The Royals are searching for answers, writes Anne Rogers.
“We felt like there’s a core here that we could rely on for offense,” Picollo said. “Surrounding them with a deeper, better group and more balanced group was the goal. I think we did that. But I’m accountable, too. There are some evaluations made that haven’t lined up just yet. I think we have the pieces to compete and win more games that we have.”
When a team with expectations struggles as much as the Royals have, it doesn’t take long to hear
calls for coaching changes. The calls have been loud in Kansas City for quite some time now.
Despite the Royals falling vastly short of expectations so far, a staff shakeup doesn’t appear imminent.
David Lesky writes that the goals for the Royals should change now that they are back in the standings.
It means trading anyone who isn’t under contract beyond this season. Most players on the roster are under team control beyond this season, but a few could bring back some return. Health is a huge part of this with guys like Kris Bubic and Matt Strahm, but I do think they can get some additions to the system. But I also think they need to be open to anything. On our preview podcast on Kauffman Corner, I said the Royals would make a massive deal and move Kendry Chourio (and many others) for James Wood. I don’t think that particular deal is going to happen, but if the Royals can get Witt a sidekick in a deal, even if it doesn’t help them this year, it’s okay to buy at the deadline in that way.
So it’s not just trading everyone. That can get difficult for them because their system is undoubtedly improving, but it’s still not at the point where they have a plethora of top prospects to trade away and remain where they are.
Pete Grathoff writes that the owners’ labor proposal on TV revenue would be a win for the Royals.
In addition to sharing revenue, the league is hoping its plan can help more people watch games. Since the teams would share the TV revenue, there would be fewer restrictions on viewers.
“(B)y sharing media revenue equally as part of our proposal, we can address another top fan concern of local TV blackouts,” MLB spokesman Glen Caplin said on the league’s website.
Mike Gillespie at Royals Keep writes that time is running out for former first round pick Frank Mozzicato.
Troubling, too, are his more advanced 2026 metrics — only in whiff % (30.1, 60th percentile) and K% (25, 51st percentile) is Mozzicato above the 50th percentile, and he’s at the 14th percentile in strike % (14), and the 21st percentile in BB% (16.2) and zone % (42.6).
The southpaw’s fastball is also a concern. Mozzicato simply hasn’t displayed the velocity he needs.
And then there’s his control. If not improved soon, Mozzicato’s tendency to walk far too many batters (career 16.3 BB% and 6.48 BB/9) may well be enough to keep him out of the majors.
Kiley McDaniel at ESPN has a mock draft out with the Royals taking prep pitcher Gio Rojas at #6.
Rojas is a cut-rate option here and otherwise might not have real interest until the teens, so he’s incentivized to cut a deal.
Don’t be surprised if: This is the spot where there could be a curveball. The reason I said the three players in the second tier should go in the next four picks is that the Royals could mix in a surprise.
I think Lombard is the preference, then Booth Jr. and Rojas are next up in some order. But there’s always a surprise in the top 10, and I think this might be the spot. Arkansas slugger Ryder Helfrick also could be an option here.
Brewers pitcher Abner Uribe is suspended one game for his gesture against the Cardinals.
The Giants reassign third base coach Hector Borg after a baserunning blunder.
The Cardinals call up former Royals outfielder Nelson Velázquez.
Jeff Passan at ESPN sorts out the owners’ and players’ labor proposals.
Why MLB’s local media revenue sharing is crucial to its salary cap proposal.
Why does ZIPS hate the Brewers?
The National League Cy Young race is loaded.
Sacramento officials launch efforts to land an MLB expansion team.
Marlins ownership sell a 15 percent stake to cover debts.
Johnson County Community College wins its first ever JUCO national championship.
Sports Illustrated lays off a number of writers.
How Arsenal upset PSG to win the Champions League.
There is a soccer league in Mexico that plays in an extinct volcano crater.
Shrey Parikh wins the Scripps National Spelling Bee with the word “bromocriptine.”
A Blue Origin rocket explodes during an engine-fire test.
The sun is undergoing a mysterious change and no one knows why.
Your song of the day is The Stone Poneys with Different Drum.
