Royals Rumblings - News for May 21, 2024

Massey with a splashy.

The Royals designated Matt Sauer for assignment, writes Anne Rogers.

“We do think highly of him and that he’s going to be a big league pitcher for a long time, just currently, the way the team is constructed and the way he’s performed, we needed to make a move to bolster the ‘pen a little bit,” manager Matt Quatraro said.

Sam Long is happy to be up in the big leagues, writes Jaylon Thompson.

“I’ve always had the big curveball and the four-seam (fastball),” Long said. “I think the slider has been what’s really set me apart.”

Long found out about his promotion on Sunday. He had just arrived back from a lengthy road trip when he was told the news. Then, Long made the journey to Kansas City alongside his wife to be in uniform against the Detroit Tigers.

“They told me after a six-hour bus ride, so that made it a good ending to the night,” Long said.

Craig Brown writes about why the winning hasn’t translated into an attendance boost quite yet.

First, attendance always lags when a team is on the rise. It happened in 2014. On the August game against the A’s when the Royals moved into first place in the Central, they drew just 21,479. That was a Monday, you may argue. Fine. On Friday, September 12, 2014 when they were in a tie for first in the AL Central, and truly on the cusp of their first postseason appearance in 29 years, they drew just 19,191 against the Boston Red Sox. The attendance bounce comes the season after you put together a winning campaign or October run.

Second, the Ballys broadcast situation has really hurt this team specifically and baseball in general.

David Lesky looks at the road ahead.

What is the point where it becomes a disappointment if they don’t make the playoffs? To clarify, right now, it would be welcome and loved and very cool, but there will be a point that they should make it. For some that point may be today. For others that point may be tomorrow or a month from now. For me, it’s June 17. They play three against Detroit, three against Tampa Bay, four against Minnesota and three agents San Diego before they have a day off and play Cleveland for the first time. They play a stretch of games from June 4 to June 16 where they play the Guardians, Mariners, Yankees and Dodgers over 13 games. Those four teams are 120-71 combined. So that’s 26 games. If they go, say, 13-13 in those 26 games, the date that I will begin expecting a postseason berth is June 17. That’s not to say I don’t believe they can make it now. I just don’t expect it. Yet.

Gabe Lacques at USA Today writes the Royals deserve to be considered contenders.

Sure, things can still go sideways. But with Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. producing like MVPs, Seth Lugo pitching like a Cy Young winner and a young lineup in full bloom, the Royals are in the high-rent district until further notice. They’ve earned that much.

The Kansas City Business Journal explores whether the Royals could seek stadium funds through the Port Authority.

Port KC also is empowered to create special taxing districts, in the form of Port Improvement Districts levying up to a 1% sales tax on bounded properties. Should such a district be drawn around a new Royals ballpark, the revenues theoretically could fund ongoing stadium operations and maintenance, similar to support the tool will provide for the streetcar’s riverfront extension. The funds also could be pledged to bonds issued to fund a ballpark’s upfront construction.

Zack Greinke is not ready to retire.

Rafael Devers sets a Red Sox record with home runs in six consecutive games.

Christian Yelich steals home.

Why are the Yankees off to a hot start?

Cleveland designates outfielder Ramon Laureano for assignment.

Boston’s Garrett Whitlock has ligament damage to his elbow.

The Mets will mix-and-match relievers in the ninth amid struggles by Edwin Diaz.

Is Shohei Ohtani hitting too well to go back to pitching? [ESPN Insider]

Is Kyle Tucker becoming a superstar?

ESPN faces criticism for biased coverage towards the Knicks in their loss to the Pacers.

The winners and losers of the 2024 PGA Championship.

Red Lobster files for bankruptcy.

Why does so much social media consist of filming strangers in public?

OpenAI suspends their chatbot voice that sounds strikingly like Scarlett Johansson.

Your song of the day is Stone Temple Pilots with Big Bang Baby.