Judge hits No. 44, Yankees beat Mariners 9-4 to stop skid
APTOPIX Yankees Mariners Baseball New York Yankees' Aaron Judge celebrates with Tim Locastro after hitting a solo home run on a pitch from Seattle Mariners' Ryan Borucki during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Monday, Aug. 8, 2022, in Seattle. (AP Photo/John Froschauer) (John Froschauer)SEATTLE — (AP) — Aaron Judge hit his 44th homer, Josh Donaldson also went deep and drove in three runs, and the New York Yankees snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Seattle Mariners 9-4 on Monday night. Donaldson doubled twice and Andrew Benintendi also had two doubles and three RBIs as the Yankees hammered Seattle pitching. New York manager Aaron Boone held a team meeting ahead of the series opener in Seattle after the Yankees were swept in St. Louis last weekend. Castillo allowed three runs and struck out eight over 6 2/3 innings last week at Yankee Stadium in his first start for Seattle.
wftv.comYankees trade Joey Gallo to Dodgers at MLB trade deadline, ending slugger's disastrous stint in New York
Joey Gallo New York Yankees' Joey Gallo in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Detroit Tigers, Sunday, June 5, 2022, in New York. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)The New York Yankees are reportedly trading outfielder Joey Gallo to the Los Angeles Dodgers, mercifully ending a Bronx experiment gone woefully wrong. Gallo, who joined the Yankees at the 2021 trade deadline, will try to start over with the Dodgers. While always boasting an extreme game that relied on walks and homers, Gallo was a very productive player from 2017 until the trade last year. Bellinger has maintained his grip on a lineup spot through excellent defense, but has been an even worst hitter than Gallo.
wftv.com2022 MLB trade deadline grades: Analyzing Mariners' move for Luis Castillo, Yankees’ Andrew Benintendi deal, more
Kansas City Royals v New York Yankees NEW YORK, NY - JULY 30: Andrew Benintendi #18 of the New York Yankees in action against the Kansas City Royals during a game at Yankee Stadium on July 30, 2022 in New York City. For each major deal between now at Tuesday’s deadline, we’ll break down the pieces on the move and the logic behind the trades. Mariners acquire starting pitcher Luis Castillo from Reds for 4 prospects, including SS Noelvi MarteThe first big deal of the season saw Castillo, perhaps the most impactful pitcher available, head to Seattle. Mariners: BReds: AYankees acquire OF Andrew Benintendi from Royals for 3 prospectsSometimes pivots are very obvious. If you're going to take on any organization's young pitchers, the Yankees are one of the best choices.
wftv.comCOVID-19 vaccinations add new twist to MLB trade deadline
As the only MLB team located in Canada, the Toronto Blue Jays have by far the toughest constraints. That means any upgrades for the Blue Jays — who are right in the middle of the American League playoff race — will almost certainly have to be vaccinated. Unless all those unvaccinated players change their minds, it sure seems like a home-field advantage for the Blue Jays. The Blue Jays are on track to make the postseason, so theoretically, the road to a World Series title could go through Canada. Of course, there's also a chance the Blue Jays fall out of the playoff race and none of the immediate doomsday scenarios come into play.
wftv.comJudge's 3rd walk-off HR of year lifts Yanks over Royals 1-0
Royals Yankees Baseball New York Yankees' Aaron Judge watches his game-ending home run during the ninth inning of the team's baseball game against the Kansas City Royals on Thursday, July 28, 2022, in New York. Judge had never hit a big league walk-off homer before May 10 against Toronto’s Jordan Romano, then hit another on June 26 off Houston’s Seth Martinez. New York had not won a 1-0 game on a walk-off homer since Ruben Sierra connected off the Blue Jays’ Vinnie Chulk on April 22, 2004. Kansas City, last in the AL Centrl, dropped to 39-60. “He’s getting close,” Kansas City manager Mike Matheny said.
