Former Kansas City Royals pitcher Will Klein shone in World Series Game 3 with his back against the wall.
On Monday, in the most dramatic of circumstances, Klein pitched one scoreless inning after another — with no end in sight, until Freeman launched a walk-off home run in the bottom of the 18th. When it was over, Klein had thrown 72 pitches — roughly 14 percent of the pitches he’s ever thrown on a big league mound … in extra innings of a tied World Series game.
Really, what choice did he have?
“I
started to feel it,” Klein said. “There were times when you’re starting to feel down and you feel your legs aren’t there or your arm’s not there. And you’ve just got to be like, ‘Well, who else is going to come save me, you know?’”
Anne Rogers put out a mailbag article and addressed Kansas City possibly extending some of last season’s standout players.
Garcia and Pasquantino are both arbitration-eligible for the first time, and it would make a lot of sense for Kansas City to buy out those years and see if it can tack on a few free-agent years — if each player is willing. I would think Pasquantino would make more sense here — and he’s probably my answer to your question — as he’ll be 31 years old by the time he hits free agency. Guaranteed money and cost certainty help both sides here.
The Royals explored an extension of sorts with Bubic last offseason, but he wanted to see what his role was before they went any further. Now we know he can start, but there are a few more injury concerns. As he heads into his final year of arbitration, I could see Kansas City broaching those talks again — or seeing what his value is on the trade market.
The New York Post’s Jon Heyman gave some hope that the Royals will be a major free agency player this winter.
Look for the Royals to pursue a top hitter. They’ve been linked to Bregman. Tucker or Bellinger would fit, too, but Tucker is likely too pricey for them. Bregman could also work.
David Lesky approaches free agency in his “JJ for a Day” series, but touches on the impact of two prospects in 2025 and hopefully more in 2026.
But there’s a world where they don’t spend a lot and are okay. I don’t think they’ll do this, and I certainly wouldn’t do it, but it’s not that hard to squint and see how the two big prospects, Jac Caglianone and Carter Jensen, are all they actually end up needing. Okay, it’s a lot easier to see how Jensen could be that bat given what he did in September and how poorly Caglianone hit all season long at the big league level. But, at the same time, Caglianone was such a monster in AAA that it sure feels like it’s more than him just being too good for that level and not good enough for the big leagues.
Mike Gillespie advocates for an internal solution at second base at Kings of Kauffman.
Simply put, Massey deserves the chance to prove he can give the club what it needs over extended periods; after all, first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino had multiple injury-marred campaigns but blossomed in 160 games this year. Considering Massey next season’s presumptive second baseman will help calm the keystone waters, and enable the Royals to devote more offseason time and financial resources to the more important search for outfield bats.
Nick San Miguel of Around the Foghorn looks at whether the San Francisco Giants and Royals make sensible trade partners.
How are the Royals affecting a mayoral race?
I make the case for Kansas City adding Caleb Thielbar to the bullpen.
Lance Brozdowski looks at the first three World Series games and the standout pitchers in each.
Hear from ESPN NFL writer Seth Wickersham on his new book “American Kings: A Biography of the Quarterback.”
Clinton Yates advocates for a Joe Carter statute outside Rogers Centre.
TV viewership drops for the first two World Series games.
Country artist Brad Paisley is the man behind extra-innings World Series games.
The Oklahoma City Thunder remain undefeated.
Hear from Deion Sanders after Colorado’s 53-7 loss to Utah.
Prepare yourself for daylight savings time.
Today’s song of the day is People Hatin’ by The Red Clay Strays.
