Daily Clips

March 29, 2018

LOCALSalvy out 4-6 weeks with MCL tearRoyals catcher injured left knee lifting a suitcaseMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-sal-perez-out-4-6-weeks-with-mcl-tear/c-269930072

Royals undecided on final bullpen spotsFinal roster decisions will likely go down to wire Thursday morningMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-bullpen-not-set-heading-into-opener/c-269940764

Duffy says he's healthy for Opening Day startMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/duffy-faces-shields-on-opening-day-at-the-k/c-269901292

Royals to evaluate talent as new era beginsMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-using-rebuild-to-evaluate-their-talent/c-267759820

Royals' Sal Perez tears knee ligament lifting suitcase, slipping on stairMarch 28,2018 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article207210424.html

This is why Frank Schwindel will not be with the Royals on opening dayMarch 28, 2018 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article207137529.html

Here is how Royals grounds crew is preparing for Opening Day at Kauffman StadiumMarch 28,2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article207150929.html

Mizzou grad will be trailblazer when she calls games for Royals' Class A teamMarch 28, 2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article207121349.html

'Truly a blessing': A grand opening for state-of-the-art inner city baseball complex

March 28, 2018 By Aaron Randle & Tammy Ljungblad/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article207104814.html

Greater Kansas City Day celebrates Royals and helps disabled kids go to summer campMarch 28, 2018 By Matt Campbell/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article207156964.html

Royals catcher Salvador Pérez tried to carry a suitcase up the stairs, and now he's out four to six weeksMarch 29, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/292383/2018/03/28/royals-catcher-salvador-perez-tried-to-carry-a-suitcase-up-the-stairs-and-now-hes-out-four-to-six-weeks/

“I was ashamed”: How Danny Duffy navigated the aftermath of his DUI and the longest offseason of his careerMarch 28, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/290545/2018/03/28/i-was-ashamed-how-danny-duffy-navigated-the-aftermath-of-his-dui-and-the-longest-offseason-of-his-career/

Dodd: Questions, predictions and reasons to dream before Thursday's openerMarch 28, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/290949/2018/03/27/dodd-questions-predictions-and-reasons-to-dream-before-thursdays-opener/

One place where the Royals are champs: local TV ratingsMarch 28, 2018 By Leslie Collins/Kansas City Business Journalhttps://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2018/03/28/fox-sports-kc-royals-television-ratings-comparison.html

Municipal Stadium: A look back at where the Royals startedMarch 29, 2018 By Lindsey Shivelyhttps://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/municipal-stadium-a-look-back-at-where-the-royals-started

MINORSRoyals conclude Cactus League action, ready for openerThe Kansas City Royals begin the 2018 season on Thursday, March 29 while the Naturals start on Thursday, April 5March 28, 2018 Northwest Arkansas Naturals

https://www.milb.com/naturals/news/royals-conclude-spring-ready-for-opener/c-269903408

NATIONALWant serious predictions for the 2018 MLB season? Not here!March 28, 2018 By Ken Rosenthal/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/291393/2018/03/28/rosenthal-want-serious-predictions-for-the-2018-mlb-season-not-here/

MLB salaries 2018: A 3% raise for average major leaguer - but future commitments dippingMarch 28, 2018 By Bob Nightengale/USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/03/28/mlb-salaries-2018-average-salary-payrolls/466592002/

Grimm ready to begin a new life with the Kansas City RoyalsMarch 28, 2018 By Tim Hayes/Bristol Herald Courierhttp://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/grimm-ready-to-begin-a-new-life-with-the-kansas/article_6f13e1e8-32dc-11e8-9f3d-2788262fb148.html

MLB TRANSACTIONSMarch 29, 2018 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

LOCALSalvy out 4-6 weeks with MCL tearRoyals catcher injured left knee lifting a suitcaseMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-sal-perez-out-4-6-weeks-with-mcl-tear/c-269930072

The 2018 Royals, already dealing with the loss of free agents Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain, were dealt another serious blow on the eve of Opening Day.

All-Star and Gold Glove catcher Salvador Perez will be out four to six weeks after suffering a Grade 2 tear of the MCL in his left knee.

The injury occurred on Tuesday night after Perez had retrieved his Spring Training luggage from Kauffman Stadium. Perez was carrying a bag up a flight of stairs at his home in Kansas City when he fell.

"I missed a step and slipped and couldn't get my foot down," Perez said. "I heard a pop in my knee. After that I couldn't move my knee and couldn't take a step. I got scared and then I called [trainer] Nick [Kenney]."

An MRI on the knee Wednesday morning revealed the tear. Manager Ned Yost and Perez both said they did not think surgery would be necessary, and that the injury would scar over and heal on its own.

"I feel sad, not angry," said Perez, sporting a large elastic brace on the knee. "I put a lot of work in this spring and

tomorrow I wanted to be there. What can you do? One second you're going to be there, then ...

"I was sad. I take Opening Day like it's the World Series. That's what you train for all offseason."

In 2012, Perez suffered a torn meniscus in the same knee and missed two months. But from 2013 and on, Perez started 647 games at catcher, tops in Major League Baseball.

For now, backup Drew Butera will serve as the No. 1 catcher.

"He's our leader," Butera said of Perez. "He's our go-to guy. They're big shoes. But I feel like I'm capable of doing it.

"I honestly thought Ned was messing around with me when he told me the news. He came in and he said it. I kind of laughed. He looked like he had a little grin on his face. I had to ask three or four other people, 'Is he serious?'"

Yost also said Cam Gallagher likely would be recalled from Triple-A Omaha to serve as Butera's backup. Yost made clear that the Royals simply will have to adjust.

"It puts a pretty good hole in our lineup," Yost said. "Again, we'll deal with it.

"[General manager] Dayton [Moore] did a great job getting us Lucas Duda, Jon Jay and Moose [Mike Moustakas] in the lineup. We've been through [injuries] before."

Left-hander Danny Duffy, who will start Opening Day, said Perez will be difficult to replace.

"He's the heart and soul of our team, man, so losing somebody like him, he's obviously irreplaceable," Duffy said. "I told him today, 'We're gonna hold it down for you while you're gone. Don't worry about it. You're gonna be a huge part of this team, on or off the field. You always are.'

"Cam and Drew both call a really good game. ... As far as alternatives to Salvy, they're about as good as they come."

Royals undecided on final bullpen spotsFinal roster decisions will likely go down to wire Thursday morningMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-bullpen-not-set-heading-into-opener/c-269940764

The Royals still have not set their Opening Day roster and likely will take the final decisions down to the wire before Thursday's 10:30 a.m. CT deadline.

After the news of catcher Salvador Perez's MCL tear in his left knee, Royals manager Ned Yost said Cam Gallagher likely would be called up to be Drew Butera's backup at catcher.

• Salvy out 4-6 weeks with MCL tear

Yost also said the Royals still haven't decided on the final bullpen spots, where it would appear left-handers Brian Flynn, Tim Hill, and Eric Skoglund and right-handers Wily Peralta and Rule 5 acqusition Burch Smith are competing for three open spots.

Those seemingly locked into bullpen roster spots are Kelvin Herrera, Brandon Maurer, Justin Grimm, Blaine Boyer and Brad Keller.

The Royals also need to clear two open spots on the 40-man roster for infielder Ryan Goins and Boyer, both of whom were non-roster invitees to Spring Training.

Yost also wasn't ready to reveal his 3-4-5 starters. Those had been Jason Hammel, Nate Karns and Jakob Junis during Spring Training.

"You'll find out [Thursday]," Yost said.

Yost did reveal his starting batting order for Thursday's 3:15 p.m. CT game against the White Sox:

1. Jon Jay, LF2. Whit Merrifield, 2B3. Mike Moustakas, 3B4. Lucas Duda, 1B5. Cheslor Cuthbert, DH6. Jorge Soler, RF7. Alex Gordon, CF8. Alcides Escobar, SS9. Drew Butera, C

Duffy says he's healthy for Opening Day startMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/duffy-faces-shields-on-opening-day-at-the-k/c-269901292

There are two intriguing elements to the Royals-White Sox Opening Day matchup at Kauffman Stadium on Thursday at 3:15 p.m. CT.

First, how healthy will Royals left-hander Danny Duffy be?

And second, how will former Royals right-hander James Shields react to pitching against his old teammates at The K?

Duffy left his final Spring Training start after two-plus innings on Saturday with left shoulder tightness. The Royals and Duffy insisted the setback was no big deal.

And Duffy played catch on Sunday and reported there was no pain or discomfort. He also seemed a bit bewildered at the media's concern.

"Hey, I didn't even play," Duffy said, smiling, to a group of reporters who surrounded him after the Royals' final Cactus League game on Sunday.

But Duffy reported dutifully that he tested his shoulder with a throwing session Sunday afternoon and all systems were go.

"I threw at 100 feet," he said, "then played catch, spun some curveballs, threw some changeups.

''It felt fine. It was good. … I'm ready to chuck the rock [Thursday]."

Shields in 2013 was instrumental in helping the Royals toward their first winning season in 10 years. He then helped guide them to their first playoff appearance in 29 years as the Royals advanced to Game 7 of the World Series in 2014.

Shields left for free agency after that. But he has faced his former teammates twice since then, including a start at Kauffman Stadium for the White Sox last July 21 -- he gave up 10 hits and six runs in 4 1/3 innings, taking a no-decision, in a 7-6 loss.

Shields was much better his next time out against the Royals on Aug. 12 in Chicago as he gave up three runs over six innings while striking out eight.

"The start of the season is always exciting," Shields said. "It's exciting to start Opening Day. I think it's my eighth one, and I'm just as excited as my first one. To be able to do it against Kansas City, it's going to be a good atmosphere. I'm ready to go, ready to rock and roll. Let's do it."

The Royals will have several new faces, including outfielder Jon Jay, first baseman Lucas Duda and setup man Justin Grimm. Though they lost free agents such as Jason Vargas, Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Minor, they were able to bring back Alcides Escobar and Mike Moustakas.

"We're a lot better team now than we were on Feb. 13 when we started camp," Royals manager Ned Yost said.

What the Royals won't have, however, is All-Star and Gold Glove catcher Salvador Perez, who will be out 4-6 weeks after suffering a Grade 2 tear of the MCL in his left knee. Backup Drew Butera will serve as Kansas City's No. 1 catcher.

The White Sox still feature a dynamic trio at the top of their batting order in Yoan Moncada, Avisail Garcia and Jose Abreu.

They also are going with defensive-minded Adam Engel in center field, who hit .166 and struck out 117 times in 301 at-bats last season. But Engel was a pest to the Royals with a .786 OPS and four doubles, two triples and one home run.

"It should be a great day," Duffy said. "It's my first home-opener start and I can't wait."

