-rated, most-watched programming in the offseason progressed, a possible trade idea surfaced. The prime time during the 2016 season. They were one of nine Mariners sought more athleticism in their outfield. The major-league teams to rank No. 1 in their markets during Royals wanted controllable assets for the future. The needs of prime time. each club generated a deal in early January. The Royals sent Terrance Gore has game-changing Dyson, a free agent after 2017, to Seattle in exchange for Karns, who is under club control through 2020. speed, but keeping him on the roster is difficult In the early weeks of camp, the Royals remain pleased with March 1, 2017 By Lee Judge/KC Star the acquisition. http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- blogs/judging-the-royals/article135770928.html “You get into those situations where you got a guy you’re really emotionally tied to, like Dyson,” Royals manager Ned On Tuesday, the Royals played the Brewers and because it Yost said. “And then you have to end up trading him. I’ve was being shown on TV I decided to get home early and been really pleased with what we got back. I’ve been really watch … turns out, life had other plans for me. But I did get pleased with his (Karns’) stuff.” home in time to see Terrance Gore hit a double in the eighth inning. Armed with a fastball in the low to mid 90s and a strong curveball, Karns can resemble his new teammate Ian The ball was hit down the left-field line and forced the Kennedy in mechanics and style. And after a chaotic Brewers left fielder to go to his right to field it. When an beginning to his career, Karns would also welcome’s outfielder moves away from the base he has to throw to, base Kennedy’s results and longevity. runners will think about taking an extra 90 feet — especially if the base runner is Terrance Gore. For the moment, the process includes working on a change- up with pitching coach Dave Eiland. It’s a pitch, Karns said, Gore made it to second base so easily he did a pop-up slide that he has attempted to master before. The main tinkering and was standing up by the time the tag was applied. has come in the last couple of years. Next, Hunter Dozier singled on a ground ball into left center. “I think this camp I’ve really just doubled down on it (and) This time the Brewers center fielder picked up the ball while committed to it,” Karns said. “I have a pretty good feel for it moving forward and to his right, but even though there were right now, and I think that’s something that Dave and I are no outs — a time base runners are supposed to be cautious — really going to push at this camp.” Gore scored so easily there was no throw to the plate. If Karns can lock down the final rotation spot, that would If you play enough baseball, you develop an internal clock. push Wood and Young to the bullpen. But Karns could draw Players know which plays will be close at first, which hits heavy competition from Wood, a crafty and respected left- can be turned into extra bases and which balls in the dirt will hander who spent the 2016 season in the Cubs bullpen after allow a runner to move up 90 feet. And then once in a while a years of starting in Cincinnati and Chicago. player is so fast he changes everything. For now, the competition remains open. For Karns, it’s a He turns groundball outs into singles, singles into doubles familiar position. and scores from second on balls that never leave the infield. He changes the game. “For me,” he said, “it’s just another camp.” Royals, FSKC unveil regular-season Why power is less consistent than speed broadcast schedule Fred McGriff was once asked how he hit 30 home runs a year March 1, 2017 By Blair Kerkhoff/KC Star so consistently. McGriff said there was a certain pitch in a http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- certain location that he could hit for a home run, and 30 times royals/article135710828.html a year pitchers threw it to him. McGriff was saying that it all depended on the pitch, and if he didn’t get the right to pitch to hit, he couldn’t hit a homer. And trying to homer on the With Lexington, the 22-year-old sported a 4-2 record, with a wrong pitch wouldn’t be very productive. 4.86 ERA in 24 games. In 50 innings, McCoy recorded 46 strikeouts. So let’s say you’re a managing a game and have a power hitter on the bench. You can send him to the plate, but if the “I went through some ups and downs, like a lot of players in pitcher doesn’t give that power hitter anything to hit, that the minors do,” said McCoy, who attended Monday night’s power hitter won’t homer. The pitcher can work around the Barnegat girls basketball state playoff game to support his power hitter or walk him intentionally, and there’s nothing sister Shannon, a member of the team. “When I get to anyone can do about it. Arizona, I’ll be competing with a lot of other players for spots on their minor league teams. I’d like to begin the Now let’s say you have a fast guy on the bench. If you send season in Double A, since that’s a step up from Single A, him out to steal a base, everyone in the park can know what where I was last season.” he’s about to do, but if he’s fast enough and does his job right, no one can stop him. In the off-season, he took part in the Royals fall instructional camp and after coming back home was working out regularly Power showes up occasionally, speed is there every day. at E.S.S.A Soorts Performance in Tinton Falls.

