O'brien Hits 6Th HR As Royals Tie up Tribe
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March 19, 2017 http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/mark- LOCAL schremmer-kc-s-gore-aims-to-prove-he-s/article_ec781822- 3dd2-5911-93a2-e42ce22f5103.html O'Brien hits 6th HR as Royals tie up Tribe NATIONAL March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219867528/royals- AL Central 2017 preview: Can the rally-late-to-forge-tie-with-indians/ Colon showing versatility in pursuit of Royals make one last run with this 2B job core? KC infielder starting at multiple positions as he The Indians are the AL Central favorites, but can battles Merrifield, Mondesi the Royals make it interesting? March 18, 2017 By Mike Axisa/CBSSports.com March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/al-central-2017- http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219867756/christian- preview-can-the-royals-make-one-last-run-with-this-core/ colon-seeking-spot-on-royals-roster/ Young, Wood continue tight battle for Moylan pitches well again, bidding for No. 5 spot KC bullpen job March 18, 2017 AP (via Washington Post) Yost says he sees no separation; Karns also in https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/moylan- mix pitches-well-again-bidding-for-kc-bullpen- March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com job/2017/03/18/65c3ed38-0c39-11e7-bd19- http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219868236/chris- fd3afa0f7e2a_story.html?utm_term=.6c45bef29c29 young-travis-wood-seek-kc-rotation-spot/ MLB TRANSACTIONS Yost has rough sketch of Opening Day March 19, 2017 •.CBSSports.com lineup http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions WBC '17, injuries keeping KC manager from using all his regulars LOCAL March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219868106/royals- opening-day-lineup-not-set-in-stone/ O'Brien hits 6th HR as Royals tie up With opening day in sight, Royals still Tribe March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com waiting for someone to emerge in http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219867528/royals- battle for fifth starter rally-late-to-forge-tie-with-indians/ March 18, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- Royals pinch-hitter Peter O'Brien drove a ninth-inning solo royals/article139437083.html home run -- his Cactus League-leading sixth -- into the right- field bullpen to force extras with the Indians in a 4-4 tie in 10 As spring hits pile up, Royals’ Alex innings Saturday. Gordon emerges as option at leadoff March 18, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star The Royals and Indians opened the game with six low- http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- scoring innings. The Royals got a pair of runs with some royals/article139384393.html small ball, while the Tribe went deep with a pair of solo shots from Richie Shaffer and Todd Hankins. The secret to clutch performances is experience, not genes Travis Wood looked sharp through five innings for the March 18, 2017 By Lee Judgde/KC Star Royals. He gave up five hits, including the two solo homers http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- that had him leaving with the game tied. blogs/judging-the-royals/article139498043.html "The changeup at first started off a little flat and short, and Bubba Starling and top-five draft then we got the arm extended on that and threw some good picks ones toward the end," Wood said. "The other pitches I felt March 18, 2017 By Lee Judgde/KC Star like were pretty crisp. I left a couple up and they did their job http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- and hit it. They just happened to go out of the park." blogs/judging-the-royals/article139386443.html Royals second-base candidate Whit Merrifield beat out a Will KC voters buy the pitch for a bunt single in the second, then stole second. Christian Colon, new animal shelter? also competing for the starting job at second, laced a double March 19, 2017 By Lynn Horsley/KC Star down the left-field line to plate Merrifield and give Kansas http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics- City the early lead. Colon started a run-scoring rally in the government/article139269008.html fifth with a single to center and Alex Gordon capped it with an RBI double to right. KC's Gore aims to prove he's not a one-trick pony The Indians jumped back in the game in the fourth when Shaffer hit his fourth Cactus League homer, a drive to right- March 19, 2017 By Mark Schremmer/Joplin Globe center. They took the lead briefly an inning later when Hankins drove his first spring round-tripper over the center- "This group is very talented," Colon said. "We've got a lot of field fence. young, talented infielders. You've got to just keep up with them. At the same time, we've created a culture here where "The adjustments he's been able to make at the plate have it's about winning first and foremost over anything. So that been very good," said Cleveland bench coach Brad Mills, helps a lot -- just to go out there and concentrate on who managed the split squad. "It's nice to see and hopefully winning." he'll continue to show us something the rest of the spring." Colon is hitting his stride at the right time, going 5-for-11 Cleveland took the lead when Connor Marabell sparked a over the past week, including a 3-for-4 spree with his first seventh-inning rally with a single to left and scored on an spring homer over his past two games entering Saturday. error by shortstop Humberto Arteaga. Yandy Diaz plated an insurance run in the seventh with a single to right. "The timing is finally coming," Colon said. "Some guys, it takes 10 at-bats, some other guys it takes 30 or 40 at-bats. Indians starter Shawn Morimando pitched three innings and Just timing and knowing what you can do and the type of gave up one run on three hits while striking out three and hitter you