Royals to evaluate talent as new era beginsMarch 28, 2018 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttps://www.mlb.com/royals/news/royals-using-rebuild-to-evaluate-their-talent/c-267759820

After making the World Series in 2014 and winning a championship in '15, a new era of Royals baseball is unfolding.

General manager Dayton Moore kept the 2015 team largely intact the past two seasons, but neither unit finished above .500.

Now, Moore and his staff are moving on and embracing a rebuild. Gone are such stars from the World Series years, such as Eric Hosmer, Wade Davis, Lorenzo Cain and Greg Holland. But they were able to bring back third baseman Mike Moustakas on a one-year $6.5 million deal with an option for 2019.

Moustakas will rejoin a club that is looking for the next wave of young talent to emerge.

What's the goal?

Moore went into this offseason hoping to accomplish two goals: shave payroll and start restocking the farm system. Moore has pared the payroll from $154 million down to under $120 million. He did so by unloading the contracts of Brandon Moss and Joakim Soria, as well as by not re-signing free agents like Mike Minor, Jason Vargas, Hosmer and Cain.

Though the Royals made an offer to Hosmer (five years, $100 million), it was trumped by the Padres.

"Economics are a very real part of our situation," Moore said. "We have to be aware of it."

The Royals also acquired prospects like infielder Erick Mejia and pitchers Trevor Oaks and Heath Fillmyer. As a result of the free agents leaving, the Royals added compensatory picks -- which could give them at least four picks in the Top 39 of the Draft. Moore is building for the future.

What's the plan?

Develop, develop, develop. While many of the next wave of prospects (first baseman Nick Pratto, outfielder Khalil Lee, catcher MJ Melendez) are still in the lower Minors, the Royals are ready to see players such as Cheslor Cuthbert, Jorge Bonifacio and Jorge Soler get 500-600 at-bats.

"We have to see what we have with those guys," manager Ned Yost said.

And right behind that trio are Hunter Dozier (outfielder, corner infielder), infielder Adalberto Mondesi and center fielder Bubba Starling. The focus will not be on wins and losses, or contending -- it will be on discovering what assets are in the club's inventory.

What could go wrong?

Soler, Bonifacio and Cuthbert may not pan out as legitimate starters. The Royals need those three to be proven and productive veterans by the time they add Pratto, Melendez and Lee to the lineup two or three years down the line. They are also counting on Starling, Mondesi and Dozier to emerge within a year -- and that's no given.

The Royals' once dominant bullpen is a shell of itself, and they are hoping young pitchers such as Richard Lovelady, Tim Hill, Eric Stout and Josh Staumont become productive big leaguers in a year or two -- again, no given. The other big question mark is whether the Royals' fan base, which added many new followers after the back-to-back World Series appearances, will be patient with the rebuild. As a small-market team, the Royals can't afford a major drop in attendance.

Who might surprise?

Hill could bring a unique look to the bullpen with his almost-submarine-style delivery from the left side. The Royals are giving him a good, long look early in camp. Mondesi seems ticketed for Triple-A Omaha because shortstop Alcides Escobar was re-signed. But like he did last spring, Mondesi is wowing the coaching staff again with his skill set. Dozier, especially after the signing of first baseman Lucas Duda, and Starling also seem headed for Triple-A, though both could change minds with big springs.

Royals' Sal Perez tears knee ligament lifting suitcase, slipping on stairMarch 28,2018 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article207210424.html

For at least the first month of the 2018 season, the Royals will be without four-time Gold Glove catcher Salvador Perez.

The day before they were scheduled to open the season with a 3:15 p.m. game against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium, the Royals on Wednesday announced that Perez will miss four to six weeks with a torn ligament in his left knee.

Perez said he missed a stair in his home Tuesday night as he carried a suitcase up to his bedroom. He lost his balance as he tried to find solid ground beneath his feet. He heard a pop in his knee as he fell.

An MRI revealed a Grade 2 tear of the knee's medial collateral ligament. The Royals do not think the injury will require surgery but will reevaluate Perez, who was wearing a black brace when he limped into the interview room to address reporters on Wednesday, in about two weeks.

“I put in a lot of work to be here,” Perez said. “Be behind home plate tomorrow. I wanted to be there.”

But since he won’t be, the Royals will rely on Drew Butera, who has played 167 games at catcher since being acquired from the Los Angeles Angels in a May 2015 trade.

Cam Gallagher, who was optioned to Class AAA Omaha in the final week of spring training, will share the workload.

From a competitive standpoint, the Royals lost not only one of their emotional leaders in the clubhouse and on the field, but one of their most productive players, too.

Perez hit .268 with 27 home runs and 80 RBIs last season. Butera batted .227 with three homers and 14 RBIs, while Gallagher hit .250 with one home run and five RBIs in a scant 24 big-league at-bats.

This isn't the first time Butera and Gallagher have been called on to fill in for the perennial All-Star. Perez was placed on the 10-day disabled list last season after he strained the intercostal muscle in his right side in early August.

He missed about two weeks during the most critical juncture in the Royals' 2017 campaign. The Royals had just roared into American League wild-card contention and were in second place on Aug. 5, 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Yankees. By Perez's return on Aug. 22, they were in fourth place, 1 1/2 games behind the second-place Twins.

The Royals, who chose to keep their 2015 World Series championship core intact at the July trade deadline in hopes they might return to the postseason, never recovered. They ended the season five games out of the second wild-card spot and with an 80-82 record.

“He’s distraught," Royals manager Ned Yost said of Perez, "but we’ll find a way to deal with it.

"Hopefully it’s shorter (of a recovery time) than longer. We’ll see how it goes.”

Perez has started 647 games at catcher since 2013, the most in MLB in that span.

Had Perez gotten hurt playing, the injury might have been easier to swallow.

But instead, Perez had to stay still in his house for five minutes Tuesday night, unable to feel his knee and dreading the phone call he knew he had to make to Royals trainer Nick Kenney.

“It’s kind of weird. I was talking with my mom last night and I feel sad,” Perez said. “Because if I get hurt playing, that’s what I’m doing. You play hard every day. That’s gonna happen. … It’s a little hard for me.”

The Royals will delay setting their 25-man roster until Thursday morning.

“I told him today, 'We’re gonna hold it down for you while you’re gone,'” said pitcher Danny Duffy, the Royals' opening day starter. “Don’t worry about it. You’re gonna be a huge part of this team, on or off the field. You always are.”

This is why Frank Schwindel will not be with the Royals on opening dayMarch 28, 2018 By Maria Torres/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article207137529.html

The Royals open the season Thursday with a 3 p.m. home game against the Chicago White Sox.

Yet as the clock ticks closer to that 2018 opener, we have no idea which Royals will come out of the Kauffman Stadium dugout for their opening day introductions. The bullpen will remain a mystery until the team announces its 25-man roster, which will happen Thursday morning.

The one thing that is certain: First baseman and heavy hitter Frank Schwindel will not be on it.

Royals fans have scratched their heads over that decision for days. Why not take a chance on Schwindel’s powerful bat now? Can’t the Royals platoon him with Lucas Duda at first base?

The simple answer: Schwindel was a non-roster invitee, participating in major-league spring-training camp for the first time in his career with the Royals, which began after he was drafted in the 18th round in 2013. Without a spot on the 40-man roster, he was a long shot to fill the Eric Hosmer-shaped void at first base.

Here's the more complicated answer: The Royals could have placed him on the 40-man roster to protect him from December’s Rule 5 draft, one of the only mechanisms in place that protects minor-leaguers from being stashed in an organization’s farm system for an extended amount of time. They chose to protect relievers Tim Hill and Eric Stout and catcher Meibrys Viloria instead.

That doesn’t mean the Royals didn’t value Schwindel’s burgeoning power. They decided to take a “calculated risk,” general manager Dayton Moore said, because the market was flush with first basemen.

“The clubs that weren’t really gonna be in contention, they were gonna go with other people as their first baseman,”

Moore said. “When you looked at the landscape, we didn't think he would get selected. If he had this type of spring as a Rule 5, he would be on a team."

The move — or non-move, really — worked in the Royals’ favor.

Schwindel arrived at Royals spring training trying to prove that he belonged. And after snapping a 1 for 20 slide to beginCactus League competition, he did. He made a small adjustment in his batting stance that allowed him to pop off a spring-training best seven home runs (he was one of four players in baseball tied for the lead) in his last 21 at-bats. He drove in 17 runs and hit four doubles during his spring-ending 14 for 21 streak. He amassed a ridiculous slugging percentage of 1.857 in that span.

Manager Ned Yost marveled at Schwindel’s progress.

“All of a sudden you see the real Frank Schwindel,” he said on Sunday, the morning after Schwindel hit a game-tying, ninth-inning home run against the Diamondbacks.

But no level of spring training performance — which is usually inflated and rarely worth accounting for when it comes to roster decisions — was going to elevate Schwindel over Duda. The Royals would have had to work magic on the 40-man roster to even make Schwindel eligible for the active roster.

Plus, the Royals plan to rotate Jorge Soler, Cheslor Cuthbert and Mike Moustakas through the designated hitter's spot in the lineup this season. Once outfielder Jorge Bonifacio returns from his 80-game drug suspension, that formula will likely change. There was no way Schwindel could factor in, too.

The Royals added Duda because they did not want to rush the development of Schwindel, the versatile Hunter Dozier or first-base prospect Ryan O’Hearn, who hit five home runs and four doubles and batted .400 in 19 games this spring. The players have yet to reach their defensive ceilings, and another minor-league season would help them inch closer to playing first base in the majors.

That doesn’t make Schwindel the odd man out forever. If he builds on a career-best season in which he batted .329 with 23 home runs, 43 doubles, 97 RBIs and a .541 slugging percentage between a short stint at Class AA Northwest Arkansas and a promotion to Class AAA Omaha, it may be difficult to keep him in the minor leagues all season.

It's just going to take time.

But for a team that thought it lacked depth at first base, with 2017 first-round pick Nick Pratto not likely to arrive in the major leagues until 2021 at the earliest, Schwindel’s blossoming career provides encouragement.

Here is how Royals grounds crew is preparing for Opening Day at Kauffman StadiumMarch 28,2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article207150929.html

You know it's a big deal when they paint a special logo on the field at Kauffman Stadium.

And, yeah, Opening Day is noteworthy, because it means baseball is back. The Royals will be back in action Thursday when they kick off the 2018 season with a game against the Chicago White Sox. First pitch is at 3:15 p.m.

After the 2017 season, the Royals refurbished their home, installing new lights and replacing the playing field for the first time since 1994.

Another wonderful thing about the start of the baseball season is the chance to see more photos from The Star's John Sleezer. He was at Kauffman Stadium this week, and he shot a really cool video of the grounds crew painting the Opening Day logo behind home plate, which you can see in the above.

