Around the Kingdom: Marlon Byrd, Billy Butler, Aaron Murray, and Tom Watson
By John Viril
The Kansas City Royals have wilted in the last two weeks.
First, they lost 3 out of 4 games to the Detroit Tigers at home right before the All-Star break. Then, right after the break, they get swept by last-place Boston. The Royals that lost 6-0 to the Red Sox looked like a team disinterested in winning.
Frankly, I’m disgusted.
The Royals are now 9-17 since their 10-game winning streak in June that catapulted them into first place. This weekend, the Royals fell to 3rd place in the division behind Cleveland. Something needs to change.
There simply aren’t any more excuses. Dayton Moore has had more than 8 years to rebuild the club. Tampa Bay and Oakland have shown that teams can win division titles with smaller payrolls than what we see in KC. Prospect after prospect fails to realize their potential.
There’s something rotten in Denmark.
Today, quarterbacks, rookies, and players coming back from injury reported to training camp in St. Joseph, Missouri. At long last, football season is here.
KANSAS CITY ROYALS
- Kansas City Star – Sam Mellinger writes how this Royals team seems to shrink the moment they trigger any expectations:
"This team should be better. By now, this should be a winner, not a team trying to win. Three years ago, in 2011, the joke among scouts in spring training was that the best team anyone saw was the 2014 Royals. The coming success was so locked that a Back to the Future-style article in Sports Illustrated talked about the playoffs in 2013 and the world championship in 2015."
- Kings of Kauffman – David Hill writes that while Billy Butler might not want to leave, the team is unlikely to keep him:
"As much as Billy Butler may want to remain with the Royals, it is difficult to envision a scenario where he returns. With the Royals plans to no longer have a consistent designated hitter, and the need to reinvest that salary into other positions, Butler would be a luxury that the Royals may not be able to afford"
- Royals Review – Philadelphia outfielder Marlon Byrd has a lot of suitors:
"The Mariners have been consistently reported as potential Byrd suitors and Fox Sports’ Jon Morosi reported the Royals’ interest on Sunday. The Reds are likely to join the mix after general manager Walt Jocketty disclosed his interest in adding a bat to MLB.com’s Mark Sheldon. Jocketty called the quiet trade market “a little surprising,” but things could easily pick up as the deadline nears. CSN Philly’s Jim Salisbury reports that Reds are interested in Byrd as well as relief pitcher Antonio Bastardo."
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS
- Arrowhead Addict – Quarterbacks, rookies, and players coming off injuries arrive in camp
- Arrowhead Pride – QB Aaron Murray is ready to go after last season’s knee injury:
"The knee is great. It really has been feeling fantastic. Minicamp and OTAs went awesome. I didn’t have any problems with the knee or any limitations.”"
BRITISH OPEN
- Kansas City Star – 64-year-old Tom Watson finishes the British Open by shooting a 68 on Sunday, shooting 1 over par for the tournament—five strokes ahead of Tiger Woods:
"He’ll make at least one more appearance in the British Open after being invited back to St. Andrews for 2015. His fitness now or then shouldn’t be a problem — he reminded everyone after the third round on Saturday that during tournament weeks like this one, he walks at least 36 miles over six rounds of golf."
There you have it KC fans—the news Around the Kingdom.
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/article768723.html#storylink=cpy
Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/sports/spt-columns-blogs/sam-mellinger/article771525.html#storylink=cpy