David Lesky gets deep into the Matt Strahm trade.
Before I say anything even slightly negative about this trade, I will say that if he is anywhere near the 2025 version of himself, the Royals bullpen is way
better today than it was before this deal.
I’m a little bit worried about his age and his velocity. He has never been an especially hard thrower, but his average fastball velocity was down to 92.3 MPH last year from 93.4 MPH the previous two seasons. He’s only been below 93 MPH in one other season in his career, and it was not a good year. And even that might have something to do with him starting some. So there are some signs of aging. I will say that he seemed to compensate for it by going to his slider more, using it 31.9 percent of the time compared to 19.4 percent of the time in 2024. It’s a nasty pitch. And even with decreased fastball velocity, he was getting whiffs with it. So it’s a small complaint.
MLB.com has an article about the longest home run for each team in 2025.
Royals: Jac Caglianone — July 9 vs. PIT
Distance: 466 feet (Watch it)
Caglianone’s ridiculous Minor League production didn’t immediately translate upon his June debut, but his power did make the trip. His 466-footer off Bailey Falter now stands as the longest home run hit by a Royals rookie since 2015 and was one of four on this list hit at Kauffman Stadium this year, second only, obviously, to Coors.
Philip Ruo at Royals Keep is taking a look at the best free agents signed by the Royals in club history.
Signed in 2006 | 8.3 WAR | 1x Gold Glove
Grudzielanek signed with the Royals after having one of the best years of his career in St. Louis at the age of 35. Signing a 36-year-old journeyman is always risky, but Grudzielanek was able to deliver as a rare bright spot on otherwise poor Royals teams.
In his three years in Kansas City, Grudzielanek slashed .300/.339/.412, good for a 96 OPS+, which was better than his career averages. He was also impactful on defense, earning his only Gold Glove award in his first year in Kansas City.
The Athletics sign outfielder Tyler Soderstrom to a seven-year, $86 million contract.
Houston and Baltimore are no longer pursuing Marlins pitcher Edward Cabrera.
Boston has had trade talks with the Cardinals about Brendan Donovan.
Recent Mets moves may reveal how fractured their clubhouse was last season.
The Yankees have checked in on Austin Hays as a Plan B option.
Why its so hard to pitch to Shohei Ohtani.
Ryan O’Hearn is the biggest position player free agent signing in Pirates history.
It looks like Manny Ramirez is going to fall off the Hall of Fame ballot.
Why has the starting pitching free agent market been so slow?
The minor league teams that will change their identities in 2026.
Baseball America looks at how the next labor deal could affect college baseball. [$]
A look back at the Frank Robinson-for-Milt Pappas trade.
Former Utah football coach Kyle Whittingham signs a five-year deal with Michigan.
The Raiders shut down pass rusher Maxx Crosby for the remainder of the season.
The seed vaults that could save humanity.
Google quietly rolls out a new feature allowing users to change their embarrassing old Gmail addresses.
Someone in Arkansas won the $1.8 billion Powerball jackpot.
Your song of the day is Steve Forbert with Romeo’s Tune.