If Terrance Gore makes the Royals’ roster, he’s a weapon off “I’m coming into camp in good shape,” said McCoy. “All I the bench, but it’s hard to carry a player whose only tool is can do is go out there and do my best.” speed. His father, Barnegat varsity baseball coach Dan McCoy, said Strengths and limitations his son’s fast ball is usually clocked between 91 and 93 mph.

During the 2014 postseason Dayton Moore and I were sitting “The key for him is to get batters out consistently with the on the Royals bench before a ballgame when Terrance Gore fastball, because that will make his curve and off-speed pitch ran off the field and started to enter the dugout. A fan asked more effective,” said McCoy. “I hope he can begin the Gore for an autograph and Gore said yes. The fan threw Gore season at Double A, but no matter where he is, I think it is a ball and a pen and Gore dropped both of them. Without very important for him to get off to a good start. Last year, he cracking a grin Moore turned to me and said: “That’s why he struggled in the beginning and ended up in a lower end Class doesn’t play defense.” A team.”

Moore was joking, but it does get us to Gore’s limitations: McCoy said while his son was starter in high school and can he play defense well enough to be a late-inning defensive college, he’s comfortable with coming out of the bullpen. replacement, can he hit well enough to be used as a pinch hitter? “In today’s game, relievers are much more important than they used to be,” he said. “Teams are often in the market for Terrance Gore has never had a hit in a big-league game, but lefty specialists, which is good for Mark. Now he has to go with a total of nine regular-season plate appearances, he’s out there and produce.” stolen 19 bases and scored 12 runs. And that is game- changing speed. NATIONAL But Gore has to hit and play defense well enough to allow the Royals to use it. Kansas City Royals 2017 preview March 1, 2017 By Lindsey Foltin/FOXSports.com MINORS http://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/kansas-city-royals- 2017-preview-al-central-prediction-bets-stats-moustakas- hosmer-cain-duffy-free-agency-030117 Ex-Bengal McCoy Off to Royals Minor League Camp LAST SEASON March 1, 2017 By Eric Englund/The Sandpaper 81-81, 3rd place in AL Central http://thesandpaper.villagesoup.com/p/ex-bengal-mccoy-off- to-royals-minor-league-camp/1628713 WHAT’S NEW On Friday, March 3, former Barnegat High School pitcher Key additions: OF/1B Brandon Moss (free agent from Mark McCoy will be in the Kansas City Royals spring Cardinals), SP Jason Hammel (free agent from Cubs), RP training minor league camp in Surprise, Ariz., to begin his Travis Wood (free agent from Cubs), OF Jorge Soler second full season with the organization. (acquired from Cubs) The Royals selected the left-hander in the 29th round of the Key subtractions: SP Edinson Volquez (free agent to June 2015 amateur draft following his junior year at Rutgers Marlins), DH Kendrys Morales (free agent to Blue Jays), SP University. Most of that season was spent in the Royals Kris Medlen (free agent to Braves), RP Wade Davis (traded Rookie League team in Burlington, N.C., where he had a to Cubs), OF Jarrod Dyson (traded to Mariners), RP Greg 2.48 ERA in 13 games. In 29 innings, he struck out 29 Holland (free agent to Rockies), SP Yordano Ventura (passed batters. away) The lefty reliever began last season with the Class A 3 STRIKES Wilmington (Delaware) Blue Sox, but struggled there and was moved to another Class A team in Lexington, Ky. 1. The end of a (championship) era is near. With four key players entering their walk years, things are going to look 1. Eric Hosmer, 1B: Hosmer had a career-high 25 homers last very different at this time next year. Star first baseman Eric season, with a dip in batting average that suggests he sold out Hosmer is the most desired of those players, and while he for power. Hosmer hits too many groundballs to get any and the Royals are discussing an extension, Hosmer says better than this. he’ll enter free agency if they don’t work out a new contract by Opening Day. Royals GM Dayton Moore also has 2. Danny Duffy, SP: The light bulb went on for Duffy in decisions to make with third baseman Mike Moustakas, 2016, as he missed lots of bats and kept the ball closer to the center fielder Lorenzo Cain and shortstop Alcides Escobar. plate. Unfortunately, everyone noticed, and you’ll need to With the challenges of a limited payroll and competition draft him as a No. 2 starter if you want him. from other teams, the Royals are likely to keep only one more of the pending free agents after recently extending left- 3. Kelvin Herrera, RP: Royals’ closers have racked up saves hander Danny Duffy. over the past few seasons, so Herrera is walking into a fantasy-friendly situation. He’s an elite closer, but he’s not 2. The pressure is on. The Royals are hoping to make one being ranked like one. Buy Herrera after the big names are final meaningful run before the band breaks up. But after off the board. falling back to .500 last year, it’s a big ask for a team that just lost five of its biggest contributors. Hosmer will be playing 4. Lorenzo Cain, OF: Hamstring and wrist injuries limited under the pressure of a contract year, along with lofty Cain to 103 games last season. He figures to rebound as a expectations to carry the club offensively without the help of solid power-speed threat with a strong batting average. speedy Dyson on the bags and Morales’ big bat to share the task of driving in runs. The pitching staff will have a much 5. Salvador Perez, C: Perez has hit 60 home runs over the last taller order to fill after losing veteran Volquez to free agency, three seasons — only Evan Gattis and Brian McCann have lights-out closer Davis in a trade with the Cubs and, most more among catchers. He plays a lot of games, his batting importantly, their ace Yordano Ventura, who passed away in average won’t hurt you, and he’s a fine option after the big- a car accident in January. name catchers come off the board.

