MLB Standings
The Royals (62-45) still trail the White Sox (63-44) at the end of July, although the gap has closed to a single game with the two AL Central Division teams holding the best two records in the American League. The Mariners (62-46) had a losing month but still hold a comfortable lead in the West, with the Red Sox (58-48) as strong in the East.
Over in the National League, the Padres (69-39) continue to be the best team in baseball with the Giants (63-45) trying to keep them honest. The Nationals (52-52) and the Pirates (56-49) lead their respective divisions, Washington more comfortable than Pittsburgh.
The Royals hold a nine-game lead over the Orioles in the Wild Card race although clearly with bigger goals in mind; the Yankees are in a race for the final spot with six teams within three and a half games.
In the National Leagues, the Giants are in a similar position over the Cubs with the Cardinals holding the final spot, and only three teams withing five games of that last place in the race to October.
Kansas City Results
It was a losing sandwich for the Royals in July but luckily the bread of the sandwich was a lot of wins! They started the month winning two of three from the Tigers for a 3-1 home series win, before sweeping a home series against the Rays (3-0) and then taking two of three in L.A. against the Dodgers.
The final loss of that series started a run of five losses in six games as St Louis won both games in St Louis before the Yankees took two of three in New York to take the Royals into the All-Star Break.
Kansas City came out the All Star Break hot, though, with three home series seeing a sweep of the Guardians (3-0), a win over the Rockies (2-1) and a sweep (3-0) of the Reds to end the month with a 16-7 record.
Kansas City Team Statistics
The Royals continue to lead the Americal League in most batting categories, only Home Runs (3rd), Walks (4th), Stolen Bases (6th) and Base Running (14th) not leading the league. Base Running is something the Royals have not been good at during Stewart’s time, maybe reflecting a very slow line up over the years.
July’s batting highlights included Drew Burress (147 wRC+) continuing his strong season with another 5 SBs to go with a .894 OPS. Jeremy Goodman (145 wRC+) had a walk rate that matched his strike out rate in compiling a .902 OPS while Jeremy Rogerson (131 wRC+) continues to hit over .300 for the second season.
The infield, Rogerson aside, had a tough month and so far this year haven’t offered the defence to justify weak bats! One to watch for the Royals as the season moves to the key months.
The pitching staff were very strong, headlined by Cade Townsend’s (38 FIP-) three starts, 20 IP, 2.66 ERA. Sa-yoon Kim (123 FIP-) struggled and may need a rest down in AAA; the acquisition of Billy Nicklas as a left handed option may make that more viable.
Transactions & Injuries
Saturday, July 1st , 2034
Traded 32-year old RHP Raimon Gomez to the Colorado Rockies, getting 22-year old RHP Chris Wagner and $6,000,000 in cash in return.Traded 25-year old minor league C Kevin Bryant, 25-year old minor league 2B Jorge Aguilar, 26-year old minor league 2B Daniel Covarrubias, and $20,000,000 in cash to the Houston Astros, getting 29-year old RHP Brad LaPointe (retaining 70%) and 23-year old RHP Jimmy Lininger in return.
Wednesday, July 12th , 2034
SP Mike Hoffer was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
CL Jimmy Lininger was injured while pitching. The diagnosis is not yet known.
Friday, July 14th , 2034
SP Mike Hoffer diagnosed with bone chips in his elbow, will miss 3 months.
RP Billy Nicklas was claimed off waivers from San Francisco.
Saturday, July 15th , 2034
CL Jimmy Lininger diagnosed with a flexor-pronator strain, will miss 3-4 weeks.
Purchased the contract of RP Ramiro Cepeda from Triple A Omaha.
Tuesday, July 18th , 2034
Traded 27-year old RHP J.J. Paniagua, 22-year old minor league 2B Juan Fonseca, and 23-year old minor league LF Tim Felver to the Philadelphia Phillies, getting 32-year old RHP Chase Dollander (retaining 60%) and 24-year old minor league RHP Ismael Conston in return.