wftv.comBenintendi won't say whether will get vaccinated with Yanks
Rays Royals Baseball Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Brett Phillips chases down a single by Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, July 22, 2022. (AP Photo/Colin E. Braley) (Colin E. Braley)NEW YORK — (AP) — Andrew Benintendi wouldn’t say whether he will get vaccinated for COVID-19 now that he’s with the first-place New York Yankees rather than the last-place Kansas City Royals. He was among 10 Royals who missed a four-game series at Toronto from July 14-17 because he was not vaccinated and could not enter Canada. “We’ll cross that bridge if and when we have to but I have not had that conversation,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. Benintendi had arrived with the Royals in New York and was in his hotel room when Royals manager Mike Matheny told him of the trade at about 11 p.m. Wednesday night.
wftv.comYankees get OF Benintendi from Royals for 3 minor leaguers
Rays Royals Baseball Tampa Bay Rays center fielder Brett Phillips chases down a single by Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi during the first inning of a baseball game in Kansas City, Mo., Friday, July 22, 2022. Benintendi, a 28-year-old left-handed hitter, was among 10 Royals who missed a four-game series at Toronto from July 14-17 because he was not vaccinated. Benintendi lost $186,813 of the $8.5 million salary he won in an arbitration case against the Royals. No Yankees missed earlier trips to Toronto this season, and the Yankees have a three-game series there from Sept. 26-28. Yankees manager Aaron Boone disputed the notion that the Yankees have too many power hitters in their lineup.
wftv.comReport: Yankees trade for Royals OF Andrew Benintendi
Andrew Benintendi Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi slides across home plate to score against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)The New York Yankees have a new outfielder (and it's not Juan Soto). The team traded for Kansas City Royals outfielder Andrew Benintendi on Wednesday, according to YES Network's Jack Curry. One of the few Royals players having a good season this year, Benintendi is hitting 321/.389/.399 with three homers and 40 runs in 92 games. The trade is a pure rental for the Yankees, as Benintendi is slated to hit free agency this winter.
wftv.comMLB trade deadline 2022: The five biggest difference-makers on the market other than Juan Soto
(Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images)The MLB trade deadline is approaching quickly and one name towers above the rest. After pulling the ball 40 percent of the time last season, he’s pulling the ball 27.3 percent of the time in 2022. Willson Contreras, Chicago Cubs CA catcher who can hit is a rare commodity these days, which should give Willson Contreras plenty of value on the trade market. At the plate, Contreras offers a solid understanding of the strike zone. It’s unclear whether Bell is vaccinated against COVID-19 and whether that will impact his trade market.
wftv.comRoyals patching up roster for Toronto, image among fans
Tigers Royals Baseball Kansas City Royals' Andrew Benintendi slides across home plate to score against the Detroit Tigers during the eighth inning of a baseball game, Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in Kansas City, Mo. — (AP) — The Kansas City Royals spent Thursday patching up a roster missing 10 players who were barred from traveling to Toronto because of their COVID-19 vaccination status while trying to smooth over their damaged image among fans. The Royals players will forfeit four days of pay and major league service time in accordance with the terms of MLB’s collective bargaining agreement. That means they will collectively lose $726,128 in salary, headlined by Benintendi losing $186,813, Merrifield losing $153,846, Keller losing $106,044 and Dozier and Taylor losing $98,901 apiece. The moves leave Kansas City with two roster spots still available for this weekend.
wftv.comRoyals take not-so-subtle shot at unvaccinated players with team down 10 members in Toronto
MLB: JUL 10 Guardians at Royals KANSAS CITY, MO - JULY 10: Kansas City Royals first baseman Hunter Dozier (17) in the dugout after scoring in the second inning of an MLB game between the Cleveland Guardians and Kansas City Royals on July 10, 2022 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, MO. The team sent out a tweet highlighting its "multiple free COVID-19 vaccine events" moments after placing 10 unvaccinated players on the restricted list prior to the team's game in Toronto. For more information visit: https://t.co/uihVWJrJnL — Kansas City Royals (@Royals) July 14, 2022MLB players who are unvaccinated against COVID-19 are prohibited from entering Canada due to the country's COVID-19 policy. The Royals still have 10 unvaccinated players on their roster, a massive figure compared to other teams around the league. Royals without 10 players as team heads to CanadaSome of the Royals' best players won't be available against the Blue Jays.
