Kansas City Royals news: RIP Terrance Gore

Anne Rogers writes about the tragic death of former Royals outfielder Terrance Gore at the age of 34.

“The fans were almost waiting for him and [Jarrod Dyson] whenever someone got on,” Royals president of baseball operations and general manager J.J. Picollo said. “You could just feel the energy in the stadium go up a level because of that. They came into the game, and everybody in the ballpark knew exactly what was about to happen, and nobody could stop them. It was like if the Royals got on base, we were really on second base because of them. It was such a weapon for us. It would energize the team, it would energize the fans. It was pretty cool.”

“There’s stealing a base,” Hosmer added, “and then there’s stealing a base when everyone knows you’re trying to steal the base.”

Vahe Gregorian reflects on the life of Gore

If he ever got thrown out, he said that day, it wasn’t because somebody bested him.

“I got myself out. You didn’t get me out,” he said, smiling and adding that the only way he could get erased was if he got a bad jump, fell or “might drop my glove, might want to pick it up.”

He’ll always be treasured here for all that helped lead to, of course.

Craig Brown remembers his game-changing speed.

I wrote earlier that he was the ultimate disruptor. I just don’t know if I can adequately describe what that meant. When Gore came into the game as a pinch runner, it was usually in a key situation where his run meant something. His speed and the threat he created meant the opposing pitcher and catcher were immediately knocked off their game. Balks. Wild pitches. Errors. Any mistake was in play just by his presence. It was just kind of hopeless for the opposition because, as Gore would say, if they got him out it was because he made a mistake. Not because they were good enough to catch him. They weren’t. Nobody was.

Darin Watson at UL’s Toothpick remembers the impact Gore made.

Pete Grathoff collects reactions from teammates on Gore’s death.

Jaylon Thompson writes about the outfield situation going into camp.

The Royals haven’t shut the door on adding more players this spring. They are content with their roster at the current moment but will continue to monitor both the free-agent and trade markets.

“You know, just because we are going into spring training doesn’t mean we don’t have the ability to make our team better up until the trade deadline,” Picollo said. “Once the trade deadline comes, that’s when you’re locked in. That’s what you got for the rest of the year. But, between now and then, you know, we might be in a sit-and-read situation. What do we need to do and how can we capitalize?”

MLB Pipeline comes up with one prospect from each team that could make the Opening Day roster.

Royals: Luinder Avila, RHP
The 24-year-old right-hander came up to the Majors for 13 relief appearances last year and thrived in that role with a 1.29 ERA, a 0.93 WHIP and 16 strikeouts in 14 innings. His primary weapon was an 82-85 mph curveball that generated whiffs on 50 percent of his swings, but his mid-90s fastballs (a four-seamer and a sinker) and the occasional 86-88 mph changeup gave hitters more to consider. The Royals see Avila as a potential starter, but with the rotation a bit too crowded right now, it’ll be interesting to see if they try putting him back in the bullpen to begin the year back in the bigs.

MLB.com writers come up with some possible World Series matchups that aren’t as unlikely as they seem, like Royals vs. Giants.

The Mets sign former Royals outfielder MJ Melendez to a one-year, $1.5 million deal.

Paul Goldschmidt is close to a one-year contract with the Yankees.

The A’s hire Mark McGwire as a special assistant.

The Rangers could use a fifth starter.

How will the Yankees’ rotation fare in 2026?

What’s next for Tarik Skubal after his landmark arbitration win?

Six takeaways following the reveal of World Baseball Classic rosters.

Four starting pitchers who could be a bargain in free agency.

If you want MLB.tv this year, you may need to jump through ESPN’s hoops.

NBC hires Clayton Kershaw, Joey Votto, and Anthony Rizzo as analysts.

The Jalisco Charros win their first Caribbean Series title by beating the Culiacan Tomateros