are." walking none. He was efficient on the mound, throwing 32 of his 44 pitches for strikes. Colon was hitting .300 (9-for-30) with two doubles and a homer in the Cactus League entering Saturday. Merrifield Chris Young, among those competing with Wood for the was hitting .278 (10-for-36) with a double and two triples, fifth-starter role with the Royals, pitched four innings and and Mondesi was lighting up the league at .433 (13-for-30) allowed two unearned runs on four hits and two walks while with two doubles and two homers. striking out three. He threw 74 pitches, 44 for strikes, and ended the ninth by starting a 1-6-3 double play on a On Saturday, Colon made his fifth start at shortstop, getting a comebacker. chance to show his versatility, while Merrifield started at second and Mondesi rested a tight back. Colon has also had Indians Up Next: The Indians will return to Arizona in time four starts at second and three at third. to reconvene as a full squad and play host to the D-backs in Goodyear at 4:05 p.m. ET on Gameday Audio. Right-hander "Both [Colon and Merrifield], we're trying to move around a Josh Tomlin will take the mound to face Arizona, which will lot, but they can play anywhere in the infield," manager Ned counter with lefty Patrick Corbin. Relievers Dan Otero and Yost said. "Second is probably where Colon's most Boone Logan are also slated to pitch for Cleveland. comfortable and his best position. He was signed as a shortstop." Royals Up Next: The Royals have a marquee matchup in Mesa against the Cubs in a battle of the past two World With Merrifield having started at five positions last season -- Series champions Sunday at 9:05 p.m. CT on MLB.TV and second (55 starts), left (11), right (three), third (three) and an exclusive audio webcast. Kansas City righty Ian Kennedy first (one) -- Colon is working to feel at home in more spots climbs the hill for his fourth spring start. He pitched 3 1/3 on the diamond. innings his last time out, blanking the Angels on three hits while striking out five and walking no one while lowering his Ultimately, Colon is working to give the Royals the best shot Cactus League ERA to 1.23. at getting back to October -- and making Yost's final roster Colon showing versatility in pursuit of decisions as tough as possible. 2B job "Any time you get in the lineup is a good time," Colon said. KC infielder starting at multiple positions as he Young, Wood continue tight battle for battles Merrifield, Mondesi No. 5 spot March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219867756/christian- Yost says he sees no separation; Karns also in colon-seeking-spot-on-royals-roster/ mix March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com Christian Colon has been to a handful of training camps with http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219868236/chris- the Royals, and he has parts of three seasons in the Majors young-travis-wood-seek-kc-rotation-spot/ under his belt. But as he tries to win a spot on his third straight Opening Day roster, it's been a uniquely competitive The Royals got nine innings from their starting pitching spring for the infielder. Saturday -- with two of the three prime contenders for the fifth-starter spot throwing in tandem in a 10-inning, 4-4 tie "Every spring I try to do the best I can and help the team with the Indians. Left-hander Travis Wood got the start and win," Colon said before Saturday's game with the Indians. went five innings, with righty Chris Young following for "But this one's a little different just because of the no options four. and you've got to make the team. I just want to be part of this group, part of the 25, and help the Kansas City Royals get Wood was efficient throughout, his stuff sharp as he spread back to the postseason." five hits and a walk over his five frames while striking out four and throwing just 67 pitches (40 for strikes). Colon, 27, is in a heated competition for the starting second- base job with Whit Merrifield -- who led all Royals with 55 "I got some quick outs attacking the zone and making them starts at second in '16 -- and Raul Mondesi, who made 40 swing the bat," Wood said. "If I can take that mindset and starts from his July 26 callup through the end of the season. game plan into the season, I'll be happy with it." Colon made 29 starts at second and another 10 at short while playing 54 games over three stints last season. Wood was effective with all his pitches, changing speeds and Escobar held down the leadoff spot for the last couple of working both sides of the plate to keep the Indians off seasons, making 82 starts atop the lineup in '16. He's hitting . balance. His only miscues came with the bases empty and 250 in 16 Cactus League at-bats with a triple and a homer, resulted in a pair of solo homers. but he was at .429 (9-for-21) in the Classic heading into play Saturday. "The changeup at first started off a little flat and short, and then we got the arm extended on that and threw some good "Esky's a primetime player, always," Yost said. "You look at ones toward the end," Wood said. "Other than that, the other what he does in the playoffs, the World Series. You look at pitches I felt like were pretty crisp. I left a couple up and they what he does in these big types of games, he's always been did their job and hit it. They just happened to go out of the extremely productive." park." Alex Gordon hit leadoff Saturday. He was hitting .400 (12- Young was just as sharp in his four innings, scattering four for-30) with a homer, but Yost said the leadoff hitters this hits and two walks while striking out three. He threw 74 spring have mostly been there "so they get more at-bats pitches (44 for strikes) and might have been available for the without having to play as many innings," and cautioned 10th inning if the seventh hadn't been extended by an error against making more of spring lineups than the coaching staff resulting in two unearned runs. has.