3. Moving on from tragedy. The Royals are still mourning PREDICTION the tragic death of Ventura, not just as a teammate, but as a friend and family member. The start of spring training was The Royals’ magical ride is over. They will fade back into difficult for many in Royals camp, as it served a harsh dose obscurity as the Twins surge past them in the AL Central of reality that Ventura is not coming back. The Royals ace standings for this and many years to come. will be honored by the team in various ways, and the players AL grades: Which team had the best will lean on each other during tough times to mourn the loss of their teammate and friend. Tragedy often brings people offseason? together, and that could be the case in KC this year. “The one March 1, 2017 By Scott Boeck/USAToday.com thing we can do is stay together as a family,” Royals third http://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/2017/03/01/al- baseman Mike Moustakas said last month. “Play in his grades-which-team-had-best-offseason/98589262/ memory, and keep remembering him. Not seeing him will be the toughest thing. But what we can do is try to make him With baseball’s offseason dealings all but complete, USA proud.” TODAY Sports examines the moves of all 30 teams. The grades for the American League: BEST-CASE SCENARIO A+ Hosmer, Moose and Cain all put together huge seasons in their walk years, while Moss exceeds last year’s total of 28 Cleveland Indians: The defending AL champions signed this homers and Hammel exceeds expectations and surpasses Ian winter’s biggest prized free agent — DH Edwin Encarnacion. Kennedy as the No. 2 starter. He brings consistency to a lineup that was fifth in the majors in runs last season. Over the last five seasons, he has WORST-CASE SCENARIO averaged 39 home runs and 110 RBI.

The shaky bullpen results in some costly losses that cause the A Royals to fall far out of contention by June. Let the fire sale begin. Boston Red Sox: Red Sox President Dave Dombrowski pulled off the biggest trade this winter, acquiring ace Chris SURPRISING STAT Sale from the White Sox to form one of the league’s best rotations. And while it’s impossible to replace David Ortiz’s Plate discipline was a huge key to the Royals’ championship offense, the club signed first baseman Mitch Moreland, who run in 2015, as KC had the lowest number of total team slugged 22 home runs last season. strikeouts in all of MLB with 973. Last year, that number ballooned to 1224, bumping them from 30th to 23rd out of all B+ 30 teams. Chicago White Sox: In complete-rebuild mode, GM Rick BEST BETS Hahn landed several top prospects by trading Sale to the Red Sox and outfielder Adam Eaton to the Washington Nationals. Projected win total (via Atlantis Casino Resort): 80.5 In return, they received second baseman Yoan Moncada, the No.1-ranked prospect, according to MLB.com, from the Red World Series odds (via VegasInsider.com): 50/1 Sox and right-hander Lucas Giolito, the No. 3-ranked prospect, among others. TOP 5 FANTASY PLAYERS Seattle Mariners: For a team that missed the playoffs by three Toronto Blue Jays: The Blue Jays offense took a major hit games last season, GM Jerry Dipoto continued to make with the loss of Edwin Encarnacion. They nearly lost slugger wholesale changes. Infielder Jean Segura and outfielder Jose Bautista, but he re-signed. Replacing Encarnacion is DH Jarrod Dyson are likely two new candidates to break into the Kendrys Morales, who, when healthy, can hit 20-plus home everyday lineup. Drew Smyly was also acquired in a trade runs. Last season with the Royals, he hit 30. with the Rays. His 32 home runs surrendered in 2016 figures to be reduced in Seattle’s pitcher-friendly Safeco Field. D

