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DAILY DEBATE
Who is the top free agent the Royals should pursue this offseason?
Brian Mini
@DaftPunkPop
David Price
The Royals' addition of Johnny Cueto for the rest of the season was a great move to solidify the team's place in the postseason. Unfortunately, there's a significant chance that Cueto will sign elsewhere next season as a free agent.
With that said, the 2016 Royals rotation still has the chance to resemble the same group that brought the Royals to the World Series just last season, even without Cuo.
Although there are one or two contenders for the star of the team, the Royals could solidify themselves as the future American League Central favorites with an addition of a clear No. 1 starter. The best possible option would be current Blue Jays pitcher David Price.
The last two years had James Shields and Cueo headlining the rotation in Kansas City. Throw David Price's name into that mix and he becomes the best pitcher the Royals have had in years.
Price's career 3.10 ERA is an improvement on both Shields and Cueto, and his ability to strike batters out is among the best in baseball. In terms of accolades, Price has been an All-Star in four of the last five seasons. He won the American League Cy Young award in 2012 and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since.
As exciting as all of that is, signing Price will come at a
high cost. Being the best pitcher in free agency will drive his asking price up but being possibly the best player available this offseason will make it even higher.
Last year, the Royals weren't shy about spending the money on Alex Rios (a one-year, $11 million deal) and Edinson Volquez (a two-year, $20 million deal). That's encouraging, although Price's value might be a tier above what the Royals have recently dished out to free agents. But if any position is worth the money, it's starting pitcher.
If the Royals can keep their offense intact for the most part, breaking the bank for someone like Price is a great
idea. It's not the most likely of scenarios but the alternatives won't bring the same level of success that someone like Price could.
The Royals have one of the best offenses in baseball this year, and most of that should carry over to next year. While affordable offensive upgrades may seem tempting, focusing on pitching can ensure the Royals are back in the playoffs next year.
With a solid offense, a healthy pitching staff and the addition of David Price, the Royals would once again be a World Series favorite in 2016.
- Edited by Leah Sitz
MARK J. TERBILL/AP PHOTO
The Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher David Price throws to the plate during the first inning of a game against the Los Angeles Angels on Friday in Anaheim, Calif.
Sean Collins
@seanzie_3
Fortunately, the Royals picked up all-around stud Ben Zobrist earlier this year through a trade. Zobrist gives manager Ned Yost more depth and an eventual replacement for Infante at second base.
Yoenis Cespedes
Disappointing at the plate constantly, the Kansas City Royals' Alex Rios and Omar Infante continue to separate themselves from a stacked Royals roster in the most negative fashion. As of Saturday night, Infante has gone up to the plate 31 times straight without a hit.
This leaves Rios, lowering the team's batting average significantly, in right field. To solve the batting issues, as well as give more power to a low home-run hitting lineup, the Royals should pick up outfielder Yoenis Cespedes.
Batting at around .300 all season along with 23 homers and 77 RBIs, Cespedes would provide the perfect amount of power to put the Royals lineup at the highest level.
Along with the offensive firepower that Cespedes would bring to the Royals, they wouldn't be losing much in the field. Cespedes has a strong arm in the outfield and has racked up 10 outfield assists this season. Rios, on the other hand, has only three assists on the year. With Alex Gordon returning to the lineup in a mere couple of weeks, Cespedes would complete a near perfect outfield along with All-Star center fielder Lorenzo Cain.
Rios has had a let-down year all around, batting in the .230 to .240 ranges for the entire season and seemingly losing speed after 11 years in the MLB. Instead of having Rios batting at the end of the lineup, the Royals should sign Cespedes for a couple of years
and bring in the first true power hitter the Royals have seen in many years.
After picking up ace starting pitcher Johnny Cueto, the Royals rotation is set for the rest of the year. Although another pitcher would be a luxury, it isn't needed because Yordano Ventura is catching his feet and starting to perform to his high expectations. Along with Ventura, the Royals have Edinson Volquez, who has proved to be a top pitcher for the Royals, giving them depth at the starting position.
Speed and fines have been the story for the Royals offense in the past year, and replacing Rios with a young, powerful hitter would prove to be a monumental decision, especially come playoff time. With hitters like Alcides Escobar, Eric Hosmer and Lorenzo Cain that get on base so consistently, Cespedes could bring in some serious runs.
Edited by Leah Sitz
The New York Mets' Yoenis Cespedes strikes out against Colorado Rockies starting pitcher David Hale in the fourth inning of a game on Sunday in Denver. The Mets won 5-1.
DAVID ZALUROWSKI/AP PHOTO
Women's basketball coach Brandon Schneider holds golf tournament and benefit
DYLAN SHERWOOD
@dmantheman2011
Women's basketball coach Brandon Schneider held a golf tournament on Saturday at Alvamar Golf and Country Club in Lawrence. It was the team's 10th annual golf tournament, but the first under Schneider.
Nearly 40 four-person teams participated in the tournament. Attendees could interact with the team and coaches and bid on multiple items up for the live and silent auctions. Some items included a round of golf with Schneider, dinner for eight with Schneider, and a trip to travel with the team to a Big 12 game.
Proceeds from the tournament went to the team and the Lawrence Memorial Hospital Breast Center. All coaches and players were on hand to help out with the cause and bond with boosters and fans.
