Daily Clips

July 25, 2017

LOCAL KC dozen-'t quit; W in extras has streak at 6July 25, 2017 By Jason beck and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/244059108/perez-leads-royals-to-6th-straight-win/

Royals deal for SD's Cahill, Maurer, BuchterWood, Strahm and Minor Leaguer sent to Padres in tradeJuly 25, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.com

Royals players excited by Moore's trade with SDKansas City front office shows commitment to postseason pushJuly 25, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/244172586/royals-excited-by-moores-trade-with-padres/?topicId=27118382

Royals go for 7 in a row as Duffy faces DetroitJuly 25, 2017 By Jordan Horrobin/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/244059486/royals-go-for-7-in-a-row-as-duffy-faces-detroit/?topicId=26688836

34 years ago today, the iconic George Brett Pine Tar Incident happened at Yankee StadiumJuly 25, 2017 By Adrian Garro/MLB.comhttp://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/07/24/244057726/looking-back-on-george-bretts-pine-tar-game-on-its-34th-anniversary

Royals’ power surge continues in sixth straight victoryJuly 25, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article163431338.html

Royals acquire three pitchers from Padres in exchange for Matt Strahm and Travis WoodJuly 25, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article163394998.html

Seven things you may not know about the trio of new Royals pitchersJuly 25, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article163407098.html

Matt Strahm writes that he’s grateful for ‘honor of being a Royal’July 25, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article163449508.html

New Royals pitcher Trevor Cahill excited to join team that’s in a playoff huntJuly 25, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article163465658.html

MINORSSchwindel's Swings Not Enough in 14-6 DefeatEl Paso earns split in series despite Schwindel's 2 homersJuly 25, 2017 Omaha Storm Chasershttps://www.milb.com/storm-chasers/news/schwindels-swings-not-enough-in-14-6-defeat/c-244264310/t-196093384

Blue Rocks and Red Sox SuspendedWilmington and Salem to Resume 1-1 Ballgame on TuesdayJuly 25, 2017 Wilmington Blue Rockshttps://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/blue-rocks-and-red-sox-suspended/c-244224134/t-196097164

WV edges Legends in 11, 8-7July 25, 2017 Lexington Legendshttps://www.milb.com/legends/news/wv-edges-legends-in-11-8-7/c-244300924/t-196097274

Cardinals Snap Royals' Streak in Series Opener

Burlington held to a single run as Johnson City wins 4-1July 25, 2017 By Matt Krause/Burlington Royalshttps://www.milb.com/b-royals/news/cardinals-snap-royals-streak-in-series-opener/c-244228824/t-196097136

NATIONALTwins, Royals making moves to try to catch first-place IndiansJuly 25, 2017 By Ron Clements/Sporting Newshttp://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/monday-mlb-scores-highlights-twins-royals-trades-indians/1qlwzy84ivh7k1c4miae8rr3id

For Pirates and Royals, dealing current stars for future value isn't simpleJuly 25, 2017 By Bradfords Doolittle/ESPN.comhttp://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20148222/for-pirates-royals-dealing-current-stars-future-value-simple

MLB TRANSACTIONSJuly 25, 2017 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

LOCAL

KC dozen-'t quit; W in extras has streak at 6July 25, 2017 By Jason beck and Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/244059108/perez-leads-royals-to-6th-straight-win/

Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas hit back-to-back home runs in the 12th inning, powering the Royals to their sixth straight win with a 5-3 victory over the Tigers on Monday night at Comerica Park.

The win kept the Royals 1 1/2 games behind the Indians in the American League Central. Kansas City moved alone into the second AL Wild Card spot, a game over the Rays.

The Royals had a 3-0 lead on Justin Verlander in potentially his final start as a Tiger, depending on whether the swirling trade rumors come to fruition in advance of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline. Jason Hammel took the lead into the sixth before Miguel Cabrera's RBI single and Alex Avila's two-run single -- off lefty reliever Scott Alexander -- brought the Tigers even.

A bloop single was all the Royals mustered from the sixth inning until Perez jumped on a changeup from Drew VerHagen (0-1), called up earlier in the day to provide an extra reliever from Triple-A Toledo.

"We always compete to win and we play hard," Perez said. "And the bullpen did a tremendous job and gave us the opportunity to win."

Added Moustakas: "Ever since the [AL] Wild Card game [in 2014], we've had the confidence to win close games and one-run games. Nobody tries to do too much."

Verlander, pitching in front of a handful of scouts, tossed seven innings of three-run ball, with two walks and nine strikeouts, tying his season high with 119 pitches in a no-decision.

Hammel lasted 5 2/3 innings, charged with three runs allowed, walking one, striking out four and allowing five hits, also in a no-decision.

"Overall, great game," Hammel said. "Probably best my sinker has ever been. Two-seamer was working in the zone, stayed aggressive. I was able to get deep."

Jake Junis (3-2) earned the win with a scoreless 11th ahead of Kelvin Herrera's 20th save.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Bonifacio hits the hanger: While Verlander topped out at 98 mph, he took a while, and he had spotty command of his secondary pitches. Jorge Bonifacio took a hanging breaking ball from Verlander in the sixth, but he didn't miss the next one, sending it out to left for a leadoff home run and a 3-0 Royals lead.

"Hanging slider," Verlander said. "Just a crappy pitch, caught the barrel."

Avila wins lefty-lefty matchup: Avila stepped to the plate with two outs in the bottom of the sixth in an 0-for-14 slump. Moreover, he was facing a lefty-lefty matchup with Alexander, who put him in an 0-2 hole. Alexander tried to finish him off with a sinker at the knees, but Avila reached for it and laced a line drive into left-center, scoring Alex Presley and Cabrera for a 3-3 game.

"He's got that power sinker, which is unusual for a left-hander," Avila said of Alexander, whom he faced last week in Kansas City. "Really, you just kind of have to see the ball up, because wherever you see the ball, it's probably going to end up about two feet below where you see it."

SOUND SMART WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Verlander's nine strikeouts pushed his career total to 2,317, one ahead of Rube Waddell for 49th on the all-time Major League list. He's fourth among active pitchers behind CC Sabathia, Bartolo Colon and Felix Hernandez.

QUOTABLE

"I know I didn't acknowledge it when I was walking off the mound, probably because we're in the middle of a tie game. You don't know what's going to happen. Maybe I wish I could've gone back and said thank you, but who knows? Maybe there's a lot more of those to come. All I know is that I heard it, I felt it, I appreciated it, and I love these fans. And I'm glad that they acknowledged that." -- Verlander, on the standing ovation he received on his way off the mound at the end of the seventh inning

WHAT'S NEXT

Royals: Left-hander Danny Duffy (6-6, 3.71 ERA) takes the mound for the Royals in the second game of the series at 6:10 p.m. CT on Tuesday. Duffy gave up four runs and nine hits over five-plus innings in the Royals' 16-4 win over Detroit last Thursday.

