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Daily Clips

February 18, 2017

LOCAL

Strahm seizing opportunity to pitch from 'pen

February 17, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/



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Gordon prepared to do Royals' outfield shuffle

Move will help give Soler time to acclimate to right field

February 17, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/

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Moylan back with Royals on Minor League deal

February 17, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/

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The education of Jorge Soler: Royals newcomer learning under outfield guru Rusty Kuntz

February 17, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star



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The Royals plan to experiment with Alex Gordon in center field during spring training

February 17, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star



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Reliever Peter Moylan returns to Royals on a minor-league contract

February 17, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star



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NATIONAL

Kansas City Royals have 4 candidates for second base job

February 17, 2017 USA Today (via AP)



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Dominican Republic won't be releasing Yordano Ventura toxicology report to public

The results have implications as to have how much the Royals owe Ventura's estate

February 17, 2017 By Matt Snyder/



[pic]MLB TRANSACTIONS

February 18, 2017 •.



LOCAL

Strahm seizing opportunity to pitch from 'pen

February 17, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/



For most of the offseason, the Royals stated publicly that left-hander Matt Strahm would be in the mix for a spot in the rotation.

But that officially changed after the Royals acquired starters Jason Hammel and Travis Wood. Hammel already has a spot secured in the rotation. Wood will compete with right-handers Nathan Karns and Chris Young for the fifth spot.

And Strahm will head straight to the bullpen, where he was lights-out as a rookie in 2016.

Strahm, who posted a 1.23 ERA in 21 outings last August and September, likely will team with Joakim Soria as the primary setup men for closer Kelvin Herrera.

And Strahm is just fine with that.

"It didn't really change anything for me," said Strahm, the Royals' No. 3 prospect. "I knew coming into Spring Training it was going to be one or the other. But now coming into camp, I know for sure and I know what I need to work on."

Instead of being stretched out to 70 or 80 pitches in camp, Strahm likely will be maxed out at 40-50 pitches.

"I don't care when I pitch, I just want to pitch," Strahm said, smiling. "I'll do whatever they want."

Down the road, manager Ned Yost maintains that Strahm will be a starter. Just not now.

"Absolutely we view him as a starter in the future," Yost said. "But for now, we're better off with him in the bullpen."

Strahm simply will be happy holding on to a spot on the 25-man roster.

"Nothing is for sure yet," Strahm said. "I still have to earn it. Hopefully I can do exactly what I did the last two months last year."

Everyone in camp

The Royals' first official workout was Friday and everyone was in attendance. The last to arrive was shortstop Alcides Escobar.

"There was no special messages for this group," Yost said. "They all know what they have to do."

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Gordon prepared to do Royals' outfield shuffle

Move will help give Soler time to acclimate to right field

February 17, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/



Royals manager Ned Yost revealed Friday that he may have some unusual outfield combinations this spring, and perhaps during the regular season.

Yost indicated he plans to utilize Gold Glove left fielder Alex Gordon in all three outfield spots.

"Every scenario is open," Yost said. "I'm going to move Gordy around. I'm going to play Gordy in right, Gordy in center. Just to see what we got."

Yost said he will search for his best defensive combination, especially as new right fielder Jorge Soler, who scouts say is average defensively at best, continues to improve with the help of outfielders coach Rusty Kuntz.

Yost also will try to work in Brandon Moss in one of the corner spots. Moss, like Soler, is probably average defensively at best.

"Is left field easier to play than right field? Yes," Yost said. "But with Rusty, [Moss' and Soler's] ability to cover ground is going to get better."

Soler, though, is the right fielder for now.

"Soler is more comfortable in right," Yost said. "But maybe Moss could play some left when Gordy needs a break.

"I've got a Gold Glover who can move anywhere in the field. It's just finding a spot where everybody can be at their best. If Moss is more comfortable in left than right, Gordy is more than capable of moving to right and creating a better defense."

Kuntz joked during the offseason that his new best friend this spring would be Soler as they worked to make Soler better defensively.

"Yes. Oh, yes," Soler said with a laugh through interpreter Pedro Grifol. "He's a good friend of mine now. I got here a while ago and started working at 10 o'clock every day with him.

"We're doing a lot of work in the outfield, especially on charging the ball. And we're working on my turns once the ball is hit."

There's little doubt that Soler was acquired to boost the Royals' offense. Yost and the Royals simply hope Soler's defense eventually catches up.

"He'll get his 600 ABs somehow," Yost said. "But maybe some of those are at DH. My mind is completely open right now about our defensive alignment."

And Soler, who has 27 homers in 211 Major League games, wants to be known for more than just his power.