B Detroit Tigers: The Tigers had a chance to rebuild after missing the postseason for the second year in a row. Instead, Houston Astros: After taking a step back in 2016, the Astros GM Al Avila decided to keep the core together to make made some bold yet risky moves to get back into contention. another run. Perhaps the biggest move they made was trading The Astros responded by adding a trio of veteran hitters — outfielder Cameron Maybin to the Angels. Avila did sign his outfielders Carlos Beltran and Josh Reddick and catcher son, catcher Alex Avila, to a one-year deal. Brian McCann — to their young core. The risk is that the three could be in the decline of their careers. Oakland Athletics: Times have been lean for team President Billy Beane. The A’s, who won 69 games in 2016, didn’t Los Angeles Angels: The Angels spent the winter building make any impactful moves. They added outfielders Rajai around Mike Trout, the 2016 AL MVP. Second-year GM Davis and Matt Joyce, third baseman Trevor Plouffe and Billy Eppler made the most of his free agent signings — reliever Santiago Casilla. There isn’t enough talent to outfielder Ben Revere, third baseman Luis Valbuena, catcher generate many more wins. Martin Maldonado and reliever Jesse Chavez — and paid a moderate price for them. He also acquired shortstop Danny F Espinosa and outfielder Cameron Maybin in trades. Minnesota Twins: Not trading Brian Dozier in the offseason New York Yankees: The Yankees are relying on their youth could come back to haunt the franchise. The Twins tried to in 2017, but that didn’t stop GM Brian Cashman from deal the AL All-Star second baseman, who hit 42 home runs, signing closer Aroldis Chapman to the richest contract for a to the Dodgers, but their asking price was too high. reliever. The Yankees also made two heady free agent Minnesota did sign catcher Jason Castro, but he hit .210 last signings: veteran outfielder Matt Holliday and first baseman- season. DH Chris Carter, who hit 41 home runs in 2016. MLB TRANSACTIONS March 2, 2017 •.CBSSports.com B- http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions Kansas City Royals: The Royals took a hit this winter with the departures of DH Kendrys Morales, pitcher Edinson TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION Volquez, outfielder Jarrod Dyson and closer Wade Davis and the death of pitcher Yordano Ventura in a car accident. But GM Dayton Moore made several off-the-radar moves to counteract the losses. Key arrivals include pitchers Jason Los Angeles Drew Traded From from Mariners, Hammel, Nate Karns, Brandon League, Seth Maness and Travis Wood, first baseman- DH Brandon Moss and Dodgers Jackson Seattle (for RHP Chase De Jong) outfielder Jorge Soler.

Texas Rangers: The Rangers lost several key figures to free agency: Carlos Beltran, Ian Desmond and Mitch Moreland. But they filled a major hole at first base by signing Mike Napoli, who slugged a career-high 34 home runs in 2016. The big question is whether newly acquired pitchers Andrew Cashner and Tyson Ross can be productive.

Baltimore Orioles: The Orioles get a grade this high only because they re-signed Mark Trumbo, who led the AL in home runs with 42. Welington Castillo replaces longtime catcher Matt Wieters. He is a veteran backstop with a decent bat — almost equivalent to Wieters in 2016. But GM Dan Duquette again failed to address the rotation.

Tampa Bay Rays: The small-market Rays made some quiet moves. They traded second baseman Logan Forsythe to the Los Angeles Dodgers for pitching prospect Jose DeLeon and signed free agent outfielder Colby Rasmus. But they are taking a chance with catcher Wilson Ramos, who signed a two-year free agent deal. Once an NL MVP candidate, Ramos saw his stock drop when he blew out his knee in late September. He likely will be DH for most of the season.