"They didn't center him up all day," manager Ned Yost said "Alex has been traditionally an on-base guy -- that's why we of Young. "All four hits were off the end of the bat or jam like him at the top," Yost said. "After the year that he had last shots. They didn't hit a ball hard off of him all day. Gave up year, and he feels good, I just want to get him going. the two unearned runs, but should have been out of the inning with nothing. He pitched very well, too." "He looks like old Gordy. He's getting to inside pitches. He's driving the pitch away. He's staying on his feet against Yost said he isn't seeing much separation in what is thought offspeed stuff. He's not swinging and missing at a bunch of to be a three-way race to be the No. 5 starter among Wood, it. He looks good." Young and Nathan Karns, who pitched four innings of three- run ball Friday. Yost isn't in a rush, but he'd like to get the lineup clicking together for at least four days to a week before the season "I'm looking at what's best for our team," Yost said of his opens. approach to the competition, noting that if he did see separation, he wouldn't share it. "The three and four spots are locked up with [center fielder Lorenzo] Cain and Hos," Yost said. "For one, two, five, six, The fifth starter would join a rotation expected to include Ian still debating on those spots. At least we got two of them Kennedy, Jason Hammel, Jason Vargas, and ace Danny locked down." Duffy, who was to start an elimination game for Team USA against the Dominican Republic in Saturday's World Yost said he expects to see Perez back by the middle of next Baseball Classic second-round finale. week. Yost has rough sketch of Opening Day "That gives him plenty of time," Yost said. "Sal will be ready lineup to go once he heals up." WBC '17, injuries keeping KC manager from With opening day in sight, Royals still using all his regulars waiting for someone to emerge in March 18, 2017 By Owen Perkins/MLB.com http://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/219868106/royals- battle for fifth starter opening-day-lineup-not-set-in-stone/ March 18, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- Among the challenges of this Spring Training for Ned Yost royals/article139437083.html has been pulling his team together with several key players still playing in the World Baseball Classic. First baseman Just more than two weeks before opening day, Royals Eric Hosmer and staff ace Danny Duffy are fighting for manager Ned Yost leaned back in his office chair Saturday advancement with Team USA, while shortstop Alcides morning with a stoic expression on his face. Escobar's Team Venezuela is hoping for an improbable series alignment of outcomes that could see them advance through a A reporter had lobbed a question concerning the state of the tiebreaker. competition for the Royals’ fifth starter role — a battle that, publicly at least, involves Nathan Karns, Travis Wood and Couple that with starting catcher Salvador Perez being down Chris Young. Yost digested the question for a moment and for about a week with inflammation in his left knee, and Yost sought to bat it away. has yet to see anything like an Opening Day lineup on the field. But with just over two weeks before the regular season, No, he said, there was no separation between the three he's barely started thinking about it. pitchers.
"We haven't sat down and discussed it like we do, generally It is easy, of course, to question the sincerity of this posture. as a group, decide what the best lineup is for us," Yost said Before spring training even begins, teams will meticulously before Saturday's game with the Indians. "We get input from map out roster plans and contingencies. When a competition our analytical people. We get input from our eyes. We get is deemed open, there is often an internal favorite. But as the input from the coaches, before we sit down and decide as a Royals prepare for the stretch run of camp, no pitcher has group what we think our best lineup is going to be." emerged as a clear-cut favorite to found out the rotation, at least based on spring performance. And that’s fine with Yost. Right-hander Peter Moylan warmed up once in the middle innings and threw a scoreless 10th inning before the game “Even if I did (see separation),” Yost said. “I wouldn’t tell came to a halt. you two weeks out.” Moylan, a nonroster invitee who spent most of last season in So with one rotation spot still seemingly up for grabs, Wood the Royals’ bullpen, has allowed one run in six appearances. and Young took another turn on the mound Saturday He also spent time away from camp while competing for afternoon in what turned into a 4-4, 10-inning tie against a Australia at the World Baseball Classic. split-squad Cleveland Indians side at Surprise Stadium. The regulars Wood drew the start and allowed two earned runs in five innings, striking out four. Young surrendered two unearned Infielder Christian Colon maintained his recent surge at the runs in four innings, lowering his spring ERA to 2.13. plate, finishing 2 for 2 with a double and an RBI. Colon, who homered Friday against the Brewers, is now batting .344 (11 As the temperature soared into the mid 90s, Wood needed for 32) with three doubles this spring. just 67 pitches to navigate five innings. The Indians’ first two runs came via two mistakes that turned into solo homers — Colon is fighting for the starting job at second base, but he one of which was a fly ball to deep left-center that cut could also be fighting for his future in Kansas City. Out of through the thin Arizona air. options, Colon must make the 25-man roster or be placed on waivers, which would expose him to other teams. “I got the pitch count up, which is the main thing,” Wood said. “The pitches were pretty crisp today. I was pretty happy Including the second-base job, the Royals have three open with it.” spots on the roster. They will likely be filled by a combination of Colon, Whit Merrifield, Raul Mondesi and Both pitchers were taking on an Indians split-squad lineup Cheslor Cuthbert, while outfielders Billy Burns and Terrance that was stocked with minor leaguers. Young built on a solid Gore are also fighting for positions. performance his last time out, when he threw 3 2/3 scoreless innings against the Colorado Rockies. The Indians scored Cuthbert is also out of options, while Merrifield, Mondesi, their only runs off Young after a two-out fielding error by Burns and Gore can all be sent to Class AAA Omaha without shortstop Humberto Arteaga in the seventh. The veteran being placed on waivers. right-hander Young threw 74 pitches in four innings. The young guys “They didn’t center him up all day,” Yost said. “Four innings, four hits, and all four hits were off the end of the bat Peter O’Brien smashed his sixth homer of the spring, this one or jam shots. They didn’t hit a ball hard off him all day.” a game-tying blast to right field in the bottom of the ninth inning. Trailing 4-3, O’Brien lined an opposite-field shot into In the confines of spring, results only tell half the story. the right-field bullpen. Karns, who was acquired in the offseason for outfielder Jarrod Dyson, has appeared to be a slight favorite. For one, O’Brien, 26, still faces long odds to make the roster, barring he’s been given starts to himself, while Wood and Young an injury have flip-flopped. Karns also has limited experience in the bullpen, though club officials are confident his power stuff He possesses two options, which means he can be stashed at could translate to relief. Class AAA Omaha and continue to develop at the plate. The Royals appear content with Brandon Moss and a combination But Karns, who started on Friday, has allowed nine earned of regulars filling the designated hitter spot. runs in 11 innings (7.36 ERA) after wobbling for innings in As spring hits pile up, Royals’ Alex each of his last two starts. Gordon emerges as option at leadoff Wood, meanwhile, has posted a 4.05 ERA in four March 18, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star appearances, including two starts. Young has posted a 2.13 http://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city- ERA in 12 2/3 innings. royals/article139384393.html
The Royals, though, have other factors to consider. The two For the moment, Royals manager Ned Yost can count just pitchers who do not land a rotation spot are likely ticketed for two certainties in his club’s batting order this season. Center the bullpen. Wood, who spent last season in the Cubs’ fielder Lorenzo Cain will bat third, while first baseman Eric bullpen, has succeeded as both a starter and reliever. And Hosmer will bat fourth. The rest, he says, remains a fluid Young could be best suited for long relief — at least for now proposition. — after an ineffective performance last year. "We haven’t even begun to settle on a lineup yet," Yost said “Big picture,” Yost said, “we’re looking what’s best for our on Saturday morning. team.” The Royals will conduct internal meetings to discuss the The arms lineup and other roster questions in the coming weeks, Yost said. But for now, he remains noncommittal about how the The presence of Wood and Young meant little room for batting order might look when the club opens the season relievers on Saturday. against the Minnesota Twins on April 3.
