Ciriaco didn't look good in the field last night.

So, it looks like MLB.tv will not be showing opening day games.
http://mlb.mlb.com/mediacenter/index...date=3/31/2014
This doesn't make any sense whatsoever. I understand MLB wants butts in the seats, but I don't live in the Royals media mkt. That's why I watch Royals games on MLB.tv!!

Pretty irrelevant, IMO. They have the Omaha pipeline up the road during half their games. As long as you can get through one game of Infante playing SS (if Escobar goes down) and Valencia or Moose playing 2B (if Infante goes down, then it's not really a pressing question. For that matter, I heard a random mention at some point during one of the ST telecasts that Yost thinks Moose can still play a decent SS in a pinch, if need be (he was drafted as a SS).

Point is...none of these are "great" options...they're just one-game emergency options. They HAVE indicated that if they wanted to give Escobar a game off, they put Valencia at 2B and Infante at SS, where he used to play as a utility guy back in the day.

And apparently, they're not broadcasting any audio/radio either...according to that page! CRAZY!!! >end sarcasm<

Dude...all the regular season game lineups/schedule are BLANK. You could calm down and think this through. They simply haven't updated their mlb.tv lineups for the start of the season. It will be on mlb.tv. Bank on it.

He just needs to play 2B for 2 or 3 days next month. It won't be pretty, but he probably won't hurt us. Infante can cover for Escobar.

I think the plan is to wait until some injury in April or early May fixes the problem for us and we can bring up someone to give them a rest in May/June. If we are blessed enough to have no position player go on the DL for the first 2 months, then thats a good problem to have.

http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/r...ed-away-032514

Interesting article, the Mariners pulled a cheeseball move that I'd have expected out of the 90's Royals. They lost one of their top 5 SP options to free agency this week all over $1MM.

but, but....I believe everything I see on the interwebs.

The Pirates just locked up Starling Marte to a long-term deal. 7 years (including some options) starting in 2015, 31MM, that buys out 3 of his free agent years.

Marte was an international player who didn't get much of a signing bonus, so he's one of those guys (like Salvy Perez) who are more willing to sign this sort of thing. Hopefully we can work out one of those deals with Ventura if he does well this season, good for the Pirates.

OK, we've got some real news this morning.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Sounds like Louis Coleman could begin the season on the DL. Has a bone bruise in that middle finger. He won&#39;t make trip to Milwaukee.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/448837731477491712">March 26, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The Royals are contemplating taking 11 pitchers to start the season now, with a backup middle infielder to protect Omar Infante.</p>&mdash; Andy McCullough (@McCulloughStar) <a href="https://twitter.com/McCulloughStar/statuses/448837884372471809">March 26, 2014</a></blockquote>
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If Wolf is healthy, might be worth kicking the tires on and adding some more rotation depth.

Was thinking the same thing, if Chen is a dumpster fire and Duffy isn't ready yet, it'd be nice to have another lefty.

The media's opening day payroll estimates are out:

1. LA Dodgers $235,295,219
2. NY Yankees $203,812,506
3. Philadelphia Phillies $180,052,723
4. Boston Red Sox $162,817,411
5. Detroit Tigers $162,228,527
6. LA Angels $155,692,000
7. San Francisco Giants $154,185,878
8. Texas Rangers $136,036,172
9. Washington Nationals $134,704,437
10. Toronto Blue Jays $132,628,700
11. Arizona Diamondbacks $112,688,666
12. Cincinnati Reds $112,390,772
13. St. Louis Cardinals $111,020,360
14. Atlanta Braves $110,897,341
15. Baltimore Orioles $107,406,623
16. Milwaukee Brewers $103,844,806
17. Colorado Rockies $95,832,071
18. Seattle Mariners $92,081,943
19. Kansas City Royals $92,034,345
20. Chicago White Sox $91,159,254
21. San Diego Padres $90,094,196
22. NY Mets $89,051,758
23. Chicago Cubs $89,007,857
24. Minnesota Twins $85,776,500
25. Oakland A's $83,401,400
26. Cleveland Indians $82,534,800
27. Pittsburgh Pirates $78,111,667
28. Tampa Bay Rays $77,062,891
29. Miami Marlins $47,565,400
30. Houston Astros $44,544,174

The Astros are whining about their estimate, mentioning that they have to send about $5MM to another team for example, which is fair but those kinds of things have never been included in these rankings.

I don't recall actually having seen him pitch, but I seem to remember that it's been a rough spring for 'ol Cole Slaw. Maybe the injury had something to do with it?

Sheesh - I knew our payroll would be higher this year, but I didn't realize it would put us as the second-highest in our division.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>In all seriousness, credit the Royals for bowing to reality BEFORE the season begins. Just like with moving Hochevar to the pen last year.</p>&mdash; Rany Jazayerli (@jazayerli) <a href="https://twitter.com/jazayerli/statuses/448840555775021056">March 26, 2014</a></blockquote>
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