Tigers: Michael Fulmer (10-7, 3.35) gets a rematch with the Royals hoping to avenge the worst start of his career last time out. Kansas City took advantage of a three-error opening inning and pounded Fulmer for eight runs, five earned, on seven hits over 2 2/3 innings last Thursday at Kauffman Stadium. First pitch Tuesday at Comerica Park is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET.

Royals deal for SD's Cahill, Maurer, BuchterWood, Strahm and Minor Leaguer sent to Padres in tradeJuly 25, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/244178476/royals-acquire-maurer-cahill-buchter/

Royals general manager Dayton Moore has said for weeks that he planned on remaining all-in with this group of Royals, opting to buy ahead of the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline rather than sell.

Moore backed up that belief with a trade Monday with the San Diego Padres that should bolster the Royals' rotation and bullpen. The Royals acquired left-hander Ryan Buchter and right-handers Trevor Cahill and Brandon Maurer in exchange for left-handers Matt Strahm and Travis Wood, and Minor League infielder Esteury Ruiz.

A source indicated that the Royals also will pick up about $7.2 million left on Wood's two-year, $12 million deal.

The Royals also announced they recalled left-hander Brain Flynn from Triple-A Omaha, and designated for assignment Al Alburquerque and right-hander Luke Farrell.

Moore said Cahill, 29, would slide into the rotation replacing Wood. Cahill was 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA with the Padres. He will be a free agent after this season. Buchter and Maurer give the Royals more depth setting up closer Kelvin Herrera.

"We felt we needed to make sure we strengthened our pitching staff," Moore said in a conference call. "Obviously, Trevor Cahill can slide into our rotation. Ryan and Brandon help deepen our 'pen. Our 'pen has been executing pitches well and getting outs. But as you know, as you go deeper into the season, it's incumbent on the bullpen to take the ball each and every night. More quality depth is what we shopped for."

Buchter, 30, was 3-3 with a 3.05 ERA in 42 relief outings for the Padres. Buchter, who has held lefties to a .175 average this season, will be under club control for four more seasons after the current one.

Maurer, 27, has served as the Padres' closer this season, converting 20 of his 23 save opportunities, including 15-straight since May 28. Overall, Maurer has a 5.72 ERA. The Royals will have club control with him for two more seasons.

"[Club control] was a big part of it," Moore said. "The control was huge. If we were to trade a pitcher like Strahm

and a player like Ruiz, we wanted to be clear we wanted to strengthen us now and get better depth for the future.

"It's never easy trading young players. Matty Strahm has a terrific future. Ruiz is tearing up the Arizona Rookie League, but he's several years away. So it made sense to move forward. Travis Wood has pitched well and helped stabilize things for us and gave us some meaningful innings."

Strahm is on the 60-day disabled list with a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.Cahill missed some time this season with a strained shoulder, but the Royals are confident in Cahill's health.

"Our medical team examined the records," Moore said. "We made the deal."

The Royals began Monday night 1 1/2 games behind the first-place Indians in the American League Central, and were tied with Tampa Bay for the second AL Wild Card spot.

"We're very excited," Moore said. "We always felt good about this team. Baseball is unpredictable. You go through phases. We got hot together, and cold together. But they have proved they can weather the storm and ride off the downturns and get off the mat. We're certainly in the thick of the race in our division. We thought we were better off to execute a deal sooner rather than later."

Moore also indicated the Royals might not be done dealing.

"We'll continue to monitor the situation," Moore said.

Fantasy spin | Fred Zinkie (@FredZinkieMLB)

With a 10.6 K/9 rate and a 56.8 percent ground-ball rate, Cahill has shown an enticing skill set this season. Now that he's headed to a Kansas City club that ranks fifth in baseball with 235 runs scored since June 1 and fields a much better defense than San Diego's, the right-hander should join the active lineup in every league. In the Royals' bullpen, Kelvin Herrera could get a slight boost in save chances as the anchor of an improved pitching staff, while Maurer can be dropped in all leagues as he settles into a middle-relief role. Meanwhile, Brad Hand (2.12 ERA, 1.00 WHIP in '17) should be added in most leagues despite the trade rumors that surround him, as he has the skills to be a solid closer for the duration of his time in San Diego.

Royals players excited by Moore's trade with SDKansas City front office shows commitment to postseason pushJuly 25, 2017 By Jeffrey Flanagan/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/244172586/royals-excited-by-moores-trade-with-padres/?topicId=27118382

Inside the Royals' clubhouse after another stirring victory -- this one a 5-3 win in 12 innings over the Tigers on Monday -- talk turned to the front office's commitment to doing whatever is necessary to help this team get back to the postseason.

Earlier in the day, just before game time, general manager Dayton Moore pulled off a trade with the Padres that could immediately bolster the Royals' pitching staff. Moore acquired right-hander Trevor Cahill, left-hander Ryan

Buchter and right-hander Brandon Maurer. The Royals gave up left-handers Matt Strahm and Travis Wood, and Minor Leaguer Esteury Ruiz.

"I think it's going to be great for us," Royals catcher Salvador Perez said. "I think we'll get a little better with those guys coming tomorrow. Whatever it takes to get back to what we were in 2014 and 2015."

Royals manager Ned Yost said Cahill will replace Wood as the No. 5 starter. Buchter and Maurer will join Yost's group of setup men ahead of closer Kelvin Herrera.

"We've got a really good bullpen now," Yost said, "and I think we're going to have a great one. With these new additions, they're going to add depth, they're going to add quality, and it'll be a great bullpen."

Royals players buzzed about the move, from those who haven't been with the team too long to the mainstays.

"We're trying to do something special here," right-hander Jason Hammel said. "The front office is doing whatever it can that they think will help. … It's a commitment to winning.

"It takes the question out of your mind. Not that we pay attention to the whole 'sellers' or 'buyers,' but it lets you know they're committed in this run. They're confident we can go out and make a big second-half move and go deep into October."

Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas knows Moore wants another title with this core group.

"It's the same message he's been sending all year," Moustakas said. "This team's in it. We're in it. We're going to go out there and try to win a World Series.

"Dayton's been saying it all year. We've been saying it all year, and our goal is to go out there and try to win a World Series. It says a lot."

Royals go for 7 in a row as Duffy faces DetroitJuly 25, 2017 By Jordan Horrobin/MLB.comhttp://m.royals.mlb.com/news/article/244059486/royals-go-for-7-in-a-row-as-duffy-faces-detroit/?topicId=26688836

Though it's not exactly a do-over, Michael Fulmer will face the Royals for the second time in a week as he matches up again with Danny Duffy at Comerica Park on Tuesday night.

Kansas City will be looking for its seventh consecutive win.

Fulmer had the roughest outing of his season last Thursday, allowing eight runs (five earned) in 2 2/3 innings against the Royals. For just the second time in 19 starts, Fulmer was unable to complete at least six innings.