Relievers Kelvin Herrera and Matt Strahm were set to throw "We do it in a lot of different ways," Yost said. "We get input in a minor-league game to remain on schedule. from our analytical people. We get input from our eyes. We get input from the coaches before we sit down and decide as a group what our best lineup is going to be." George Brett’s lifetime batting average was .305; now take a look at some of his “clutch” stats. Still, there are hints of a framework falling into place. Third baseman Mike Moustakas spent parts of the last two seasons 2 outs, runner in scoring position: .290 as the club’s No. 2 hitter and appears slotted for that spot again. If Moustakas bats second, that could leave the leadoff Late and close: .301 spot open for left fielder Alex Gordon, who has occupied that role in the past and offers solid on-base skills. Tie game: .298 The secret to clutch performances is Within 1 run: .305 experience, not genes March 18, 2017 By Lee Judgde/KC Star Within 2 runs: .304 http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- blogs/judging-the-royals/article139498043.html Within 3 runs: .303
A couple days ago Royals manager Ned Yost was asked Within 4 runs: .304 about an Eric Hosmer home run in the World Baseball Classic: Did Yost think there was such a thing as a “clutch” Ahead: .311 gene? Behind: .305 The short answer is no. Brett was remarkably consistent in a variety of situations. He didn’t think the ability to perform in the clutch was something you were born with, it was something you learn. If you play the same and the other guy plays worse, you’ll And you learn it by experiencing those situations and look even better figuring out what works and what doesn’t. I was once watching a Little League World Series game and When Alcides Escobar first came to the Royals, Ned was former big-league pitcher Orel Hershiser was one of the criticized for not pinch-hitting for Esky in crucial late-inning announcers. The other announcer asked Hershiser if players situations. Ned said Esky needed to experience those in clutch situations needed to raise their game. situations if he was ever going to succeed in them. And what most players learn from experiencing clutch situations is that Hershiser said you could try or you could just play the same, trying harder doesn’t work. let the other guy try to raise his game and when that didn’t work it would look like you had raised yours. If you could swing a bat faster or throw a ball harder or run more swiftly you’d do it all the time, so all trying harder does That’s it in a nutshell. is make you tight and mess up your natural ability. George Brett’s lifetime postseason batting average is .337. In According to Ned and just about every other ballplayer, the 1980 World Series he hit .375 and in the 1985 Series it clutch performance is actually the ability to approach a big at was .370, but he didn’t do it by trying harder. In fact Brett’s bat with the same attitude you have all the time; you don’t try mantra was: “Try easier.” harder, you try the same. Talk to the players who have been there and done that and But some people just can’t do that. they’ll tell you that in a big situation the person who can back off a bit has an advantage. So if the pitchers he was facing in The 2016 Twins vs. George Brett the World Series were more pumped up than Brett: advantage Brett. In 2016, the Minnesota Twins were the worst team in baseball and here’s one of the reasons: their overall batting The ability to perform in the clutch isn’t something you’re average was .251, but with two outs and a runner in scoring born with; it’s something you learn. And if you can learn to position they hit .197. approach a World Series at bat the way you would a spring training at bat, you just might become a clutch performer. If you go on Baseball-Reference website and look up “clutch Bubba Starling and top-five draft stats” you’re going to see one called “Late & Close” — these are plate appearances in the seventh inning or later with the picks batting team tied, ahead by one or with the tying run at least March 18, 2017 By Lee Judgde/KC Star on deck. And in those late and close situations, the Twins http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns- hit .205. blogs/judging-the-royals/article139386443.html
Not all the clutch stats for the Twins are that bad, but it’s Back in 2011 the Kansas City Royals selected Bubba Starling clear they had a hard time performing at their usual level in with the fifth overall pick of the draft. On Friday the Kansas those situations. City Royals optioned Bubba Starling to Omaha where he’ll once again play minor league ball. I once asked George Brett why he was a clutch player and he said some people can’t forget that there are two outs, the And that reminded me of a story. tying run’s on second base and it’s the World Series; but when George was going good, he could. So it wasn’t raising One day a bunch of us were talking about the Royals and his game that made Brett clutch; it was keeping everything someone brought up Bubba. They pointed out the Royals’ the same. lack of success with some of their draft picks and I said that sounded like an argument against tanking. 3.) Jeff Clement
(Just in case you haven’t heard: tanking is losing 4.) Ryan Zimmerman intentionally in order to get a higher draft pick.) 5.) Ryan Braun After I made my anti-tanking comment someone said it was hard to screw up a top-five draft pick and I wondered if that 2006: was really true, so I went back and took a look. 1.) Luke Hochevar The top five picks from a decade of drafting 2.) Greg Reynolds Here’s a list of the top-five picks in the 2001 to 2010 drafts. I picked that time span because it gave the players six years to 3.) Evan Longoria show what they could – or in some cases couldn’t – do. The information comes from Baseball Reference. 4.) Brad Lincoln