"I'm not going to predict how many homers I'm going to hit," he said. "But I want to be a complete player. I'll work to be my best offensively and defensively."

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Moylan back with Royals on Minor League deal

February 17, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/



The Royals agreed to a Minor League deal with right-hander Peter Moylan, the club confirmed Friday. A source told that Moylan will earn $1 million if he makes the Royals' 25-man roster. The club has not confirmed the value of the deal.

Moylan, 38, was 2-0 with a 3.43 ERA in 50 appearances for the Royals last season.

Moylan joins a crowded list of veteran relievers -- Jonathan Sanchez, Brandon League, Al Alburquerque, Chris Withrow and Bobby Parnell -- along with several young arms, including Josh Staumont and Kyle Zimmer, vying for one or two final spots in the bullpen.

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The education of Jorge Soler: Royals newcomer learning under outfield guru Rusty Kuntz

February 17, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star



Jorge Soler’s lips curled into a smile as he listened to the question. The words needed no translation. The inquiry was about power, and Soler nodded his head, even as catching coach Pedro Grifol stood at his side, ready to interpret the question into his first language.

It was just after 8:30 a.m. on Friday morning. Soler, a 24-year-old outfielder, was standing inside a media room adjacent to the Royals clubhouse. A bank of cameras and reporters lined up just feet away.

The Royals media relations team had set up a make-shift press conference to accommodate Soler, the club’s most intriguing acquisition of the offseason. It took just a few questions before the topic turned to Soler’s power, the tool that birthed his professional career and compelled the Royals to trade one season of closer Wade Davis for four years of potential and possibility.

“He’s not going to predict how many homers he’s going to hit,” Grifol said, translating for Soler. “But he’s going to work extremely hard both defensively and offensively to be able to help this team win.”

The answer offered a fairly apt summation of Soler’s first days in camp. The first thing you notice is the power, of course, the tree-trunk legs, the bulging biceps, the body that looks like it once belonged to Bo Jackson. Take one look at Soler, and you see a baseball player born to punish baseballs. But inspect a little closer, and you realize this: That might be the easy part.

The Royals believe that Soler has the potential to be a force in the middle of the lineup, a 6-foot-4, 225-pound slugger capable of threatening Steve Balboni’s franchise record of 36 homers in a season. They are less confident in Soler’s ability to cover adequate ground in right field. So in the week before position players were set to report to camp, Soler began daily sessions with Rusty Kuntz, the club’s first-base coach and resident outfield instructor.

For a week, they would meet together at 10 a.m., working through footwork drills and ironing out other details. On most days, they were joined by infielder Christian Colon, who served as an extra interpreter. The goal: Set a foundation of footwork. Get a little better each day.

Kuntz called Soler a “coach’s dream” because of his attentiveness and ability to pick up on concepts. But as the Royals prepared for their first full-squad workout on Friday morning, Royals manager Ned Yost offered a slightly more tepid endorsement of Solder’s defense.

“What everybody talks about is that they think he can be an average defender under Rusty,” Yost said. “He’s already made some strides on his drops and his routes to the ball with Rusty. He’s a very quick learner.”

That the generally optimistic Yost set “average” as the goal for Soler perhaps illustrates the challenge ahead. Club officials remain confident in the teaching ability of Kuntz, who once helped Alex Gordon transform into a Gold Glove left fielder. But for now, the Royals are setting modest goals for Soler.

“His biggest thing is the footwork and getting that quick turn down, and getting the read and the route, which increases the range,” Kuntz said. “And those are the three things that we’re trying to put together right now.”

In three seasons in Chicago with the Cubs, Soler offered tantalizing glimpses of his prodigious power — even as he struggled through injuries and sporadic playing time. He clubbed 27 homers and posted a .434 slugging percentage in 682 at-bats across three years. He shredded opposing pitchers in the 2015 postseason. He helped the 2016 Cubs win the franchise’s first World Series championship in 108 years.

And yet, his defense still rated as somewhere below average. Soler gained a reputation for taking bad routes and making poor decisions. The latter often stopped him from making use of an arm that Kuntz refers to as “huge.” When Soler begins to understand situations, Kuntz said, his arm could become a potent weapon. But that aspect of his game will come with time.

“He’s going to learn that stuff as we go along,” Kuntz said. “But my big thing right now is it’s all about the feet and footwork.”

In his first days in Royals camp, Soler seemed to take to his new surroundings. He is lockering in a corner with Salvador Perez and Kelvin Herrera. Soler spends most mornings towering over teammates in a blue hooded sweatshirt with the sleeves cut off. A native of Cuba, he is still mastering the English language. But teammates say he’s already added something intangible to the clubhouse.