The Royals made two big moves in July to position themselves for the run in to the season. First, however, they decided to move on from Raimon Gomez for the second time, his return not having been as successful as first time around. They traded him for an injured Chris Wagner who could be a plus-plus-plus pitcher when he returns next year.
On the same day, they picked up another two pitchers – 65-60-60 starter Brad LaPointe and 70-55-50 reliever Jummy Lininger. Fans were very happy with acquisition of LaPointe while management were happy that the Astros retained 70% of the salary. LaPointe’s is an expiring contract so he has three months (plus hopefully a post season) to justify an extension. Bryant was an elite Catcher to give up but the Royals are happy with their Catching options and LaPointe was too good of a pitcher to turn down.
July 12th knocked the Royals though as new acquisition reliever Lininger got hurt the same day as Mike Hoffer. Two days later the worst news was confirmed for Hoffer, as he will miss four months (the rest of the season) with bone chips in his elbow. In better news, the Royals were successful in their waiver claim of Billy Nicklas, a left-handed reliever with 55-55-50 ratings.
Lininger wasn’t as bad, the reliever straining his flexor-pronator to knock him out for 3-4 weeks. 2029 8th round pick Ramiro Cepeda was called up for the first time to replace him.
With Hoffer out for the season, the Royals looked around the league to see if there were any clear replacements. With the Phillies at 43-62, and out of contention, an enquiry was sent over to see if there might be interest in giving up Chase Dollander, who they had outbid the Royals for over the off season. The ask wasn’t impossible and so the start of a megadeal was launched. When all was said and done, the Royals acquired Dollander with the Phillies retaining 60% of his contract for the next three years, leaving Kansas City paying $11.1m in 2034 and 2035, and $10.7m in 2036. There are two Team Options after that to keep him under contract if desired. In addition, they picked up Ismael Conston, a potential 60-60-50 reliever with two plus pitches. Going the other way was J.J. Paniagua who had struggled in Kansas City sadly, as well as 2031 trade acquisition Juan Fonseca and 2029 16th rounder Tim Felver, a high contact outfielder with average defence and no power or eye.
LaPointe and Dollander at the top of the Royals makes them noticeably stronger as the post-ASG record suggests; Dollander came across as an All Star for the fifth time, pitching for the National League having signed for an American League team!
Minor League News
Dominican Rookie League (R) Batter of the Month: Jesus Cipolloni (2032 Trade ATL) .505, 19 HRs, 60 RBIs
Around the League
Transactions
Monday, July 31st , 2034
The Cleveland Guardians traded 30-year old LHP Folger Boaz to the Detroit Tigers, getting 19-year old minor league LF Wei-sng Ngui in return.
The Houston Astros traded 23-year old minor league LF Sergio Rivera and 23-year old minor league 1B Vicente Reina to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 29-year old minor league LF Alex Sosa in return.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded 27-year old minor league CF Nate Quinn to the San Diego Padres, getting 27-year old RHP Brenton Lupkoski and 21-year old minor league RHP Brad Barton in return.
The Tampa Bay Rays traded 32-year old SS Thomas Saggese to the Texas Rangers, getting 24-year old minor league C Bobby Edwards and 23-year old minor league RHP Cheong-won Kim in return.
The Atlanta Braves traded 26-year old minor league RHP Jesus Pacheco to the Seattle Mariners, getting 21-year old minor league 3B Kekaulike Tennant and 19-year old minor league C Andy Busch in return.
The San Francisco Giants traded 20-year old minor league SS Joey Hennig and 20-year old minor league RHP Andy Matthews to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 31-year old 1B Peyton Stovall in return.
The Tampa Bay Rays traded 31-year old RHP Sean Hermann to the Baltimore Orioles, getting 19-year old minor league RHP Rodolfo Gurule in return.
The Baltimore Orioles traded 21-year old minor league RHP Sincere Harriston and 22-year old minor league 1B Joe Eder to the New York Mets, getting 34-year old minor league 3B Damiano Palmegiani in return.