wftv.comRoyals to miss 10 unvaccinated players for Blue Jays road series
Kansas City Royals v Houston Astros HOUSTON, TEXAS - JULY 06: Andrew Benintendi #16 of the Kansas City Royals talks to Whit Merrifield #15 of the Kansas City Royals during the game against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 06, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/Getty Images)The Kansas City Royals are headed to Toronto to face the Blue Jays this weekend, though calling the team they'll be fielding the Royals may be a bit charitable. A whopping 10 players on the Royals' roster are not vaccinated against COVID-19 and will not be able to enter Canada for the Blue Jays series, according to ESPN's Jeff Passan. It should be mentioned that the U.S. has a similar policy, hence all non-U.S. citizens on the Blue Jays must be vaccinated to play any road series. Who are the Royals losing against the Blue Jays?
wftv.comWitt's dazzling play in 10th helps Royals top Guardians 1-0
Prized rookie Bobby Witt Jr. made an eye-popping play at third base to nail a runner at the plate in the top of the 10th inning, then Adalberto Mondesi’s RBI single in the bottom half lifted the Kansas City Royals over the Cleveland Guardians 1-0.
Witt a debut! Royals rookie stars in 3-1 win over Guardians
Guardians Royals Baseball Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Zack Greinke throws against the Cleveland Guardians during the first inning of a baseball game, Thursday, April 7, 2022 in Kansas City, Mo. — (AP) — Bobby Witt Jr. capped his highly anticipated big league debut with his first hit, a go-ahead double with two outs in the eighth inning, sending the Kansas City Royals to a 3-1 victory over the rechristened Cleveland Guardians on Thursday. 1 prospect in the game, roped a double down the left-field line to give Kansas City its first lead. Several members of the Kansas City Chiefs, including coach Andy Reid, dressed up in Royals gear. Except maybe Greinke, who wore short sleeves for his first start in a Kansas City uniform since Sept. 30, 2010.
wftv.comAP Source: Royals promote Moore to president, Picollo to GM
Royals Twins Baseball Kansas City Royals Whit Merrifield (15) fist-bumps Hunter Dozier after Merrifield scored on a Andrew Benintendi sacrifice fly off Minnesota Twins pitcher Juan Minaya in the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, Sept. 12, 2021, in Minneapolis. — (AP) — The Kansas City Royals are promoting general manager Dayton Moore to club president and elevating longtime assistant GM J.J. Picollo to fill his role, a person familiar with the front-office movements told The Associated Press on Tuesday. But there have been signs that another breakthrough is on the horizon as a wave of talented young pitchers continues to help Kansas City win games down the stretch this season. Picollo, who has interviewed for several GM jobs, has long been considered Moore's heir apparent. They worked together in Atlanta before coming to Kansas City, where Picollo rose from an area scout to assistant GM in charge of player personnel.
wftv.comRoyals give Pérez 4-year, $82M deal; richest in team history
FILE - In this Thursday, Sept. 24, 2020 file photo, Kansas City Royals' Salvador Perez celebrates with third base coach Vance Wilson after hitting a three-run home run during the first inning of the team's baseball game against the Detroit Tigers in Kansas City, Mo. The Kansas City Royals have given six-time All-Star catcher Salvador Prez the richest contract in club history, a four-year, $82 million deal that begins in 2022. Kansas City announced Sunday, March 21, 2021 it had extended Prez's time with the team. That's when the Royals gave the six-time All-Star catcher an $82 million, four-year deal — the richest in club history — that will begin after his current contract in 2022. The value of the new deal surpasses the $72 million four-year contract the Royals gave outfielder Alex Gordon in 2016.