"It's a lot easier to get the same matchup again, five days later," Fulmer said. "Obviously being me and Duffy again, it's just the same team and it's a good time to go out and show how much better I can be."

Duffy wasn't his sharpest self on Thursday either, but his five innings of four-run ball were enough for the win as his offense went off for 16 runs. He's kept his opponents in

check lately, in terms of free bases, allowing just two walks in 26 innings in July.

Part of that could be explained by high strike rates and called-strike rates, which have been at their highest this season over his past three starts. Duffy's strike rate has jumped from 64.7 percent prior to July 9 to 72.5 percent since then, while his called-strike rate has gone from 13.8 percent to 22.7 percent.

Three things to know about this game

• Both starters are among the league leaders in limiting the long ball, as Fulmer has yielded just eight home runs in 126 1/3 innings (0.6 HR/9) and Duffy has given up seven in 94 2/3 innings (0.7 HR/9).• Three weeks before his blowup game against Kansas City, Fulmer came one out shy of shutting out the Royals in Detroit. They strung together enough hits to chase him, leaving Fulmer to settle for two runs allowed on seven hits in 8 2/3 innings.• Tigers designated hitter Victor Martinez has been the toughest out for Duffy in Detroit's lineup. Martinez has a .351/.415/.622 slash line against Duffy in 41 career plate appearances, including 10-for-22 (.455) with three home runs since the beginning of 2015.

34 years ago today, the iconic George Brett Pine Tar Incident happened at Yankee StadiumJuly 25, 2017 By Adrian Garro/MLB.comhttp://m.mlb.com/cutfour/2017/07/24/244057726/looking-back-on-george-bretts-pine-tar-game-on-its-34th-anniversary

It was one of the wildest scenes to ever take place on the diamond. On July 24, 1983, Royals star George Brett stepped up in the ninth inning against Hall of Famer Goose Gossage and hit a home run to right field, putting Kansas City up, 5-4.

And then ... it happened. Yankees manager Billy Martin asked the umpiring crew, led by Tim McClelland, to review Brett's bat for a potential pine tar infraction. After a conference, it was upheld, Brett was retroactively ruled out, and ... well, you know the scene.

Today marks the 34th anniversary of that fateful day at Yankee Stadium, one that led to the Royals protesting the ruling. MLB would uphold their protest, ordering the game to be resumed a few weeks later. Kansas City won the suspended game, 5-4, and Brett's controversial homer stood -- but his ejection from the game also stood, as well.

It was obviously a sequence of events nobody will ever forget, and the image of an irate Brett storming out of the dugout to protest the call is among the game's most iconic. In the years since, Brett has accepted the incident as one of his career highlights, and maintained a pretty honest and open take on it:

"It's a positive thing. It wasn't a ground ball that went through my legs or a strikeout ... I hit a home run off one of the toughest relief pitchers in baseball," he said a few years ago when looking back on the day:

The Pine Tar Incident is even the subject of a book from Filip Bondy, a publication that offers up this fantastic quote from Brett, speaking further about the moment:

"McClelland starts looking for me and he points to me and calls me out and I'm heading out there," Brett said. "I blanked out. I still got a sore neck from Brinkman's headlock, though it's getting better. To hit a home run off Goose was a big thrill, and then to have it taken away off a trivial portion of the rule book, I just lost it. I looked like my father chasing me around after I brought home my report card."

McClelland, who retired before the 2015 season after more than three decades in the game, also offered up some candid recollections from the day.

"I knew he really wasn't going to hit me or run over me. If he did, I'd probably own the Kansas City Royals right now."

The frustration on Brett's face after his game-changing homer was taken away is universal -- who hasn't felt that type of emotion for one reason or another?

And it's only fitting that the 34th anniversary of that special afternoon in New York, falls on a Monday. If you find yourself sitting at work today, frustrated about this or that, just remember: Brett also felt pretty frustrated at his job on July 24, 1983, but in the end it's only good memories that last.

Royals’ power surge continues in sixth straight victoryJuly 25, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article163431338.html

By late Monday night, the message had filtered through the visitors clubhouse here at Comerica Park. Its power reverberated across the room. The meaning was already clear.

“This team’s in it,” Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas said.

In the moments after a 5-3 victory in 12 innings over the Detroit Tigers, after the bullpen had offered 6 1/3 scoreless innings, the offense had bashed three more homers and the Royals had crafted their sixth straight victory — matching the longest streak of the year — Moustakas appeared on the far side of the room.

Just 25 minutes earlier, he had launched his 29th homer in the top of the 12th against Tigers reliever Drew VerHagen, following up a tie-breaking solo shot from Salvador Perez. The back-to-back blasts gave the Royals 12 homers in three games and another victory on the first night of a nine-game road trip through Detroit, Boston and Baltimore. Yet, as Moustakas considered the performance, the day’s most crucial win may have come in the hours before the first pitch.

As the Royals returned to the clubhouse following batting practice, the front office finalized a sprawling six-player trade to reinforce the starting rotation and offer depth to the bullpen. Inside the clubhouse, the news did not surprise Moustakas. All summer, he said, the players had listened as general manager Dayton Moore expressed faith in this team. They understood he would not sell. They understood that a championship core — and a group of potential free agents — would get one more chance to chase a dream.

And then this: On Monday evening, Moore’s faith translated into a deal for three pitchers from the San Diego Padres — starter Trevor Cahill and relievers Brandon Maurer and Ryan Buchter.

“We’re in it,” Moustakas said, echoing his general manager. “We’re going to go out there and try to win a World Series.”

To execute the deal, the Royals parted ways with left-handed pitchers Travis Wood and Matt Strahm and minor-league infielder Esteury Ruiz. The price was not nothing. The departures of two teammates put a mild damper on the evening. Yet that feeling could not overshadow the swelling confidence inside the room.

“We’re trying to do something special here,” said starter Jason Hammel, who allowed three runs in 5 2/3 innings. “The front office is doing whatever it can that they think will help. … It’s a commitment to winning.

“It takes the question out of your mind: Not that we pay attention to the whole ‘sellers’ or ‘buyers,’ but it lets you know they’re committed in this run.”

This run seems plausible now, of course. The Royals are 41-27 since a 10-20 nightmare in April. They survived another cold stretch earlier this month. On Monday, they defeated Detroit starter Justin Verlander and remained in position for the second American League Wild Card spot.

They would like to do more, of course. Cahill will join a rotation with an established front four, offering a full-time replacement for the injured Nathan Karns. Maurer and Buchter will add power and versatility to a bullpen that has bolstered its rep in July.

On Monday, the relief corps entered the day with a 3.03 ERA since June 1, the second best in the American League in that span. In the month of July, the number was lowered to 2.19. Here at Comerica Park, the unit held the fort for one more night.

“It’s kind of what we’re used to now,” Moustakas said.

