(UPDATE: Reader Todd Barton rightfully points out we should link to Sweeney officially making the A's.)
SURPRISE, Ariz. --- Talked to a scout the other day who works for an NL Central team and thinks the Royals would be good enough to compete in that division this year.
Now, he also said that most people would think he was crazy, and also that by "compete" he means finish second or third, 85 wins or so, and that this would be the top of their ceiling.
But still, it's something.
Abbreviated links, haven't seen too much stuff new in the last day or so worthy of your eyes, but as always, please pass along anything you've got (smellinger@kcstar.com):
* Tell me if you read this the same way, but is this story saying that A-Rod has had a major priorities shift because he took $300 million to stay with the Yankees?
Who else was going to give him that kind of money?
* Clark Fosler at Royals Authority looks at the Indians.
* Big League Stew author and Ball Star friend Kevin Kaduk sends this link, which is the best thing I will see today.
* Weird.
* Rany does his thing at Baseball Prospectus (subscription required), looking at the relationship between runs and unearned runs and fits Zack Greinke in here, too. Good stuff.
Everyone made a fuss when he left because he led the team in RBI...When the leader of your teams RBI is hitting in a little over 80 a year, it's time to consider finding someone new...
JT