Nationals are aggressively shopping John Lannan and his $5M contract to create space to pursue Edwin Jackson....

Do you want John Lannan?

Christian Colon, 2b, Royals: The fourth overall pick in the 2010 draft had a disappointing first full pro season, batting .257/.325/.342 in Double-A. Yet, he's going to hit for a high average with solid gap power while providing fine defense at second base. I still think he's better than Johnny Giavotella, who made this list three years ago.

Fantasy Trade

Fantasy categories
for hitters - AVG, BB, XBH, HR, SB
for pitchers - ERA, K/BB, IP, QS, SV

#Royals/#BlueJays deep into talks for Soria. Royals love D'Arnaud.

He's a Top 50 MiLB prospect. And a Catcher.

The Case For Long Toss: Eric Cressey

OT: Chiefs Fire Haley

11:07am: The Dodgers won't be bidding on Darvish....the Rangers aren't willing to gamble $100MM on Darvish...Red Sox are unlikely to be involved...

Scouts noticed a tendency for Myers to turn it up a notch in clutch situations, and he has fast hands that help him generate above-average power.

Seattle Mariners outfielder Greg Halman was stabbed to death early Monday and his brother was arrested as a suspect, Dutch police said.

Outfielder Wil Myers of the Royals was named to the Arizona Fall League's Top Prospects Team in a vote of AFL managers and coaches.

"I plan on really getting after it this offseason, coming back physically ready to be what we need: an extra No. 2, No. 3. That's my goal, you've got to set your goals high. I'm going to do everything in my power to come back physically ready, strong enough to stay consistent in my delivery."

Character Education:  GRIT

Phillies Sign Papelbon

MLB.com's Top Ten Royal Prospects.
1. Myers
2. Odorizzi
3. Montgomery
4. Colon
5. Lamb
6. Dwyer
7. Clint Robinson
8. Herrera
9. Cuthbert
10. Salvador

AFL Rising Stars Game

What About Aaron Harang?

Alan Jaeger Talking Long Toss at 1 EST TODAY

Royals Targeting Dave Duncan - JK

Royals Prospects Discussion

Rick Knapp was named Minor League Pitching Coordinator for the Royals on Wednesday. He served as the Tigers pitching coach from 2009 to July of this year.

Can you guys tell us a little about him? Why did he get fired? What are his philosophies? What does he believe in when it comes to pitching? Does he allow long toss? Ect.

2012 Draft: 3 Games to Go

1. Astros (clinched #1 last week)
2. Twins (clinched #2 last week)
3. Orioles/Mariners (11.5 GB; for 3rd/4th)
4. Royals/Padres (14.5 GB; for 5th/6th)
5. Cubs (15.5 GB)

2012 Draft Order: Battle Of Grass Creek Edition

1. Astros
2. Orioles (9.5 GB)
3. Royals (11.0 GB)/Twins (11.0 GB, +1)
4. Mariners (12. GB)
5. Padres (13.5 GB, +1)

2012 Draft Order: Officially Eliminated From Playoffs Edition

1. Astros
2. Orioles 8.0 GB
3. Royals 9.5 GB
4. Twins 10.5 GB (+1)
5. Mariners 11.5 GB (-1)

The Royals were officially eliminated from playoff contention with Wednesday's loss. How did we miss that?

Soria might adopt new training technique

DETROIT -- If Joakim Soria is worked similar to a starting pitcher in Spring Training next year, don't be confused. There's absolutely no plan to make him a starter, it'd be just a new training technique.

It's just a possibility being discussed by pitching coach Bob McClure and the Royals' closer.

Soria has struggled more this season than in any previous year with seven blown saves. McClure recalled that, as a Rule 5 rookie in 2007, all of Soria's pitches and his command were very sharp.

"That was the best I had seen him. The reason is, he had been a starter that winter in the Mexican League and he came into Spring Training as a starter where he used all of his pitches," McClure said.

"I just thought that perhaps it might be better for him to go along with the starters -- to a point, maybe four innings -- and then go backwards, so that he's got the feel of all his pitches coming out of Spring Training."

As of now, it's just a thought.

"We're having discussions on that," Soria said. "to find a way that we can throw all my pitches in Spring Training, so we can start with all my pitches sharp. I think it's a good idea. I don't know about the four or five innings, for me that's too much, but we need to find a way."

Soria throws a fastball, curveball, slider, changeup and cutter off his fastball, a large repertoire for a closer.

Manager Ned Yost isn't too concerned with Spring Training just yet but, lest anyone think the old idea about changing Soria into a starter is in the plans, he has a one-word answer: "No."

McClure has got to have some dirt on somebody. There is no other explanation to have him as a pitching coach.

2012 Draft Order: 4th Last Off Day Edition

1. Astros
2. Orioles
3. Royals
4. Mariners
5. Twins (-1)

Sickels Scouting Report of Mike Montgomery

TGIF

Chad Fairchild. Doug Eddings. Dana DeMuth. Kerwin Danley.