Kansas City Royals News

Former Royals INF UL Washington dies at 70

Former Royals INF UL Washington dies at 70

Former major league middle infielder UL Washington, who was known for his time playing in Kansas City and his trademark toothpick, died over the weekend after a reported bout with cancer. He was 70 years old.Washington played 11 seasons with three teams, most notably the Royals from 1977-84. His two-out single in the ninth inning of a game in July 1983 against the New York Yankees set up the infamous "Pine Tar" incident involving his teammate George Brett."So sorry to hear my friend my team mate UL washington has died of cancer he was a great player I will always be thankful of our time together with the royals," Brett said in a post to X on Monday.Washington hit .251 with 27 home runs, 255 RBIs and 132 stolen bases in 907 career games with the Royals, Montreal Expos (1985) and Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-87). He helped Kansas City win its first American League pennant in 1980.
Eric Hosmer retires, announces launch of MoonBall Media

Eric Hosmer retires, announces launch of MoonBall Media

Eric Hosmer officially ended his 13-season MLB career on Wednesday and announced the launch of his new media company, MoonBall Media.Hosmer, who won a World Series title with the Kansas City Royals in 2015, told Forbes his new business venture will include "original unscripted programming, a weekly podcast, social media content and upcoming FAST (free, ad-supported streaming television) channels."The "Diggin' Deep" podcast will feature Hosmer, former major league reliever Peter Moylan and Justin Su'a, a process and development coach in Bradenton, Fla. It will be produced by former minor league teammate Anthony Seratelli, who also played in Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball."We've always talked about doing something, especially after my (playing days) are over," Hosmer said of partnering with Seratelli. "He's had his feet on the ground for 10-plus years on this side of the business. Now that the playing days are over, I feel like I have so many fun stories that I want to give back, especially these last couple of years of my career when I got to experience the big-time markets, being in Chicago, being in Boston. I think this podcast is something where I can really have enjoyment and dig deep into other people's processes and how that helped them succeed."Hosmer, 34, was released by the Chicago Cubs in May. That decision allowed Hosmer to take a step back and examine his options.
Royals acquire RHP John Schreiber from Red Sox

Royals acquire RHP John Schreiber from Red Sox

The Kansas City Royals acquired right-handed reliever John Schreiber from the Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league righty David Sandlin on Saturday.Also, the Royals placed right-hander Kyle Wright on the 60-day injured list.Schreiber, who turns 30 on March 5, posted a 2-1 record with one save and a 3.86 ERA in 46 games (two starts) last season with Boston. He struck out 53 batters in 46 2/3 innings.Schreiber owns an 8-6 record with nine saves and a 3.58 ERA in 139 career games (two starts) with the Detroit Tigers (2019-20) and Red Sox (2021-23).Sandlin, 22, went 4-2 with a 3.41 ERA in 15 games (all starts) split last season with the Class-A Columbia Fireflies and the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits. He had 90 strikeouts in 68 2/3 innings.Wright, who was acquired from the Atlanta Braves for fellow right-hander Jackson Kowar on Nov. 17, is recovering from surgery to repair a torn capsule in his throwing shoulder. He is expected to miss the 2024 season.
Bobby Witt Jr. agrees to $288.8M extension with Royals

Bobby Witt Jr. agrees to $288.8M extension with Royals

The Kansas City Royals agreed to a franchise-record, 11-year, $288.8 million contract extension with Bobby Witt Jr. to keep the infielder as a cornerstone of a roster rebuild.Witt, 23, finished seventh in American League MVP voting last season when he batted .276 with an .813 OPS for the Royals, with a major league-leading 11 triples to go along with 30 home runs and 96 RBIs.Witt, Kansas City's first-round draft pick (No. 2 overall) in 2019, had six triples, 20 home runs and 80 RBIs in 2022, when he finished fourth in AL rookie-of-the-year voting."I am incredibly grateful to the Sherman family and the Royals front office for believing in me, and I promise to do everything in my power to help bring championship baseball back to Kansas City! Let's go!!" Witt said in a post to X (formerly Twitter), in a reference to John Sherman, who purchased the Royals in 2019.The Royals have not finished a regular season above .500 since winning the World Series in 2015 and were 56-106 last season, a .346 winning percentage that was tied for the worst in franchise history.The contract only adds to Witt's role as the budding face of a franchise that hopes to move into a new stadium in the near future, with a downtown site under consideration. A stadium tax of less than half a cent, that also will benefit the Kansas City Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium, is up for a vote this spring.
Royals trade INF/OF Samad Taylor to Mariners for cash

Royals trade INF/OF Samad Taylor to Mariners for cash

The Seattle Mariners acquired infielder/outfielder Samad Taylor from the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday for cash considerations.Taylor, 25, made his major league debut with the Royals in 2023 and batted .200 with four RBIs and eight stolen bases (in eight attempts) in 31 games.He played four defensive positions for Kansas City, logging time at second base, third base, left field and center field.
Reports: 2B/OF Adam Frazier reaches deal with Royals

Reports: 2B/OF Adam Frazier reaches deal with Royals

The deal reportedly also includes a $2.5 million buyout for Frazier, who could replace Michael Massey as the Royals' primary second baseman.Frazier, 32, recorded career highs in homers (13) and RBIs (60) to go along with a .240 batting average in 141 games last season with the Baltimore Orioles.

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