Royals Rumblings - News for July 31, 2025

Happy Trade Deadline Day!

Everyone was proud of the bullpen for their exemplary work in Wednesday’s win.

“Makes me want to be in there even more,” Long said of watching one reliever after another jog to the mound and execute against a dangerous Braves lineup. “You want to carry that momentum if you get the ball. ... I was lucky enough to get it with a cool spot to be in and come out and just cap off an incredible bullpen game.”

Sam McDowell writes that the game was a good example of how much the Royals have improved their bullpen in one year.

Royals relievers have combined for a 3.72 ERA this season, seventh best in baseball. One year ago today, they ranked 24th.

The trade worked.

And as another deadline approaches, it’s important to remember why it worked. Even while trading away prospects, the Royals considered and preserved the future.

Anne Rogers wrote up a trade deadiine primer, asking if the Royals will pick up pitching.

Dallas Keuchel, who threw five innings in Triple-A Omaha, would likely be the next man up when it comes to starters. The Royals need depth, a lot of it, and they’ll be diving into the pitching market before the clock strikes 5 p.m.

Veteran rentals who make some sense include Adrian Houser, who was scratched from Wednesday’s start with the White Sox in anticipation of a trade, his teammate Aaron Civale, the Orioles’ Charlie Morton or the Pirates’ Andrew Heaney. The Royals had some interest in Rays right-hander Zack Littell, too, before Littell went to the Reds on Wednesday night.

David Lesky has the latest on what he’s hearing.

As you get to within 24 hours of the deadline, rumors are crazy, and I never know what to believe. It’s not that people are giving bad information but rather that lines get crossed. I had heard last night the Royals were trying to stick their noses into a Dylan Cease deal to make it a three-team deal where they would get something. Maybe that’s true. I don’t know. What I’d anticipate today is a trade for a rental, back-of-the-rotation starter. The names remain largely the same, though Zack Littell and Michael Soroka were traded yesterday. Aaron Civale, Adrian Houser, Andrew Heaney and Nestor Cortes are the names I keep hearing. Someone mentioned Jon Gray to me yesterday, and the Rangers would likely love to shed a little payroll to be farther below the luxury tax threshold, so maybe him too. Jeffrey Springs could be had too, I think, but he’s not a rental. There could be more possibilities, but those are the names I’ve heard.

The rotation situation is fluid for the Royals.

The Royals won’t be leaving for their road trip until after today’s deadline.

The Mariners acquire third baseman Eugenio Suárez from the Diamondbacks.

The Phillies land pitcher Jhoan Duran from the Twins.

The Mets get reliever Tyler Rogers from the Giants.

The Reds acquire third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes from the Pirates and pitcher Zack Littell from the Rays.

The Cubs add Nationals pitcher Mike Soroka.

The Red Sox get pitcher Steven Matz from the Cardinals.

Shohei Ohtani exits his start as a pitcher mid-game due to cramps.

The players most likely to be traded today.

Austin Wells loses track of the number of outs while on the basepaths.

The Padres are interested in Mason Miller, possibly as a starter.

The Astros are interested in Sandy Alcantara.

MLB is tapping into NASCAR to help grow the sport.

Former NBA star Gilbert Arenas is arrested for illegal poker games.

Which NFL fanbases should be panicking over training camp?

Microsoft is set to become the next company with a $4 trillion valuation.

How can you tell if a song is AI-generated?

A packaging mixup results in drinks labeled as Celsius energy drinks actually containing High Noon vodka seltzers.

Your song of the day is Weezer with Island in the Sun.