2001: 5.) Brandon Morrow
1.) Joe Mauer 2007:
2.) Mark Prior 1.) David Price
3.) Dewon Brazelton 2.) Mike Moustakas
4.) Gavin Floyd 3.) Josh Vitters
5.) Mark Teixeira 4.) Daniel Moskos
2002: 5.) Matt Wieters
1.) Bryan Bullington 2008:
2.) Melvin Upton Jr. 1.) Tim Beckham
3.) Chris Gruler 2.) Pedro Alvarez
4.) Adam Loewen 3.) Eric Hosmer
5.) Clint Everts 4.) Brian Matusz
2003: 5.) Buster Posey
1.) Delmon Young 2009:
2.) Rickie Weeks 1.) Stephen Strasburg
3.) Kyle Sleeth 2.) Dustin Ackley
4.) Tim Stauffer 3.) Donavan Tate
5.) Chris Lubanski 4.) Tony Sanchez
2004: 5.) Matt Hobgood
1.) Matt Bush 2010:
2.) Justin Verlander 1.) Bryce Harper
3.) Philip Humber 2.) Jameson Taillon
4.) Jeff Niemann 3.) Manny Machado
5.) Mark Rogers 4.) Christian Colon
2005: 5.) Drew Pomeranz
1.) Justin Upton I think what this proves beyond a shadow of a doubt is that I have way too much time on my hands. 2.) Alex Gordon But it’s also pretty clear that even with a top-five pick the Citizens for Responsible Government, another opposition draft can be a crapshoot; there are some terrific big league group, suggested Kansas City should find a way to work with players on that list, but there also players who never made it some other shelters that get by primarily on donations and out of the minors and players who made it to the big leagues, volunteers, although city officials say Kansas City’s facility but didn’t have much impact once they got there. serves more animals and has far greater needs.
Bubba Starling is not unique. This whole debate focuses on Kansas City’s April 4 ballot, which includes three city-sponsored questions: $600 million So why is Bubba taking so long? for streets, bridges and sidewalks; $150 million for flood control; and $50 million for city building improvements. Bubba was drafted in 2011 and will start 2017 in the minors; Each question requires 57.1 percent voter approval. Eric Hosmer was drafted in 2008, but made it to the big leagues in 2011. So why did Hosmer advance quickly while The entire $800 million bond authorization would require a Starling is taking a long time? property tax increase, but Question 3 has the smallest tax impact. Over 20 years, the $50 million in bonds from I wrote about this once already, but if you missed it here it is Question 3 is estimated to cost the average household with a again. $140,000 house about $10 per year.
I asked Royals coach Rusty Kuntz about Starling and here’s If voters approve Question 3, the city says it plans to spend what he had to say: Eric Hosmer played high school ball in $14 million in bond funds, along with millions in private Florida and played a lot of games with some of the best contributions, on a new shelter to be built in Swope Park, amateurs in the country. Rusty said Hosmer was facing 90 near the Zoo and Lakeside Nature Center. City Manager Troy mph fastballs before he ever left high school. Schulte said construction could start in the next year or two and be finished in 18 months. Bubba played his high school ball in Kansas and played more than one sport. So Bubba didn’t play as many games as No one, not even critics, doubts that Kansas City’s current Hosmer and when Bubba did play, didn’t face the same level animal shelter at 4400 Raytown Road is woefully outdated. of competition. Bubba has had more to learn in the minors than Hosmer did, but Rusty thinks Bubba will eventually get “It’s way past time,” said City Councilwoman Teresa Loar, his shot. who has been urging the city to build a new shelter for 10 years. “Kansas City is better than this.” At this point some people think Bubba Starling is a disappointment, but the final chapter in the Bubba Starling The shelter handles about 10,000 animals per year (mostly story has yet to be written. dogs and cats but also ducks, rabbits and other oddities) in Will KC voters buy the pitch for a what is basically a construction trailer left over from Truman Sports Complex construction in 1972. It’s had little updating new animal shelter? over the years, except the 2015 addition of some specialty March 19, 2017 By Lynn Horsley/KC Star trailers for surgeries and medical care. http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics- government/article139269008.html “This is a big challenge for us, trying to run a modern animal shelter out of a building that’s very inadequate and really Kansas City’s proposal to replace its dilapidated animal aging,” said Teresa Johnson, CEO of Kansas City Pet shelter as part of its $800 million infrastructure bond package Project, which manages the shelter for the city. has major-league backing from pet lovers — and Royals starting pitcher Danny Duffy. While the area’s private shelters do a great job, Johnson said the city’s shelter handles a more difficult population, taking “#RaiseTheWoof for a new animal shelter for Kansas City!” in four or five injured or sick animals every day, plus many Duffy tweeted on Feb. 20. He urged people to vote April 4 lost or abandoned pets. for Question 3, which includes the new shelter plus other city building upgrades. Dog cages are crammed into the main room in a way that often stresses the dogs. The cat rooms are also crowded. The Duffy said the current shelter simply needs more room. heating and ventilation systems are poor. The drains from the cages became so rotted last year that they had to be replaced. “I’m a dog guy,” Duffy told Star sports reporter Pete City officials worry that Missouri’s Agriculture Department Grathoff earlier this month. “Hopefully, they can get that will condemn the facility at some point, although it passed its passed.” most recent inspection last August.