John also shot video of the new grass at Kauffman Stadium, which you can see below.

So ... who's ready for baseball?

Mizzou grad will be trailblazer when she calls games for Royals' Class A teamMarch 28, 2018 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article207121349.html

The Major League Baseball season begins Thursday, and the minor league teams will be playing games a week later.

When the Lexington Legends, who are a Royals' Class A affiliate ,hit the field, they will make a bit of South Atlantic League history thanks to a Mizzou graduate who will be calling the games.

The Legends hired Emma Tiedemann last month to replace Keith Elkins as the play-by-play broadcaster. According to MiLB.com, Kirsten Karbach of Class A-Advanced Clearwater Threshers is the only other female lead broadcasters in minor-league baseball.

Lexington's games will be broadcast only on MiLB.TV this season, and team president Andy Shea said that was one reason the team was "thrilled" to hire Tiedemann.

"When we met Emma at the Baseball Winter Meetings in Orlando, Fla., it was clear from the beginning that we had found the perfect person to lead us into this process," Shea said in a news release. "As one of the very few female owned professional sports teams, we are also very proud to have the first female play-by-play analyst in the South Atlantic League and the second in all of Minor League Baseball."

Tiedemann graduated from Missouri in 2015 and told MiLB.com that the school helped her tremendously.

"Mizzou was fantastic in the way it was able to give me experience right off the bat. I started immediately with (university radio station) KCOU and got plenty of reps," Tiedemann told MiLB.com. "As any broadcaster will tell you, it's all about the reps. My initial goal out of college was to work in radio year round, so I wanted to have a well-rounded experience. I called any sport I wanted; Mizzou was great for that."

According to the MiLB story, Tiedemann got her start in broadcasting while in high school when he grandfather was

in a pinch and needed help at a University of Texas at Dallas basketball game. She was there to keep score and help with a radio broadcast if she wanted, and Tiedemann was hooked.

The summer before her senior year at Mizzou, Tiedemann worked in the summer collegiate Alaska Baseball League and found her calling."I kind of approached it as 'When am I going to have an opportunity to live in Alaska again?'" Tiedemann told MiLB. "The (team) GM promised me it would be a summer I wouldn't forget, and it was true. But even if you take away the scenery, the mountains, the beautiful wildlife, I still realized my passion was baseball. I came to the realization that I wanted to work for a baseball team, broadcasting every single day, traveling and going to different ballparks. I fell in love with that. So I got back, and my senior year, I applied to a variety of teams."

Tiedemann worked for a team in Oregon in the summer collegiate West Coast League, and last year was the No. 2 broadcaster for the independent league St. Paul Saints. She then applied for the Legends job and is ready to call Class A baseball.

As for being the first woman to work a broadcaster in the South Atlantic League, Tiedemann said she doesn't believe she's a groundbreaker.

"I don't really see myself as one, but it's been something that's been attached to my name in every league I've been a part of," Tiedemann said. "At the end of the day, if I can help a little girl who watches baseball, who has someone point out to her that I'm in the broadcast booth, that's great. If I can help a little bit for anyone to realize their dreams, that's a plus."

'Truly a blessing': A grand opening for state-of-the-art inner city baseball complexMarch 28, 2018 By Aaron Randle & Tammy Ljungblad/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article207104814.html

This time last year, a damp 45-degree day would have meant no practice for the Alta Vista High School baseball team. Or maybe they would have played but risked injury shagging fly balls on a dewy soccer field turned makeshift outfield.

But this year? The team spends an irritatingly cold spring day taking batting practice in comforting warmth inside the Bloch Family Hitting Tunnels.

They field ground balls skirting across the fresh artificial turf of the Alex Gordon Family Field.

If an arm gets sore, maybe they'll jog down the shining linoleum hallways over to the KCP&L athletic training facility for a quick physical therapy session with the facility's medical staff. Or maybe they'll find a nook somewhere in the complex's nearly 40,000 square feet of space to take a load off.

Medical staff? Indoor turf? Pitching machines?

It's mere yards, yet light-years away from the field the Alta Vista team used to practice on — a crumby old church parking lot and a soccer field.

"It's very humbling to be able to practice on such a beautiful field like this," says player Louie Tinoco.

Last year Alta Vista could barely interest enough players to field a full baseball roster. But now, with the new Kansas City MLB Urban Youth Academy in their backyard, the team roster has nearly tripled.

Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals hope every school in the urban core will be similarly transformed with the official opening Thursday, March 29, of the $21 million state-of-the-art indoor and outdoor baseball facility.

The academy will host a ribbon cutting ceremony at 9 a.m. prior to Thursday afternoon's Royals opening day game against the Chicago White Sox.

On Saturday, the academy will host an open house from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., when members of the community can sign up for programs, test out the grounds and tour one of the most talked about development projects in the city.

Designed by Populus and J.E. Dunn Construction in the 18th and Vine District, the academy features four outdoor fields — two regulation baseball fields, one softball and one Little League. Those have been open for months.

The big reveal will be the sprawling 38,000-square-foot indoor facility. The outside walls are covered in colorful murals of baseball players in hues of black and brown, Caribbean and Latin American flags and portraits of Kansas City baseball royalty such as Satchel Paige, George Brett and Salvador Perez.

Inside lies the MLB regulation turf field (equipped with bases that can be moved to fit Little League or Pee Wee dimensions), six batting cages, classrooms and an athletic training facility.

The opening comes about two years after the Royals and MLB broke ground on the academy, and a few months after the academy's "soft opening" last fall, when the outdoor fields were ready but the indoor facility was being completed.

During that time, dozens of elementary, middle and high schools in the urban core have gained exposure to the game via a top-notch facility that a few years ago seemed unimaginable. The academy has a full-time staff of six and a growing number of volunteers and coaches to help run clinics and day-to-day operations.

"This is the best thing that's happened to inner city baseball," says Kaine Weatherspoon, 18, a player with Lincoln College Preparatory high school. Like Alta Vista, Lincoln Prep uses the academy's fields for practice and games.

Earlier this month, to gauge community response, the academy invited kids from nearby elementary schools to check out the facility, says Angel McGee, the academy's manager of communications and outreach.

"We had to pull them out of here," she says with a laugh. "They didn't want to leave. That kind of reaction, that's what we do this for."

Last month, the academy hosted a high school clinic and expected 50 people at most. "A hundred boys showed up," she says.

"This is a great opportunity not only for our school, but for the community," says Justin Hartmann, Alta Vista's head coach. "It's a great opportunity for a rebirth in the community. It's benefiting all of us."

Tinoco puts it more simply: "This is truly a blessing."

For more information about the academy, visit the royalsurbanyouthacademy.com.

Greater Kansas City Day celebrates Royals and helps disabled kids go to summer campMarch 28, 2018 By Matt Campbell/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/news/local/article207156964.html

This Thursday is all about Kansas City, the Royals and helping disabled and disadvantaged kids.

The 31st Greater Kansas City Day coincides with the baseball home-opener against the Chicago White Sox.

Rotarians and local celebrities will be at street corners and other locations throughout town Thursday morning selling commemorative editions of The Kansas City Star. Special Royals 50th season flags will also be available at area Price Chopper stores.

Proceeds benefit Royals Charities, the Rotary Youth Camp and other local children's charities.

People can also support the cause and participate in other Royals activities at a free "First Pitch Party" from 7 to 9:30 a.m. at Union Station, inside and out. Kansas City sports celebrities will be on hand to give autographs. The Royals game begins at 3:15 p.m. at Kauffman Stadium.

The Rotary Youth Foundation offers a free summer camp for disabled and disadvantaged kids at Lake Jacomo. The camp has cabins and tents, a mess hall, a nature trail and a wheelchair-accessible, Olympic-size swimming pool. More than 400,000 children have benefited since 1924.

Royals catcher Salvador Pérez tried to carry a suitcase up the stairs, and now he's out four to six weeksMarch 29, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/292383/2018/03/28/royals-catcher-salvador-perez-tried-to-carry-a-suitcase-up-the-stairs-and-now-hes-out-four-to-six-weeks/

Salvador Pérez glanced down at the black brace on his left knee. He could not believe it. How had this happened? How had something as simple as a staircase ruined the start of his year? How had this Royals season, replete with renewed

hope following a fruitful spring training, taken such a bizarre blow only days before it began?

“It’s kind of weird,” said Pérez, the Royals' catcher.

There was little else to say Wednesday as Perez sat on the first floor of Kauffman Stadium and looked at a bank of cameras. On Tuesday night, he had picked up a piece of luggage and started up a set of stairs in his house, ready to unpack after spring training. He made it two steps before losing his balance and stumbling to the side. As he sought to find his footing, his left knee hyperextended, and Pérez heard a pop. He immediately felt a dull pain.

“I missed a step,” Pérez said. “I was holding my luggage in front of me. I missed the third step.”

The moment scared Pérez and sent him looking for ice. On Wednesday, the results of an MRI revealed a Grade 2 tear of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee. Pérez, the club’s All-Star catcher, will miss four to six weeks. He will likely not need surgery. Yet the Royals, who will open the season Thursday against the Chicago White Sox at home, could be without their defensive leader and clubhouse heartbeat well into May.

“I feel sad,” Pérez said. “I don’t feel angry. I feel sad because I put a lot of work for this year, to be behind home plate tomorrow. And I’m not going to be there.”

The shock of the loss permeated the clubhouse on Wednesday afternoon as the Royals held a final workout before the season. Yet it was the strange nature of the injury that induced shrugs and head shakes inside the room.

“Moving in is tough, man,” Royals pitcher Danny Duffy said.

For years, Pérez has been among the most durable players in the game, absorbing foul balls off his mask and brutal collisions on the field. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, he offers the size and stability of a Mack truck. He did, of course, suffer from a nagging intercostal strain in his rib cage last season, spending a rare stint on the disabled list. Yet, in most cases, he has missed little time on the field.

Yet, it has been two fluky twists of his left knee that have left him sidelined for extended periods. In 2012, he tore his lateral meniscus when his spike got caught in the dirt while warming up Jonathan Sánchez during spring training. He made his season debut in June. On Tuesday, it was something as simple as an awkward trip up the stairs. As he iced his knee and called trainer Nick Kenney, he confided in his mother, Yilda, about the ridiculous luck.

“I feel sad because, if I get hurt playing, that’s what I do,” Pérez said. “I play hard every day. That’s going to happen.”

As Pérez met with reporters on Wednesday evening, the Royals sought to move forward with reserve catcher Drew Butera behind the plate and Cam Gallagher returning from Triple-A Omaha. The club could use both in a mix-and-match setup, manager Ned Yost said, and Gallagher has had success working with starter Jakob Junis. Yet most days, the role will fall to Butera, 34, a career backup entering his second season of a two-year contract. He will start Thursday on Opening Day.

