Around the Kingdom: RF Trade Targets, Hochevar, McGrath, Jamaal Charles
By John Viril
Jul 26, 2014; St. Joseph, MO, USA; Kansas City Chiefs running back Jamaal Charles (25) runs after a catch during training camp at Missouri Western State University. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports
The Kansas City Royals won their 5th straight game on Saturday night, defeating the Indians 7-5 after falling behind 5-0 in the 2nd inning.
For the 2nd straight night, Billy Butler hit a 2-run home run to give the Royals the lead in a tie game. At long last, Butler might be getting hot. The team needs the current Butler and the Eric Hosmer that hit in 16 straight games before his hand injury if they hope to make a stretch drive for the playoffs.
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The recent win streak has pretty much ended talk of the Royals becoming sellers at the trade deadline. The Royal are now 1 game out of the 2nd wild card spot behind the Yankees and Blue Jays, Kansas City is also now 5 games behind Detroit in the Central.
Kansas City is in buyer mode.
Eric Berry dislocated his finger in a training camp practice. TE Sean McGrath inexplicably retired after showing he was a viable NFL backup last season. The Chiefs cut G Rokevious Watkins and signed TE Adam Schlitz.
Meanwhile, Sporting KC beat Toronto 2-1 to win its 5th straight road game behind goals by Graham Zusi and Jacob Peterson.
- Kings of Kauffman – Right field Trade Targets:
"Now it seems like the Royals are inching closer to “buyer” territory, and as Jayson Stark notes in this article, they are being pretty aggressive. The one position that continues to be mentioned as an area for improvement is right field, and it’s hard to argue against the results so far. Nori Aoki hasn’t been as good as everyone expected, and that’s certainly had a negative impact on the team’s record."
- Royals Review – recalling the drama surrounding Luke Hochevar in the 2006 draft:
"Despite his rotation struggles, Hochevar has been the 5th best pitcher taken in the first round by fWAR. He would average 1.6 fWAR over his six seasons so far. Obviously not what you want out of the first overall pick, but not a total train wreck (so that’s good?)."
- Arrowhead Addict – Rokevious Waktins released, Adam Schlitz signed
- Arrowhead Pride – Chiefs sound like they will use Jamaal Charles more, not less:
Now here’s Chiefs OC Doug Pederson making it clear that Jamaal will remain a major part of the offense.
"“When it’s in the heat of the battle, and it’s kind of crunch time, you want your guys on the field, and that’s the bottom line. Jamaal’s a part of that and he’s going to be on the football field regardless of how may touches he’s had early in the game or how many plays he has leading up to that point, so when we get to that aspect of the game, then we’re going to put our best guys out on the field.”"
- SportingKC.com – Sporting wins 5th straight road game with 2-1 win over Toronto:
"Sporting Kansas City earned their fifth consecutive road win in improbable fashion on Saturday, coming from behind for a 2-1 victory over Toronto FC at BMO Field. Graham Zusi‘s goal in the 48th minute canceled out Jackson’s 16th-minute strike and — playing with 10 men after a red card to Matt Besler in the 75th minute — the reigning MLS Cup champions secured the full three points when Jacob Peterson scored the decisive game-winner against his former club in the 80th minute."
There you have it KC fans—the news Around the Kingdom.