I admit, I’m kind of at a loss here.

The playoffs resume tonight, we’re a month or so from when free agency kicks into gear, about six weeks from the winter meetings and four months from camp.  In other words, there’s not much going on. 

When the Royals limped to the finish line a couple of weeks ago, I actually welcomed the end of the season.  That’s how brutal this year was.  And now that we’ve gone about 10 days without Royals baseball, somehow I find myself missing the games. 

I think I’m mentally ill.

-- The Arizona Fall League is underway and several Royals have seen action for the Surprise Rafters.  (What’s a Rafter?  Someone who’s on a raft?  Do they really have rafters in the middle of Arizona?)  Mike Moustakas went 1-4 with an RBI double in his only action, while Jeff Bianchi is 1-9.

ESPN’s Keith Law is in Arizona and is covering the league.  Follow him on Twitter for updates, such as this one from yesterday:

Jeff Bianchi is swinging and missing at fringy stuff like it's 95 with movement. #royals

No word if this Tweet got Law banned from the Royals facility in Surprise.

--  Texas batting coach Rudy Jaramillo decided to decline the Rangers offer of a new contract, making him a coaching free agent.  He’s been with Texas for 15 years.  And get this… He’s used Scott Boras as representation before.  Priceless.

Anyway, I’m aware of Jaramillo’s rock star status as a hitting coach, although some of the luster has worn off.  Last year, the Rangers ranked 12th in OBP and some people weren't happy with a particularly hacktastic approach of certain Ranger hitters.  Word is, the Cubs, Astros and Mets are all interested.  Obviously, some Royals fans think he’d be just perfect here in KC, which ignores the fact the Royals have already announced their staff for 2010.

--  The Royals retained three possible minor league free agents on Wednesday.  Scott Thorman, Kelvin Villa and Carlos Rivas will return to the organization next summer.  My favorite quote from the Dutton notebook about the three:

All three are former Atlanta prospects.

Of course, they are.

Thorman is a first baseman who appeared in 175 games for the Braves in 2006 and 2007 and hit .222/.260/.407.  He hit .297/.346/.496 with 19 home runs in Omaha after he was released from the Ranger organization.  He'll turn 28 in January.

Villa pitched in relief for Wilmington and posted a 3.38 ERA in 77 innings.  He had 67 strikeouts and 22 walks, but allowed 91 hits.  He'll be 24 in December.

Rivas was picked up by the Royals after a rough start (7.52 ERA in 26 innings in A-ball for the Braves) and did well pitching exclusively out of the bullpen.  He had a 1.74 ERA with 19 strikeouts in 20 innings.

All three were with the Braves when Moore was Director of Player Personnel.

--  Who do you like in the Playoffs?  I have the Dodgers in five games in the NLCS and the Angels in six. Although I would enjoy a Philadelphia-New York World Series, just because of the human suffering potential.  Baseball in the Northeast in November?  Bud Selig is genius.

Comments

gbewing

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These are completre nonevent moves but I am curious why they wanted Thorman back. Last year he had a productive year in AAA and never got a call up even when we were desperate for offense. He's a AAAA slow footed 1b bad lF type with some punch. Where does he play in KC? He doesn't or he already would have so he has no shot at being in KC. If I'm Thorman I might not want to come back - he's boxed in positionwise yet the Royals have the weakest team to penetrate- but a management style that doesn't like to make in season moves-nobody used their farm system less last season than KC. At 28 he may be heading toward career year numbers-if he tears up AAA can DM get the courage to actually give someone an opportunity- probably not

I like LA_LA WS- Dodgers win the battle of the bullpens, I think the Yankees will win but will pull for the Angels who reminds me of 77 Royals

Thursday 15 October 2009, 07:27

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Brian

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Doesn't look like Aaron Crow made it on the AFL roster. What gives?

Thursday 15 October 2009, 09:08

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Ken

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They do have rafts in Arizona. They have rivers and everything there too!

Friday 16 October 2009, 00:00

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Craig Brown

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I thought it was all sand, cactus and old people.

Friday 16 October 2009, 09:00

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kcghost

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Never forget that Keith Law is absolutely full of himself.

It doesn't matter who Moore keeps or doesn't keep. He doesn't know what to do with them anyway.

Monday 19 October 2009, 08:08

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GreinkeFan1

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Speaking of prospects in the AFL, does anyone know what's up with David Lough? He hasn't made it into a game yet. Is he injured? Did he hit on the manager's daughter without knowing it? Something has to be up. I read somewhere that if Crow continues to pitch well in the Arizona league they might move him to the AFL this week.

Friday 23 October 2009, 05:11

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