But the $14 million taxpayer price tag has also drawn City officials praise KC Pet Project for dramatically opposition from critics who say the city should spend that improving the animal care and adoption rate since taking kind of money on homeless people, not homeless pets. over shelter management in 2012. But they say a decent shelter is long overdue, and they note that the private sector “There’s a substantial homeless population,” said Gayle is pitching in $10 million to help with both construction and Holliday, spokeswoman for Freedom Inc., the African- a maintenance endowment. They have a preliminary plan for American political club. She said the group opposes all three a 60,000-square-foot building, roughly four times the current city ballot measures, which seek a property tax increase for size. major improvements to streets, sidewalks, flood control and city buildings. “While there are many animal lovers in our “There is a passionate belief in this public/private community, that is not the highest priority for our people partnership, which is a tribute to the commitment of this right now.” mayor, city manager, parks board and city council to finally solve the challenge,” said Roshann Parris, a public relations executive who is helping lead the “Raise The Woof KC” scramble on an emergency time frame to find a solution to its fundraising campaign. shelter woes. KC's Gore aims to prove he's not a She said project supporters looked at converting one of the city’s closed schools, but concluded that a new building one-trick pony would be more efficient and less expensive. March 19, 2017 By Mark Schremmer/Joplin Globe http://www.joplinglobe.com/sports/local_sports/mark- Parris also said no dollars that would normally go to serve schremmer-kc-s-gore-aims-to-prove-he-s/article_ec781822- homeless people would be diminished or diverted by this 3dd2-5911-93a2-e42ce22f5103.html focus on a humane place for animals. Terrance Gore hasn't spent much time wondering when his For those wondering why Kansas City taxpayers need to first major league hit will come. provide $14 million on top of $10 million in private dollars, Schulte notes that it cost taxpayers $19.6 million just to build Instead, the Kansas City Royals outfielder has understood his the tow lot in 2008 for abandoned, stolen and impounded role. Primarily used as a pinch runner, Gore's objective is to vehicles. pester opposing pitchers and put pressure on the defense.
Other communities also have built multimillion-dollar animal So far, so good. shelters in recent years, including $17 million for a 36,000- square-foot facility in Denver in 2011 and a $15 million, In 37 regular-season games over three seasons in the big 35,000-square-foot facility that just opened in the Pittsburgh, leagues, Gore swiped 19 bases and scored 12 runs despite Pa., area. For a complex that could open in 2020, Las Vegas receiving only nine plate appearances. The former 20th- plans to spend $14 million (city and county dollars) round draft pick out of Gulf Coast Community College in renovating an existing 48,000-square-foot facility and is also Florida added four stolen bases and two runs as he helped the raising $18 million in private dollars for a new adoption Royals advance to the World Series in 2014 and 2015. center. Combining the regular season and postseason, Gore successfully stole 23 bases out of 26 attempts. In many communities, the county rather than the city funds the main animal shelter. Mayor Sly James says Kansas City His stolen base in the 2014 Wild Card game against the tried to partner with Jackson County some years ago on a Oakland A's is one of the many highlights from the dramatic new shelter, but Jackson County decided instead to build a $5 comeback victory. Last season, Gore's mere presence on third million shelter in 2012 in Independence. That facility, base helped cause a wild pitch by Trevor May, leading to a operated by Great Plains SPCA, is usually full, according to run during a 4-3 extra-inning win over the Minnesota Twins. operations director Tish Stephens. "As you know, I'm still waiting on that first hit," Gore said on Kansas City officials and the park board believe they’ve the final day of the 2016 season. "But that's not too much of found the ideal location for a new city shelter on seven acres my concern. The main reason I'm here is to steal bases and in Swope Park, at the northeast corner of Gregory Boulevard score runs." and Elmwood Avenue. Arguably the fastest player in professional baseball, Gore is a But some Swope Park neighbors are concerned about that weapon. But as the 2017 season approaches, it remains location. unclear how much the Royals will use that weapon going forward. The departure of Jarrod Dyson leaves Kansas City “If they wanted to give out land, why didn’t they put it without its most consistent weapon on the base paths from deeper in the woods, instead of right in the community?” asks the past five seasons. However, it could still be difficult for Demona Manlove, who lives in the Gregory Ridge Gore to be the player to fill that void. The additions of Jorge neighborhood about a block from the park. “That’s going to Soler, Billy Burns and Brandon Moss, as well as the solid ruin the ambiance of what Swope Park was supposed to be.” play of Paulo Orlando in 2016, makes the outfield a crowded place on the MLB roster. And with infielders like Cheslor She believes the tax dollars would be better used to address Cuthbert and Christian Colon out of options, the Royals mowing, tree trimming, retaining walls and other might not be able to afford to make a one-trick pony one of maintenance in Swope Park and elsewhere in the city. She the 25 players in the big league clubhouse. supports the street and flood control ballot measures but not this shelter spending. That's why Gore is doing his best to show that he can be more than a sprinter on a baseball field. When you consider Still, others say the shelter will enhance the park, and they that he will likely use his final option year with the Royals in believe the project will draw a strong Yes vote benefiting 2017, his ability to develop into a legitimate major league people as well as animals. hitter becomes all the more important.