“His energy, his smile, his enthusiasm, all that kind of stuff,” Kuntz said. “He’s trying to get better every day, and in my opinion, he’s doing a great job.”

As his makeshift press conference wrapped up on Friday, Soler offered another smile. In just 4 minutes and 32 seconds, he had tried to convey his appreciation for the opportunity in Kansas City. If he can stay healthy, he will get the chance to play every day. That never came in Chicago, but it could come now. Which leads to another goal: If he can prove himself in the outfield, he can finally show that he’s a complete player.

“It’s very important for him to prove he can play every day,” Grifol said, interpreting for Soler. “That’s why he’s working hard in the field. That’s why he’s working hard in the training room to make sure he doesn’t have any injury, any setbacks. That’s what he’s working hard for.”

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The Royals plan to experiment with Alex Gordon in center field during spring training

February 17, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star



In the laid back confines of spring training, there exists space for creativity, experimentation and a little fun.

With this ethos in mind, the Royals have hatched a plan that might seem a little out there. As major-league camp kicks into gear over the next two weeks, left fielder Alex Gordon is slated to log time in center.

Royals manager Ned Yost revealed the idea on Friday morning as the team took the field for its first full-squad workout. It is part of a larger gambit to juggle the outfield alignments and look at possible options, Yost said.

“We’re going to be pretty open-minded and experimental here in spring training with our outfield,” Yost said. “We’re going to move Gordy around, play him some in center and in right, too. We know he’s a Gold Glove left fielder. But we’re going to move him around.”

The idea of Gordon playing center field during the regular season remains improbable. The club will open with Lorenzo Cain in center field, while Paulo Orlando is a suitable fill-in at the position. But the club remains committed to flexibility.

The news of the experiment also delighted Gordon, who has hounded Yost and first-base coach Rusty Kuntz for years about playing center field.

“Happiest thing I’ve heard all camp,” Gordon said. “I’ve been begging. It kind of started as being serious, and then it was more of a joke because he never did it. So I kind of just gave Rusty a hard time.”

By shifting alignments and combinations in the outfield, the Royals may be able to find the most suitable position for newcomer Jorge Soler, who projects as a slightly below-average defender. Soler is expected to start every day in right field, but for now, Yost will not commit to anything.

The Royals also have designated hitter Brandon Moss and utilityman Whit Merrifield as options in the outfield. Yost said infielders Christian Colon and Cheslor Cuthbert could play some outfield, too. But for the moment, the most intriguing proposition is Gordon moving away from his home in left.

“I want to see Gordy in center field,” Yost said. “He’s always wanted to play center field. He’s always been bugging me for five years to play center field. And spring training is a time when you can experiment. You can allow him to live out his fantasy.”

The fantasy may be temporary. But Gordon is excited for the opportunity. For years, he has spent time in center field while shagging during batting practice. Now he will likely get a chance in a game situation.

“Cain and [Jarrod] Dyson always made fun of me because they didn’t think I could handle it,” Gordon said. “We’ll see this spring, though. It’ll be fun.”

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Reliever Peter Moylan returns to Royals on a minor-league contract

February 17, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star



The Royals have agreed to a minor-league contract with reliever Peter Moylan, reuniting with a veteran right-hander who spent most of 2016 in the club’s bullpen.

Moylan, 38-year-old submarine-style pitcher, posted a 3.43 ERA in 44 2/3 innings across 50 appearances last season, sliding into a role as an effective righty specialist. A native of Australia, Moylan is expected to arrive in camp by Monday.

Moylan will join a crowded competition for one or two remaining bullpen slots. Three slots are expected to be filled by Kelvin Herrera, Joakim Soria and Matt Strahm, while two others could be filled by the two pitchers that lose out in the competition for the final rotation slot. That starting spot, barring injury, will come down to Nathan Karns, Chris Young or Travis Wood.

Left-hander Mike Minor could have the inside track to another bullpen spot if he remains healthy. That would leave one vacancy if the Royals elect to keep seven relievers on their opening day roster.

Moylan faced similar odds last season after signing with the Royals on a minor-league deal. After a slow start in camp, he began the year at Class AAA Omaha. But a strong opening month in Omaha earned him a promotion to the big-league club in May. During the next five months, he became a reliable and durable member of the bullpen. The performance included an impressive 15 appearances during the month of August.

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NATIONAL

Kansas City Royals have 4 candidates for second base job

February 17, 2017 USA Today (via AP)



Christian Colon spent the offseason training with Kansas City Royal teammate Alex Gordon, who is known for his maniacal workouts.

Colon said he lost 8 percent of his body fat, turning that into muscle.

"He's on another level," Colon said Friday before the team's first full-squad workout. "It was intense."

