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Daily Clips
February 6, 2017
LOCAL
Royals, Hammel reportedly reach 2-year deal
February 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/
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Royals agree to terms with starting pitcher Jason Hammel
February 5, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
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Royals release their slogan for the 2017 season
February 5, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
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Kansas City Royals reveal new 2017 campaign: #RaisedRoyal
February 5, 2017 By Christa Dubill/
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Royals debut 2017 theme: Are you 'Raised Royal?'
Royals seek artists, space for 'Raised Royal' murals
February 6, 2017
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NATIONAL
MLB Hot Stove Signings: Royals reportedly land free agent Jason Hammel
The veteran right-hander has reportedly agreed to terms with Kansas City on a contract for 2017
February 6, 2017 By Dayn Perry/
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Sources: Jason Hammel agrees to deal with Royals
February 5, 2017 By Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports
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Bucs shift Cutch to right; Marte mans middle
Gold Glover takes on center-field duties, while Polanco moves to left
February 6, 2017 By Adam Berry/
[pic]MLB TRANSACTIONS
February 6, 2017 •.
LOCAL
Royals, Hammel reportedly reach 2-year deal
February 6, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/
The Royals reportedly have added a piece to their rotation by agreeing with right-hander Jason Hammel on a two-year deal for a guaranteed $16 million.
The club has not confirmed a deal.
Ken Rosenthal of FOX Sports first reported the agreement, while Jeff Passan of Yahoo! reported the finances.
Kansas City was known to have had interest in Hammel, 34, for several weeks.
Hammel, who went 15-10 last season with the Cubs with a 3.83 ERA, will join a rotation with Danny Duffy, Ian Kennedy, Jason Vargas and Nathan Karns.
The deal, which likely is backloaded, will push the Royals' payroll to more than $140 million. Kansas City's payroll last year was near $145 million, and management was instructed to trim the payroll for 2017, something that now appears to have been achieved only marginally.
However, Royals general manager Dayton Moore said last week after signing Brandon Moss that the team likely had one more deal to make prior to Spring Training. Pitchers and catchers report Feb. 13.
Hammel, in essence, will take the spot of Yordano Ventura, who was tragically killed in a car accident Jan. 22.
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Royals agree to terms with starting pitcher Jason Hammel
February 5, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Star
In the days after tragedy, as the Royals and Kansas City wrestled with the death of starting pitcher Yordano Ventura, general manager Dayton Moore made it clear that the franchise was prepared to fill the on-field hole. Moore did not know how it would be done. The loss and pain was all too fresh. But the organization would find a way forward, he said.
For now, the grieving process continues. But Moore and the front office moved aggressively on Sunday to fill the hole in the club’s starting rotation, agreeing to terms on a two-year deal with free agent starting pitcher Jason Hammel.
The deal was first reported by Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal late Sunday night. It includes a guaranteed $16 million over two years, pending a physical this week, according to Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Passan. The specific terms of the contract were not yet known as of late Sunday, but the deal is likely to be significantly backloaded, limiting the financial cost in 2017.
Moore was not able to be reached for comment late Sunday, though club policy prohibits team officials from commenting on deals until contracts are official.
Hammel, 34, is coming off a season in which he posted a 3.83 ERA and recorded 144 strikeouts in 166 2/3 innings for the Chicago Cubs. As spring training loomed, he remained the best available free agent starting pitcher on the market.
Since 2014, Hammel has exceeded 500 innings pitched while posting a 3.68 ERA. He will likely slot into the middle of the rotation, behind left-hander Danny Duffy and right-hander Ian Kennedy.
Left-hander Jason Vargas is also positioned as a rotation lock in his first full season back from Tommy John surgery. Right-hander Nathan Karns could enter spring training as a favorite to win the final spot in the rotation, but he will likely draw heavy competition from left-hander Matt Strahm, who also projects as an option at the back end of the bullpen.
The move comes just one week after the club completed a deal for slugger Brandon Moss. At a press conference on Wednesday, Moore hinted that the Royals were looking for ways to shore up the starting rotation.
“We’ll do something,” Moore said. “I think we’ll do something. I got a feeling. I don’t know what, but certainly before spring training.”
By late Sunday, that something was a deal for Hammel, the top arm on the market.
The prospective signing also represents a mild shift in offseason philosophy. All offseason, Royals officials have stated that the club’s payroll would not exceed the club-record of more than $140 million in 2016. But that could change after deals for Moss and Hammel.