Peter Moylan worked 1 1/3 innings in the sixth and seventh, logging his 13th straight scoreless outing. Joakim Soria struck out two during a clean eighth. Neftali Feliz pitched a scoreless ninth before Kevin McCarthy handled the heart of the Tigers’ order — including a matchup with Miguel Cabrera with two men on — in the bottom of the 10th. Rookie Jakob Junis earned the victory with a clean inning in the 11th. Closer Kelvin Herrera notched his 20th save.

“We’ve got a really good bullpen now,” Royals manager Ned Yost said. “And I think we’re going to have a great one.”

As the series began, the only wobble came when left-handed reliever Scott Alexander allowed a two-run, game-tying single to Detroit’s Alex Avila in the bottom of the sixth, allowing two inherited runners to score. The Tigers scored three times in the inning, tying the score at 3-3. All three runs were charged to Hammel, who drew a no-decision after another solid performance.

“Probably the best my sinker has ever been,” he said.

The Royals had staked him to a 3-0 lead with two runs against Verlander in the fourth inning and a solo homer by rookie Jorge Bonifacio in the top of the sixth. For Bonifacio, it represented his third homer in three days and his 14th of

the season. He finished the night 3 for 5 with three runs scored.

The Tigers struck back against Hammel in the sixth, sandwiching two singles around a walk and busting the shutout. Moments later, Yost summoned Alexander to face switch-hitter Victor Martinez with two outs, forcing Martinez to hit from the right side. Alexander walked Martinez before allowing a single to Avila after being ahead 0-2.

“Those are the kind of decisions,” Yost said, “if you leave Hammel in and they get a base hit, you’re kicking yourself. If you don’t, and they get a base hit, you’re kicking yourself for not leaving him in. It was one of those.”

Moylan replaced Alexander and kept the score tied at 3-3. The bullpen seized control for the rest of the night, suffocating the Tigers’ offense before Perez and Moustakas punished mistakes in the 12th.

“I had seen the curveball he threw me earlier in the at-bat,” Moustakas said. “It was a big loopy breaking one. I just had to wait for it to come down.”

Moustakas finished the night just seven homers short of tying Steve Balboni’s club record. Barring an injury, he will likely smash it. But for one night, that was an afterthought.

By late Monday, rap music was playing again in the visitors clubhouse. The Royals were four games over .500 for the second time this season. Another victory was secure. It had come in the early evening and invigorated a clubhouse. It had led to another in 12 innings.

“We’ve been saying it all year,” Moustakas said, standing near his locker. “And our goal is to go out there and try to win a World Series.”

Royals acquire three pitchers from Padres in exchange for Matt Strahm and Travis WoodJuly 25, 2017 By Rustin Dodd/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/mlb/kansas-city-royals/article163394998.html

In public comments and private moments, Royals general manager Dayton Moore never appeared to waver from his natural instinct to press all in and lean on the accelerator in 2017.

On Monday afternoon, six days before the Major League Baseball trade deadline, Moore made good on that promise. In a move to fortify the pitching staff for the stretch run, the Royals acquired right-handed starter Trevor Cahill, right-handed reliever Brandon Maurer and left-handed reliever Ryan Buchter from the San Diego Padres in exchange for left-handed pitchers Travis Wood and Matt Strahm and minor-league infielder Esteury Ruiz.

To consummate the deal, the Royals will send $7.2 million to San Diego to cover most of the balance of Wood’s contract, a two-year deal that included $8 million for 2018 and a buyout in 2019. The maneuver will save the Royals roughly $1.5 million. Yet the real prize on Monday was the addition of Cahill, a veteran who will round out the Royals’ starting rotation, and two relievers who offer a combined six years of club control.

“We needed to make sure we strengthened our pitching staff,” Moore said. “Obviously, Trevor Cahill can slide into a spot in our rotation. And Ryan and Brandon help deepen our pen.”

Riding a five-game winning streak that left them 1 1/2 games out of first place and in position for the American League’s second wild-card spot, the Royals moved fast, addressing two needs in one trade. They acquired depth for the rotation and reinforcements for the bullpen. They signaled their desire to aggressively compete for a playoff spot in the final season before Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar become free agents.

Cahill, 29, posted a 3.69 ERA in 11 starts for the rebuilding Padres, emerging as a possible trade asset after a shoulder strain forced him to the disabled list in May. He projects as a veteran capable of being a league average starter — or perhaps something slightly better — a rotation upgrade after a season-ending injury to Nathan Karns forced Wood into spot starts.

A 6-foot-4, 240-pound right-hander who relies on a sinker and a curveball, Cahill developed into an All-Star starter after debuting with the Oakland A’s in 2009. Yet, his career began to stall in 2014 following two strong seasons in Arizona and he bounced around the league in 2015. He spent most of the 2016 season as a reliever with the Chicago Cubs and signed with the Padres last offseason before elevating his stock with a solid first half.

Cahill will join a rotation fronted by Danny Duffy and Jason Vargas and buttressed by Ian Kennedy and Jason Hammel. The rest of the haul could help lift the bullpen. Maurer, 27, is a hard-throwing right-hander who has served as the Padres’ closer this season, converting 20 of his 23 save opportunities, including 15 straight since May 28. Buchter, 30, has made 42 relief appearances, posting a 3.05 ERA. Maurer is under control for two more seasons after this one. Buchter is not set to become a free agent until 2022.

“We’ve tried to be very clear since last year,” Moore said. “The deals that we want to make not only hopefully strengthen us in the now, but also give us more depth and better balance in the future.”

To acquire a starter and two relievers, the Royals were forced to part ways with Strahm, a promising left-hander who starred in the bullpen late last season, and Ruiz, an 18-year-old infielder from the Dominican Republic who is batting .419 with a 1.219 OPS (on-base-plus- slugging percentage) in 21 games in the Arizona Rookie League.

Strahm, 25, spent most of this season in the bullpen before undertaking an unsuccessful stint in the starting rotation. His season ended when he tore the patellar tendon in his left knee during a game against the Minnesota Twins on July 1.

“It’s never easy trading young players,” Moore said. “Matty Strahm has a terrific future. We hated parting with Ruiz as well. He’s tearing up the Arizona Rookie League. We really like his ability to hit. But he’s several years away, at least three or four. So it makes sense to move forward on this deal.”

By including Wood in the deal, the Royals cleared a roster spot and gained a modest bit of salary relief in 2018. Wood, 30, signed a two-year, $12 million deal during spring training before suffering through a woeful start in the bullpen. He

appeared to settle in in June, posting a 1.64 ERA in relief before allowing 12 runs in 13 innings across three starts in July.

The deal became official Monday afternoon, in the hours before the Royals opened a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

In the minutes after the trade was announced, the Royals also recalled left-hander Brian Flynn from Class AAA Omaha and designated for assignment reliever Al Alburquerque and right-hander Luke Farrell, who was pitching at Omaha. The package of pitchers from San Diego is expected to join the Royals here in Detroit.

