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Royals Rumblings - News for January 13, 2025

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Edward Olivares is headed to Japan.

Jaylon Thompson writes about the Michael Lorenzen signing.

This offseason, Lorenzen considered taking a shot at being a two-way player before deciding to return to the Royals. “I’m always just trying to find a way to get some at-bats, somehow,” Lorenzen said with a chuckle.

Lorenzen wanted to be back in Kansas City. He enjoyed his time with the organization and being around the pitching staff and catchers.

“It just made sense all around,” Lorenzen said of re-joining the Royals. “I loved everything about it. And I think that we are going to win and obviously that is another plus. I think they (the Royals) are going to bring the best out of me.”

Kevin O’Brien at Royals Reporter wonders if it is time to consider a long-term deal for Cole Ragans.

Even though Ragans is deserving, the Strasburg deal may have set a precedent for teams NOT to invest in their “aces,” even if they may be dominant. The Nationals struggled to recover from the Strasburg deal, as they’re starting to finally pull out of a long rebuilding period after winning the World Series in 2019.

That said, one never knows with the Royals. Many felt that it would be impossible for Picollo and the Royals to convince Witt to sign a long-term extension in Kansas City, and they did it last off-season despite the Royals winning only 56 games in 2023.

Perhaps Ragans in February or early March could be that next contract “surprise” from Picollo and the Royals, even if there’s considerable risk involved.

Craig Brown at Into the Fountains reacts to the Braden Shewmake signing.

At this point, Shewmake’s best-case value is as a utility infielder who can make some contact. The prospect reports on him have evolved from a player who is polished at the plate and could be a 20 HR threat if he added weight to his slight frame to a hitter who has messed with his swing, expands the zone and can’t handle velocity. And he never was able to add that strength, thus, there is no power in the tool box.

David Schoenfield at ESPN writes about the worst move by each team since 2020.

Biggest mistake: Waiving Brent Rooker (November 2022)

The Royals had acquired Rooker from the Padres in August for third-string catcher Cam Gallagher, although they gave Rooker just 29 plate appearances the rest of that 2022 season. He didn’t do anything to impress and the Royals — who lost 97 games that year — apparently had 40 better players to protect on the 40-man roster.

Of course, they didn’t have 40 better players. This was just one of those cases where a player unexpectedly explodes after getting released. That happens more often with pitchers, where a new pitch or a new grip can do wonders, but rarely with position players. All Rooker has done the past two seasons with the A’s is mash 69 home runs, make an All-Star team and finish 10th in the MVP voting in 2024 after producing 5.6 WAR.

Former Royals outfielder Edward Olivares will reportedly sign with the Orix Buffaloes in Japan.

Toronto signs pitcher Jeff Hoffman to a three-year, $33 million deal.

Washington signs former Royals pitcher Jorge Lopez to a one-year, $3 million contract.

The Braves sign Garrett Cooper to a minor league deal.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr. signs a one-year, $28.5 million contract to avoid arbitration.

The slider trend in baseball might be over.

Boston will use Garrett Whitlock as a reliever.

The Rays hope their offense can improve through internal improvements.

The Padres have been suspiciously quiet this winter.

Blocked prospects who could use a change of scenery.

Seven questions about this year’s Hall of Fame ballot.

Remembering the time Reds infielder Billy Bates raced a cheetah.