“I honestly thought Ned was messing around with me,” Butera said, standing near his locker on Wednesday. “He came in, and he said it: I kind of laughed. He looked like he

had a little grin on his face. I had to ask three or four other people. 'Is he serious?' ”

Yost was serious, and the loss will be palpable. The Royals fortified their offense during spring training while signing outfielder Jon Jay, first baseman Lucas Duda and third baseman Mike Moustakas to one-year contracts. But on most days, the lineup will still feature the inconsistent bats of left fielder Alex Gordon and shortstop Alcides Escobar. The addition of Butera, who has batted .237 with a .640 OPS across the last three seasons, offers more uncertainty.

Yet it is on defense where the Royals will likely miss Pérez, a four-time Gold Glove winner, the most. In the last five seasons, no other catcher in the game has started more games or logged more innings. Even when his offensive production has waned, Pérez remains a valuable presence behind the plate. He was worth 2.5 wins above replacement last season while playing just 129 games, according to Baseball Reference. He will make $8.7 million this season on a contract extension that goes through the 2021 season.

“We’ve been through this before,” Yost said.

Indeed, the Royals have been here before. Yet as they start a new chapter on Thursday, their first opener without Eric Hosmer since 2011, another piece of their splintered championship core will be out of the lineup.

The circumstances were so strange. Really, a missed step? Yet Pérez became the latest catcher to be injured by a suitcase mishap. In 2012, Milwaukee’s Jonathan Lucroy missed seven weeks with a broken right hand after his wife dropped a suitcase onto him in their hotel room. In 2003, it was reported that Mariners pitcher Kazuhiro Sasaki broke two ribs while carrying a suitcase up a flight of stairs — though Japanese baseball expert Robert Whiting later cited anonymous sources that Sasaki was hurt while drunkenly messing around with friends.

For Pérez, the circumstances appeared innocent. He missed a step. He lost his balance. He ended up on the disabled list as the season began.

“Every time I get hurt … it’s my left knee,” Pérez said. “My left knee, I don’t know.”

“I was ashamed”: How Danny Duffy navigated the aftermath of his DUI and the longest offseason of his careerMarch 28, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/290545/2018/03/28/i-was-ashamed-how-danny-duffy-navigated-the-aftermath-of-his-dui-and-the-longest-offseason-of-his-career/

About six weeks after the lowest moment of his career, Danny Duffy bought a house. Five minutes from the beach, 1,500 feet above sea level, the home is tucked amidst the mountains of the Los Padres National Forest. On calm mornings, Duffy can walk his dog on the tree-lined neighborhood trails.

Duffy chose the place because he loves Santa Barbara, the tony resort town two hours north of Los Angeles. He can run for hours on its sands and scenic roads. He has family nearby. It's beautiful.

Yet for one offseason, what Duffy needed most was seclusion. In most winters, he would’ve hopped in a car and driven an hour northwest to Lompoc, Calif., his hometown. Maybe for the holidays. Maybe to see old friends. Maybe for a high school basketball game. But as the months pressed on, he couldn’t do it. Not yet. He wasn’t ready.

“To a certain extent it was: I was ashamed of what happened,” said Duffy, the 29-year-old Royals starter. “To the point that, I felt like I had let a lot of my town down.”

As he moved into the house, Duffy was still embarrassed by his arrest for driving under the influence in August in suburban Kansas City. He was shaken by a wave of opprobrium from the community, internalizing each word of criticism. He felt remorse over a press conference two days after the incident, in which he tried to say the right words but was advised not to accept culpability by his agency and attorney.

“My veins were literally popping out of my neck to claim responsibility for everything,” he said.

So for most of the offseason, he hunkered down in his new home, filling the gaps with workouts and family visits. He sprinted along the sand and hiked the trails. He balanced hours in the weight room with an occasional ocean swim. He hosted his family and pondered his career and future. He remained in a funk for weeks, he says.

The Royals were entering an offseason of change. Many of his friends were free agents, and he hated the thought of losing them. By December, his new house was under siege from wildfires spurred by the Santa Ana winds. The offseason, with its natural disasters and free-agent uncertainty, would become what Duffy calls a “full-on trailer park yard sale.”

He’d always been an emotional, of course, a hot-blooded kid from California who wore the highs and lows of baseball. His teammates loved him for it. His fans adored him. Yet as he arrived home to Santa Barbara and sorted through his year, he realized something: He needed some time to himself.

“I had some things that I had to figure out,” said Duffy, who will make his second Opening Day start on Thursday. “It was my responsibility to kind of reconnect and know who I am. And it's not a bad dude… it's just a dude who made a mistake.”

The morning after the lowest moment of his career, Danny Duffy woke up early and took his dog for a walk. Sadie, a purebred Alaskan Malamute, needed exercise. Duffy needed time to think — to plan out the next 24 hours. He had to call Royals general manager Dayton Moore. He needed legal advice. He braced for the possible headlines and repercussions.

One day earlier, Duffy had been cited for driving under the influence at a Burger King in Overland Park, Kan. The details were not pretty: He was found slumped over in the front seat of his black Cadillac Escalade. Employees phoned the police. At least one witness at the scene recognized him as a Royal. He was cited near the restaurant and released shortly after to a friend. He felt crushed.

“Like I let the whole world down,” he said

Duffy had returned to Kansas City that weekend to undergo an MRI on an ailing left elbow. The condition — later

identified as a troublesome bone chip — would require surgery following the season. As his team finished a three-game series in Cleveland, Duffy spent a rare Sunday at home, waiting to rejoin the club at Kauffman Stadium the next day.

What happened next, how a 28-year-old starting pitcher ended up incapacitated in a drive-thru at just after 7 PM on a Sunday, is less clear. Duffy would prefer to keep the details private and in the past; his blood-alcohol content was never released by police. He called his decisions that afternoon “a mistake.” He said that he does not believe he has issues with alcohol.

“It was just a habit,” he said. “It wasn't something that I needed.”

By Tuesday morning, the citation became public. That afternoon, Duffy joined Moore for a press conference to discuss the incident before a game against the Rays. In a statement that stretched just over two minutes, Duffy apologized “for the distraction,” using the word three times, and asked fans to “let the facts shake out.” In the moment, Duffy says, he had attempted to say the right things. In hindsight, he wishes he had done more.

He never intended to go to court over the DUI, he says. After stretching the case to January, he would plead guilty to operating a vehicle with a blood-alcohol concentration above the 0.08 legal limit, according to court records. Yet his agency and attorneys recommended that he weigh his options and let the process play out. He could not accept responsibility, even though he wanted to, he says. He couldn’t apologize more forcefully, lest he incriminate himself. Legally, he believes it was the right move. But it only made him feel worse.

“Knowing what I know now, knowing what happened, obviously I would have jumped at it right away… like ‘Look man, I screwed up. I put people's lives in danger by doing what I did. I'm sorry.' I'm sorry. Those two words would have been vital to be able to say.”

By his own admission, Duffy is a passionate person. He lets people in, teammates say. He worries about little things. In an era of athletes programmed to deliver little but banal cliches in interviews and carefully curated messages on social media, Duffy offers something different. His Twitter feed is stream-of-conscious humor and observations, delivered in the Language of Duff. When he debuted in the major leagues for the first time in 2011, he sought to interact with Royals fans online and shout them out during radio appearances on the afternoon drive.

In the minor leagues, Duffy charmed teammates with his goofy humor and provided levity to the room. Eric Hosmer still calls him his favorite teammate.

“They all loved him,” says Royals third base coach Mike Jirschele, who managed Duffy in Triple-A Omaha. “They loved being around him.”

Duffy was raised by two law enforcement officers in a small town. His parents, Dan and Deanna, maintained rules and demanded honesty, but stressed that life needed fun as well as structure. They emphasized kindness and compassion. One offseason, Duffy used some of his baseball earnings to help a childhood friend start a barbershop in Lompoc. One winter, he stumbled upon starter Jason Hammel at Kauffman Stadium on the day he signed with the Royals. “You ready to get weird?” Duffy asked. On the day last winter when

teammate Yordano Ventura died in the Dominican Republic, Duffy cried for hours before driving to Kauffman Stadium to offer hugs to grief-stricken fans. As Deanna Duffy puts it, you always know how her son feels.

“He's super kind, loyal,” said Diamondbacks pitcher Kris Medlen, a former teammate and a close friend. “All the attributes you expect from a good teammate.”

It was those attributes that sent Duffy to eBay in the days after Ventura’s death. He wanted to buy a piece of Ventura memorabilia, hoping to send the gift back to Ventura’s mother, Marisol. He viewed the act as both a tribute Ventura and to his adopted hometown.

“It’s Kansas City,” he said.

In time, Duffy has come to see Kansas City as a bigger version of Lompoc, the “one-horse town” in which he first learned about the world. Lompoc was a place with heart and good people. That was Kansas City, too. So he extolled the virtues of the Midwest, and he talked up the city — the food, the local colleges, both sides of the state line. He signed a five-year, $65 million contract to stay there. He worried about the day he might have to leave.

And then on a Sunday in August, he attempted to drive to Burger King when he shouldn’t have, and the city saw his flaws. And this made him feel even worse. He was called a fraud. He was called stupid. He heard fans say he disrespected the memory of Ventura, who died in an early-morning crash on a mountain highway in the Dominican.

“That I disrespected, in not so many words, Ace's grave by doing the same thing that he did when he lost his life,” Duffy said. “You tell somebody that — you're literally talking about this kid, my brother.”

Duffy says he was hurt by the criticism. He tried to focus on learning from it. Some of it was warranted, of course. He made a mistake. He knew that. There would be consequences. He tried to concern himself with those closest to him — his parents, his team, his friends. Medlen visited Kansas City in late September and offered support. “People make mistakes,” he said. And yet, the words from the public cut deep. You know that feeling when you let down your family? In Kansas City, Duffy felt that way about every person he met.

About three months after the lowest moment of his career, Danny Duffy started to feel better. The days turned to weeks in Santa Barbara, and Duffy leaned on his parents. He listened to Deanna, a former member of the California Highway Patrol. He talked to Dan, who worked for years in the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Department.

The message was the same as it had been years ago, when Duffy stepped away from baseball in early 2010, seeking a reset. That spring, his parents were there. This winter, they were there again, offering support. “They knew that I needed to sort some things out,” Duffy said. “And they helped me every step of the way.”

He pondered how lucky he was to have parents like his. He thought about others who didn’t. In baseball, he says, it is easy to wrap your identity into your performance, to let the game define you. So Duffy thought about who he really wanted to be.

“You're just kind of a walking, talking arm sometimes,” he says. “Or a walking, talking flaw.”