“We’re very much in the thick of a pennant race in our division,” Moore said. “Every game is important, and so we felt if we could execute a deal sooner than later, the better off we’d be. Because oftentimes, it comes down to the last week.”

The Royals entered Monday a game and a half behind the Cleveland Indians and a game in front of the Minnesota Twins, who landed veteran starter Jaime Garcia in a deal earlier in the afternoon. More than two months after the season appeared a shambles after a disastrous April, the Royals are doing what they said they would. They are going for it — so the front office rewarded its players with pieces for another run.

“We’ve always felt good about this group of players,” Moore said. “Baseball as we know is unpredictable. You go through different phases throughout the season. It seems like in the past our team either gets really hot together or they’ve gotten cold at the same time. But what they have proved in the past and (are) proving again this year is they can weather the storm.”

Seven things you may not know about the trio of new Royals pitchersJuly 25, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article163407098.html

The question has been answered.

As people around baseball wondered if the Royals would be buyers or sellers before the trade deadline, general manager Dayton Moore made it clear Monday,that he was going for it this year.

On Monday, the Royals acquired left-handed pitcher Ryan Buchter and right-handers Trevor Cahill and Brandon Maurer and from the San Diego Padres. The Royals sent left-handed pitchers Matt Strahm and Travis Wood, minor league infielder Esteury Ruiz and cash considerations to San Diego.

That’s three new Royals players for fans to learn about. Here are seven things to know about the trio:

1. The new guys are all big. Cahill is 6 foot 4 and 240 pounds, Buchter is 6-4, 258 and Maurer is 6-5, 230.

2. According to Cot’s Contracts, Cahill is making $1.75 million this year and will be a free agent at season’s end. Buchter is being paid $544,700 this season and is under club

control through the 2021 season. Maurer’s contract is for $1.9 million in 2017, and he is under club control through 2019.

3. Cahill is one of two pitchers since 1990 that had at least 10 wins and 30 starts in each of his first four major-league seasons. CC Sabathia (2001-04) is the other. In the first three of those season, Cahill was with Oakland and the other was with Arizona.

4. Per Baseball Reference, Buchter has a career ERA-plus of 143 with 126 strikeouts in 102 1/3 innings in his career

5. Maurer went to high school at Orange Lutheran High School in Orange, Calif., where he was teammates with Pirates ace Gerrit Cole.

6. Buchter took a winding road to the majors. He was drafted by the Nationals in the 33rd round in 2005. Three years later, he was traded to the Cubs. In 2011, he was traded to the Braves. Buchter made it to the majors with Atlanta in 2014 and pitched one scoreless inning (one walk, one strikeout). After the season, he was granted free-agency and signed with the Dodgers. On June 20, 2015, Buchter was released by LA. A month later he signed with the Cubs, but was granted free-agency after the season and signed with the Padres.

7. Cahill was part of Team USA at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing where he won a bronze medal.

Matt Strahm writes that he’s grateful for ‘honor of being a Royal’July 25, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article163449508.html

Left-hander Matt Strahm was the key to the Royals’ trade Monday with the San Diego Padres that is bringing three pitchers to Kansas City.

Strahm, 25, was picked in the 21st round of the 2012 draft out of Neosho County Community College in Chanute, Kan. He had a dazzling rookie season in 2016, appearing in 21 games and striking out 30 in 22 innings. Strahm, who had a 1.23 ERA last season, was a key component of the bullpen for the Royals, who made a push for the playoffs that ultimately fell short.

This season, Strahm struggled early and was demoted to Class AAA. After his return, Strahm pitched well in relief before being called to the rotation because of injury. He was bumped back to the bullpen and never complained about the moves. Before his last appearance, Strahm told me: “I just pitch when ask. That’s how I’ve taken it day by day.”

The next day, Strahm suffered an injury and later had surgery to repair a torn patellar tendon in his left knee.

Strahm still has a bright future in baseball, and that’s why the Padres traded for him.

Hours after the trade, Strahm tweeted a message about how grateful he was to pitch for the Royals.

“For 5 years now I’ve had the honor of being a Royal,” Strahm wrote. “The thrill of having my named called on draft

day, the chills I got making my debut, the rush I get every time taking the mound at the K, all came with Royals across my chest. I will be forever grateful to Dayton Moore and the entire Kansas City Royals organization for not only the opportunity, but for always being incredibly classy and treating me like family.”

New Royals pitcher Trevor Cahill excited to join team that’s in a playoff huntJuly 25, 2017 By Pete Grathoff/KC Starhttp://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/for-petes-sake/article163465658.html

Shortly after the Royals’ trade with the Padres was announced on Monday, reporters in San Diego had an opportunity to chat with the players who had been traded.

Right-hander Trevor Cahill, who is expected to join the Royals’ rotation, is happy to be back with a team that is chasing a playoff spot. Cahill was with the Cubs for the end of the 2015 season and all of the 2016, and both ended in playoff berths.

“I just look at it as an opportunity to help another team that’s in a playoff hunt,” Cahill told reporters. “I’ve been there the last two years and it was exciting. I’m really excited to get back. It’s going to be weird pitching in the American League again. It’ll be exciting. They’re a good team and they’ve won it before. It seems that they’ve got their same core group of guys. I’m sure they’re a tight-knit group over there.”

During his time with the Cubs, Cahill was teammates with Jason Hammel, and Cahill was with the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2012-14, and spent two of those seasons in the rotation with Ian Kennedy.

“I know some people over there,” Cahill said. “I played with Ian and Hammel. I hope it’s a smooth transition.”

Nathan Ruiz, an associated reporter for MLB.com, shared video of reporters talking with Cahill.

Ruiz also had video of pitcher Brandon Maurer talking with the media. Maurer was asked if he was surprised by the news that he was going to the Royals.

“Very surprised, but it’s good news I suppose,” Maurer said.

MINORSSchwindel's Swings Not Enough in 14-6 DefeatEl Paso earns split in series despite Schwindel's 2 homersJuly 25, 2017 Omaha Storm Chasershttps://www.milb.com/storm-chasers/news/schwindels-swings-not-enough-in-14-6-defeat/c-244264310/t-196093384

Frank Schwindel continued his torrid power-hitting with 2 more home runs, but the Chasers fell 14-6 to El Paso on Monday night at Southwest University Field.

The teams traded runs over the first 2 innings. Omaha took a 1-0 lead in the top of the 1st on a Logan Moon single, a Cheslor Cuthbert double, and a sacrifice fly by Ryan O'Hearn.

El Paso tied it in the home half, as Chase d'Arnaud and Franchy Cordero singled, and Christian Villanueva singled home d'Arnaud.

Schwindel made it 2-1 Chasers in the 2nd, cranking his 9th home run with Omaha.

The Chihuahas answered again; consecutive singles by Collin Cowgill, Rocky Gale, and Peter Van Gansen evened the score at 2-2.

