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Royals Notes on a Cold Winter’s Night

By Michael Engel

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The Royals seem to have packed it in for the winter, so unfortunately, that dream scenario of trading for, say, Ryan Braun or Felix Hernandez  is just going to have to stay a dream.

But there are still some small newsbits coming out as the countdown to spring training continues:

  • Apparently, Miguel Tejada will follow up his Dominican Winter League play (where he had a .768 OPS in 34 games) with a turn with the Dominican team at the World Baseball Classic. Tejada should be in the mix for a utility spot (or the second base job?) but I’m not sure how cutting out nearly three weeks in March is going to accomplish that for him. Then again, he has enough veteran capital built up to secure a spot somewhere. Previously, reports had Bruce Chen headed to the WBC to represent China though that isn’t finalized yet, apparently. Salvador Perez and Alcides Escobar may represent Venzuela.

    • August 5, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; Kansas City Royals pitcher Luke Hochevar (44) delivers a pitch against the Texas Rangers during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports

    Luke Hochevar and the Royals haven’t reached an agreement on next year’s salary yet, but both sides will formally exchange figures at the end of the week if they don’t get settled sooner. Hochevar officially filed for arbitration today. Dayton Moore has never gone to an arbitration hearing with a player, so figure on the two sides to find common ground soon.

  • It’s never clear how much Winter League results really mean since competition levels can vary in different leagues and based on which players end up playing, but Salvador Perez was announced as the Venezuelan Winter League Rookie of the Year. But he’s not alone. Christian Colon was also award the Rookie of the Year award, but in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Juan Gutierrez was named Reliever of the Year in the VWL as well. The minor league signee struck out a batter an inning and had a 25/7 K/BB ratio. He was added to the 40 man roster in November.
  • If you need help counting down the days until spring training, Aaron Stilley at Royal Heritage has created a Royals desktop calendar for you to check out every day. Keep an eye on that site, as Aaron also does month-by-month schedules throughout the season that incorporates the Royals game schedule.
  • Really good news out of Arizona, as James Lamb passed along word through his Twitter account that John Lamb threw a bullpen session today and felt good afterward. Lamb should be on pace to open up 2013 in Double A while he keeps working his way back from Tommy John surgery. Ideally, he’s in Triple A for some time this coming year as well. There’s an outside chance he gets a look in September when rosters expand, but that’s a best-case scenario.
  • Trading Wil Myers wasn’t a popular move among a lot of Royals fans, but one person who liked it? Billy Beane. He said that a small market team shouldn’t be in between building and being good, so this move puts the Royals in the “good” category in his mind, presumably.

    • Hopefully, by this time tomorrow night, the Royals will have found a way to pull the trigger on a deal for Justin Upton or David Price. Royals fans can dream, right?

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