MLB Trade Rumors is taking a reader poll on what the Royals should do about their second base situation:
If the Royals decided to stick with both players, they’d been committing nearly $10MM to what would
essentially be a second base platoon that was below replacement level in 2025. That’s a big gamble given the club’s limited resources, but there aren’t really any safe options at the club’s disposal. Non-tendering both players would leave the team with a hole and a free agent class somewhat thin on mid-tier infield talent (Willi Castro, Miguel Rojas) isn’t likely to provide a substantial upgrade, leaving them to pursue possible trade candidates like Brendan Donovan and Nolan Gorman. Non-tendering India would free up the majority of that money while still keeping Massey in house as a potential upside option, but it’s unclear if someone who would be better than India would be available at his price tag anyway. Non-tendering Massey would save a modest amount of money but, given his years of control, would only make sense if the team doesn’t believe he’ll be able to rebound. The non-tender deadline is Friday, giving the Royals just a few more days to make a decision.
Here is your last Arizona Fall League Royals update as their Surprise Saguaros won yet another AFL title:
- Blake Mitchell started both playoff games at catcher and went 3-7 with a double two walks.
- Carson Roccaforte did not appear in the playoffs.
- Daniel Vazquez started both games at shortstop and went 2-9 with a walk.
- A.J. Causey tossed a perfect inning with a strikeout in the semifinal.
- Dennis Colleran worked around a couple walks to post a scoreless inning in the semifinal.
- L.P. Langevin did not make an appearance this week.
Stay tuned for a full breakdown of Royals performances in Arizona.
Moving over to LIDOM:
- Carter Jensen hasn’t appeared in a game since 11/6 so I’m assuming he’s done for the winter.
- Eric Cerantola pitched 2.1 scoreless innings across two appearances with three strikeouts. He has allowed just one run in nine innings in LIDOM with 11 strikeouts to three walks.
Finally, LVBP:
- Beck Way hasn’t pitched since 10/30 so I guess he’s done.
As far as I can tell, there are no Royals playing this winter in Puerto Rico, Mexico, or Australia, so it appears this will just be the Eric Cerantola Appreciation Section going forward.
Overland Park HOA’s are not thrilled with the prospect of a Royals ballpark at 119th and Nall.
Denny Matthews got hitched at Kauffman Stadium. ($)
Four players accepted the qualifying offer — what does that tell us about free agency?
Coming off a banner year for MLB, why does the league seem so bent on a work stoppage? ($)
Could MLB’s betting scandal lead to a ban on prop bets?
MLB has announced new media rights deals with NBC, Netflix, and ESPN.
Baltimore and the Angels made the offseason’s first big trade: a one-for-one swap of outfielder Taylor Ward and right-handed pitcher Grayson Rodriguez.
Paul Skenes isn’t happy about reports claiming that he wants to be traded to the Yankees.
MLB will return to Dyersville next year with a Field of Dreams matchup between Philadelphia and Minnesota.
1976 NL Cy Young winner Randy Jones passed away at 75.
Parmigiano Reggiano is signing with a talent agency.
With the weather turning and holidays fast approaching, now is a good time to brush up on how to avoid catching a cold.
“Parasocial” is Cambridge Dictionary’s 2025 Word of the Year.
Your song of the day is Tranquila by J Balvin.