"I think there's an enthusiasm and excitement level, the support you get from all those around you is pretty obvious," Schneider said. "I can't take credit for any of this."
Schneider added that he was grateful to all of the support staff and the golf tournament committee for all they had done to put on this event benefiting the cause.
Sophomore guard Lauren Aldridge, who helped out on Saturday, said her brother would take her to play golf occasionally.
"It's fun, I love coach Brandon and all the other coaching staff." Aldridge said. "Being able to do something for him is also benefiting our program and is really helpful."
Junior forward Caelynn Manning-Allen said a bigger role was expected from her new coach.
"I've been trying to focus on getting better for my teammates," Manning-Allen said. "A lot more is expected out of me this upcoming season and next season following. I want to leave here being able to make my mark and leading my team as best as I can."
The team has already been working hard this summer with the strength and conditioning program, which Schneider said he hopes will help the team's performance after last year's 15-17 season. The players, who spent most of the summer in Lawrence preparing for the season, just recently returned after a three-week vacation.
With the schedule released and a little over two months
"I think there's an enthusiasm and excitement level, the support you get from all those around you is pretty obvious."
BRANDON SCHNEIDER Women's Basketball Coach
"Even with our exhibitions, they've got to be ready to compete and play at a high level every time we take the court," he said.
before games start, Schneider says there will be no nights off.
The women's team will join the men's team to start its season with Late Night in the Phog on Oct. 9.
— Edited by Chandler Boese
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Chris Conley (17) escapes a tackle by Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrell Adams (53) during the second half of a preseason NFL football game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday. The Chiefs defeated the Seahawks 14-13.
CHARLIE RIEDEL/AP PHOTO
Chiefs hold off Seahawks 14-13 in second preseason game
DAVE SKRETTA
KANSAS CITY. Mo. — Chiefs coach Andy Reid insists he has a handle on who will start along the offensive line when Kansas City opens the regular season, assuming a couple guys get healthy.
Associated Press
Seahawks coach Pete Carroll? He remains decidedly noncommittal about his own.
Alex Smith threw for 81 yards and a touchdown behind a hodgepodge bunch of blockers — and also tossed an interception that was returned for a touchdown — as Kansas City beat Seattle 14-13 in their preseason game Friday night.
"You know what? For being a makeshift group, I thought they were OK," Reid said of his line, which was missing left tackle Eric Fisher to an ankle injury and right guard Jeff Allen to a knee sprain. "They tightened up a little bit and got better."
Meanwhile, the Seahawks turned over three of their five starters on the offensive line from their preseason loss to Denver, and the result was
Chase Daniel led the Chiefs (2-0) on an 86-yard go-ahead drive to open the second half, hitting tight end James O'Shaughnessy from 1 yard for the score. The backup QB has been sharp in preseason games, throwing four TD passes without an interception.
R. J. Archer played better than he did last week for the Seahawks (0-2), who lost regular backup Tarvaris Jackson to a high ankle sprain in a loss to Denver. But Archer was unable to move his team into range of a winning field goal
"I just sat back and read his eyes," said Wagner, who scored his first touchdown since he was a high school tight end. "I've never had a pick-six in my life. It felt amazing."
some patchy protection for Russell Wilson. He finished 9 of 15 for 78 yards, most of that coming on three completions to Jimmy Graham.
The play of the game from Seattle's perspective was Bobby Wagner's interception, which he returned 25 yards for a touchdown that gave the Seahawks a 10-7 halftime lead.
MISSING STARS
OBSERVATIONS FROM THE GAMEOFFENSIVE LINES
in the final minutes Friday night.
"I was pleased with the intensity of the running and the hitting across the board," Carroll said.
Seahawks: C Drew Nowak, LG Justin Britt and RT Garry Gilliam were new to the lineup from the preseason opener, joining LT Russell Okung and RG J.R. Sweezy. They performed better as the game wore on, though Gilliam had his hands full with All-Pro pass rusher Justin Houston. "I heard he was pretty good," Gilliam said, "so I thought it was going to be a pretty steep learning curve."
Chiefs: LT Eric Fisher (high ankle sprain) and RG Jeff Allen (knee sprain) did not dress, nor did their replacements fare well. Paul Fanaika started at tackle and was consistently pushed off the line of scrimmage, and Laurent Duvernay-Tardiff was manhandled at his guard spot.
Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch made the trip but did
Chiefs. CB Marcus Peters, the No. 18 overall pick, had a solid home debut. C Mitch Morse, drafted in the second round, struggled to deal with Seattle's starting interior line.
Seahawks: WR Tyler Lockett made a nice catch while working with the first team, but was bottled up in the return game. Lockett played at Kansas State, a short drive down Interstate 70.
ROOKIE WATCH
INJURY UPDATE
not play, while S Kam Chancellor was again absent as his holdout continues. The Chiefs used RB Jamaal Charles sparingly as they try to keep his workload down.
Seahawks: CB Earl Thomas, who had shoulder surgery in February, was among many Seahawks who did not dress for the game. Thomas returned to practice Tuesday.
Chiefs: LB Dee Ford was leveled by Seahawks RB Christine Michael in the second quarter. Reid said after the game that Ford may have a fractured rib.
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