That’s because the rest of the $50 million in Question 3 "I think I've progressed pretty well," the 5-foot-7 and 165- would go for city building improvements, especially to pound Gore said in October. "I've done a lot of work on my address Americans With Disabilities issues. The city is under hitting in Double-A. I've been working with Triple-A coach a federal mandate to do tens of millions of dollars worth of Tommy Gregg a lot in the cages. He's focusing on the work to make restrooms, building entrances and city facilities mechanics to help my swing out." more accessible, but doesn’t have a ready source of funds. Gore has made some strides. After hitting only .218 with a If this ballot measure fails, Schulte said the city will have to disastrous .284 on-base percentage during 89 games at High- cut other services to free up money for the ADA A Wilmington in 2014, he combined to bat .256 over the past requirements. If the Agriculture Department orders the two seasons at Double-A Northwest Arkansas. He also current shelter closed, he said, the city would have to improved his ability to draw walks, recording an on-base percentage above .310 in both seasons. He added 83 steals in until Jose Quintana, David Robertson, Todd Frazier, and 90 attempts during that span, and his defense has improved. Melky Cabrera are traded away as well. Maybe Jose Abreu too. The Minnesota Twins had baseball’s worst record a year As of Thursday night, Gore had two hits, including one ago -- no other club lost more than 94 games in 2016 -- and double, as well as a walk in 11 plate appearances during they are still a long way from contention. spring training. He also stole two bases in three attempts. The most interesting team in the division is the Royals, who It's a nice start, but Gore's development will need to continue went into the winter with a slew of core players due to at a rapid pace during this pivotal season in his career. Now become free agents after 2017. Impending free agents Wade is the time for Gore to prove he can be a viable outfield Davis and Jarrod Dyson were traded for younger players with option and not just a novelty like track star Herb Washington long-term control. Fellow impending free agent Danny Duffy was for Oakland in the 1970s. Washington stole 31 bases was signed to a long-term extension. Even after that, the over 105 games for the A's during the 1974 and 1975 quartet of Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas, and seasons, but he never registered a hit. Alcides Escobar will become free agents next winter.
Gore, who never ran track in high school because baseball It’s unlikely if not impossible the Royals will be able to re- was his first love, is confident he will avoid that fate. sign all those guys. I’m not even sure a big market team could afford to re-sign them all. That group is going to make "I always think 'your time is coming eventually,'" Gore said. a lot of money next offseason. So, because of that, the 2017 "The more chances you have, the more likely you'll be able to season will be Kansas City’s last rodeo with this core. And if get it. I'm trying so hard when I get up there, because I know things don’t go according to plan, general manager Dayton it might be my only at-bat for about two weeks. My first Moore is prepared to tear it down and hold a fire sale at the major league hit will probably come when I least expect it." trade deadline. From Joel Sherman of the New York Post:
“We would have to consider it [a fire sale] if things do not go NATIONAL right,” Moore told The Post. AL Central 2017 preview: Can the ... Royals make one last run with this “We are all motivated, not to keep the team together, but because we think we are good,” (righty Chris) Young said. core? “We think we have something to prove. Last year we did not The Indians are the AL Central favorites, but can live up to our own expectations internally.” the Royals make it interesting? March 18, 2017 By Mike Axisa/CBSSports.com The Royals had to scramble for pitching prior to spring http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/al-central-2017- training after young Yordano Ventura was tragically killed in preview-can-the-royals-make-one-last-run-with-this-core/ a car crash in the Dominican Republic. That led them to Jason Hammel and Travis Wood. Also, stalwart catcher Over the last two seasons the AL Central has been dominated Salvador Perez suffered a knee injury during the World by small market teams. In 2015 the Kansas City Royals won Baseball Classic -- ironically, it happened when his Royals 95 games and won the division by 12 games. They went on to backup Drew Butera stumbled into him -- though he escaped win the World Series after winning the pennant in 2014. with only inflammation. Still, it was a reminder how much Then, in 2016, the Cleveland Indians won 94 games and needs to go right for the Royals to contend. They need claimed the division title by an eight game margin. The Tribe everyone healthy and performing well if they’re going to then pushed the best team in baseball to extra innings in make one last run in 2017. Game 7 of the World Series. Let’s take a look at how the simulations and oddsmakers see The last three AL pennant winners have come from the AL the 2017 AL Central race shaking out, shall we? (click link Central and it’s very possible it will happen again in 2017. for chart) But, before we go any further, let’s quickly take one last look back at the year that was in the division: (click link for chart) Can’t say I’m surprised to see the Indians are overwhelming favorites. I think they’re better than last season thanks to the You’ll notice both the Indians and Tigers played only 161 addition of Edwin Encarnacion and a potentially healthy games last year. That’s because they had a game rained out Michael Brantley. The only things really standing in their late in the season, but since the outcome was not going to way are a World Series workload hangover effect and have an impact on any postseason races, the game was not injuries. made up. The Royals have made a habit of beating projections in Anyway, the Indians were the best team in the AL Central by recent years (well, not last year, but in 2014 and 2015), and if no small margin last year. Best record (by a lot) and best run they’re going to make one last World Series run with their differential (by a lot). Nothing has changed. If anything, they core group, they’ll need to beat the projections once again. got better over the winter. The Detroit Tigers were only 2 1/2 The Tigers seem to be stuck in the middle, which is not a games short of a Wild Card spot, so they were in the race all good place to be. They’re not good enough to be a no-doubt year, and they were largely inactive during the offseason. contender and not bad enough to tear it all down and rebuild. There were rumblings of a fire sale, but nope, didn’t happen. Besides, some massive contracts would prevent a tear down The same core returns. anyway.