Entering Sunday, the Royals owed close to $128 million for 18 players, according to Star projections, a number that includes $8 million owed to second baseman Omar Infante and $3.25 million for Ventura. The Royals may receive some relief on Ventura’s contract through an insurance policy, though the contract status may take months to sort out, according to club officials. In addition, the Royals were on the hook this offseason for $6 million in buyouts for Kendrys Morales, Edinson Volquez, Kris Medlen and Luke Hochevar.
As the offseason began last October, the Royals appeared unwilling to open the coffers and make splash in free-agency, citing the need to control cost. In an effort to find that payroll relief and replenish the organization’s assets for the future, they dealt closer Wade Davis to the Chicago Cubs for outfielder Jorge Soler, saving close to $7 million in 2017 salary. They shaved off another $2 million or so by exchanging outfielder Jarrod Dyson for Karns, who is under club control through 2020.
But with a hole in the rotation, and a pivotal season on the horizon, the Royals appear poised to allocate resources toward Hammel, a former 10th-round pick who has pieced together the best run of his career in his early 30s.
Hammel debuted for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006 before bouncing to the Colorado Rockies in 2009 after three forgettable years in the American League.
Hammel’s run in Colorado was also unspectacular, at least statistically. In three seasons, he put up a 4.63 ERA across 524 2/3 innings. But in the context of Coors Field and the nightmarish conditions that meet pitchers in Colorado, the performance was adequate, foreshadowing a breakthrough to come.
The better days would come in Baltimore in 2012, when Hammel posted a career-best 3.43 ERA and 113 strikeouts in 118 innings across 20 starts. But Hammel struggled again the next year, posting an ERA just below five and hitting free agency at the end of the year.
Hammel signed a free-agent deal with the Chicago Cubs before the 2014 season and found a comfort zone in Chicago, logging a 2.98 ERA in 17 starts before being dealt to the Oakland A’s at the trade deadline. He spent the rest of the season in Oakland, surrendering the game-winning single to Royals catcher Salvador Perez in the 12th inning of the 2014 American League Wild Card Game at Kauffman Stadium.
Hammel returnws to Chicago via free agency before the 2015 season. He posted ERAs of 3.74 ERA and 3.83 during the last two seasons, helping the Cubs to consecutive playoff appearances and a World Series championship in 2016. He did not pitch during the 2016 postseason run after battling elbow tightness in September.
When the season was over, the Cubs declined a $12 million option on Hammel and granted the pitcher free agency.
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Royals release their slogan for the 2017 season
February 5, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Star
Forever Royal is a thing of the past.
The Royals on Sunday unveiled their slogan for the 2017 season: “Raised Royal.”
To launch the new slogan, the Royals showed this new advertisement before Super Bowl LI. The team also shared it on social media with this message:
It doesn’t matter if you’re on the field or in the stands. When your team is your family, you’re #RaisedRoyal. (click on link for video)
For the past two seasons, the team’s slogan was “Forever Royal.” In 2014, it was “Be Royal,” and the 2013 slogan was Come To Play. In 2012, it was the ill-timed “Our Time.”
So what do you think of this year’s slogan? Leave your thoughts in the comments.
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Kansas City Royals reveal new 2017 campaign: #RaisedRoyal
February 5, 2017 By Christa Dubill/
The Royals launched its new 2017 campaign in a TV commercial leading up to the Super Bowl.
It is #RaisedRoyal!
The campaign officially launched with a spot on TV and social media during the leadup to the Super Bowl on Sunday night, featuring fans and players getting ready for the upcoming season.
“We like to say loyalty isn’t measured in innings or games or even seasons. It’s measured in generations,” said Michael Bucek, Royals vice president of marketing and business development. “We’re privileged to be an integral part of a thriving baseball community where Royals fans are brought up to be Royals fans. Not just in Kansas City but across the heartland. All that passion and loyalty is passed down like a treasured family heirloom.”
Between attendance at The K, social media engagement, and record television and radio ratings, Royals fans are expressing their devotion at a whole new level. And that loyalty is driven by something much deeper than a World Series championship.
The campaign “Raised Royal” extends to the Royals “build from within” minor league and development approach, along with GM Dayton Moore’s philosophy on constructing a team with a strong character. The campaign will also shine a light on how the Royals organization closely aligns with the community, giving back through Royals Charities by supporting youth baseball and softball within the region.