Franchy Cordero gave El Paso the lead in the 3rd with a solo homer. Miguel Almonte (L, 0-1) worked 3 innings in a spot-start, allowing 3 runs on 7 hits, while striking out 3 and walking none.

El Paso then erupted for 5 runs in bottom of the 4th against Matt Camp. Collin Cowgill was hit by a pitch, Rocky Gale singled, Peter Van Gansen walked, Travis Jankowski knocked in a run with an RBI groundout, and Chase d'Arnaud singled home Gale and Van Gansen. Franchy Cordero singled, Christian Villanueva walked to re-load the bases, and back-to-back walks to Ryan Schmimpf and Nick Buss made it 8-2 Chihuahas.

Omaha jumped back into it in the top of the 5th, however. Logan Moon and Cheslor Cuthbert walked, and with 1 out, Ryan O'Hearn singled to bring home Moon. After the 2nd out, Frank Schwindel hit another home run (his 7th in 9 games), pulling the Chasers to within 8-6.

Dillon Overton (W, 3-3) was the winning pitcher, despite allowing 6 runs, 8 hits, and 3 walks. He struck out 2.

Kevin Lenik tossed 2.1 scoreless innings in his Triple-A debut for Omaha, but in the bottom of the 7th, the short-handed Chasers found themselves out of bullpen options again, and were forced to send catcher Brayan Pena to the mound for the 5th time this year, and El Paso scored 2 runs to pad their lead. Rocky Gale walked, Peter Van Gansen singled, Travis Jankowski walked, and Chase d'Arnaud walked to force home a run. After Pena notched his 1st pitching strikeout, he walked Christian Villanueva to force home a 2nd run and make it 10-6.

Dean Anna entered the game and retired back-to-back hitters to strand the bases loaded. Anna also pitched the 8th, allowing 4 runs on an RBI double by d'Arnaud and a 3-run homer by Cordero. It was 14-6.

El Paso's bullpen combined for 4 scoreless innings, and the Chasers were forced to settle for a split in the first leg of their 8-day road trip.

The Storm Chasers will begin a new series in Albuquerque tomorrow night. LHP Onelki Garcia (2-2, 5.13) will toss for Omaha, while Albuquerque will send LHP Ryan Carpenter (7-6, 4.40). First pitch is scheduled for 8:05 Central.

Blue Rocks and Red Sox Suspended

Wilmington and Salem to Resume 1-1 Ballgame on TuesdayJuly 25, 2017 Wilmington Blue Rockshttps://www.milb.com/blue-rocks/news/blue-rocks-and-red-sox-suspended/c-244224134/t-196097164

The Wilmington Blue Rocks and the Salem Red Sox were suspended in the bottom of the sixth inning of play on Monday at Frawley Stadium. The two teams were gridlocked in a 1-1 tie until a storm rolled in with Wilmington at-bat. The game will resume on Tuesday, July 25 at 5:00p.m. The second game of the series will follow 30-minutes after the end of the continuation.

Monday's contest was a pitching duel between Scott Blewett and Salem's starter Kyle Hart, who was making his Salem debut, through the first five-and-a-half frames. The Rocks struck across a run in the second inning. With two men on, Nathan Esposito hit an infield single to third base, while Wander Franco advanced home on the Salem third baseman's throwing error to make it 1-0. The Red Sox tied it 1-1 in the third frame on Jeremy Rivera's two-out, RBI double. With two-outs in the sixth, the Rocks put two runners on via a walk and Esposito's third single of the game before the contest was suspended due to inclement weather.

For the second game on Tuesday, RHP Jace Vines (0-0, 0.00 ERA) will make his Blue Rocks debut, while LHP Matthew Kent (6-4, 4.08 ERA) starts for the Red Sox. Fans can listen to the game on 89.7 WGLS FM with the voice of the Blue Rocks Matt Janus and Cory Nidoh. For tickets, fans can visit the team website on www.bluerocks.com.

WV edges Legends in 11, 8-7July 25, 2017 Lexington Legendshttps://www.milb.com/legends/news/wv-edges-legends-in-11-8-7/c-244300924/t-196097274

Kevin Mahala's single brought home Victor Fernandez with the game-winning run in the bottom of the 11th inning as the West Virginia Power edged the Lexington Legends 8-7 Monday night in Charleston.

Ryan Nagle led off the bottom of the 11th with a double. Trae Arbet tried to bunt the runner to third, but popped out to pitcher Vance Tatum. Fernandez entered the game as a pinch runner for Nagle, and Fernandez came around to score on Mahala's single to center field.

West Virginia took the lead with three runs in the second inning. With one out, Mahala drew a walk. He moved to second on a single by Clark Eagan. Garrett Brown bunted for a single, loading the bases. Carlos Munoz followed with a two-run single, and Brown scored on a throwing error by second baseman Max Bartlett.

The Legends answered with two runs in the fourth. Emmanuel Rivera doubled, and moved to third as Manny Olloque reached first on a third-strike wild pitch. After Olloque stole second, Meibrys Viloria's sacrifice fly scored Rivera with the Legends' first run. Vance Vizcaino singled, scoring Olloque, and the Legends trailed 3-2.

Arbet's two-run triple in the fifth gave West Virginia a 5-2 lead, but the Legends evened the score on a three-run homer by John Brontsema in the top of the sixth.

Eagan's solo homer in the bottom of the sixth put West Virginia ahead 6-5, but the Legends tied the game again in the eighth on a double by Rivera, a ground out and Brontsema's sacrifice fly.

Rivera's sacrifice fly in the top of the ninth scored Khalil Lee with the go-ahead run for Lexington, but Arden Pabst's home run in the bottom of the ninth tied the game at 7-7, sending the game to extra innings.

Matt Anderson (6-5) who worked the ninth inning, got the win. Tatum (3-2) took the loss.

Game two of the three- game series will be played Tuesday night. First pitch is set for 7:05 p.m.

Cardinals Snap Royals' Streak in Series OpenerBurlington held to a single run as Johnson City wins 4-1July 25, 2017 By Matt Krause/Burlington Royalshttps://www.milb.com/b-royals/news/cardinals-snap-royals-streak-in-series-opener/c-244228824/t-196097136

The Burlington Royals' four-game win streak was snapped Monday night with a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Johnson City Cardinals in the series opener at TVA Credit Union Ballpark.

Burlington (13-18) took the early lead with a first-inning run. LF Cal Jones hit a one-out single, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. RF Seuly Matias reached on an error, and Jones came around to score on the play.

Cardinals C Julio Rodriguez tied the game at 1-1 with a solo homer in the second inning off of Royals RHP Carlos Hernandez .

Johnson City (15-17) seized the lead for good in the third inning, when SS Irving Lopez hit a solo homer of his own.

The Cardinals capped the scoring in the fourth with two insurance runs. 1B Luis Bandes and 3B Brady Whalen hit back-to-back doubles to begin the frame, the latter scoring Bandes and giving the Cardinals a 3-1 lead. Whalen took third on a passed ball and scored on an RBI single from LF Walker Robbins.