The time at home allowed him to re-ground himself. After two months, he started to feel better. He moped around less. He kept working out, riding his bike in the mountains. And he weathered the wildfires that charred soil 500 yards away from his house.

The Thomas Fire became the largest wildfire in California history. The mandatory evacuation in his neighborhood came in the weeks before Christmas. Duffy spent the days at his grandparents', watching The Price is Right in the morning with his grandma. In the end, his house was spared. Duffy sought to put baseball in perspective.

“I got with the people who I'm closest to and got around the right people and figured some stuff out,” Duffy says. “It's just about separating [yourself] to the point that you're not all the way secluded, but you're definitely getting time to yourself.”

Under a probation agreement with the city of Overland Park, Duffy must abstain from alcohol for one year. The task, as Duffy puts it, was the “easiest part” of the offseason. The decision to drive was a terrible one, he says. Every day, an average of 28 people die in crashes related to an alcohol-impaired driver, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Duffy does not believe he was dependent on alcohol, and says he will welcome a season without drinking.

“It took getting away from it to realize that,” Duffy says. “Which, again, is a blessing within itself.”

About seven months after the lowest moment of his career, Danny Duffy stood shirtless in a hallway below Salt River Fields in Scottsdale. An ice pack was cinched tight around his left shoulder. A digital monitor hung from his left hand. He shook his head.

“It’s gone, dude,” Duffy said. “That’s why I’m aggravated right now. It’s gone. The pain is gone.”

It was Saturday afternoon, five days before Duffy was to start Opening Day against the Chicago White Sox at Kauffman Stadium. He had left his final spring tuneup after throwing just 32 pitches. He was fine, he said.

He felt a pop in his shoulder and a flash of dull pain followed. Now it had dissipated. All spring, his arm had felt good. “I don’t hurt,” he said. If the offseason was, in Duffy parlance, a trailer park yard sale, he hoped for the calm of a Santa Barbara trail in 2018.

“I don't want to hear that whole ‘When healthy’ bullshit,” Duffy said. “That's where I'm at.”

In seven seasons, he has posted a career 3.73 ERA. He has contributed on two World Series staffs; he was transformed into a frontline starter in 2016, adding an imposing slider to his arsenal. Still, he has never thrown more than 180 innings or made more than 26 starts. The inconsistency still annoys him. Last season, it was an oblique strain and bone chip in his elbow. The latter lit the fuse on a turbulent offseason. And so now Duffy has set a goal:

“Thirty-five starts,” he said.

The number is ambitious, of course, but that is the point. As in so many other moments, you know how Duffy is feeling. He is emotional. If he feels good, he wants to make 35 starts.

“There’s no reason for me to think that he’s not going to have a really good, consistent year for us,” said Dayton Moore, the general manager.

Duffy believes this, too. In the months after his lowest moment, he found what he needed in a new house and an offseason routine. One morning, he took Sadie for another walk. He weathered the worst feelings, the guilt and shame. He focused on self-improvement. He prepared his body for another season. He rationalized the free-agent defections in the most Duffy of ways.

“A couple of our boys bounced,” he said.

Yet Duffy learned something else this offseason, as he watched fire destroy houses and friends move on. Sometimes you make mistakes. Sometimes they’re worse than others. Sometimes you must leave your house and keep moving forward.

“I got my priorities where they need to be now,” Duffy said. “I’ve got really good teammates around me. I'm right where I need to be.”

Dodd: Questions, predictions and reasons to dream before Thursday's openerMarch 28, 2018 By Rustin Dodd/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/290949/2018/03/27/dodd-questions-predictions-and-reasons-to-dream-before-thursdays-opener/

A new chapter of Royals baseball begins Thursday afternoon. The youth movement is on hold (for now). The main course of a coming rebuild is still years away. Yet the franchise is moving forward with Eric Hosmer in San Diego, Lorenzo Cain in Milwaukee, and a different set of expectations at Kauffman Stadium.

The club is charting a course for the future while seeking respectability in Kansas City. As the season begins this week, The Athletic is taking a closer look at the 2018 Royals:

Three big questions

Can the Royals win enough to prevent a fire sale? This question will hang over the first half. Royals general manager Dayton Moore loaded up on modestly-priced veterans late in the offseason, acquiring outfielder Jon Jay, first baseman Lucas Duda and, shockingly, Mike Moustakas on a one-year, $6.5 million deal. The net effect is a lineup with more pop and professional hitters than expected. And yet, the Royals finished 13th in the league in runs scored last season and lost Lorenzo Cain and Eric Hosmer in the offseason. Outfielder Jorge Bonifacio will miss the first 80 games of the season after a suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. The offense, meanwhile, will need to cover for an unproven bullpen. If the offense struggles, Jay, Duda, Moustakas — and pending free agents Kelvin Herrera and Jason Hammel — could find themselves available at the trade deadline. The Royals could listen on other big pieces, too, of course. But for now, the focus is on winning games and avoiding that fate.

Can Danny Duffy stay healthy? His 2017 season was shortened by an oblique strain and a bone chip that caused pain in his elbow. It was punctuated by a citation for driving under the influence in suburban Kansas City in late August.

Duffy is motivated to move on from the uneven campaign. And yet, here’s the rub: For all the injuries and drama, he was still a good pitcher. He recorded a 117 ERA+. His FIP — fielder independent pitching — was a solid 3.46, better than his breakout 2016 season. He also made just 24 starts while posting a 3.81 ERA. Duffy experienced some isolated shoulder soreness in his final start of the spring. So proceed cautiously. Yet he has said he wants to make 30 to 35 starts this season.

Can Jakob Junis build on his rookie season? In 2017, Junis ranked fifth in ERA among rookie pitchers who tossed at least 90 innings. He trailed only the Angels’ Parker Bridwell, the Yankees’ Jordan Montgomery, the Pirates’ Trevor Williams and the Rockies’ Kyle Freeland. Junis, who posted a 4.30 ERA and a 4.55 FIP, showcased an impressive slider and an unflappable demeanor. At 25 years old, he will slot into the back end of the Kansas City rotation. The club needs another homegrown starter to settle in.

Three players who will be crucial

Jorge Soler, right fielder: The Royals acquired Soler before last season in exchange for All-Star closer Wade Davis — only to watch their bullpen struggle, Davis return to the playoffs with the Cubs, and Soler never get off the ground. Slowed by an early-season oblique injury, Soler batted .144 with 36 strikeouts in 110 plate appearances. He spent most of the season at Triple-A Omaha, seeking to find his swing. He may have done that this offseason while working with a hitting instructor near his winter home in Miami. His spring training offered positive signs. He clubbed six homers in 23 games and posted a .329 on-base percentage. He also struck out 18 times. The Royals, in the early stages of a rebuild, are seeking to find assets for the future. Soler, under club control for at least four more seasons, could be one.

Alex Gordon, left fielder: The encouraging signs were scant this spring as Gordon finished 7-for-55 with zero homers at the plate. The questions of what happened to the All-Star outfielder remain rampant. Is it declining bat speed? The Royals don’t think so. Is it the aging curve? His defense remains sharp. So for now, the club will move forward with Gordon in the lineup most days. And yes, they will hope for the best. He is owed $44 million across the next three seasons, including a $4 million buyout on a club option in 2020. The money is a large chunk of the largest contract in franchise history. The pact has not paid off. That is easy enough to state. The larger question: What do the Royals do if Gordon repeats his .208 batting average and .608 OPS from 2017?

Kelvin Herrera, closer: The Royals’ bullpen remains a colossal question mark as Opening Day arrives. The one certainty: Herrera, the former All-Star setup man, will be given another opportunity to close. His first season in the role was disappointing. He finished with a 4.25 ERA, his highest since becoming a full-time major-leaguer. He surrendered nine homers, his most since 2013. Herrera’s performance will be important for two distinct reasons. If he can lead the bullpen from the back, it offers more support for a unit that will be pieced together with Justin Grimm, Brandon Maurer and others working high-leverage innings. If he reverts to his All-Star form, he will also turn into a valuable trade piece at the deadline. For the Royals, that could be the most important development of all.

Three players who could surprise

Nate Karns, starting pitcher: I believe in Karns for a few of reasons. He excelled as a starter last season before season-ending surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome; he logged a 3.43 ERA and 49 strikeouts across eight starts. His peripheral numbers, especially the strikeout totals, have always been promising. He returned to spring training healthy and pumping his fastball in the 90s, allaying any doubts about his return from the serious surgery. (He had a rib removed, after all.) The question, of course, is still health. But Karns, already 30 years old and on his fourth team, has a chance to have the best season of his career.

Brad Keller, reliever: You should never put too much stock in spring training performance. So there’s your caveat. But Keller, a 22-year-old Rule 5 pick who spent last season as a Double-A starter for Arizona, was one of the most impressive performers of the spring. The Royals transitioned him to the bullpen, where he flourished with a 2.70 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 10 innings. He will likely begin the season soaking up innings in middle relief. Keller, 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, has a big arm. Yet he didn’t quite establish himself as a bonafide prospect after being drafted in the eighth round by the Diamondbacks in 2013. Left off the 40-man roster and unprotected this past winter, the Royals saw upside. Given his inexperience, it remains likely they will bring him along slowly. But if he continues to perform, he could take the ball in more pressurized situations.

Alcides Escobar, shortstop: At this point, the bar for what constitutes a “surprise” from the 31-year-old Escobar is fairly low. He has slashed .263/.293/.351 across the last four seasons. His OPS+ during the same span is 74, among the worst for full-time major leaguers. In the last three seasons, he has not been worth more than one win above replacement, according to Baseball-Reference. Yet if there is a season in which he improves his production, perhaps this is the one. Last season, he batted .282 with a .309 on-base percentage and .733 OPS in the second half. He has set a simple goal this year: an on-base percentage above .300. If Escobar wishes to continue as an everyday shortstop, this season will be critical. He will be a free agent again next winter. His days in Kansas City could be numbered — yes, really. He must perform.

Three bold predictions

Richard Lovelady will be in the bullpen soon, and maybe closing. Lovelady, an unlikely top prospect, is a 22-year-old left-hander with a mid 90s fastball, a funky delivery and a literary last name. He will begin the season in the minor leagues, yet he could be called up shortly if he performs and the bullpen is in need of power arms. Here’s to expecting Lovelady to make his major-league debut sometime this summer, if not earlier. And if things line up right — if Herrera is moved before the deadline — maybe he records his first career save before the end of 2018.

Mike Moustakas will surpass Steve Balboni’s old record again — though maybe with two teams. Last season, Moustakas had 35 homers in the middle of August. He appeared ready to surpass 40 for the first time before an errant pitch from reliever Bruce Rondón led to a nagging thigh bruise and fluid in his knee. At 29 years old, Moustakas has found a swing path well suited to launch homers and an approach he is comfortable with. If he stays healthy, he should surpass 36 homers — Balboni’s old club record — for the second straight year. Last year, he ended with 38. This year, he could finish with more, even if some of those homers come after he is moved before the deadline.