The Chicago White Sox, after several disappointing seasons, Now that we’ve looked at the AL Central picture overall, took the plunge and started a rebuild over the winter. Chris let’s examine the division on a team-by-team basis. Sale and Adam Eaton are gone, and it’s only a matter of time Cleveland Indians “That’s just what he does,” Moylan said. “I said in the What are the Indians going to get from Brantley? And, if he bullpen, he’s coming up so we have a chance to tie this one is healthy, is this the best lineup in the AL? It’s very up. He’s insane.” possible . Mike Napoli was good last year, but Encarnacion is better, and now Cleveland will have full seasons of Andrew Moylan was an effective reliever in the Royals bullpen last Miller and Brandon Guyer as well. This team looks like a season, but as a free agent his phone was silent. potential powerhouse. On the Fantasy side , Scott White looked at how Encarnacion will mesh with his new ballpark. “You’ve got to look at from their point of view,” Moylan said. “I’m 38. In as much as I felt like I had a good year last Kansas City Royals year, it was the first time I was able to throw consistent innings for a few years. I think teams are sort of looking at it The Royals are facing a crucial season, R.J. Anderson like was that a freak year. It’s my job to prove that it wasn’t.” writes . They have many impending free agents and it’s entirely possible they’ll have to trade those guys at the In six appearances, covering six innings, Moylan has allowed deadline if they’re out of the race. Letting players like one run. He also threw two scoreless innings, striking out Hosmer and Moustakas walk for nothing more than a dinky three Cubans for Australia in the World Baseball Classic. draft pick would be a mistake. Scott White wonders whether Jorge Soler is ready for a breakout, both in Fantasy baseball “I had a week off to go to the WBC, which was good,” and real baseball . Moylan said. “It wasn’t too long away and I was able to come back and continue what I was doing. That’s all I can do Detroit Tigers is go out there and show them that I can still pitch at this level and get guys out. Hopefully, they like what they see Matt Synder looked at the two possilble outcomes for the again and we’ll see what happens.” 2017 Tigers : if things go right, and if things go wrong. This club has a chance to contend, but if everything goes wrong, Moylan agreed to a minor league contract in February with they could be an active seller at the trade deadline. The the Royals after spring training had already started. He will Tigers are built around some aging sluggers, and Scott White make $1 million if he makes the club and has a chance for wonders whether they can be counted on in Fantasy . another $250,000 in incentives. Moylan also has a March 28 opt-out clause if he is not added to the 40-man roster. Minnesota Twins The Royals have a bullpen opening, but Moylan said he does The Twins have some exciting young players, though as R.J. not look at his chances to make the team. Anderson writes , they’re not ready to help Minnesota contend in 2017. Expect to hear several veterans involved in “I’m too old to be worrying about that sort of thing,” Moylan trade rumors at the deadline. Brian Dozier and Ervin Santana said. “I’d like to think I have a good a chance as the next guy jump to mind. On the Fantasy side , Chris Towers wonders to make the team, but it’s all going to come down to the way whether Dozier can repeat last season’s power surge. I throw the ball and what kind of arms they want in the pen. It’s out of my control except for what I can do on the field.” Chicago White Sox Moylan was a non-roster invitee to the Royals’ 2016 camp, The rebuild isn’t over, as Dayn Perry writes . Veterans like but allowed eight runs on 10 hits, seven walks and two hit Quintana and Robertson will be moved at some point, then batters in 12 innings. the White Sox will have to make playing time available for top prospect Yoan Moncada. Chris Towers examined the “Last year in spring training I don’t think I threw a strike in Fantasy outlooks of Moncada and top pitching prospect the first six games,” Moylan said. “I put too much pressure Lucas Giolito. on myself last year. The last time I was in spring training in Moylan pitches well again, bidding for Arizona with the Dodgers, I didn’t have as much sink on my sinker, so it came into my mindset that I had to try to make KC bullpen job the ball sink. I changed my delivery. My arm angle was March 18, 2017 AP (via Washington Post) lower.” https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/nationals/moylan- pitches-well-again-bidding-for-kc-bullpen- “I learned from that. I decided to do what I do and not worry job/2017/03/18/65c3ed38-0c39-11e7-bd19- about trying to make the ball sink and let the ball sink. It was fd3afa0f7e2a_story.html?utm_term=.6c45bef29c29 not a good spring training last year. This year I feel good. I’ve been working on a few different pitches. This is the time Extra-inning spring training games are not the preference of to do it and luckily I’ve been having some success with it.” most big league players. Moylan went 2-0 with a 3.43 ERA in 44 2/3 innings with the Kansas City Royals reliever Peter Moylan, however, was Royals in 2016 after starting the season with Triple-A happy when the game Saturday went into the 10th inning. Omaha, where he compiled a 0.71 ERA in 12 games.
“I was very glad it went an extra inning,” said Moylan, which “My experience last year here was as good as I had in the big allowed him to pitch. leagues,” he said. “Obviously, it’s a key reason why I wanted to come back.” Moylan threw a scoreless 10th inning as the Royals and a MLB TRANSACTIONS Cleveland Indians split squad played to a 4-4 tie. Pinch-hitter March 19, 2017 •.CBSSports.com Peter O’Brien tied with an opposite-field home run in the http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions bottom of the ninth. O’Brien leads the Cactus League with six home runs. TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION
Detroit Tigers Buck Farmer Sent to Minors
Detroit Tigers Drew VerHagen Sent to Minors
Minnesota Twins Daniel Palka Sent to Minors
St. Louis Cardinals Luke Weaver Sent to Minors