The Los Angeles Angels traded 18-year old minor league 1B Sergio Salinas and 19-year old minor league LF Jesus Requenez to the Chicago Cubs, getting 25-year old minor league CF Jim Hooper in return.
The Minnesota Twins traded 25-year old minor league LHP Juan Mercado to the Boston Red Sox, getting 19-year old minor league CF Jeff Marshallin return.
The San Francisco Giants traded 22-year old minor league RF Alejandro Estrada to the Miami Marlins, getting 29-year old 2B Jansel Luis in return.
Sunday, July 30th , 2034
The Los Angeles Angels traded 24-year old minor league LHP Josh Fangman to the Miami Marlins, getting 29-year old RHP Noble Meyer in return.
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 25-year old LHP Juan Medina to the New York Yankees, getting 23-year old minor league 3B Mike Hemrick and 20-year old minor league LF Jesus Navarro in return.
The New York Mets traded 23-year old minor league RHP Luis Alaniz and 24-year old minor league LHP Ken Strader to the Toronto Blue Jays, getting 28-year old minor league RHP Dusty Scheurich in return.
The Atlanta Braves traded 31-year old RHP JR Ritchie to the Texas Rangers, getting 23-year old minor league RHP Marc Thoreson and 20-year old minor league RHP Brendon Saggers in return.
The New York Yankees traded 21-year old minor league RF Alfredo Zamora and 23-year old minor league RHP Jorge Bustos to the Detroit Tigers, getting 27-year old minor league CF Josh D'Amonte in return.
The Minnesota Twins traded 28-year old minor league LHP Jake Wolfe to the New York Yankees, getting 23-year old minor league LF Steve Medinain return.
The Miami Marlins traded 29-year old LHP Thomas White to the Colorado Rockies, getting 18-year old minor league 2B Jorge Salinas and 24-year old minor league CF Jonathan McGuire in return.
Saturday, July 29th , 2034
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 27-year old RHP Bobby Simak and $270,000 in cash to the Chicago White Sox, getting 24-year old minor league RHP Erik Wright in return.
The San Antonio Avalanche traded 24-year old minor league 3B Pat Cooper to the San Francisco Giants, getting 26-year old minor league LHP Dan Rudisill in return.
The Baltimore Orioles traded 21-year old minor league LHP Cain Filby to the Cincinnati Reds, getting 33-year old RHP Alejandro Melean in return.
The Cleveland Guardians traded 30-year old RHP Easton Tumis to the Detroit Tigers, getting 17-year old minor league 2B Juan Santana and 22-year old minor league 3B Nelson Brown in return.
Friday, July 28th , 2034
The Cleveland Guardians traded 25-year old RHP Nate Green to the New York Yankees, getting 21-year old minor league RHP 0148 Kram in return.
The Baltimore Orioles traded 17-year old minor league LF Juan Ramos to the Minnesota Twins, getting 35-year old RHP Nick Frasso in return.
The Baltimore Orioles traded 22-year old minor league LF Rodolfo Aguilera and 17-year old minor league C Domingo Figueroa to the Cleveland Guardians, getting 32-year old RHP Jackson Baumeister in return.
The Chicago Cubs traded 21-year old minor league LF Jamie Brown and 21-year old minor league LHP Bobby Crawford to the Minnesota Twins, getting 31-year old minor league C Adrian Sugastey in return.
The Boston Red Sox traded 30-year old LF Miguel Bleis and 18-year old minor league 1B T.J. Sainte to the Arizona Diamondbacks, getting 29-year old 2B Dave Messineo in return.
The Cincinnati Reds traded 30-year old RHP Payton Martin to the Detroit Tigers, getting 23-year old minor league LHP Luis Pacheco and 20-year old minor league LHP Edgar Vergara in return.
The Tampa Bay Rays traded 26-year old RHP Bob Abernathy to the St. Louis Cardinals, getting 19-year old minor league 3B Gianluigi Petito in return.