Despite a double in the fifth from CF Michael Gigliotti and two walks in both the sixth and seventh innings, the Royals could not push across any more runs against a Johnson City pitching staff that held Burlington in check a week ago at Burlington Athletic Stadium.

Hernandez finished his day by logging a career-high 6.2 innings, and striking out five while allowing four runs on seven hits and a walk. RHP Yerelmy Garcia followed, and worked around two hits to keep the Cardinals off the board over 1.1 innings.

Johnson City RHP Johan Oviedo earned the win, striking out five Royals over five innings.

The series continues on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Royals LHP J.C. Cloney (2-0, 3.91) makes the start against Cardinals RHP Franyel Casadilla (0-3, 8.71). The game can be heard at www.jccardinals.com.

Burlington returns home on Sunday, July 30 to face the Greeneville Astros at 6:00 p.m. It will be Halloween in July! Come dressed in your favorite costume and enjoy trick-or-treating at the park! For tickets, call (336) 222-0223 or visit www.burlingtonroyals.com.

NATIONALTwins, Royals making moves to try to catch first-place IndiansJuly 25, 2017 By Ron Clements/Sporting Newshttp://www.sportingnews.com/mlb/news/monday-mlb-scores-highlights-twins-royals-trades-indians/1qlwzy84ivh7k1c4miae8rr3id

The Central divisions in both the National League and American League are the tightest in baseball.

Just four games separate the Brewers, who lead the NL Central, from the fourth-place Cardinals with the Cubs and Pirates in between.

The AL Central has the Indians in the first place, but the two teams right behind them each made a trade Monday they hope will help them catch the Tribe.

The Royals, who are 1 1/2 games back of the Indians after Monday's 12-inning 5-3 win over the Tigers, acquired All-Star pitcher Trevor Cahill from the Padres. The Twins landed former Cardinals pitcher Jaime Garcia from the Braves in a three-player deal.

Garcia is just 4-7 this season, but is coming off his best start of the season last Friday against the Dodgers and has postseason experience while helping the Cardinals win the World Series in 2011.

Cahill was 4-3 with a 3.69 ERA this season for the rebuilding Padres and he will add to the Royals rotation, but Kansas City also acquired some bullpen help in the deal with relievers Ryan Buchter and Brandon Maurer.

The Royals sent Travis Wood to San Diego and Cahill is a big upgrade for Wood's former spot in the rotation that was originally held by the injured Nathan Karns. Buchter, who is 3-3 with a save and 3.05 ERA and 47 strikeouts, and Maurer, who has converted 20 of 23 save opportunities, should add some needed depth to the beleaguered Royals bullpen.

The Indians won their fourth straight with a 6-2 victory over the Reds on Monday thanks to a quality start from Josh Tomlin, who has struggled this year with a 7-9 record and 5.59 ERA.

Cleveland seems to be hitting its stride and the Royals and Twins are doing everything they can to keep up.

For Pirates and Royals, dealing current stars for future value isn't simpleJuly 25, 2017 By Bradfords Doolittle/ESPN.com

http://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/20148222/for-pirates-royals-dealing-current-stars-future-value-simple

If there are two fans bases that might be most appreciative of the other's respective plight, it is likely those of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Kansas City Royals.

The Pirates' franchise was already 87 years old when the Royals joined the American League in 1969, so the parallels only go back so far. Yet they are intriguing and, to my eye, must inform at least a little bit the approaches these clubs are taking and will be taking over the next week.

The first thing that connected them is success. Let's begin there. These franchises have had periods of elite success within the lifetime of many of today's baseball fans, and they've tended to occur in similar cycles, albeit offset by a few years.

From 1969 to 1979, the Pirates won two World Series and six division titles, and only the Cincinnati Reds had won more regular-season games in the National League. The Royals enjoyed a similar run of success from 1975 to 1985, winning a World Series, two pennants and six division crowns; only the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees won more regular-season games in the American League during those years.

The Pirates had a resurgence in the late 1980s and early 1990s, when Barry Bonds first rose to prominence, but they hit the skids when Bonds took his heart to San Francisco. Pittsburgh endured 20 straight losing seasons -- an MLB record -- from 1993 to 2012. The Royals' downturn is better described as a Hemingway paraphrase: They declined gradually, then all at once. After winning the World Series, the Royals played 28 seasons without returning to the postseason.

The suffering finally ended for both franchises this decade. The breakthrough season for the Pirates was 2013, when Pittsburgh won 94 games, Andrew McCutchen was named the NL's MVP and the Pirates won the first of three straight wild-card berths. A year later, the Royals also earned a wild-card berth, and they parlayed it into an AL pennant; the following year, they won it all for the first time in 30 years.

Even this season, right up to this moment, the similarity persists. Both teams recovered from terrible starts and overcame significant player absences to spring back over the .500 mark, and they remain in a cluster of teams who mighta-kinda-sorta be in postseason contention.

The patterns of success and failure are similar, but it goes further. Depending on the metric you want to look at, Pittsburgh and Kansas City rank among the four or five smallest markets in baseball. Both are terrific baseball cities with loyal fan bases, but with market realities being what they are, attendance dovetailed with success, and during the down years, both teams hung around the bottom of their respective leagues at the turnstiles. Both play in venues that are absolute gems, though -- I'm about to alienate a large percentage of the many Royals fans I know -- there is no competition when it comes to stadium location.

Right now, in the week before the deadline, these paths remain in lockstep. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington and Royals GM Dayton Moore face what feels like the same dilemma as that of all teams in the no man's land between buying and selling. Things are never as cut and dried as we

want to make them in sports. No teams inhabit that in-between space more right now than the Pirates and Royals.

It is very easy to look at these teams and declare that they should be in the mode of exchanging current production for future value. According to the latest run of simulations in my system, the Royals have a 17 percent shot at making the playoffs. The Pirates were at 5 percent. They are a combined four games over .500 but a combined minus-46 in run differential. Recent trends offer hope, but the Vulcan perspective is clear: The odds are long that either of these teams will make the playoffs.

Not for nothing, both teams are bleeding attendance. The Pirates' decline of 3,817 fans per game is the second highest in baseball, behind the 5,231 decrease of the Royals. And you have to wonder whether all those years of losing have created waves of flashbacks in Pittsburgh and Kansas City. Everyone remembers what it looks like when the window is shut.

The situations facing Huntington and Moore are different in two key respects, however. First, Huntington faces only a moderate amount of contract drama. Relievers Juan Nicasio and Tony Watson will be free agents, and if the Pirates were out of it, it would make sense to move them for prospects. McCutchen has a $14 million team option for 2018 that is sure to be picked up, given his return to All-Star-level play.

Things are much more hairy for Moore, who has Eric Hosmer, Lorenzo Cain, Mike Moustakas, Alcides Escobar and Jason Vargas all hitting the market after the season. Already gone is closer Wade Davis, sent to the Chicago Cubs over the winter for disappointing outfielder Jorge Soler. Closer Kelvin Herrera is nearing the end of his arbitration window.