Keeping with the Royals popular and innovative outdoor campaigns, 2017 will bring an exciting new concept.
To further align with the Kansas City local arts community and bring the campaign message closer to fans, the Royals are commissioning local artists to paint several murals depicting elements of the “Raised Royal” theme on walls around the city. The Royals are currently seeking additional mural artists and local property owners interested in converting a wall into Royals art. For more information, visit RaisedRoyal.
In conjunction with Opening Day and Greater Kansas City Day, this year’s exclusive flag will also have a powder blue “Raised Royal” logo on a deep royal blue background. These limited-edition Raised Royal flags will be available at the 51 Kansas City area Price Chopper locations on Opening Day, April 10, from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. for a $10-or-more donation to Royals Charities.
Season tickets are currently on sale and available at , 816-504-4040 or the Kauffman Stadium Box Office. Single game tickets go on sale Friday, February 24.
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Royals debut 2017 theme: Are you 'Raised Royal?'
Royals seek artists, space for 'Raised Royal' murals
February 6, 2017
The Kansas City Royals announced their new campaign for 2017 on Monday morning: "Raised Royal."
The team says the motivation behind the campaign comes from the attendance at Kauffman Stadium, engagement on social media, and record television and radio ratings.
"We like to say loyalty isn't measured in innings or games or even seasons," said Michael Bucek, Royals Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. "It's measured in generations. We're privileged to be an integral part of a thriving baseball community where Royals fans are brought up to be Royals fans. Not just in Kansas City but across the heartland. All that passion and loyalty is passed down like a treasured family heirloom."
Walz Tetrik Advertising is the company behind the slogan. They have been working with the team for 5 years.
"Everyone talks about the Royals mystique, how it's a different bond with this team and these fans," said WTA president Charlie Tetrick. "So this campaign drills down to what it really means to be part of that extended Royals family."
Royals fans will start to see commercials and social media posts featuring "Raised Royal," which started on Sunday leading up to the Super Bowl.
In addition to the new campaign, the Royals are seeking mural artists and property owners interested in converting a wall into Royals art. For more information, go to
"Raised Royal" replaces "Forever Royal," which was the Royals' main campaign the past few years.
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NATIONAL
MLB Hot Stove Signings: Royals reportedly land free agent Jason Hammel
The veteran right-hander has reportedly agreed to terms with Kansas City on a contract for 2017
February 6, 2017 By Dayn Perry/
The Royals have agreed to terms with veteran right-hander Jason Hammel on a two-year contract that includes a mutual option for a third year, Fox's Ken Rosenthal reports. Yahoo's Jeff Passan adds that Hammel's deal is expected to be worth a guaranteed $16 million. The contract is pending a physical.
Hammel, 34, is coming off a 2016 season in which he pitched to a 3.83 ERA (105 ERA+) and 2.72 K/BB ratio in 30 starts for the Cubs. For his career, he owns an ERA+ of 97 and a K/BB ratio of 2.48 across parts of 11 big-league seasons. Of his 306 career games, 248 have been starts.
As for the Royals, they badly needed rotation depth after the free agent departure of Edinson Volquez to the Marlins and the tragic death of Yordano Ventura. Hammel is far from an optimal solution, but he's the best they could do on the free agent market at this late hour.
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Sources: Jason Hammel agrees to deal with Royals
February 5, 2017 By Jeff Passan/Yahoo! Sports
The Kansas City Royals agreed to a two-year, $16 million deal with Jason Hammel, the best free-agent starting pitcher remaining on the market, sources with knowledge of the deal told Yahoo Sports.
After the death of Yordano Ventura, Kansas City committed to finding a reliable starter and focused on Hammel, the 34-year-old who won a World Series ring with the Chicago Cubs last season. Chicago declined a $12 million option on Hammel, allowing him to hit what turned out to be a rocky market.
In a free-agent class with a paucity of starting pitching, Hammel stood out for his consistency. Over the past three seasons, he made at least 29 starts, threw at least 166 2/3 innings and finished with ERAs of 3.83 or below. He’ll slot into the Royals’ rotation behind Danny Duffy and Ian Kennedy and ahead of other rotation contenders that include Nate Karns, Jason Vargas, Chris Young and rookie Matt Strahm.