The Los Angeles Angels traded 21-year old minor league RHP Chris Huffman to the Atlanta Braves, getting 30-year old RHP Owen Murphy in return.
Thursday, July 27th , 2034
The San Diego Padres traded 20-year old minor league RHP Jeff Nolt, 24-year old minor league RHP Davon Willie, and 22-year old minor league RHP Jesus Vega to the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting 33-year old RHP Blake Burkhalter in return.
The Houston Astros traded 28-year old RHP Steve Green to the Pittsburgh Pirates, getting 23-year old minor league LHP Caleb Kuhlman, 24-year old minor league 1B Jorge Ayala, and 22-year old minor league RHP Bobby O'Brien in return.
The San Antonio Avalanche traded 17-year old minor league RHP Alexis Guerrero and 23-year old minor league RF Juan Azancot to the San Francisco Giants, getting 34-year old minor league C Abrahan Gutierrez in return.
The Seattle Mariners traded 23-year old minor league LHP Jesus Close and 19-year old minor league LHP Dan Jadwin to the Atlanta Braves, getting 31-year old minor league 3B Kevin Made in return.
The Minnesota Twins traded 26-year old minor league RHP Luis Guerrero to the Seattle Mariners, getting 17-year old minor league RF Jorge Balcortain return.
The St. Louis Cardinals traded 22-year old minor league LF Mike Rivera to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 35-year old 3B Blaze Alexander in return.
Wednesday, July 26th , 2034
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded 34-year old RHP Mat Olsen and 20-year old minor league LHP Josh Dering to the San Diego Padres, getting 26-year old RF Ricky Uhrich in return.
The Detroit Tigers traded 20-year old minor league C Andres Sandoval and 18-year old minor league RF Jorge Zavala to the Atlanta Braves, getting 33-year old minor league LF Wilderd Patino in return.
The Los Angeles Angels traded 30-year old 2B Bryan Rincon and 22-year old minor league RHP Greg Barbera to the New York Yankees, getting 28-year old C Cade Arrambide in return.
Tuesday, July 25th , 2034
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 28-year old RHP Jamie Russell to the St. Louis Cardinals, getting 19-year old minor league SS Juan Saldana in return.
Monday, July 24th , 2034
The Milwaukee Brewers traded 31-year old RHP Chase Petty to the Baltimore Orioles, getting 24-year old minor league RHP Mike Oceguera in return.
The Detroit Tigers traded 21-year old minor league 2B Edgar Montoya and 20-year old minor league SS Chris Lockhart to the Boston Red Sox, getting 26-year old minor league 3B Pat Sander in return.
The New York Mets traded 31-year old RHP Aiden May to the San Antonio Avalanche, getting 22-year old minor league 1B Ed Brown and 20-year old minor league 3B Jesus Castillo in return.
Saturday, July 22nd , 2034
The San Antonio Avalanche traded 20-year old minor league LF Eric Chancy and 23-year old minor league RHP Tyrese Knuckles to the Chicago White Sox, getting 29-year old minor league 1B Jonatan Yan in return.
Friday, July 21st , 2034
The St. Louis Cardinals traded 18-year old minor league RHP Rogelio Garduno and 19-year old minor league LHP E.Z. Hendeson to the Chicago White Sox, getting 31-year old minor league 3B Tommy White in return.
Thursday, July 20th , 2034
The Detroit Tigers traded 23-year old minor league RHP Jonathan Rivera and 21-year old minor league RHP Braulin Levin to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 31-year old minor league 3B Kyle Karros in return.
The San Francisco Giants traded 19-year old minor league LHP Jared Barnes and 19-year old minor league RF Chris Jensen to the Texas Rangers, getting 33-year old RHP Ben Joyce in return.
Wednesday, July 19th , 2034
The Arizona Diamondbacks traded 23-year old minor league RF Rodolfo Alvarado and 22-year old minor league RHP Tony Waddell to the Tampa Bay Rays, getting 27-year old minor league RF Chris Turner in return.