The other key difference between the teams is the perceived disparity of their minor league systems. During his organizational rankings over the winter, Keith Law had the Pirates in the top five and the Royals in the bottom five.

Think of it like this: The Royals and Pirates have followed the same long, winding path for years and arrived at exactly the same place. But the contents of the baggage they carry is of a very different nature.

The Pirates would seem to be in the better place. Huntington can get away with playing both sides, as he has done to good effect before. He can cash in one of the relievers if he can find someone of comparable ability and better upside but with a shorter track record, as he did last year in landing Felipe Rivero. He can trade McCutchen or keep McCutchen; he's only trying to find the best use of McCutchen's remaining high-quality production, but the financial ramifications aren't backbreaking.

Yet Moore might actually be the one in the better spot in the near term -- and not just because the AL's tepid wild-card race gives him an avenue to a playoff spot that is unlikely to be there for the Pirates.

It is widely assumed that Kansas City's free agents are as good as gone, an assumption Moore has been quick to deny. He said the Royals will compete for their guys, and virtually no one believes him, because that's just our sense of how baseball economics are. At the same time, there has been no indication that Moore is ignoring the kind of prospect haul that would re-energize the farm system. The Royals' free agents might simply be more valuable to them than anybody else.

That leaves Moore with the option of going all-in. Add a starter or two. Look for a rental bat. Show your free agents that you don't believe in this closing window business but only your players. It can't hurt when it comes to the offseason negotiations. But you're doing that with the knowledge that your best chance to win any time in the next five years is with this year's team, right now. A rebuild will come, and tearing down this roster when it still has a chance is not going to speed up the timeline to any appreciable degree. Why not be aggressive?

(One possible response to that: the Philadelphia Phillies. Yeah, there is a risk to hanging on too tightly to your aging core.)

Meanwhile, Huntington runs the risk of appearing passive. If he holds McCutchen and later loses him for nothing, the Pirates will have missed an opportunity. If he cashes in a prospect or two to bolster this year's run, and it fails, then he has risked the future for a long shot. Inaction might be passive, but action could be looked at as reckless. Of course, this was the case last year and Huntington turned Mark Melancon into Rivero. Still, Huntington could be nudged toward aggressiveness because of the one thing Moore has that he doesn't: a World Series title.

So as the deadline approaches, much of my attention will be fixed on these two squads, which embody the riddles that come with running a major league team in a challenging market in the 21st century. But I will temper my analysis with the understanding that you're not just dealing with the on-field fortunes of a ballclub; you are dealing with the still-bruised psyches of great fan bases not far removed from near-annual irrelevance.

Those fan bases are part of these equations, perhaps to a degree we will never fully be able to appreciate.

MLB TRANSACTIONSJuly 25, 2017 •.CBSSports.comhttp://www.cbssports.com/mlb/transactions

TEAM PLAYER TRANSACTION

Atlanta

BravesKurt Suzuki

Reinstated from

Bereavement/Family

Medical Emergency List

Atlanta

BravesMatt Wisler Called Up from Minors

Boston

Red Sox

Robbie Ross

Jr.

Transferred to 60-Day

DL, (Left elbow

inflammation)

Boston

Red Sox

Rafael

DeversPurchased From Minors

Chicago

Cubs

Kyle

Hendricks

Removed From 10-Day

DL, (Right hand

tendinitis)

Chicago

Cubs

Kyle

Hendricks

Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Chicago

CubsFelix Peña Sent to Minors

Chicago

White SoxBobby Parnell Released

Chicago

White Sox

Danny

Farquhar

Signed to a Minor

League Contract

Detroit

Tigers

Drew

VerHagenCalled Up from Minors

Houston

AstrosJames Hoyt Sent to Minors

Kansas

City

Royals

Luke FarrellDesignated for

Assignment

Kansas

City

Royals

Brian Flynn Called Up from Minors

Kansas

City

Royals

Al

Alburquerque

Designated for

Assignment

Kansas

City

Royals

Ryan Buchter

Traded From from

Padres, San Diego (for

LHP Travis Wood, six-

player deal)

Los

Angeles

Dodgers

Trayce

ThompsonSent to Minors

Los

Angeles

Dodgers

Josh Ravin Called Up from Minors

Los

Angeles

Edward

Paredes

Purchased From Minors

Dodgers

Los

Angeles

Dodgers

Brandon

McCarthy

Placed on 10-Day DL,

(Blisters, right hand)

Los

Angeles

Dodgers

Hyun-Jin RyuRemoved From 10-Day

DL, (Left foot contusion)

Los

Angeles

Dodgers

Clayton

Kershaw

Placed on 10-Day DL,

(Lower back strain)

Miami

MarlinsTom Koehler Sent to Minors

Miami

Marlins

Hunter

CervenkaCalled Up from Minors

Minnesota

TwinsJustin Haley

Removed From 10-Day

DL, (Right shoulder

soreness)

Minnesota

TwinsKyle Gibson Sent to Minors

Minnesota

TwinsJustin Haley

Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Minnesota

TwinsJustin Haley

Drafted Player Returned

to Minors

Minnesota

TwinsAlan Busenitz Called Up from Minors

Minnesota

TwinsCraig Breslow

Designated for

Assignment

Minnesota

TwinsJaime Garcia

Traded From from

Braves, Atlanta (for RHP

Huascar Ynoa, three-

player deal)

New York

MetsTyler Pill Called Up from Minors

New York Brandon Sent to Minors, For

Mets Nimmo Rehabilitation

New York

Mets

Jonathan

Albaladejo

Signed to a Minor

League Contract

New York

MetsZack Wheeler

Placed on 10-Day DL,

(Stress reaction in right

arm)

Oakland

AthleticsMatt Olson Sent to Minors

Oakland

AthleticsJosh Smith Called Up from Minors

San Diego

Padres

Dusty

ColemanPurchased From Minors

San Diego

PadresJosé Ruiz Called Up from Minors

Seattle

Mariners

Danny

EspinosaPurchased From Minors

Seattle

Mariners

Hisashi

Iwakuma

Transferred to 60-Day

DL, (Right shoulder

inflammation)

St. Louis

CardinalsEric Fryer

Refused Minor League

Assignment - Free Agent

Tampa

Bay Rays

Rickie Weeks

Jr.

Recalled From Minors,

Rehab Assignment

Tampa

Bay Rays

Rickie Weeks

Jr.

Removed From 10-Day

DL, (Right shoulder

impingement)

Tampa

Bay Rays

Rickie Weeks

Jr.Released

Tampa

Bay Rays

Andrew

KittredgeSent to Minors

Texas

RangersBrett Nicholas Called Up from Minors

Texas Tyson Ross Placed on 10-Day DL,

Rangers(Blister on right index

finger)