Hammel would be Kansas City’s third significant signing of the past three weeks, with Duffy locking into a five-year, $65 million extension and Brandon Moss getting $12 million for two years to DH. Kansas City is aiming to stay in contention this season after following their 2015 World Series win with an injury-plagued and disappointing 2016. A number of key players, including Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain and Mike Moustakas, are slated to hit free agency after the 2017 season.
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Bucs shift Cutch to right; Marte mans middle
Gold Glover takes on center-field duties, while Polanco moves to left
February 6, 2017 By Adam Berry/
Andrew McCutchen is staying with the Pirates, but not in center field.
McCutchen, Pittsburgh's franchise player, will shift to right field this season, the club announced Sunday. Starling Marte, a two-time Gold Glove Award winner in left field, is set to take over in center. Gregory Polanco will move from right to left field.
General manager Neal Huntington has said since November the Pirates want to "optimize" their outfield defense, but he never committed to keeping McCutchen in center, where he's played since his debut in 2009. While Marte ranks among the Majors' elite outfielders, McCutchen's defensive value declined over the past three years.
The Pirates believe McCutchen's drop-off in 2016 was due in part to his shallower positioning, but they still saw fit to make a more dramatic change -- a position change, not a change of positioning -- before Spring Training begins.
The Bucs listened to trade offers for McCutchen earlier this offseason, but they weren't persuaded to move him. As they searched for every possible advantage in the National League Central, they decided an outfield shakeup would improve their defense and overall run prevention.
McCutchen has said he would be willing to consider such a change if the Pirates brought it up, but the switch comes only a few months after he told that he didn't see himself "needing to move" positions. Manager Clint Hurdle said McCutchen seemed receptive to the idea when they discussed it at the end of the 2016 season.
"I'm just honored to be playing. I'm happy that I'm still here," McCutchen said in December at PirateFest. "I've got seven amazing years here in a Bucs uniform. Center field, wherever it's at -- right, left -- I'm just happy that I'm still playing."
By two advanced metrics, McCutchen was the worst outfielder in baseball last season. His Defensive Runs Saved total (minus-28) was the lowest among all qualified Major Leaguers, while his Ultimate Zone Rating (minus-18.7) was better than only shortstop Alexei Ramirez.
According to Statcast™'s catch rates, based on a combination of hang time and distance covered, McCutchen allowed 11 hits on "easy" or "routine" plays last year. On the other hand, he made 30 catches deemed "tough" or "highlight" plays by Statcast™.
's Mike Petriello made the case in November that McCutchen may be better off in right field. McCutchen's arm could be an issue in right, but Statcast™ data illustrated he was more effective going to his right than his left this past season.
Right field at PNC Park is an easier assignment, if only due to square footage. Pittsburgh's left field is the deepest in the Majors, stretching back 410 feet to the notch in left-center field. By comparison, it's 320 feet down the right-field line and 375 feet to the power alley in right-center.
The difficulty of playing left field at PNC Park was one of many factors the Pirates had to consider. McCutchen has said his leadership in center field was also important, particularly alongside a pair of younger outfielders in Marte and Polanco. Hurdle addressed that idea at the Winter Meetings, saying McCutchen can lead no matter where he plays.
"I know when Torii Hunter moved from center field to right field, it didn't take away from any leadership that he carried," Hurdle said. "I think that's a grown man that's done a lot of significant things in the game that a lot of people in that clubhouse haven't done, and it carries a lot of weight and respect in and of itself."
Perhaps fittingly, right field was also home to Pirates legend Roberto Clemente, one of McCutchen's idols. The wall McCutchen will stand in front of in Pittsburgh this year is 21 feet high in honor of Clemente's jersey number.
The decision was made easier by the presence of Marte and Polanco, two natural center fielders. When Marte came off the bench at this past summer's All-Star Game, he played center field for the NL. He totaled 19 DRS in left field in 2016 after recording 24 in '15. Marte's arm is perhaps his most impressive attribute, as he's combined for 33 outfield assists the past two years.
Polanco graded out well in right field in 2015, totaling 11 DRS, but he took a step back in '16 as he battled various injuries. Polanco saw more time in left while Marte was injured down the stretch. The 25-year-old has racked up 23 outfield assists over the past two seasons.
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MLB TRANSACTIONS
February 6, 2017 •.
|TEAM |PLAYER |TRANSACTION |
|Baltimore |Kevin Gausman |Signed, ( 2017)(avoids |
|Orioles | |arbitration) |
|Detroit Tigers |Mike Zagurski |Signed to a Minor League |
| | |Contract |
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