The Washington Nationals traded 17-year old minor league SS Jorge Morales and 22-year old minor league RHP Gilberto Fuentes to the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting 30-year old RHP Chan-koo Kim (retaining 80%) and $770,000 in cash in return.
The Baltimore Orioles traded 21-year old minor league LF Juan Rivera to the Philadelphia Phillies, getting 31-year old RHP Thatcher Hurd in return.
Tuesday, July 18th , 2034
The Minnesota Twins traded 21-year old minor league 1B Andy Wyrick and 20-year old minor league LHP Jimmy Knepper to the Houston Astros, getting 34-year old minor league RF Lawrence Butler in return.
The Pittsburgh Pirates traded 19-year old minor league C Jamir Pluviose to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 35-year old CF Michael Siani in return.
The Milwaukee Brewers traded 37-year old RHP Camilo Doval to the Detroit Tigers, getting 22-year old minor league 3B Pat Kissling and 24-year old minor league LHP David Navarro in return.
The New York Mets traded 30-year old RHP Myung-joo Kim to the Pittsburgh Pirates, getting 18-year old minor league CF Jesus Ayala in return.
The Colorado Rockies traded 23-year old minor league RHP Gabe Eberhard to the Milwaukee Brewers, getting 29-year old 3B Antonio Anderson in return.
Monday, July 17th , 2034
The Los Angeles Angels traded 21-year old minor league 1B Billy Seaton Jr. to the Los Angeles Dodgers, getting 31-year old RHP Tyson Neighborsin return.
The Boston Red Sox traded 19-year old minor league 2B Andres Soto and 20-year old minor league RHP Kevin Davis to the Houston Astros, getting 36-year old minor league LHP Brandon Eisert in return.
The Cleveland Guardians traded 26-year old RHP Mike Bonetti to the Baltimore Orioles, getting 22-year old minor league C Calvino Tamez and 24-year old minor league LF Ben Payer in return.
The Los Angeles Dodgers traded 35-year old LHP DL Hall to the Los Angeles Angels, getting 19-year old minor league RHP Eric Jackson and 20-year old minor league 1B Ken Blanchard in return.
Saturday, July 15th , 2034
The Minnesota Twins traded 22-year old minor league 1B Kevin Cords and 23-year old minor league LHP Amari Rideaux to the Washington Nationals, getting 34-year old minor league 1B Trey Sweeney in return.
The San Francisco Giants traded 21-year old minor league 1B Juan Lugo and 17-year old minor league RHP Nesty Aguirre to the Philadelphia Phillies, getting 38-year old RHP Trevor Stephan in return.
Friday, July 14th , 2034
The New York Yankees traded 20-year old minor league C Tim Zimmerman and 22-year old minor league 3B Ulmont Ledbetter to the New York Mets, getting 31-year old RHP David Hagaman in return.
Wednesday, July 12th , 2034
The Seattle Mariners traded 20-year old minor league 1B Dave Hull to the Houston Astros, getting 29-year old 2B Devin Saltiban in return.
Tuesday, July 11th , 2034
The Texas Rangers traded 21-year old minor league C Kyung-hwan Kim and 20-year old minor league 3B Chris Rison to the Colorado Rockies, getting 28-year old minor league 3B Eric Steelman in return.
The Detroit Tigers traded 38-year old RHP James Karinchak to the Washington Nationals, getting 19-year old minor league LHP Rogelio Heredia and 24-year old minor league RHP Quinten Franke in return.
Washington Nationals: RP Alex McFarlane was designated for assignment and placed on waivers (from active).
Monday, July 10th , 2034
The Tampa Bay Rays traded 25-year old RHP Alpha Marbley to the Seattle Mariners, getting 23-year old minor league LHP Shamond Kahanek in return.
