Those of us that are hoping that the Kansas City Royals will make big trades during the MLB trade deadline at the end of July need to start bracing ourselves for the possibility of a quieter trading season. Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon of the Athletic are reporting that the Royals are maintaining high asking prices on veteran pitchers Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo, and that they don’t expect teams to meet the Royals asking price:
The Royals, according to people briefed on their plans, are telling clubs
they will listen on Lugo and Wacha, but their asks will be massive.
It’s certainly possible some team will meet a massive ask by the Royals, or that this attitude will change by the end of the month, but as things sit right now, I’m expecting Wacha and Lugo to be on the team for the remainder of the season.
Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino is hoping to return from the IL Friday. Manager Matt Quatraro talked to MLB.com reporter Bill Ladson about the first baseman:
Pasquantino is expected to play his last rehab game for Omaha on Thursday night.
“He is trying to see pitches and judge his health,” Quatraro said. “He is not making any swing adjustments.”
Pasquantino suffered a hamate bone fracture in his right hand. Those injuries are notorious for sapping power from a hitter even after they return, so temper your expectations on what we can expect from Vinnie when he returns.
Wacha pitched in his final game on Thursday before being one of two Royals representatives at the MLB All-Star game. The starter discussed his outing against the New York Mets with Ladson after the game:
“But there were a lot of long ABs. They were fouling off pitches and they ended up with some walks. The pitch count was getting up there [104 pitches total]. I had a long stressful inning [that] added up there in the fifth. I just have to do a better job right there. I have to limit the damage, limit those big innings and give our guys a chance to win.”
The Royals lost the series finale 7-3.
The MLB draft is on Saturday, but the Royals front office will not be in their draft room in Kansas City this time. General Manager J.J. Picollo explained why to Kansas City Star reporter Pete Grathoff:
“All the days leading up to the draft, there would be days impacted by the World Cup, so we just decided to move it to Arizona, just for simplicity of not having to worry about logistics, dancing around the World Cup,” Picollo said.
If the Royals are disappointed with their draft this year they can blame Lionel Messi.
Kiley McDaniel of ESPN posted his final mock draft, and has the Royals taking pitcher Jared Grindlinger at No. 6:
I think this pick comes down to Grindlinger, (Jackson) Flora and underslot pitching options such as Gio Rojas, Hunter Dietz and Mason Edwards. The choice from that group would depend on the bonus price and who can then be targeted at later picks.
McDaniel has the Royals taking UCLA pitcher Logan Reddeman at pick 30, as well as high school pitcher Jack Slightom at pick 56.
We are starting to get more information on the Royals plan for the new stadium at Crown Center: Kansas City Star writer Neil Nakahodo wrote about some newly released city records that show how the area could be reshaped and what the Royals are thinking about how people are going to get to the stadium:
A traffic study identifies a potential supply of 18,257 parking spaces, including 8,219 spaces at Crown Center and another 10,038 at off-site locations near the stadium.
The study estimates that as many as 67% of attendees would arrive by car, while 15% would use ride-share services such as Uber and 10% would walk or bike.
His article has a number of maps and images you can look at well, if you’re into that sort of thing.
Mark Feinsand of MLB.com noted that most teams in contention could use starting pitching help:
“Every team needs a starter,” one American League executive said. “They’re the easiest players to move at the Deadline and often, [they’re] the ones that bring back the best return.”
Interesting!
Detroit Tigers rookie Eduardo Valencia hit a home run in his first major-league plate appearance.
Munetaka Murakami is expected to return to the Chicago White Sox lineup on Friday.
The New York Yankees are having slugger Aaron Judge reevaluated, but are planning to be cautious with him as he returns from a fractured rib.
France defeated Morocco 2-0 in their Wold Cup quarterfinals match, sending the favorites to the semifinals.
The Toronto Rapors and Los Angeles Clippers trade involving Kawhi Leonard is on hold until the investigation into whether Leonard and the Clippers circumvented the salary cap is complete.
Eight men were indicted on attempted murder and terrorism charges for allegedly planning an attack during the UFC Freedom 250 event that was held at the White House in June.
President Trump’s proposed 250-foot triumphal arch cleared initial federal review.
Qatar and Pakistan are hoping to deescalate tensions between the U.S. and Iran and restart negotiations on a nuclear deal.
Drinking up to five cups of coffee a day can be good for your liver health, which is great new for me and my caffeine addiction.
Song of the Day is “Stamina” by Andy Mineo and Wordsplayed, aka Magic & Bird. Happy Friday everyone!
