Royals Rumblings - News for February 10, 2025

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Yesterday 13:00

Soon.

Craig Brown considers the Royals adding Alex Bregman.

Could the Royals be in on Bregman? If I believe the chatter coming from One Royal Way that the club was prepared to spend more this winter (which I do), it’s possible. Although it should be obvious at this point in the offseason that the Royals were looking to do shorter-term deals.

Still, the Royals could certainly benefit from adding Bregman to their lineup. I’ve written quite a bit about projections this week, but here’s a fun one. From Dan Szymborski at FanGraphs, the Royals would improve their playoff odds more than any other team if they added Bregman and made him their everyday third baseman.

The Royals would get a 14 percent bump, moving from their current 40 percent to just over 54 percent.

MLB writers list one spring training storyline for each team.

Royals: How does the infield take shape? When the Royals acquired Jonathan India from the Reds, they were worried more about where he’ll hit – leadoff – than where he’ll play on the field. But that question will be explored in spring, as the Royals figure out how best to utilize their two second basemen in India and Michael Massey. They’ll get reps at third base and left field in an effort to increase their versatility. With the way that Matt Quatraro likes to use the whole roster, having Massey and India playing every day is possible, but versatility will be key to that.

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter looks at PECOTA projections for Royals hitters.

India’s WARP is projected to be the third-best mark of any Royals hitter in 2025, and his 111 DRC+ is projected to be fourth-best, behind Witt, Vinnie, and Salvy. He also is projected to produce the fourth-best VORP of Royals hitters this season and mash 13 home runs in the leadoff spot. That all will be welcome in Kansas City, especially for a team looking to return to the postseason in 2025.

Royals fans will see if trading Singer will be worth it in the end (it won’t be easy for him to pitch in the homer-friendly Great American Ballpark for home games). That said, on paper, India should provide a much-needed boost at the top of the batting order.

Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic thinks Bobby Witt Jr. should have been the cover boy for MLB The Show. [$]

You guys ever hear of Bobby Witt Jr.?

Sony wanted to showcase young stars. Skenes, the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year; Henderson, the 2023 AL Rookie of the Year; and De La Cruz, one of the game’s most electrifying talents, certainly were worthy choices. But Witt, who finished second in the 2024 AL MVP voting, two places ahead of Henderson, is more accomplished than any of the players who were honored.

At 24, Witt is a year older than Henderson, 18 months older than De La Cruz and two years older than Skenes. Maybe Sony determined Witt was not young enough for the honor? Maybe it thinks 24 is the new 34?

Roger Clemens and former Royals first baseman Jeff King will be part of the inaugural class of the College Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Overland Park.

Enrique Hernandez rejoins the Dodgers.

Gavin Sheets signs a minor league deal with the Padres.

Tanner Scott will serve as the primary closer for the Dodgers.

Jed Hoyer is feeling pressure to take the Cubs to the playoffs.

The Marlins announce their inaugural Legends Hall of Fame class including former Royals slugger Jeff Conine.

Travis Sawchik writes about players who could exceed and fall short of expectations.

The Rangers could move Jon Gray to the closer’s role.

The players who could have an impact returning from injury.

Jim Edmonds is leaving the Cardinals broadcast booth on bad terms.

Former Royals minor leaguer Yunior Marte is headed to Japan.

The Chiefs lost.