Sunday, July 2nd , 2034
The San Diego Padres traded 19-year old minor league 3B Arturo Mendizabal and 19-year old minor league 3B David Morocho to the Minnesota Twins, getting 37-year old RHP Yeijiro Ando in return.
Injuries
Monday, July 31st , 2034
St. Louis Cardinals: RP Jamie Russell diagnosed with a torn flexor tendon in his elbow, will miss 13-14 months.
Saturday, July 29th , 2034
Texas Rangers: CF Evan Carter diagnosed with a strained posterior cruciate ligament, will miss 7-8 weeks.
Thursday, July 27th , 2034
Pittsburgh Pirates: 2B Quadir Dammons diagnosed with a herniated disc, will miss 7-8 weeks.
Cincinnati Reds: RP Josh Carpenter diagnosed with a torn meniscus, will miss 4 months.
Arizona Diamondbacks: RP Ajani Okafor diagnosed with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament, will miss 11-12 months.
Monday, July 24th , 2034
St. Louis Cardinals: 2B Junior Caminero diagnosed with a strained triceps, will miss 4-5 weeks.
Colorado Rockies: RF Yeison Morrobel diagnosed with an oblique strain, will miss 6 weeks.
Milwaukee Brewers: CF Jon Bricker diagnosed with a sprained ankle, will miss 4 weeks.
Thursday, July 20th , 2034
Atlanta Braves: Danny Stellato has suffered a setback in his recovery. He is not expected to recover for another 4 weeks.
Wednesday, July 19th , 2034
Baltimore Orioles: 2B Jackson Holliday diagnosed with an oblique strain, will miss 5 weeks.
New York Mets: 1B Ethan Anderson diagnosed with a torn meniscus, will miss 4 months.
Tuesday, July 18th , 2034
Pittsburgh Pirates: CF Daylen Lile diagnosed with chronic back soreness, will miss 6-7 weeks.
Tampa Bay Rays: RP Sean Hermann diagnosed with shoulder inflammation, will miss 6 weeks.
Monday, July 17th , 2034
Chicago White Sox: RP Hunter Dobbins diagnosed with a sprained ankle, will miss 6 weeks.
Colorado Rockies: RP Danny Rodecap diagnosed with biceps tendinitis, will miss 7 weeks.
Sunday, July 16th , 2034
Cleveland Guardians: 2B Brice Turang diagnosed with an elbow sprain, will miss 5 weeks.
Friday, July 14th , 2034
Miami Marlins: LF Mike Carethers diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament, will miss 6-7 months.
Wednesday, July 12th , 2034
San Francisco Giants: CF Dan Castillo diagnosed with bone marrow edema in his wrist, will miss 6-7 weeks.
Sunday, July 9th , 2034
Atlanta Braves: C Steve Crawford diagnosed with a fractured hand, will miss 4 weeks.
Toronto Blue Jays: CF Danny Rose was injured while throwing the ball. The Diagnosis: shoulder inflammation. He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Saturday, July 8th , 2034
Miami Marlins: 2B Jansel Luis diagnosed with a fractured thumb, will miss 7-8 weeks.
Friday, July 7th , 2034
Cincinnati Reds: 1B Anthony Volpe diagnosed with a broken kneecap, will miss 5-6 months.
Wednesday, July 5th , 2034
Arizona Diamondbacks: CF Joe Wolter was injured while running the bases. The Diagnosis: torn ankle ligaments. He's expected to miss about 7 weeks.
Tuesday, July 4th , 2034
Washington Nationals: CF Arturo Rivera was injured in a collision at a base. The Diagnosis: herniated disc (back). He's expected to miss about 4 weeks.
Monday, July 3rd , 2034
Texas Rangers: LF Jacob Young diagnosed with a torn quad, will miss 3 months.
Atlanta Braves: 1B Austin Riley diagnosed with a fractured finger, will miss 5-6 weeks.
Sunday, July 2nd , 2034
Milwaukee Brewers: RP Andres Munoz diagnosed with ulnar nerve entrapment, will miss 3-4 months.