Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic has the latest on Royals trade talks. [$]
The Royals had been telling clubs and agents they were operating with limited financial flexibility. But ownership allowed the front office to extend for Strahm, who became a more pressing addition after the Royals traded lefty reliever Angel Zerpa to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Isaac Collins and righty reliever Nick Mears.
Shedding payroll still might be necessary for the Royals to acquire one more hitter, ideally the Red
Sox’s Jarren Duran or St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan, according to people familiar with their plans. The team remains open to moving left-hander Kris Bubic, who is projected to earn $6 million in arbitration. A trade of righty reliever John Schreiber ($3.8 million projection) or Bailey Falter ($3.3 million) also would create flexibility.
While the Royals are disinclined to trade their top starting pitchers, Seth Lugo, Michael Wacha and Cole Ragans, they continue to get hit on a variety of others, including Bubic, lefty Noah Cameron and righties Ryan Bergert, Stephen Kolek and Luinder Avila, sources say.
Matt Gelb at The Athletic writes about why the Phillies dealt Matt Strahm.
The Phillies fielded calls on all three of their lefty relievers — José Alvarado and Tanner Banks included — but were intent on moving Strahm, team sources said. Strahm clashed with coaches and team officials; he was never afraid to voice his opinion on how the bullpen was managed and clubhouse dynamics. A productive three-year relationship had run its course with the growing friction between the two sides.
FanDuel Sports Kansas City may not broadcast Royals games after all, writes Pete Grathoff.
The Sports Business Journal reported that the Main Street Sports Group, which owns FanDuel Sports, would dissolve its business early next year if it can’t complete a pending deal.
The Wall Street Journal said DAZN “is discussing making a sizable cash investment in Main Street Sports.”
DAZN is an on-demand sports streaming service. A Main Street spokesperson shared this statement: “Main Street Sports Group is in discussions with certain team partners around the timing of their rights payments as we progress discussions with strategic partners to further enhance our long-term capital position.”
MLB.com lists each team’s top individual single-game performance last year.
Royals: Noah Cameron, April 30 at Tampa Bay
First up on the Royals’ depth chart, Cameron was called up for his debut on April 30 at George M. Steinbrenner Field. The start foreshadowed what was to come for Cameron, who posted a 2.99 ERA and finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. On this night, Cameron carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning, becoming the eighth pitcher since 1961 to record a no-hit bid of at least 6 1/3 innings in his debut. Cameron earned the win, allowing just one hit while striking out three. It was a storybook start for the local kid. — Anne Rogers
Matt Crossland at Royals Keep writes about the top Royals assets.
Carter Jensen and Noah Cameron surprised some local kids with a shopping spree.
Bobby Dalbec, who played in Omaha last year, is headed to Japan.
St. Louis trades first baseman Willson Contreras to Boston.
The White Sox sign Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year, $34 million contract.
The Mariners are interested in bringing back slugger Eugenio Suarez.
The Mets are engaged in trade talks about Luis Robert Jr.
The Blue Jays are interested in Alex Bregman.
The Mets poach a top international prospect from the Yankees.
The Guardians are looking for a right-handed hitting outfielder.
Kansas Governor Laura Kelly has scheduled a press conference today where she could announce a stadium deal with the Chiefs.
Texas A&M wins its first national title in women’s volleyball.
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