LeMahieu HR ends inning, no more early exits for pitchers
Starter Zach Eflin pitched four shutout innings, allowing two hits and striking out four without a walk. ROCKIES 2, MARINERS 1Kyle Freeland allowed three hits in four shutout innings in his second start for Colorado, striking out four. Seattle's Marco Gonzales threw four shutout innings in his second start, allowing two hits while striking out four. Martín Pérez made his second start, allowing two hits and a walk in four scoreless innings. ATHLETICS 5, REDS 2 (7)Oakland lefty Sean Manaea struck out four in three innings, allowing one run and three hits.
AP source: Bradley agrees to $24M, 2-year deal with Brewers
The Boston Globe first reported Bradley's decision,Bradley will join the Brewers will into spring training, which started in mid-February. Bradley turns 31 on April 19 and is regarded as a top defensive center fielder. He won a Gold Glove in 2018 and led the American League in assists by a center fielder in 2014, 2016, 2018 and 2019. The Brewers already have 2019 Gold Glove center fielder Lorenzo Cain, who opted out after playing five games last season but is back in spring training camp. They traded right fielder Mookie Betts to the Dodgers last year and sent left fielder Andrew Benintendi to the Kansas City Royals last month.
Twins newcomer Happ back on mound after positive virus test
The two-time AL Central champion Twins are hoping Happ can give them a veteran presence at the back of their rotation. Ian Anderson pitched two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk. Houston piggy-backed a pair of starters with Framber Valdez yielding McNeil's homer in the first two innings, striking out two. AdBLUE JAYS 4, PHILLIES 2 (6)Steven Matz allowed a hit in two scoreless innings, striking out three without a walk. CUBS 3, ROYALS 2 (7)Outfielder Rafael Ortega, who signed a minor league deal with Chicago after playing 34 games for Atlanta last season, hit a bases-loaded triple.
Royals make official Dozier deal for $25 million, four years
– The Royals made official their $25 million, four-year contract with third baseman Hunter Dozier on Monday, ensuring that another member of their young foundation is under club control for the foreseeable future. And we want that to happen in Kansas City.”AdDozier's deal replaces a $2.72 million, one-year contract he agreed to on Dec. 2. He gets a $1 million signing bonus and will earn $2.25 million this year, $4.5 million in 2022, $7.25 million in 2023 and $9 million in 2024. The Royals have a $10 million option for 2025 with a $1 million buyout. Ad“Hunter is willing to do whatever is necessary to help the team win,” Moore added.
AP source: Royals, Dozier agree to $25M, 4-year deal
AdStill, the Royals believe Dozier will revert to form with a full spring training and 162-game season. “I definitely don't think you throw it away,” he said. So I'm definitely looking forward to a normal season.”Dozier is also looking forward to a consistent spot in the everyday lineup. AdGiven his relatively bumpy road to this point, Dozier — and evidently the Royals — believe his best is yet to come. But I definitely think there is another level.
Nelson 3 hitless innings wins debut, Yanks' win 5th in row
New York Yankees relief pitcher Nick Nelson throws in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Saturday, Aug. 1, 2020, in New York. He had pitched three hitless innings for his major league debut in the New York Yankees' 5-2 victory over the Boston Red Sox on Saturday night. Thats as good a velocity as weve seen on his fastball really in the last couple of years, Boone said. I dont think he pitched as bad as what the score was," Red Sox manager Ron Roenicke said. ... Red Sox left fielder Andrew Benintendi was back in the lineup after a night off.
Posey out for 2020 as MLB teams deal with churning rosters
Posey a six-time All-Star and 2012 NL MVP said his family finalized the adoption of identical twin girls this week. Holt has a young family and his wife is pregnant, but he decided to leave them at home while he went to Milwaukee for the next three months. First baseman and team leader Freddie Freeman, premier reliever Will Smith, right-hander Touki Toussaint and infielder Pete Kozma tested positive for coronavirus. Epstein said two coaches tested positive prior to the intake process. A front office member tested positive during the intake.