Lucas Duda will match Eric Hosmer’s production for the first half of the season. In the long term, the 28-year-old Hosmer is sure to exceed Duda in value. But the Royals may have found a bargain in landing the former Mets first baseman for one year and $3.5 million. Remember: Duda has posted an .818 OPS across the last four seasons. Hosmer has a .799 OPS in the same time frame. Hosmer, of course, was one of the best hitters in the American League last season, recording a career-high .882 OPS. Yet he will be settling into a new organization and playing with the pressure of a $144 million contract. For the short term, here’s a bold prediction: Duda will be better in the first half.

Three prospects close to the majors

Adalberto Mondesí, infielder: Mondesí, 22, changed his name this spring, now preferring to go by his middle name instead of his given name of Raul. Yet one thing did not change: He remains vexed by injuries. This spring, it was a shoulder impingement, and he appears ready to begin the year in extended spring training and not in Triple-A Omaha. The uncertainty surrounding Mondesí is why the Royals opted to retain Alcides Escobar on a one-year contract. But Mondesí remains perhaps the most talented prospect in the system above the High-A level, with a mesmerizing blend of power, speed and quick-twitch athleticism. If he can stay healthy and produce at Omaha, he could find his way back to the majors. What would the role be? The club will figure that out when it needs to.

Bubba Starling, outfielder: After two oblique injuries ravaged his second half in 2017, Starling battled another oblique issue in spring training. As a result, the first-round pick in 2011 lost more time. It’s possible Starling could still debut in the majors this season, though it is far from certain. He must hit like he did for a stretch last season. And much like Mondesí, he will need to prove durable while producing in the minor leagues. Once a top-five pick, Starling will turn 26 in August.

Frank Schwindel, first base: Schwindel raked during the spring, hitting seven homers during a white-hot stretch. But I also could have slotted fellow first baseman Ryan O’Hearn in this spot. Club officials took note of O’Hearn’s improved plate coverage during camp, and believe he is ready to take a step forward. Schwindel, meanwhile, is less of a classic prospect. His defense is not perfect. He is already 25. It is not clear whether he can transfer his minor-league hitting prowess to the game’s highest level. He is, like O’Hearn, also not a member of the 40-man roster. In that sense, he is a little further from the majors. Yet if he continues to rake, as he is prone to do, that could change.

Three quotes from anonymous scouts

“I think their starting rotation could be better than people think. Duffy, Ian Kennedy, Karns; Junis is intriguing.”

“I don’t know what happened to Alex Gordon. He was my guy. I don’t know what you can do. [Reliever] Brandon Maurer is a guy who will break your heart. He has great stuff.”

“This group built a World Series champion in a small market. Nobody does that. You have to respect how they do things. It’s just a tough road back.”

Three reasons to dream

The American League Central could deliver plenty of victories. The Royals will open the season on Thursday

against the Chicago White Sox, and they will play 37 more games against the White Sox and Detroit Tigers, two franchises in various stages of rebuilding. The White Sox are younger and last year featured one of the top farm systems in baseball. Some of those players have already debuted in the major leagues. And yet, the Royals’ roster is surprisingly veteran-heavy and could pick off wins against its division foes. Perform better against the Minnesota Twins, who dominated the season series early last year, and the Royals could bank enough wins to stay around .500, at least for a while.

Dayton Moore is (or maybe was) the bullpen whisperer. In more than a decade in Kansas City, the Royals’ general manager has possessed the rare, consistent skill of putting together great bullpens. The club was at the forefront of one trend: turning struggling starters into dominant relievers. In making consecutive trips to the World Series, they owned one of the most formidable relief units in history. They drafted Greg Holland. They turned Wade Davis into an All-Star. They signed Kelvin Herrera out of the Dominican Republican for a modest bonus. Some of the good vibes have disappeared in the last two seasons, when the bullpen has been merely average. In 2017, the unit had a 4.63 ERA, which ranked 10th in the league. The club lost relievers Scott Alexander, Peter Moylan and Mike Minor in the offseason. Can Moore conjure his old magic? Maybe new pitching coach Cal Eldred can coax a better performance out of Brandon Maurer. Maybe veteran Blaine Boyer still has something left. Maybe Justin Grimm can find his old form after struggling last season. Maybe there are other answers in the minor leagues. Maybe.

The starting rotation could be serviceable — or better. With good health, Danny Duffy could be a dark horse Cy Young candidate, or, at the least, a legitimate No. 2 starter. If Ian Kennedy and Nate Karns pitch up to expectation, you can add two more mid-rotation to back-end arms to the mix. The depth of the unit is a red flag. The next guys in line behind Jakob Junis and Jason Hammel are either unproven (Eric Skoglund and Trevor Oaks), erratic (Josh Staumont), or aging (Clay Buchholz). That the Royals’ rotation could be its strength is also not a promising sign. But if you're looking for reasons why this team could surprise in 2018, the rotation is a good place to start.

One place where the Royals are champs: local TV ratingsMarch 28, 2018 By Leslie Collins/Kansas City Business Journalhttps://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/news/2018/03/28/fox-sports-kc-royals-television-ratings-comparison.html

Kansas City Royals fans are proving just how much they adore baseball and their guys in blue.

Last year, the Royals had the second-best local television ratings among all Major League Baseball teams, according to Fox Sports. To top it off, the Royals also netted more total minutes of viewing than the top 20 prime-time shows in the Kansas City market combined, according to the Sports Business Journal. That includes shows, such as Big Bang Theory, NCIS, Walking Dead and America's Got Talent.

"It's a pretty powerful statement. … It demonstrates how much impact the Royals have in the community," Fox Sports Kansas City General Manager Jack Donovan told the Kansas City Business Journal. "It also indicates the health of the game and the health of baseball."

Royals games shown on Fox Sports KC netted a viewership average of 8 percent of Kansas City-area TV households for the entire length of the game. That's a win for advertisers, especially since the longstanding team isn't "here today and gone tomorrow," like a number of prime-time TV shows, he said. The commercial breaks also are shorter, which can help a brand stand out more in a consumer's mind.

Asked if he has any theories on what's contributing to the Royals' high viewership numbers, Donovan was quick to credit the players and the Glass family which are actively involved in the community.

"They're great ambassadors for the city of Kansas City. They're very engaged in the community, and I think the fans have responded. They just love the team," he said. "It's wholesome content. When you watch TV nowadays, it's really hard to find anything, including the news, that you can sit there with your family and not at some point squirm in your easy-chair because the content gets racy or violent. Kansas City baseball is just great content for everybody."

The team's 11-year contract with Fox Sports KC, a regional sports network that is part of 21st Century Fox, runs through 2019. In December, Disney made a $52.4 billion to buy 21st Century's entertainment business, including Fox Sports KC. Disney already owns ESPN.

Municipal Stadium: A look back at where the Royals startedMarch 29, 2018 By Lindsey Shivelyhttps://www.kshb.com/news/local-news/municipal-stadium-a-look-back-at-where-the-royals-started

As the Royals start their 50th season, we look back at where their first season began.

At the corner of 22nd and Brooklyn, decades ago, one stadium held memories and milestones for not only the Royals but also many teams and Kansas City fans.

The Kansas City Monarchs, Blues, Athletics, and Chiefs all played at the stadium that was last known as Municipal Stadium.

Royals team historian Curt Nelson and President of The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum Bob Kendrick walked with 41 Action News on the grounds of where Municipal Stadium once stood to talk about all the history that happened there.

Where first base used to be now has new homes.

That first base saw legends of the game like Kansas City Monarchs great Buck O’Neil.

“He was a great defensive first baseman,” said Kendrick. “Not too many throws got by old Buck over here at first base!”

Kendrick said the Monarchs drew huge crowds with greats like O’Neil, Hall of Famers like Jackie Robinson and Satchel Paige, and winning the Negro League World Series.

“Lou Gehrig also played his very last game that he ever played,” said Nelson, “right here at an exhibition game.”

“The last Chiefs game ever played here was the longest game in NFL history,” Nelson said.

They played the Dolphins. Kendrick remembers watching that epic game as a child.

“The one and only time the Beatles were in Kansas City, they played right here!” said Nelson. “Municipal Stadium.”

The Royals played their first game at Municipal Stadium in 1969.

“The Royals won their very first game 4-3, so it’s a good way to start.”

In 1973, the Royals would move to their new stadium, leaving Municipal behind.

“I think it’s worth coming here and exploring the plaza and stand on these somewhat sacred grounds,” said Kendrick.

“You can almost feel those memories when you walk by,” said Nelson.

MINORSRoyals conclude Cactus League action, ready for openerThe Kansas City Royals begin the 2018 season on Thursday, March 29 while the Naturals start on Thursday, April 5March 28, 2018 Northwest Arkansas Naturalshttps://www.milb.com/naturals/news/royals-conclude-spring-ready-for-opener/c-269903408

The 2018 Cactus League season has come to a close and the Royals have made their way north to Kansas City for their season opener on Thursday, March 29 at Kaufmann Stadium against the Chicago White Sox. While we do not yet know who will be in a Naturals uniform when the team begins play on April 5 at Arvest Ballpark, we do know that some former Naturals left Arizona knowing they can perform against big league talent.

Among the many players in Royals' camp who played in Northwest Arkansas in 2017 were first-baseman Frank Schwindel , catcher Nick Dini , and first baseman Ryan O'Hearn . Schwindel came off the bench on Saturday, March 24, to belt a game-tying two-run homer against the Giants. The power-hitting righty finished up his spring batting .366 with seven home runs, 18 RBI and an impressive 1.357 OPS in 41 big league at-bats. As impressive as those numbers were, O'Hearn kept pace ending his spring by hitting .400 with five home runs and 13 RBI in 35 at-bats.

Dini, who got his first taste of the Texas League in 2017, went 1-2 on Sunday after coming into the game for Salvador Perez in what ended up being the spring finale - the Royals were scheduled to play an exhibition with Triple-A affiliate Omaha on Monday night, however the game was cancelled due to inclement weather - Dini went 3-13 with one homer and two RBI in his 13 at-bats during the spring with the big league club.

Adalberto Mondesi and Cheslor Cuthbert , a couple of guys who are trying to break into the majors full-time, made their intentions known this spring. Mondesi, part of the 2015-2016 Naturals and a 2015 World Series Champion with the Royals,

went 1-3 with a two-run triple against the Giants on March 23 and ended up hitting .297 in his 37 at-bats. Meanwhile, Cuthbert, whom played parts of the 2013-2014 season in Northwest Arkansas, went 3-4 with a solo-homer off of Madison Bumgarner in the same game on his way to a cool .373 average in 59 at-bats.