So is the Royals' competition for the second base job, the only position up for grabs in spring training. Manager Ned Yost listed four candidates for the job: Whit Merrifield, Cheslor Cuthbert, Raul Mondesi and Colon.

"It's about time," Yost said with a laugh after he was asked about Colon joining Gordon for the workouts.

It could be Colon's time, at age 27, to claim a starting job. Colon was the fourth player picked in the 2010 draft and has some memorable postseason hits, but in parts of three major league seasons he has played in 118 games and started in just 78. He hit .231 last season in 54 games.

He wants the everyday job.

"Correct," Colon said. "I definitely want to compete for that job and give it all I've got."

So does Merrifield.

"It's one I would like to win," Merrifield said. "I put myself in a good position physically and mentally this offseason to compete and hopefully win the job. We have some good players. Whoever wins the job is going to earn it."

Merrifield started 55 games at second base last year, but he also played first, third, right field and left field. He hit .283 as a rookie.

Merrifield is no slouch in winter workouts, dead lifting a personal-best 540 pounds.

"I'm stronger than people give me credit," he said. "In the offseason, I like to lift heavy weights."

Cuthbert is the most intriguing of the four. He hit .274 with 12 home runs and 48 RBIs in 128 games. After Mike Moustakas needed season-ending knee surgery, Cuthbert became the everyday third baseman. Moustakas is healthy in spring training and the Royals are experimenting with moving Cuthbert to second base.

The Royals dispatched Cuthbert to the fall instructional league after the season for a crash course at second under the tutelage of infield coordinator Rafael Belliard, who played 17 seasons in the majors. Cuthbert has played only two innings at second base in the majors.

"It is different," Cuthbert said. "The angles are different. The throws are different. There is a lot of movement. At third base, it's just reaction. But I can do it. It just takes more work."

Mondesi, 21, is the best athlete of the four and with the more upside. In 47 games in the majors last year, he was overmatched at the plate, hitting .185 and striking out 48 times in 135 at-bats.

Cuthbert and Colon are out of minor league options, which means the Royals cannot send them to Triple-A Omaha without clearing waivers.

"We're looking for someone who can field ground balls and turn double plays, and get hits," Yost said. "That's it, that is what we want. We'll go through six weeks of spring training and figure it out."

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Dominican Republic won't be releasing Yordano Ventura toxicology report to public

The results have implications as to have how much the Royals owe Ventura's estate

February 17, 2017 By Matt Snyder/



On Jan. 22, the baseball world lost Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura to a car accident in the Dominican Republic. He was only 25 years old.

It’s been nearly a month since the accident, but there’s still news here regarding how much money the Royals will end up paying the estate of Ventura. It has been reported that if Venura were driving while intoxicated, the Royals could void the remainder of his contract, which is worth $20.25 million. To this point there’s been no concrete evidence that he was intoxicated at all, but the toxicology report will reveal the evidence.

On that front, the Kansas City Star reports that the toxicology report will only be released to Ventura’s family and attorneys. Remember, this happened the Dominican Republic, not America.

More from the Star:

On Thursday, Tessie Sanchez, a spokeswoman for the Dominican attorney general’s office, said the toxicology report is not a public document.

“Autopsies are performed by law to any person who has died violently,” Sanchez wrote in Spanish in a text message to a reporter with the Star. “But it (the report) is only given to the public ministry and to relatives.”

It’s unclear if the Royals have any recourse here to figure out if Ventura’s contract can be voided or not. Expect the issue to linger here for a bit, unfortunately.

This isn’t to say that the salary is the only thing the Ventura estate might be due. The Star reports that MLB’s benefit’s package is likely to pay $450K in life insurance, over a million dollars in accidental-death insurance and more pension-related funds.

Still, these benefits pale in comparison to $20.25 million.

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MLB TRANSACTIONS

February 18, 2017 •.



|TEAM |PLAYER |TRANSACTION |

|Baltimore |Brad Brach |Signed, ( 2017)(wins |

|Orioles | |arbitration) |

|Chicago White |Tyler Matzek |Signed to a Minor League |

|Sox | |Contract |

|Cincinnati Reds |Ryan Raburn |Signed to a Minor League |

| | |Contract |

|Kansas City |Peter Moylan |Signed to a Minor League |

|Royals | |Contract |

|Los Angeles |Darin Ruf |Released |

|Dodgers | | |

|Los Angeles |Darin Ruf |Signed to Play in Korea, |

|Dodgers | |(Samsung Lions) |

|New York Yankees|Nick Swisher |Retired |

|San Francisco |Slade |Signed to a Minor League |

|Giants |Heathcott |Contract |

|San Francisco |Aaron Hill |Signed to a Minor League |

|Giants | |Contract |

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