Jaylon Thompson gets the word from Vinnie Pasquantino about his new deal at Royals Rally.
“Happy to be here, and I’m glad we got that done,” Pasquantino said. “They didn’t have to do that, and I think the negotiations went pretty well. I’m glad that it’s over. This would’ve been an interesting two-week span here — I think just because of the lack of contact — which is weird for me to not be talking to people. I think it’s good for both sides and I think both sides are taking on some risk. I think both sides understand the value there, and I’m happy we got it done.”
J.J. Picollo is also glad a deal got done.
“Vinnie is a premier run producer, a huge part of our team and someone our fans have really connected with,” Royals general manager J.J. Picollo said in a news release. “We’re proud of the player he’s become, and that he’s earned this contract. We are happy as an organization and for Vinnie personally to have stability moving forward.”
Anne Rogers writes that the team could still make some moves.
“I know J.J. [has] a couple of objectives,” CEO/chairman John Sherman said Saturday. “I can’t tell you, depending upon the day, whether those opportunities are narrower or wider. If he could add another bat, I think he’d do it. We have a surplus of pitching talent, particularly starting pitching talent, that’s valuable. … I think we have some opportunities.
“By the same token, if this is where we are, the good news is that the pitching talent will be deeper. And I think we feel like we’re going to compete for the division. That we’ll be right in this thing. We had some regression last year, but we also think there are some areas that we’re going to fix. I can’t predict whether he’s done or not. But if the opportunity was there, I think we would still add to our team.”
John Sherman didn’t totally close the door on staying at the K.
Even remaining at Kauffman Stadium beyond the current lease that expires after the 2030 season, undesirable as it might be, remains a possibility.
“That’s always a fallback position, we have that option,” Sherman said. “But that’s not something we intend to happen. That would be, from my perspective, kicking the can down the road relative to making sure we settle the Royals into their next generation.”
But the preference is downtown.
“Just like in any business, you have to be willing to adapt and be flexible to achieve that ultimate goal that we talked about,” Sherman said. “But I think if you have your druthers, I would love to see us in the heart of the city and cultural part of the city, where we can enhance some other things already going on and make it better. That’s probably a soft spot, but I also have to be open to other ideas to make sure we accomplish that goal.”
Salt Lake City leaders say they cannot comment on the Royals.
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Royals executive Cullen Maxey says the team would prefer to stay with FanDuel Sports Network if they can.
“Our plan with them is to stick with our partners, as long as they can convince us that there will not be a risk of an interruption during our season on bringing our games to our fans. That’s the most important thing,” Maxey said. “They have actually done a great job, and I think it’s documented, of expanding our reach and throughout our television territory.
“They’ve also had a successful launch of our direct-to-consumer product, and that has been very well received as things continue to go in that direction and in the way people consume our games. So we would like to stick with them, but we do need to feel very stable that there will be no interruptions during the season, and that decision will come soon. If we do pivot from FanDuel Sports Network, we’ll be going to Major League Baseball.”
The Clay County presiding commissioner says “the process continues” despite the Royals not meeting a deadline to get a measure on the ballot there.
Local businesses seem supportive of the possibility of the Royals putting a ballpark at Washington Square Park.
Dan Szymborski at Fangraphs projects the Royals and Tigers atop the division with 83 wins apiece.
The Reds sign third baseman Eugenio Suárez to a one-year, $15 million deal.
The Giants sign Luis Arraez to a one-year, $12 million contract to play second base.
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The Angels sign outfielder Jose Siri to a minor league deal.
The White Sox acquire pitcher Jordan Hicks and former Royals prospect David Sandlin from the Red Sox.
Padres GM AJ Preller says the team’s impending sale isn’t impeding his offseason.
Longtime reliever David Robertson announces his retirement.
Puerto Rico is considering withdrawing from the World Baseball Classic because they can’t get their players insured.
Shohei Ohtani will hit, but he won’t pitch in the World Baseball Classic.
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The Mariners will wear Seattle Steeleheads uniforms from the West Coast Negro Baseball League every Sunday.
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Formerly suspended Braves GM John Coppolella is writing for Baseball America now.
The Raiders will hire Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak as their next head coach.
The Kansas City Kangaroos will hire Mark Turgeon as their next men’s basketball coach.
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