Holding down the fort, former Texas League All-Stars Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas did their usual thing this spring with the former hitting .350 with six home runs and 11 RBI while the latter belted four homers and drove in nine in a modest 26 at-bats. With a big-league spot secured Whit Merrifield has shown no sign of a letdown after a stellar 2017 campaign, flat out raking and compiling a .471 average in 51 Spring Training at-bats.

LHP Danny Duffy and 2017 breakout RHP Jakob Junis look to be major contributors to the rotation this season. Junis, who spent parts of two season with the Naturals (2015-2016), has built upon his stellar 2017 and threw exceptional this Spring picking up a win in his final spring start and going 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA and 20 strikeouts in 14.1 innings (4 starts). Duffy, a 2010 Naturals starter, threw 15 innings this spring going 1-1 with 12 punch-outs. He has the honor of starting on Opening Day as the Royals take on James Shields and the White Sox on Thursday.

The 2018 season of Naturals baseball at Arvest Ballpark will begin when Northwest Arkansas hosts the Corpus Christi Hooks, the Double-A Affiliate of the World Champion Houston Astros, on Thursday, April 5 at 6:25 p.m.

NATIONALWant serious predictions for the 2018 MLB season? Not here!March 28, 2018 By Ken Rosenthal/The Athletichttps://theathletic.com/291393/2018/03/28/rosenthal-want-serious-predictions-for-the-2018-mlb-season-not-here/

My contract with The Athletic gives me unlimited use of a private jet, free visits to a masseuse and a villa in the south of France.

Alas, my agent failed to negotiate the one perk I truly desired—an opt-out clause for my annual predictions column.

Therefore, I am left with no choice: Continue the sabotage I initiated my last two years at foxsports.com. Deliver a column mocking all of the serious analysis produced by joyless numbers crunchers. Dare the editors to kill my spectacular display of “journalism.”

You want predictions? Oh, I’ve got predictions. Read ‘em and weep. And direct your complaints, short jokes and other assorted insults to @Ken_Rosenthal or the comments section below.

Let’s start at the bottom and work our way up:

30. Miami Marlins Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez offer to stage a benefit for the club, complete with A-Rod welcoming old friend Derek Jeter to his CNBC show, Back in the Game—“you know, so I can help Jeets rebuild his financial portfolio.”

29. Detroit Tigers Ron Gardenhire, smirking while professing his “enduring fondness” for his former team, leads the Tigers to a 17-2 record against the Twins and 43-100 mark against every other club.

28. Kansas City Royals Mike Moustakas repeatedly breaks out in hives upon hearing the words, “free agency,” then re-signs with Royals for the bargain rate of $650,000—after leading the majors with 58 home runs.

27. Chicago White Sox Theo Epstein storms out of his private box at Wrigley after Eloy Jimenez takes Jose Quintana deep in the first game of the City Series between the White Sox and Cubs.

26. Atlanta Braves Ronald Acuna hits home runs in his first six games after three pointless weeks in the minors, then films a commercial for Rolex with former Brave Deion Sanders. “I was Prime Time,” Sanders says. “My man here, I call him Service Time.”

25. Cincinnati Reds Joey Votto refuses to swing for the entire second half and still leads the NL in slugging percentage. Don’t ask how this is possible—he’s Joey Votto!

24. San Diego Padres Eric Hosmer enters the All-Star break with one homer, ignores Fangraphs’ 463rd post about his high groundball rate and vows to bulk up instead. “The problem isn’t launch angle,” Hosmer says. “It’s lunch angle.”

23. Philadelphia Phillies Manager Gabe Kapler, who resigns on May 6 after Phillies fans vote Jake Arrieta the team’s “Best Bod,” is last seen marching north on Broad Street in despair, munching a single slice of multi-grain bread.

22. Baltimore Orioles Manager Buck Showalter barges into a warehouse at the All-Star break, occupies the office of GM Dan Duquette and declares, “I’m in charge!” Duquette, operating from parts unknown, trades Manny Machado the next day.

21. Texas Rangers Elvis Andrus goes 30-30, then opts out of the remaining four years and $58 million on his contract—completely out, saying he just wants to “chill” with Adrian Beltre in retirement.

20. Pittsburgh Pirates Club officials gush, “this will be the best version of the Pirates yet,” after trading second baseman Josh Harrison, right-hander Ivan Nova and closer Felipe Rivero while leading the NL Central by eight games.

19. Oakland Athletics International incident erupts when rats attack the Angels’ Japanese sensation, Shohei Ohtani, in the visiting dugout at the Oakland-Alameda Coliseum.

18. Seattle Mariners GM Jerry Dipoto spontaneously combusts after the commissioner’s office voids his 37th trade in less than two months—Safeco Field to the Athletics for first baseman Matt Olson.

17. San Francisco Giants The rebuild finally begins: Madison Bumgarner to Dodgers, Buster Posey to Astros, garlic fries discontinued at AT&T Park, Mike Krukow and Duane Kuiper named co-managers.

16. Tampa Bay Rays Chris Archer bows out of four-man rotation, saying he instead wants to be part of those “fun bullpen days.” When club officials object, Archer snorts, “What are they going to do, trade me?”

15. Colorado Rockies Nolan Arenado bats .367 with 53 homers and a staggering 1.132 OPS—and finishes 12th for National League MVP, drawing fewer votes than the Cubs’ team psychologist.

14. Milwaukee Brewers GM David Stearns acquires outfielders Andrew McCutchen, Adam Jones and Matt Kemp in an effort to persuade Ryan Braun to accept a trade. Braun, informed he will be the team’s 14th outfielder, snaps, “Maybe I’ll pitch. We’re a little short there, aren’t we?”

13. Arizona Diamondbacks Zack Greinke, after struggling again in spring training, rediscovers his 95-mph fastball, leads the NL in ERA and announces—to the delight of club officials—that he will show up for the 2019 season on April 1.

12. Los Angeles Angels Shohei who? With starting rotation again ravaged by injuries, Mike Trout throws first career no-hitter while hitting two home runs in 6-0 victory over White Sox.

11. Toronto Blue Jays Top prospects Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, summoned at mid-season, lead New Jays to surprising AL East title, then are named co-Prime Ministers of Canada.

10. New York Mets Noah Syndergaard throws 106 mph on last pitch of 146-pitch perfect game, collapses on mound clutching his elbow, gets diagnosed with hangnail by team’s revamped medical staff.

9. Minnesota Twins Massive brawl ensues between Twins players and Yankee Stadium security in visiting clubhouse before rematch of AL wild-card game; players are livid over ejection of witch doctor who manager Paul Molitor hired to “remove evil spirits.”

8. St. Louis Cardinals Free agent Greg Holland spotted panhandling outside Busch Stadium after manager Mike Matheny runs through six closers in opening month.

7. Washington Nationals Team offers Bryce Harper $400 million. Agent Scott Boras causes uproar at All-Star Game in D.C. by calling proposal “a nice starter kit.”

6. Boston Red Sox David Price-Dennis Eckersley feud re-ignites after Price rips Sox’s porous infield defense and Eck challenges him on team plane, shouting, “Throw some freaking cheese!”

5. Cleveland Indians At the request of the commissioner’s office, team nixes plans to stage “Heritage Weekend,” celebrating Albert Belle, Chief Wahoo and 10 Cent Beer Night.

4. Los Angeles Dodgers Club’s 37th use of 10-day DL in first month prompts investigation by commissioner’s office; phony prescription pads discovered at home of Andrew Friedman.

3. Chicago Cubs Manager Joe Maddon, frustrated by his inability to identify a leadoff hitter, announces he will bat the pitcher first and $184 million man Jason Heyward ninth “indefinitely.”

2. Houston Astros Eight-man outfield in opening series is foiled when Rangers’ Joey Gallo bunts for an inside-the-park home run.

1. New York Yankees History repeats! A-Rod leads Yankees to World Series title as interim manager after Aaron Boone suffers a season-ending knee injury playing pickup basketball.

MLB salaries 2018: A 3% raise for average major leaguer - but future commitments dippingMarch 28, 2018 By Bob Nightengale/USA Todayhttps://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2018/03/28/mlb-salaries-2018-average-salary-payrolls/466592002/

The free-agent market was a dud this winter, leaving Major League Baseball players and their agents seething.

Ultimately, baseball's average salary compared to 2017 amounted to a cost-of-living bump, as it rose 3% - and the ramifications from this depressed market may only be beginning.

In USA TODAY Sports' annual survey of opening-day payrolls, the average salary this season is $4.61 million compared to $4.47 million last year.

A record 130 players will earn at least $10 million, compared to 124 players a year ago and 107 players in 2016, led by Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout’s $34.08 million salary.

Yet, only three players received contracts in excess of $100 million this winter, and just two players - Eric Hosmer ($144 million) of the San Diego Padres and Yu Darvish ($126 million) of the Chicago Cubs - received more than a five-year deal.

And the owners' unwillingness to spend this winter - for whatever reason - will have a greater impact in coming years.

Teams spent $1.98 billion on 65 multi-year contracts this winter, compared to $2.98 billion on 57 deals a year ago, and $2.06 billion on 30 multi-year contracts in 2016.

Just 10 teams managed to even spend the $50 million they received for their cut from the MLB Advanced Media sale to Disney, invoking anger from the union and threats of potential collusion grievances.

“I think we have to let this thing play out three to five years,’’ said ESPN analyst Alex Rodriguez, whose $275 million contract finally is cleared off the Yankees’ books,”to see where the chips lay. I just think teams are smarter and more disciplined with management and ownership.’’

Certainly, the marquee opening-day matchup of the New York Yankees and Toronto Blue Jays, two giants of the sport, with overflowing revenues, deep pockets and a burning desire to win, symbolize the angst of the players union.

These franchises have six players who will earn $20 million or more this season, and 13 players earning at least $10 million. Yet, when it came to free agency this winter, the Yankees spent only $14 million in the free agent market while the Blue Jays paid $17 million.

Sure, the Yankees took on a major commitment with their acquisition of slugger Giancarlo Stanton, Yet, who would ever have imagined we’d see the day the Oakland Athletics

($18 million) would spend more than both franchises, dwarfing even the $4 million the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers spent?

“It’s a weird time,’’ Washington Nationals second baseman Daniel Murphy said. “I read a lot of articles about it, the collusion talk, the poor execution of the CBA, and all the things have been thrown out there. I don’t have an answer. I’m not in position to accuse anybody of anything.

“There’s obviously a reason why this year something dramatic happened in free agency that hadn’t happened before. So, I think that’s our job as the players, as well as MLB, to figure out what’s going on here how we can right that.’’

The Yankees and Dodgers, who had the two highest payrolls in baseball a year ago, have shed more than $100 million, with the Yankees now ranking just 10th in payroll ($160.7 million) and the Dodgers right behind at $156.8 million.

Both the Yankees ($165 million) and Dodgers ($184 million) payrolls are higher when factoring salaries paid for players no longer on their roster. Yet, even when factoring benefits and salaries to players on the 40-man roster, both clubs remain below the $197 million luxury tax threshold, fulfilling key offseason goals.

This will be the lowest Yankee payroll in a quarter-century, and the first time they've ducked below the luxury tax since it was implemented in 2003. They've paid $341 million in penalties since, but should they remain below the threshold, would pay just a 20% penalty instead of a 50% penalty next year, when a prized free-agent market headed by Bryce Harper, Manny Machado and possibly Clayton Kershaw comes online.

The Dodgers spent a record $270 million in 2015, but have lopped nearly $100 million off their major league commitments. And the downstream effect on free agents has been profound.

“When you have 30 teams thinking the same way and using the same metrics,’’ Rodriguez says, “it creates an opportunity for someone to counter that.’’

Enter the San Francisco Giants. The Giants, for the first time since MLB began keeping official records, will have baseball’s biggest payroll. Players on their opening-day roster will earn $220.3 million, $64 million more than they ever spent at the start of a season, with 10 players earning at least $13.5 million.

The Giants’ payroll, however includes infielder Pablo Sandoval’s entire $19.6 million salary. The Boston Red Sox, who released Sandoval last year, are paying all but $545,000 of his salary.

With Sandoval's dollars factored in, Boston has the highest payroll at $224.2 million.

The union’s biggest concern, however, are the rebuilding teams who aren’t aggressively trying to win. There’s a growing sentiment among players and agents suggesting that a salary cap may be necessary in the future providing that there’s a salary basement floor.

Ten teams are spending less than $100 million on their opening-day roster, with the A’s ranking 30th in expenditures at $62.65 million.

“This winter was a little crazy, and we got a glimpse at what can possibly happen,’’ says Machado, who is expected to be heavily pursued by the Yankees. “Hopefully, we’ll see a difference next year, for all of our sakes.’’

Grimm ready to begin a new life with the Kansas City RoyalsMarch 28, 2018 By Tim Hayes/Bristol Herald Courierhttp://www.heraldcourier.com/sports/grimm-ready-to-begin-a-new-life-with-the-kansas/article_6f13e1e8-32dc-11e8-9f3d-2788262fb148.html

Justin Grimm hadn’t been a member of the Kansas City Royals very long when he became reenergized.

As he slid on a new uniform for a new organization amid new surroundings a few days ago, the adrenaline was flowing at a rapid rate as he made his way out to the bullpen at the team’s spring training facility to unleash some pitches.

“It was almost like a little bit of new life within me,” Grimm said earlier this week. “I can’t tell you the last time I went out and spiked five heaters in a row from being overamped.”

Grimm has since gotten a grip on his emotions and his fastball.

The 2007 Virginia High graduate officially begins his seventh big-league season this afternoon when the Royals host the Chicago White Sox on Opening Day.

Having been released by the Chicago Cubs on March 15 after five years and 263 regular-season outings with the franchise, Grimm signed with Kansas City three days later.

Just call it a fresh start.

He’ll be calling Kauffman Stadium home instead of Wrigley Field.

His superstar teammates are now Gordon, Moustakas and Perez instead of Rizzo, Bryant and Schwarber.

Ned Yost will be signaling him in from the bullpen instead of Joe Maddon.

One thing hasn’t changed: he’s still wearing No. 52 and pitching in the late innings.

“I am super excited for a new opportunity,” Grimm said. “At first, there was a bunch of uncertainty in my mind of the next step, but I got settled in and I am already loving this organization. It is just filled with good people and at the end of the day that’s who you want to be surrounded with.”

Grimm won a World Series title with the Cubs in 2016 and was an integral part of the team’s bullpen in the Windy City.

“I had mixed emotions when I got the news [of being released],” Grimm said. “One part of me felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders and was happy about getting an opportunity elsewhere. And then there was the uncertainty as well of what would come out of it.”

He talked extensively with former Cubs teammate Wade Davis – an All-Star and World Series hero for the Royals in 2015 – and picked his brain about the situation in Kansas City.

“He told me basically everything I was looking to hear,” Grimm said.

Three former Chicago teammates – Jon Jay, Jason Hammel and Jorge Soler – are currently playing for Kansas City. Dale Sveum, his first skipper with the Cubs, is KC’s bench coach.

Grimm will be the third local in the pros to be major league royalty.

Ex-East Tennessee State University ace pitcher Atlee Hammaker made his MLB debut for Kansas City in 1981, while Bristol native Jimmy Gobble pitched for the Royals from 2003-08.

“Kansas City’s a great place and I think Justin will really like it,” said Gobble, now the head baseball coach at John Battle High School. “He’s a fine young man who understands baseball and understands his job. Going from Maddon to Yost, there is going to be a little bit of a difference, but both are high-quality managers that know how to manage a bullpen and I think that will help Justin a lot.”

Grimm and Gobble share the same initials and the same hometown. They will have both pitched for the same team as well.

“I shot Gobble a text soon after to ask him if he had some info for me and he gave me some good feedback,” Grimm said. “Between my parents, the newspaper and internet I kept up with him when I was growing up and he was playing for the Royals. He became our JV head coach one year in the offseason in basketball and I was too nervous to even ask him questions about baseball.”

The question these days will be what kind of impact the 29-year-old Grimm will have with the Royals as he begins a new baseball adventure. He had a 5.53 ERA in 50 appearances for the Cubs last season.

MLB TRANSACTIONSMarch 29, 2018 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

CIN

Kevin Quackenbush Purchased From Minors

MILChoi, Ji-Man Purchased From Minors

MILStephen Vogt Placed on 10-Day DL

(Right shoulder strain)

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

SEA

Erasmo Ramirez

Placed on 10-Day DL (Right shoulder/lat strain)

MIL

Taylor Williams Sent to Minors

SD

Colin Rea Placed on 10-Day DL (Right shoulder strain)

CHC

Shae Simmons Sent to Minors

MILBoone Logan Placed on 10-Day DL

(Strained left triceps)

SD

Raffy Lopez Purchased From Minors

STL

Francisco Pena Purchased From Minors

PHI

Tommy Hunter

Placed on 10-Day DL (Strained hamstring)

ATL

Ruiz, Rio Sent to Minors

DET

Johnny Barbato

Placed on 10-Day DL (Right forearm strain)

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

TB

Austin Pruitt Called Up from Minors

TB

Nathan Eovaldi

Placed on 10-Day DL (Loose bodies in right elbow)

SF

Madison Bumgarner

Placed on 10-Day DL (Fractured left hand)

MILJimmy Nelson

Placed on 10-Day DL (Recovery from right rotator cuff surgery)

SD

Buddy Baumann Sent to Minors

SEA

Ben Gamel Placed on 10-Day DL (Strained right oblique)

SF

Pierce Johnson Called Up from Minors

STL

Breyvic Valera Designated for Assignment

MIA

Bryan Holaday Purchased From Minors

OAK

Ryan Dull Placed on 10-Day DL (Strained right shoulder)

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

OAK

Frankie Montas Sent to Minors

WASCarlos Torres Signed to a Minor League

Contract

PHI

Cameron Rupp

Cleared Waivers and Became a Free Agent

SD

Matt Strahm Placed on 10-Day DL (Torn left patellar tendon)

SF

Will SmithPlaced on 10-Day DL (Recovery from left elbow surgery)

DET

Jairo Labourt Signed to a Minor League Contract

CHW

Hector Santiago Purchased From Minors

SD

Travis Jankowski Sent to Minors

SEA

Casey Lawrence Purchased From Minors

CLE

Carlos Frias Released

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

MIL

Yovani Gallardo

Cleared Waivers and Became a Free Agent

STL

Adam Wainwright

Placed on 10-Day DL (Strained left hamstring)

CIN

Phil Gosselin Purchased From Minors

TB

Daniel Hudson Released

OAK

Renato Nunez Placed on 10-Day DL (Strained left hamstring)

DET

Derek Norris Released

LAA

Felix Pena Sent to Minors

STL

Jack Flaherty Called Up from Minors

LAD

Toles, Andrew Sent to Minors

OAK

Josh Phegley Placed on 10-Day DL (Fractured right hand)

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

SD

Phil Maton Sent to Minors

MIAYadiel Rivera Purchased From Minors

LAA

Carlos Perez Designated for Assignment

CHW

Ricardo Pinto Sent to Minors

SD

Franchy Cordero

Placed on 10-Day DL (Left abductor strain)

STL

Joshua Lucas Designated for Assignment

CHW

Ricardo PintoTraded From Philadelphia (for international signing bonus money)

OAK

Trevor Cahill Sent to Minors

NYM

Bryce Brentz Outrighted to Minors

OAK

Franklin Barreto Sent to Minors

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

CHW

Kevan Smith Placed on 10-Day DL (Sprained left ankle)

SF

Jeff Samardzija

Placed on 10-Day DL (Strained right pectoral muscle)

DET

Mike Fiers Placed on 10-Day DL (Right lumbar strain)

MIAJacob Turner Purchased From Minors

OAK

Raul Alcantara Outrighted to Minors

SF

Roberto Gomez Called Up from Minors

DET

Niko Goodrum Purchased From Minors

PHI

Dean AnnaTraded From Chi. White Sox (for future considerations)

STL

Alex ReyesPlaced on 10-Day DL (Recovery from right elbow surgery)

OAK

Dustin Fowler Sent to Minors

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

SF

Gregor Blanco Purchased From Minors

MINPhil Hughes Placed on 10-Day DL

(Strained left oblique)

DET

Enrique Burgos Released

TB

Jose De LeonPlaced on 10-Day DL (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

SEA

Taylor Motter Sent to Minors

SD

Adam Cimber Purchased From Minors

SEA

David PhelpsPlaced on 10-Day DL (Right elbow surgery - out for season)

SD

A.J. Ellis Purchased From Minors

SD

Alex Dickerson

Placed on 60-Day DL (Left elbow surgery - out for season)

STL

Luke Gregerson

Placed on 10-Day DL (Hamstring strain)

T E A M P L A Y E R T R A N S A C T I O N

OAK

Mark Canha Sent to Minors

SD

Allen Cordoba

Placed on 10-Day DL (Concussion)

SD

Dinelson Lamet

Placed on 10-Day DL (Right elbow strain)

LAA

Shohei Ohtani Purchased From Minors

OAK

Paul Blackburn

Placed on 10-Day DL (Strained right forearm)

CHW

Carlos RodonPlaced on 10-Day DL (Recovery from left shoulder surgery)